Maimonides: The Revered & Controversial Sephardic Rabbi | The Jewish Story | Unpacked

Every day, tens of thousands of students study the Mishneh Torah, The Guide for the Perplexed, and dozens of medical works written by Rambam, also known as Maimonides, one of the most famous Jewish scholars of all time.

Born in 1138 in Muslim-ruled Spain, Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon excelled in Torah study. Life for Sephardic Jews flourished in many ways under Islamic rule. However, after the Almohad Caliphate conquered Cordoba, his family, like many Spanish Jews, was forced to flee Spain. After moving throughout North Africa, they settled in Egypt in 1168. After the death of his brother, Maimonides chose to become a doctor to support his family.

He made great contributions to the medical field, but even greater ones to religion. Following in the footsteps of Rabbi Saadia Gaon, the Rambam’s unique mind explored Jewish theology alongside Islamic and Greek philosophy. Although he is revered as one of the most brilliant Jewish minds today, Maimonides was not free from critique. However,this didn’t stop him from creating some of the most read Jewish texts in history.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:28 Jewish life under Muslim rule
00:51 Rambam's youth
01:18 The Almohad and misfortune
02:23 Rambam's contributions to medical science
02:40 Rambam's contributions to religion
02:54 The Mishnah Torah
03:16 Criticisms of the Mishnah Torah
03:52 Criticisms of the Guide for the Perplexed
04:06 Rambam's other works
04:23 Rambam's religious and medical legacy
04:38 How did Rambam manage it all?
05:04 Outro

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Co-Executive Producers:
- Melinda Goldrich
- Shmuel Katz

Gold Level:
- Goldrich Family Foundation
- Morrie Silverman & Lori Komisar
- Melanie & Martin Glatt

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Image and footage credits:
- Yaakov Saar/Israeli GPO

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About The Jewish Story: Understand three thousand years of Jewish history in these short videos based on the book Letters to Auntie Fori: The 5,000-Year History of the Jewish People and Their Faith by the renowned historian Sir Martin Gilbert. Learn the Jewish story from the ancient Israelites of the Bible to Hellenization, the Jews of the Middle Ages to modern day, and more.

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#Maimonides #Jewish #History

[sadiqkhawaja]

How is it possible that you don't mention the fact that he was Saladin's personal physician?!!

[bisoahmad]

As an Egyptian I am so proud that outstanding Andalusian man lived much of life in my country and was one of Saladin's consultants

[horsesofhelios]

proud to be a spanish sephardi jew🇪🇸✡️

[dragnwolf]

Too short a video to cover the life and work of Maimonides....

[Shox_lux]

For those who want to learn something, look up what this "scholar" wrote about war and what's allowed or should be done to the gentile and their children. Compare his teachings to the practices of the IDF and take a few moments to reflect!

[janvanwelvaart]

Rambam to Jewish spiritual and theology probably could be considered co-equal with Al-Ghazali to Islamic spiritual and theology.

[Shox_lux]

So you're telling me he had to flee Cordoba due to the Islamic invasion so he moved to Morocco and later Egypt (already under Muslim rule)... Make it make sense!

[terrysetiawan]

Famous Rabinic Books :
1. Kitab al-Amanat wa’l-I’tiqadat (Emunot V’deiot—“The Book of Beliefs and Opinions”), by Rabbi Saadiah Gaon
2. Kitab Al Hidayah ila Faraid al-Qulub (Chovot HaLevavot—“Duties of the Heart”), by Rabbeinu Bachya
3.Kitab al-Ḥujjah wal-Dalil fi Nuṣr al-Din al-Dhalil (The Kuzari—“A Defense of the Despised Faith”), by Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi
4.Maqala Fi-Sinat Al-Mantiq (Millot HaHiggayon—“Treatise on Logical Terminology”), by Maimonides
5. Kitab al-Siraj (Peirush HaMishnayot—“Commentary on the Mishnah”), by Maimonides
6. Kitab al-Farai'd (Sefer HaMitzvot—“Book of Commandments”), by Maimonides
7. Dalalat al-Ha'rin (Moreh Nevuchim—“Guide for the Perplexed”), by Maimonides

[rochellehandelman]

"Is Moses Maimonides an unacknowledged ancestor of the psychoanalytic movement? In this book, David Bakan, Dan Merkur, and David S. Weiss look at the great medieval Jewish philosopher's prescription for the cure of souls and its psychological significance. In the Guide of the Perplexed, Maimonides, who was also a physician, describes the soul's illness: when sinners rationalize evil as good, they limit their capacities to reason, imagine, and behave well, which also produces physical symptoms. The cure depends on repentance in love and fear of God that is attained through philosophical knowledge, the interpretation of dreams and visions, and mystical contemplation. The authors look at the Aristotelian background of Maimonides' psychology, Maimonidean mysticism, his beliefs about prophecy and sexuality, and what is known of Maimonides' client population. A final chapter discusses Maimonides and Freud, noting that many distinctive features of the cure of souls are shared by Freud's original formulation of psychoanalysis. Indeed, the many points of convergence suggest Freud's direct or indirect contact with Maimonides' legacy."

[thescoobymike]

Why did him being a doctor lead to video game music 😂

[russrussel]

No mention of reversing Apostacy ideas and that he went to fix the Kariate problem, which was devolving Judaism. A Jew is a Jew is a Jew is a Jew, no matter FORCED CONVERSION at the sword by The CALIPHATE or CHRISTIANITY. Thanks for saving Marranos and essentialy putting the Kol Nidre into full effect. I'm a descendant of Rashi, but you are my "Grandpa", too, Rambam.

[SarahB-xywq]

A good summary considering the length!

[insaanietihad-MSB]

Thank you thank you so much for this short but great video regarding Rambam, although personally I am a bigger fan of Rashi... Nevertheless I might end up being a Sephardic convert to Judaism depending on my parent's ancestry.

[Unearthandseekknowledge]

Rambam was also the salhah ElDean’s personal medical / doctor… very important information .

[patriciashepard]

KEY WORD "SEPHARDIC JEW" amazing man! Amazing Doctor.

[moshelevin]

okay you explaiend the histroy but you barely touched upon his theolgoy and conception of judaism, and briefly explained why he was controversial. 10/10 for history, 3/10 for philopshy of rambam

[AliElimi]

Rambam lived with muslims and studies ibnu sina and ibnu ghazi books.when christian persucuted jews muslim ruler hired them in high ranking.

[davidjuarez]

The lord commands us to do bless those who curse u and love your enemies, do good to those who hate u. So you actually made a point to prove MAIMONIDES was holy

[shainazion]

Sam Aronows Maimonides history was much more complete.

[BaruchKatz]

It is called "Treatise on Logic", not "Treaties".