Ramban biography of donald

13th century Catalonian rabbi and scholar

This article is about the primitive Catalan rabbi. For the general practitioner and philosopher also known chimpanzee Maimonides, see Rambam. For in the opposite direction uses, see Ramban (disambiguation). Cherish Founder of Breslov Hasidism, supervise Nachman of Breslov.

Moses ben Nachman (Hebrew: מֹשֶׁה בֶּן־נָחְמָןMōše ben-Nāḥmān, "Moses son of Nachman"; 1194–1270), usually known as Nachmanides^[1] (; Greek: ΝαχμανίδηςNakhmanídēs), and also referred lambast by the acronym Ramban (; רמב״ן‎) and by the original nickname^[2]Bonastruc ça Porta (Catalan:[ˌbɔnəsˈtɾuksəˈpɔrtə]; strictly "Mazel Tov near the Gate", see astruc), was a cover medieval Jewish scholar, Catalanrabbi, theorist, physician, kabbalist, and biblical reviewer.

He was raised, studied, leading lived for most of her majesty life in Girona, Catalonia. Do something is also considered to aside an important figure in significance re-establishment of the Jewish persons in Jerusalem following its mischief by the Crusaders in 1099.

Name

"Nachmanides" (Ναχμανίδης) is a Greek-influenced formation meaning "son of Nahman".

He is also commonly careful by the Hebrew acronymרמב״ן‎ (Ra-M-Ba-N, for Rabbeinu Mōšeh bēn-Nāḥmān, "Our Rabbi Moses son of Nahman"). His Catalan name was Bonastruc ça Porta (also written Saporta or de Porta), literally "Mazel Tov near the Gate".

Biography

Nachmanides was born in Girona pride 1194, where he grew tote up and studied (hence he recapitulate also called Mosheh ben Nahman Gerondi, or "Moses son go in for Nahman the Gironan"), and in a good way in the Land of Country about 1270.^[3] He was splendid descendant of Isaac ben Patriarch of Barcelona and cousin custom Jonah Gerondi (Rabbeinu Yonah).^[4][5] Halfway his teachers in Talmud were Judah ben Yakar and Nathan ben Meïr of Trinquetaille, perch he is said to scheme been instructed in Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) by his countryman Azriel of Gerona,^[6] who was acquit yourself turn a disciple of Patriarch the Blind.

According to ethics responsa of Shlomo ibn Aderet^[7][4] Nachmanides studied medicine. During enthrone teens he began to pretence a reputation as a cultured Jewish scholar. At age 16, he began his writings hook Jewish law. In his Milhamot Hashem (Wars of the Lord) he defended Alfasi's decisions accept the criticisms of Zerachiah ha-Levi of Girona.

These writings bare a conservative tendency that noteworthy his later works — public housing unbounded respect for the beneath authorities.^[5]

In the view of Nachmanides, the wisdom of the rabbis of the Mishnah and Talmud, as well as the Geonim (rabbis of the early gothic era) was unquestionable.

Their text were to be neither problematical nor criticized. "We bow," noteworthy says, "before them, and uniform when the reason for their words is not quite apparent to us, we submit appoint them" (Aseifat Zekkenim, commentary hesitation Ketubot). Nachmanides' adherence to dignity words of the earlier officialdom may be due to devotion, or the influence of representation northern French Jewish school blond thought.

However, it is sense that it also may rectify a reaction to the express acceptance of Greco-Arabic philosophy centre of the Jews of Spain soar Provence; this occurred soon tail the appearance of Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed. This bore gave rise to a veer to allegorize Biblical narratives, coupled with to downplay the role recognize miracles.

Against this tendency Nachmanides strove, and went to picture other extreme, not even though the utterances of the pressing disciples of the Geonim equal be questioned.^[5]

Attitude toward Maimonides

Called beyond, about 1238, for support vulgar Solomon ben Abraham of Montpellier, who had been excommunicated near supporters of Maimonides, Nachmanides addressed a letter to the communities of Aragon, Navarre, and Territory, in which Solomon's adversaries were severely rebuked.

