Maimonides in Four Acts

Dr. Ira Robinson

Moshe ben Maimon, known also as Moses Maimonides, is one of the most important influencers in the historical development of Judaism. Besides being tremendously influential, he is also deeply controversial. There have been times when his books were publicly burned and other times when his thought and writings were seen as the only thing that could save Judaism. Jews are still arguing over who the “real” Maimonides is.

We will examine Maimonides, his works, and his influence, in four acts:

Act I: How did Maimonides start in Cordova and end up in Cairo? Maimonides’ Life and Times.
Act II: Why does Maimonides think a Jew has to believe? His Commentary on the Mishna.
Act III: Did Maimonides want to replace Talmud study? His Mishne Torah.
Act IV: Did Maimonides think that the best way to understand the Torah was to study Greek philosophy? His Guide of the Perplexed.

Dr. Ira Robinson is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies in the Department of Religions and Cultures at Concordia University, where he taught for 42 years. He  received his B.A. at Johns Hopkins University, his B.H.L. at Baltimore Hebrew College, his M.A. at Columbia University and his Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at  Harvard University. He served as the Chair of the Department of Religion and Director of the Concordia University Institute for Canadian Jewish Studies.