2020-04-06 Mon

Moses ben Maimon, frequently known as Maimonides and also referred to by the acronym Rambam, Jewish philosopher and the foremost intellectual figure of medieval Judaism was born today. He became one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars of the middle ages. In his time, he was also a distinguished astronomer and physician.

Born in Cordoba, Almoravid Empire (present-day Spain) on 6th April 1138, he worked as a rabbi, physician, and philosopher in Morocco and Egypt. His first major work, begun at age 23 and completed 10 years later, was a commentary on the Mishna, the collected Jewish oral laws. A monumental code of Jewish law followed in Hebrew, The Guide for the Perplexed in Arabic, and numerous other works, many of major importance.

The Bank of Israel issued Israeli New Shekel banknotes in 8 different denominations, including this 1 Israeli New Shekel banknote. This one new sheqel banknote depicts Rabbi Moses Maimonides. Text on the green 1 shekel currency note reads ‘Bank of Israel’. It has the same design as the 1000 old Sheqalim banknote, which was replaced by this 1 shekel note in 1986. The reverse shows the Tiberias where Maimonides is buried; an Ancient stone lamp.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/