1135-1204. Jewish rabbi and philosopher, born
in Cordoba, Spain. Known as one of the
greatest Hebrew scholars, he attempted to
reconcile faith and reason. He left Spain in
1160 to escape the persecution of the Jews
and settled in Fez, and later in Cairo, where
he was personal physician to Sultan Saladin.
His codification of Jewish law is known as
the Mishneh Torah/The Torah Reviewed 1180; he
also formulated the Thirteen Principles,
which summarize the basic beliefs of Judaism.
His philosophical classic More nevukhim/The
Guide to the Perplexed 1176-91, helped to
introduce Aristotelian thought into medieval
philosophy.