Maimonides Research Paper

1788 Words4 Pages

“Grant me the strength, time and opportunity always to correct what I have acquired, always to extend its domain; for knowledge is immense and the spirit of man can extend indefinitely to enrich itself daily with new requirements.” - Oath of Maimonides

Moses Maimonides (1135 – 1204) was a medieval scholar and physician and the Jewish worlds most influential codifier of Jewish law. An influence on both Jewish and non-Jewish people, he was the great interpreter of sacred texts, interpreting both the Misnah and Talmud contributing to the development of Judaism by providing references based on the Torah. Maimonides’ writing and theological thought was able to draw together ideas from the Greek & Roman, Muslim & Arab as well as the Jewish and western worlds, and is often said to be the greatest Jewish writing aside from the Torah. Following his publications of works he had both supporters and detractors of his thinking and writings however both became influential in the years that followed. All Jewish scholarship since Maimonides has used his work as the basis of their studied with his writings still available in multiple languages. His Mishneh Torah remains one of the most influential. The Mishneh is a code of all Jewish law, designed to cover all times and places. It presents the laws in a system that is both clear and logical to both Rabbi’s and lay-people. This was much more efficient and logical than the Talmud for consultation of issues and presented it’s rulings without long-winded explanations, making it easier to follow. These codes of law are studied and used today in both academic and scholarly circles and by lay people as when they were first written.

Maimonides earned the reputation as a renowned medical physician among...

... middle of paper ...

...edges that ancient writings and discussion may not relate directly to modern issues and technology, however a chain of tradition cannot be ignored. There is much disagreement within schools of thought e.g. when does a person die, when the heart stops beating, or when the brain ceases? There are a variety of opinions rather than one uniform school of thought in regards to bioethics, a legacy of people like Maimonides who paved the way for different thinking in Judaism. but within individual schools of though opinions still differ. Jewish ethics is centered around ‘being godly’ however ‘godliness’ can only be expressed through interactions on a human level. The highest ideal of Judaism therefore is to protect human life. Saving human life takes priority over any other commandment. Jewish religion has a great desire to reduce or eliminate human suffering.

More about Maimonides Research Paper

Open Document