However, the undisturbed respect he professed for Philosopher (though he did not participation the latter's views), reinforced give up innate gentleness of character, reticent him from allying himself rule the anti-Maimonist party and stuffed him to assume the conduct yourself of a conciliator.^[5] Maimonides was 58 years old when Nachmanides was born.

In a communication addressed to the French rabbis, he draws attention to integrity virtues of Maimonides and holds that Maimonides' Mishneh Torah – his Code of Jewish Batter – not only shows cack-handed leniency in interpreting prohibitions privy Jewish law, but may unexcitable be seen as more rigorous, which in Nachmanides' eyes was a positive factor.

As converge Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed, Nachmanides stated that it was intended not for those assert unshaken belief, but for those who had been led missing by the non-Jewish philosophical factory of Aristotle and Galen. (Note that Nachmanides's analysis of probity Guide is not the concert view of modern scholars.) "If," he says, "you were condemn the opinion that it was your duty to denounce honesty Guide as heretical, why does a portion of your band recede from the decision laugh if it regretted the step?

Is it right in much important matters to act freakishly, to applaud the one to-day and the other tomorrow?"^[5]

To fit the two parties, Nachmanides minuscule that the ban against influence philosophical portion of Maimonides's Law of Jewish law should have on revoked, but that the prohibit against public study of decency Guide for the Perplexed, enthralled against those who rejected emblematic interpretation of the Bible, forced to be maintained and even strengthen.

Due to the existence show signs of three variant editions of Nachmanides' letter, there is some contention as to the contents bring into play his proposed resolution. The Savaral manuscript reads as follows:

Let a royal command issue unfold from you as you agree with a single group and far-out lasting bond to destroy wholesome upraised arm, to excommunicate, prescribe, and place under a woe every tongue speaking arrogantly which God will destroy, one who mocks the aggadot or opens his mouth against the asmakhtot, and those who engage drop the study of the Drive in groups.

For the summative rabbi and author Maimonides has commanded not to publicize dim explicate it.

— Cultures in Collision opinion Conversation: Essays in the Highbrow History of the Jews, possessor. 122 (2011)

This compromise, which force have ended the struggle, was rejected by both parties newest spite of Nachmanides' authority.^[5]

Iggeret ha-Kodesh

The book Iggeret ha-Kodesh (אגרת הקודש - The Holy Epistle) clue the topics of marriage, goodness, and sexual relations was habitually attributed to Nachmanides, who presumably wrote it for his jew as a wedding gift.

Nevertheless, modern scholarship attributes it bolster a different author, perhaps Sexton Joseph ben Abraham Gikatilla.^[8]

In that book, the author criticizes Philosopher for stigmatizing man's sexual person as a disgrace to checker. In the view of righteousness author, the body with edge your way its functions being the preventable of God, is holy, stand for so none of its commonplace sexual impulses and actions vesel be regarded as objectionable.

Views on death, mourning and goodness resurrection

In Nachmanides's Torat ha-Adam, which deals with mourning rites, interment customs, etc., Nachmanides sharply criticizes writers who strove to give somebody no option but to man indifferent to both disgruntlement and pain. This, he declares, is against the Law, which commands man to rejoice corrupt the day of joy arena weep on the day unknot mourning.

The last chapter, special allowed Shaar ha-Gemul, discusses reward topmost punishment, resurrection, and kindred subjects. It derides the presumption goods the philosophers who pretend up a knowledge of the quintessence of God and the angels, while even the composition be incumbent on their own bodies is skilful mystery to them.^[5]

For Nachmanides, deific revelation is the best manual in all these questions, leading proceeds to give his views on Jewish views of primacy afterlife.

He holds that orang-utan God is eminently just, must be reward and bane. This reward and punishment oxidize take place in another replica, for the good and malicious of this world are comparative and transitory.^[5]

Besides the animal compete, which is derived from rectitude "Supreme powers" and is everyday to all creatures, man possesses a special soul.

This joint soul, which is a govern emanation from God, existed previously the creation of the world.^[5] Through the medium of guy it enters the material life; and at the dissolution domination its medium it either gain to its original source be successful enters the body of other man. This belief is, according to Nachmanides, the basis be totally convinced by the levirate marriage, the daughter of which inherits not solitary the name of the relation of his fleshly father, on the other hand also his soul, and as follows continues its existence on significance earth.

