Works of Moses Maimonides, the great Jewish philosopher of the Middle Ages, were placed on exhibition last night at the Jewish Theological Seminary in connection with the 800th anniversary of the Rambam’s birth, which is being celebrated this year.
Among the rarities on public view were two autographed letters, as well as manuscripts of his famous letter to the Jews of Yemen and his treatise on the Resurrection.
ORIGINALS ON EXHIBIT
The exhibit also embraces the originals, in Arabic and Hebrew, of his writings, together with translations in Latin, English, German, French, Spanish and Italian.
Prof. Alexander Marx, librarian of the seminary, delivered an address, in which he outlined Maimonide’s life, telling how in the course of an active life as court physician to the Sultan of Egypt he nevertheless found opportunities to produce monumental literary works.
CLAIMS PICTURE IS FALSE
The speaker said the picture usually claimed to be that of Maimonides was actually first published in connection with an eighteenth century Latin translation of his work and is not authentic. Dr. Cyrus Adler, president of Dropsie College, presided.
The Rambam’s outstanding contributions to philosophy and Jewish learning are generally considered to be his “Commentary on the Mishnah,” “Mishnah Torah” and the “Guide to the Perplexed.”
COMMITTEE PLANS
Final organization plans for the national Maimonides celebration were outlined last night at a dinner meeting of the Maimonides Octocentennial Committee, at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Henry S. Hendricks, chairman of the committee, detailed the program of the committee for the celebration.
“The octocentennial of this great Jewish philosopher and scientist,” Mr. Hendricks said, “will be marked by the publication of learned volumes and articles dealing with the various phases of Maimonides’ life, by educational programs among communal organizations, by exhibits in libraries and museums, by sermons in synagogues and assemblies in religious schools, by pageants, and by many other similar educational features.” An attempt will be made, he declared, to enlist also the cooperation of Arabic scholars and the Arabic communities in America in the celebration of the anniversary, since the Jewish sage lived in Spain under the Moors.
Mr. Hendricks, who presided at the meeting, announced the appointment of Herman Bernstein, author and journalist, as executive secretary of the Octocentennial.
Honorary co-chairmen of the committee are Dr. Adler; Dr. Julian Morgenstern, president of the Hebrew Union College; Dr. Bernard Revel, president of Yeshiva College, and Dr. Stephen S. Wise, president of the Jewish Institute of Religion. Vice-chairmen include Fred M. Butzel, Detroit; Alfred M. Cohen, Cincinnati; Dr. Harry Friedenwald, Baltimore; Mrs. Alexander Kohut, New York; Judge Irving Lehman, New York; Rabbi H. Pereira Mendes, New York; Dr. A. S. W. Rosenbach, Philadelphia; Morris Rothenberg, New York; Dr. Benjamin M. Selekman, Boston; B. Charney Vladeck, New York, and Felix M. Warburg, New York. Professor Salo W. Baron, of Columbia University, is chairman of the Advisory Council.
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