(Rambam) Moshé ben Maimón

A journey · 9 stops

See the journey on the map

1. Córdoba 1138 – 1148
Moses son of Maimon is born into a family of scholars in the great city of Muslim Spain. When the Almohads take it, Jews must convert, flee or die.
2. Almería 1149 – 1158
The family wanders through southern Spain for about a decade. Still young, he studies astronomy, logic and Talmud, and begins his first writings.
3. Fez 1160 – 1165
They settle in the Almohad heartland. He learns medicine, works on his commentary on the Mishnah, and writes to encourage Jews forced to hide their faith.
4. Acre 1165 – 1165
After a rabbi's execution in Fez, the family sails east. They survive a violent storm and land in the Crusader port. He keeps the day as a yearly celebration.
5. Jerusalem 1165 – 1165
In a Crusader city almost empty of Jews, he goes up to pray at the site of the Temple.
6. Hebron 1165 – 1165
He prays at the Cave of Machpelah, at the graves of the patriarchs, before leaving the land.
7. Alexandria 1166 – 1167
They reach Egypt and a large Jewish community. Soon he ransoms captives and answers questions from Jews across the region.
8. Fustat 1168 – 1204
His brother drowns and he becomes a physician to support the family, serving Saladin's court. Here he writes the Mishneh Torah and the Guide for the Perplexed.
9. Tiberias 1205 – 1205
He dies in Egypt. By tradition, his body is carried to the Land of Israel and buried here. His tomb is still a place of pilgrimage.