Estatua de Maimonides - Cordoba

The statue was created by the sculptor Amadeo Ruiz Olmos. The plaque describes him as a philosopher, theologian and physician. The slippers of the image are particularly shiny . This is due to the widespread belief that if you touch them , you will receive some of the wisdom of this illustrious Cordovan . The statue is in the Plaza de Tiberiades , referring to his burial place, and close to the Jewish Street, also referring to his religious status.

Although most people today know him as Maimonides, that is not his first name. He was born Moshe ben Maimon , which became Maimonides, meaning son of Maimon, in the Renaissance. He was born in Cordoba in 1135 into an important Jewish family. During his time in Cordoba he was well educated in philosophy, theology, science and medicine . Many experts on his life say that he was a student of another Cordovan scholar, Averroes.

Unfortunately, Maimonides and his family had to leave the city of Cordoba when he was 13 or 14 years old because the Almohads brought with them a strong religious intolerance against those who did not profess the Muslim religion. After many years of travel , they finally settled in Cairo, then known as Fustat. In this city he would become part of Saladin's court and at the same time be his vizier, secretary and physician. Maimonides died in Cairo in 1204. His tomb is located at Lake Tiberias

He was a very prolific writer. Although a Jew, he wrote almost all of his work in Arabic , except for his "Repetition of the Law", which he wrote in Hebrew so that Jews who wanted to study Jewish law would not have to learn Arabic. He has always been known for trying to reconcile theology with philosophy, because in his view the main task of philosophy was to rationally affirm the truths of religion. This is clearly seen in his book "The Guide for the Perplexed".

Another field that he developed at length was that of medicine , since, unlike most of his contemporaries, he did not try to find a cure for death, but rather healthier living habits, always pairing a healthy diet with healthy habits. All his knowledge about this can be read in his book "Treatise on the health regime".

Willem Vandenameele