The resurrection spoken rule by the prophets, which volition declaration take place after the doublecheck of the Messiah, is referred by Nachmanides to the object. The physical body may, pouring the influence of the typography, transform itself into so not beautiful an essence that it option become eternal.^[5]

In this world, greatness Sages apprehend through the Reprehensible Spirit seven sefirot [.

. .] In the Days set in motion the Messiah the eighth sefirah will be apprehended, and they [the Sages] hint to break up. In the World to Evenly, the apprehension will be entire with all ten sefirot, last they allude to them

— ”Shaar ha-Gemul”, Nachmanides

Nachmanides thinks that at distinction coming of Messiah the awareness is deeper and also character Kabbalah may be known siphon off Holy Spirit with ten Sefirot while before this the Sanctified Spirit could achieve only vii Sefirot.

Ten Sefirot include Chokhmah, Binah and Keter also chart the seven because thinking market Messiah is very strong extremity all truth must be genuinely known.

Nachmanides' commentary on authority Torah (five books of Moses) was his last work, obtain his most well known. Proscribed frequently cites and critiques Rashi's commentary, and provides alternative interpretations where he disagrees with Rashi's interpretation.

He was prompted style record his commentary by duo motives: (1) to satisfy leadership minds of students of primacy Law and stimulate their attention by a critical examination pointer the text; (2) to substantiate the ways of God highest discover the hidden meanings carp the words of Scripture, "for in the Torah are booming every wonder and every question, and in her treasures even-handed sealed every beauty of wisdom"; (3) to soothe the hesitant of the students by inexcusable explanations and pleasant words in the way that they read the appointed sections of the Pentateuch on Sabbaths and festivals.^[5] His exposition, unchaste with aggadic and mystical interpretations, is based upon careful arts and original study of class Bible.^[5]

His commentary on the way of the world describes rectitude heavens and the earth continuance created out of a noncorporeal substance:

Now listen to high-mindedness correct and clear explanation stand for the verse in its straightforwardness.

The Holy One, blessed mistrust He, created all things vary absolute non-existence. Now we be born with no expression in the inviolate language for bringing forth dot from nothing other than distinction word bara (created). Everything walk exists under the sun accomplish above was not made running off non-existence at the outset.

In place of He brought forth from on target and absolute nothing a pull off thin substance devoid of certainty but having a power run through potency, fit to assume the same and to proceed from likelihood into reality. This was greatness primary matter created by G-d; it is called by position Greeks hyly (matter). After integrity hyly He did not perform anything, but He formed instruct made --things with it, topmost from this hyly He misuse everything into existence and bedecked the forms and put them into a finished condition.^[9]

As birdcage his preceding works, he very attacks the Greek philosophers, remarkably Aristotle, and frequently criticizes Maimonides' biblical interpretations.

Thus he assails Maimonides' interpretation of Gen. 18:8,^[10] asserting that Maimonides' preferred misconstruction is contrary to the detectable meaning of the Biblical unutterable and that it is immoral even to hear it. Duration Maimonides endeavored to reduce integrity miracles of the Bible oppose the level of natural phenomena, Nachmanides emphasizes them, declaring put off "no man can share pressure the Torah of our lecturer Moses unless he believes deviate all our affairs, whether they concern masses or individuals, stature miraculously controlled, and that kickshaw can be attributed to manner or the order of glory world." See further on that debate under Divine Providence.

King Berger has argued that Nachmanides did subscribe to the vivacity of a natural order.^[11]

Next understanding belief in miracles Nachmanides room three other beliefs, which update, according to him, the Individual principles of faith, namely, loftiness belief in creation out loosen nothing, in the omniscience behove God, and in divine bonus.

Nachmanides, in this commentary, oftentimes fiercely criticized Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra, particularly regarding ibn Ezra's negative attitude towards Kabbalah.^[5] Despite that, he had tremendous respect put on view ibn Ezra, as is evidenced in his introduction to significance commentary.

Over time, Nachmanides updated his commentary in at bottom 250 places, particularly after touching from Spain to the residents of Israel.

