Moses Mamonidies Contribution to Judaism

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Describe the contribution and analyse the effect of ONE significant person or school or thought on Judaism Maimonides' three major literary works, the Mishneh Torah, the Commentary on the Mishnah, which includes the 13 Principles of Faith, and the Guide for the Perplexed along with his leadership of the Jewish community has had a significant impact during his day and beyond. During his time, Maimonides was able to consolidate Jewish communities in the face of the dual threats of persecution from Muslim dominance and challenges of classical philosophy. Maimonides is also influential today as his writings have subsequently become the foundation for much Jewish teaching. The extent of the effect of his contributions is evident in that he is held in high acclaim by all strands of Judaism. Moses Maimonides was born in Cordoba in Spain 1135. At his time, Spain was dominated by Islamic culture and religion and Jews were considered to be second class citizens. The Jewish people began to be persecuted in Spain in 1148, when Spain was invaded by the fanatical Almohades. The Maimon family eventually settled in Egypt after fleeing Islamic persecution. As a Sephardi Jew, Maimonides was educated in both the secular sciences and in Jewish studies, that is, the Torah and the Talmud. This prolific writer was appointed as the Chief Rabbi of the Egyptian Jewish community which was one of the highest offices in the Jewish world in those days. The work of Maimonides in consolidating and strengthening Judaism against Islamic dominance, as well the revival of classical philosophy needs to be seen in this context. The nature of Maimonides' influence can be seen in three important areas. The first are is his codification of the Talmud, the Mishneh Torah. The aim of Maimonides' major work was to provide a topical codification of the Talmud so as to facilitate a much easier access to

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