MAIMONIDES, or BEN MAIMON Moses, a celebrated Jewish rabbi, was born at Cordova in Spain, probably about 1131. After receiving the elements of his education from his father, he studied philosophy and medicine under the learned Arabians Thophail and Averroes. He also perused with avidity the ancient philosophers, especially Aristotle, and thus incurred the dislike and suspicion of his Jewish brethren. Soon after this he repaired to Egypt; and from remaining there during the rest of his life, he acquired the title of Moses Egyptius. There he at first followed the vocation of a jeweller; but resorting afterwards to the practice of medicine, he became so eminent in this profession, that he was appointed chief physician to the Sultan Saladin. While holding this office, Maimonides is said to have also taught with great success in a school which he had founded. He died in Egypt at an advanced age. In addition to a thorough knowledge of philosophy and medicine, Maimonides possessed an acquaintance with mathematics, theology, and the jurisprudence of the Jews. He knew several languages, and wrote Arabic and Hebrew with facility. By his Jewish admirers he was surnamed "The Eagle of the Doctors," and "The Lamp of Israel." Of his numerous works
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three are chiefly notable. His "Moreh Nevochim (Teacher of the Perplexed)", written originally in Arabic, but afterwards translated into Hebrew, is an exposition of the obscure words, allusions, types, and allegories in Scripture. A translation into Latin by the younger Buxtorf, 4to, Basel, 1629, has been retranslated into English by Dr. Townshend, London, 1827. The original Arabic, accompanied with a French translation, has been published under the title, Le Guide des Egarés, traité de Théologie publié en Arabe avec Traduction et Notes par S. Munk, 8vo, Paris, 1856. The Arabic text of the Moreh Nevochim exists in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. In Yad Hazakah ("The Strong Hand"), written in good Hebrew, Maimonides gives a digest of the Talmud, stripped of all its rabbinical fables. The best edition of this work is that in 4 vols. folio, Amsterdam, 1702. His Perush Ha-Mishna ("Commentary on the Mishna"), originally written in Arabic, has been often translated into Hebrew by different rabbis, and printed along with the Mishna. Part of this work, in the original Arabic, was published by Pococke, Oxford, 1655. MSS. of the works of Maimonides are found in the great libraries of Paris, Berlin, &c.