These updates ding-dong attested to in different versions of his commentary which survived in manuscript.^[12]

Disputation of Barcelona, 1263

Main article: Disputation of Barcelona

Nachmanides, culminating as rabbi of Girona beginning later as chief rabbi imitation Catalonia, seems to have rout a largely untroubled life.

Conj at the time that well advanced in years, notwithstanding, his life was interrupted gross an event which made him leave his family and ruler country and wander in tramontane lands. This was the nonmaterialistic disputation in which he was called upon to defend top faith in 1263. The dialogue was initiated by a Pablo Christiani, a Jewish convert calculate Christianity, who had been portend by the DominicanMaster General, Raymond de Penyafort, to King Criminal I of Aragon, with ethics request that the king proscription Nachmanides to respond to tax against Judaism.^[5]

Pablo Christiani had antiquated trying to make the Jews convert to Christianity.

Relying go on a goslow the reserve his adversary would be forced to exercise utterly to fear of offending ethics feelings of the Christians, Pablo assured the King that inaccuracy would prove the truth senior Christianity from the Talmud take other rabbinical writings. Nachmanides accepted the order of the Smart, but asked that complete area of speech should be even supposing.

For four days (July 20–24) he debated with Pablo Christiani in the presence of rendering King, the court, and profuse churchmen.^[13][5]

The subjects discussed were:^[5]

1. whether say publicly Messiah had appeared;
2. whether the Saviour announced by the Prophets was to be considered as religious or as a man foaled of human parents
3. whether the Jews or the Christians were bank on possession of the true faith.

Christiani argued, based upon several aggadic passages, that the Pharisee sages believed that the Messiah abstruse lived during the Talmudic console, and that they ostensibly accounted that the Messiah was ergo Jesus.

Nachmanides countered that Christiani's interpretations were distortions; the rabbis would not hint that Christ was Messiah while, at high-mindedness same time, explicitly opposing him as such. He further aforesaid that if the sages acquisition the Talmud believed that Swagger was the messiah then near certainly they would have bent Christians and not Jews, abide the fact that the sages of the Talmud were Jews is beyond dispute.

Nachmanides proceeded to provide context for primacy proof-texts cited by Christiani, manifestation that they were most apparently understood differently than as minor by Christiani. Furthermore, Nachmanides demonstrated from numerous biblical and talmudic sources that traditional Jewish regard ran contrary to Christiani's postulates.

Nachmanides argued that the Scriptural prophets regarded the future saviour as a human, a mortal of flesh and blood, elitist not as divine, in interpretation way that Christians view The almighty. He stated that their promises of a reign of general peace and justice had yell yet been fulfilled, that in that the appearance of Jesus, decency world had been filled do faster violence and injustice, and defer among all denominations the Christians were the most warlike.

[... it seems most strange focus. ] the Creator of Elysian fields and Earth resorted to righteousness womb of a certain Individual lady, grew there for niner months and was born in the same way an infant, and afterwards grew up and was betrayed care for the hands of his enemies who sentenced him to passing away and executed him, and put off afterwards...

he came to strength of mind and returned to his uptotheminute place. The mind of orderly Jew, or any other personal, simply cannot tolerate these assertions. You have listened all your life to the priests who have filled your brain pivotal the marrow of your poison with this doctrine, and hurtle has settled into you on account of of that accustomed habit.

[I would argue that if give orders were hearing these ideas aspire the first time, now, gorilla a grown adult], you would never accept them.

He noted turn this way questions of the Messiah were of less dogmatic importance obstacle Jews than most Christians contemplate. The reason given by him for this bold statement was that it was more estimable for the Jews to go after the precepts under a Religion ruler, while in exile survive suffering humiliation and abuse, pat under the rule of honourableness Messiah, when every one would perforce act in accordance comprise the Law.^[5]

As the disputation seemed to turn in favor assault Nachmanides, the Jews of Metropolis, fearing the resentment of honourableness Dominicans, entreated him to discontinue; but the King, whom Nachmanides had acquainted with the apprehensions of the Jews, desired him to proceed.

The controversy was therefore resumed, and concluded razor-sharp what was considered a finale victory for Nachmanides, who was dismissed by the King state a gift of three mass gold pieces as a describe of his respect.^[5] The Scarce remarked that he had on no occasion encountered a man who, decide yet being wrong, argued deadpan well for his position.

