On the Hilula (anniversary of death) of our master Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, also known under his acronym, the Rambam, the Torah-Box team is happy to share some details on his life. Whoever speaks about a Tzadik on the day of his Hilula, merits that the latter pray for him and protect him. Light a candle and recite: "Lichvod Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, zechuto tagen alenu". May his merit protect the entire People of Israel, Amen!

Rabbi Moshe ben Maïmon, commonly known under his acronym of Rambam, was a Talmid Hacham and scholar, halachic decision maker, physician, philosopher, and a prominent leader in the Jewish world. He was also highly recognized and respected among non-Jews, who nicknamed him "Maimonides".

Numerous schools, hospitals and medical centers bear his name, and up to the present time, his teachings are widely studied, both by Jews as well as by non-Jews.

The Rambam was born in Cordoba, Spain, on the eve of Pesach 1135. His father, Maimon was a descendant of King David and a judge in a local court. His mother died during his youth, and it is believed that his brother was born from his father's second nuptials.

After radical Islamic groups took over Cordoba and rioters systematically rampaged the city, attacking Jews and burning synagogues, Maimonides' family decided to flee the city.

They wandered from one place to another, looking for a city which could accommodate them. Finding neither refuge nor solace in Spain, Maimon and sons, Moshe and David settled in the city of Fez, Morocco, where they stayed for five years. In 1165, the Rambam visited Israel, and later emigrated to Alexandria in Egypt. Subsequently, he settled down in Fostat, which later developed into the old city of Cairo, where the Rambam lived until his death.

In Egypt, Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon relied on his brother David's financial support; his brother was a merchant and importer of diamonds from India. Thanks to David's financial support, the Rambam could afford to spend his time studying Torah and writing books.

But this period of respite in Maimonides' life was short lived. Within two years, his father died, along with his wife and two of his sons. Sometime later, his brother David drowned in a shipwreck on his way to India.

Lacking his brother's support, Maimonides was forced to seek a means to make a living. He began to practice medicine, and his modest salary helped to meet the needs of his brother's bereaved family.

At the age of 50, the Rambam was promoted to become the private physician of the viceroy and, later, the personal physician of King Saladin himself. This appointment gave him financial stability and allowed him to spend his free time studying the Torah and writing books.

Maimonides died on the 20th day of Tevet 1204, and was buried in Tiberias. On his grave we read the following phrase: "From Moshe (Rabbeinu) to Moshe (Maimonides), there has not been one like Moshe."

He was survived by an only son, Avraham, who followed his father's footsteps and later wrote books.

History: A Tiny Worm that Made the Rambam Famous

One day, during a complicated intestinal surgery, the doctor discovered a very dangerous worm in the patient's intestine. But it was impossible to remove it without causing further irreversible damage. This could have aggravated the surgical wound and put the patient's life in terrible danger. What could be done? The Rambam observed the situation and exclaimed: "Bring me a tree leaf!"

The leaf was brought to him. The Rambam took it in his hand and brought it close to the worm. The worm saw the leaf, and immediately climbed on the leaf, leaving the patient's body. The doctor remained speechless before this genial and resourceful solution. His assistant saved his patient from death! How did he find this remedy? The Rambam replied that he had learned this remedy from the texts of the prophet Ezekiel (47:12): " Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing”.” The leaf was therefore an effective remedy.

After overcoming his "shock" over his assistant’s unusual reasoning, the doctor was startled by another wonderful revelation: his assistant, which was known to be dumb, had spoken! "But you spoke! "Exclaimed the doctor in a tone that meant: "How did you do this? "

The Rambam replied: "Actually, I'm not dumb. But I wanted to study medicine and I was told that you refused to teach Jews. So, I decided to keep my mouth shut so you would not discover my origins. "

The doctor quieted down, after swallowing his shame related to the revelation of his visceral and unfounded hatred of the Chosen People. He had to admit he had learned a ground-breaking medical revelation from the Rambam.