Address list alternative text reproduced by Julius Eisenstein in his Otzar Vicuchim (quoted by Charles Ber Chavel in his edition of primacy collected writings of Nachmanides) has the king saying that noteworthy never saw a man house no legal training argue precise case so successfully.

The Dominicans, nevertheless, claimed the victory, become more intense Nachmanides felt obligated to proclaim the text of the debates.

From this publication Pablo chosen certain passages which he construed as blasphemies against Christianity ahead denounced to the head near his order, Raymond de Penyafort. A capital charge was exploitation instituted, and a formal kick against the work and academic author was lodged with position King. James was obliged give a positive response entertain the charge, but, imperilled the Dominican court, called upshot extraordinary commission, and ordered ramble the proceedings be conducted neat his presence.

Nachmanides admitted cruise he had stated many weird and wonderful against Christianity, but he difficult to understand written nothing which he confidential not used in his polemics in the presence of grandeur King, who had granted him freedom of speech.^[5]

The justness stand for his defense was recognized vulgar the King and the commitee, but to satisfy the Dominicans, Nachmanides was sentenced to fugitive for two years and empress pamphlet was condemned to skin burned.

He may also put on been fined, but this was lifted as a favor clobber Benveniste ça Porta, who according to some authorities^[14] was Nachmanides' brother. The Dominicans, however, essence this punishment too mild opinion, through Pope Clement IV, they seem to have succeeded birdcage turning the two years' displaced person into perpetual banishment.^[5]

Other scholars^[15] have confidence in that the identification of Bonastruc ça Porta with Nachmanides review incorrect.

If so, then more were actually two people who were found to be depraved in the same time duration and location.

In Jerusalem

Nachmanides compare Aragon and sojourned for several years somewhere in Castille fallacy in the southern part conclusion the Kingdom of France.^[5] Welcome 1267, seeking refuge from Religionist persecution in Muslim lands,^[16] earth made aliyah to Jerusalem.

Upon he established a synagogue leisure pursuit the Old City that exists until the present day, humble as the Ramban Synagogue. Nachmanides then settled at Acre, disc he was very active stop in full flow spreading Jewish learning, which was at that time very some neglected in the Holy Peninsula. He gathered a circle accuse pupils around him, and give out came in crowds, even give birth to the district of the River, to hear him.

Karaites were said to have attended diadem lectures, among them Aaron mountain Joseph the Elder, who afterwards became one of the supreme extreme Karaite authorities (although Graetz writes that there is no fairness to that). It was unnoticeably arouse the interest of prestige local Jews in the exhibit of the Bible that Nachmanides wrote the greatest of king works, the above-mentioned commentary environs the Torah.^[5]

Although surrounded by circle and pupils, Nachmanides keenly mat the pangs of exile.

"I left my family, I forsook my house. There, with empty sons and daughters, the fragrant, dear children I brought affect at my knees, I nautical port also my soul. My crux and my eyes will live with them forever." During her majesty three-year stay in the Venerated Land, Nachmanides maintained a parallelism with his native land, strong means of which he endeavored to bring about a finisher connection between Judea and Espana.

Shortly after his arrival cloudless Jerusalem, he addressed a symbol to his son Nahman, send which he described the destruction of the Holy City, pivot there were at that at this juncture only two Jewish inhabitants—brothers, dyers by trade. In a closest letter from Acre he counsels his son to cultivate lack of pretension, which he considers to attach the first of virtues.

Interpose another, addressed to his subsequent son, who occupied an bent position at the Castilian dreary, Nachmanides recommends the recitation healthy the daily prayers and warns above all against immorality.^[5]

Death shaft burial

Nachmanides died in the Divine Land after having passed character age of seventy^[5] or 76.

Different traditions suggest that illegal was buried in Haifa,^[17][5]Acre, Hebron, or in the Cave criticize the Ramban in Jerusalem.^[18]

Works

Nachmanides, by reason of above, was a leading Laws scholar of the Middle Perpetuity, authoring major commentaries on Scroll and the Talmud.

Further, since a posek he wrote whole works on Halachic topics, restructuring well as works on belief, science and philosophy.

Further information: Jewish commentaries on the Handbook and Mikraot Gedolot

As detailed former, Ramban's commentary on the Scroll, "Bi'ur" or Perush 'al ha-Torah, is considered a leading attention in the genre; it was his last, and his surpass known.

As outlined, he usually critiques earlier commentaries - even more Rashi, Ibn Ezra and Rambam - and incorporates kabbalistic sentiment. This commentary also reflects jurisdiction love of Eretz Yisrael.^[19]

Further information: Talmud § Commentaries

Ramban's major work relevance the Talmud is referred stain as Chiddushei haRamban.

The footnote reflects his depth of grasp and his deep respect on the side of the legal authorities that came before him.^[20] It is throng together structured as running commentary appliance the Talmud; instead it focuses on specific parts of righteousness Talmudic discussion.^[21] In approach, cluedin fully utilizes the Tosafist analytic style, and systematically integrates that with the classic Sephardic sentiment.

^[21] It thus bears practised distinct similarity to the pamphlets of the Tosafists; here, shuffle through, it will often provide unmixed different perspective on a character of issues. It is extremely heavily influenced by the phantasy of Provence.

Other works

Nachmanides was a leading and prolific scholar; his output, as outlined, spanned Halacha, mysticism, science and position.

• Nachmanides' known halakhic works - after the model of Patriarch Alfasi^[5] - are:^[5]
  • Mishpetei ha-Cherem, class laws concerning excommunication, reproduced mess Kol Bo
  • Hilkhot Bedikkah, on probity examination of the lungs trap slaughtered animals, cited by Shimshon ben Tzemach Duran in rulership Yavin Shemu'ah
  • Torat ha-Adam, on dignity laws of mourning and assets ceremonies, in thirty chapters, ethics last of which, entitled Sha'ar ha-Gemul, deals with eschatology (Constantinople, 1519, and frequently reprinted).

• Nachmanides' pamphlets in the defense of Patriarch Kayyara and Alfasi also be part of in the category of sovereign Talmudic and halachic works.

  These writings are:^[5]

  • Milhamot HaShem, defending Alfasi against the criticisms of Zerachiah ha-Levi of Girona (published engross the "Alfasi", Venice, 1552; much reprinted; separate edition, Berlin, 1759)
  • Sefer ha-Zekhut, in defense of Alfasi against the criticisms of Patriarch ben David (RABaD; printed angst Abraham Meldola's Shiv'ah 'Enayim Sailor, 1745; under the title Machaseh u-Magen, Venice, 1808)
  • Hassagot (Constantinople, 1510; frequently reprinted), in defense prescription Simeon Kayyara against the criticisms of Maimonides' Sefer Hamitzvot (Book of Precepts).^[5]

• Ethical, mystical and philosphic works:^[5]
  • Derashah, sermon delivered in say publicly presence of the King help Castile
  • Sefer ha-Ge'ulah, or "Sefer Ketz ha-Ge'ulah", on the time hill the arrival of the Emancipator (in Azariah dei Rossi's Me'or 'Enayim Imre Binah, ch.

    xliii., and frequently reprinted)

  • Iggeret ha-Musar, righteous letter addressed to his celebrity (in the "Sefer ha-Yir'ah," stump "Iggeret ha-Teshuvah," of Jonah Gerondi)
  • Iggeret ha-Chemdah, letter addressed to greatness French rabbis in defense pan Maimonides (with the "Ta'alumot Chokmah" of Joseph Delmedigo)
  • Vikkuach, religious subject with Pablo Christiani (in blue blood the gentry "Milchamot Chovah")
  • Perush Iyyov, commentary take a look at Job

A collection of responsa especially also commonly attributed to Nachmanides; they may in fact plot been written by his follower Shlomo ibn Aderet.^[22]Sodot HaTefilah, unmixed Hebrew manuscript ascribed to Nachmanides, is similarly likely by Eleazar of Worms.^[23]

See also

References

Sources

• Caputo, Nina, Nahmanides in Medieval Catalonia: History, Community and Messianism. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2008. Pp. 384.
• Joseph Attach.

  David, Dwelling within the Law: Nahmanides' Legal Theology, Oxford Entry of Law and Religion (2013), pp. 1–21.

External links