Etika dan Norma dalam hubungan

Internasional;
Kodifikasi Etika Juidaisme oleh Moses
Maimonides
(1135 -1204 C.E.)
Dosen Pengasuh:
Nanda Avalist, S.IP, M.Si

Jakarta
2014

 Cordoba and Maimonides

Cordoba, although under Muslim

rule, boasted a large proportion of
Jews who were regarded as
second class citizens. The Muslim
population were tolerant of the
Jews and they enjoyed a
somewhat peaceful existence. In
addition, the focus on learning,
science, philosophy, medicine
and mathematics opened a
window of opportunity for the
population.

However, this was to be useful to

Maimonides as it provided a
learning system deeply influenced
by Greek philosophy. Being a
Sephardi (Spanish) Jew meant
that his knowledge was based on
the Torah with an emphasis on
science and philosophy as an
important
part on
of his
education.
Walls
the
periphery of the Jewish

Roman Bridge in Cordoba

Quarter
inand
Cordoba
The
Mosque
the Cathedral in
Cordoba

Maimonides influenced by Greek

philosophy
In Maimonides time, the
Greek philosophical revival
was
due
to
Muslim
philosophers,
Ibn
Senna
otherwise known as Avicenna
and Ibn Rushd known as
Averroes. Their philosophy
was based largely on the
teachings of Aristotle. This
study in philosophy as well as
the sciences was to dominate
Maimonides
life
and
contribute to his great works
both in Medicine and Judaism.

Socrates

Plato

Avicenna ( Ibn
Senna)

Aristotle

Maimonides moves to Egypt

Because of persecution
by a fanatical Almohades
sect of Muslims, His
family had to move to
Egypt.
He had been well
schooled in the Torah and
Talmud by his father, a
renowned Rabbi and
scholar.
It was in Egypt that
Maimonides completed
his famous works and
become the notable
leader of the Jewish
community. Here is the
synagogue in which he
worshipped.

Rambams
synagogue in Egypt

Physician to the Great Saladin, a Muslim

leader
While in Egypt,
Maimonides
became
influential and
after the death
of his Father, he
became the
leader of the
Jewish
community. His
previous training
and learning had
assisted him to
rise to the
position of Chief

Saladin

Court of Saladin

Maimonides the
doctor

Maimonides Works
Maimonides was a
prolific writer but his 3
greatest works were:
Commentary on the
Mishnah (in Arabic)
Mishnah Torah
( Codified Jewish law
( in Hebrew)
Guide for the
perplexed
( in Arabic)

Rambam (Title given to

Maimonides)
Acknowledgment of
his great works in
Judaism earned
Maimonides the title,
Rambam. i.e. from
Moses to Moses, there
is none like Moses.
He is still
remembered today in
Jewish communities

Maimonides the Talmudist

Maimonides was
known for his great
knowledge of
Scripture and was
often called upon for
his advice regarding
Halakhic passages.
He was an expert on
Jewish law.

Talmud

Mishneh Torah
Maimonides most famous and important piece of
writing.
Written 1168-78 CE, the Mishneh Torah was the first
systematic and comprehensive codification of the
entire Jewish law separated into 14 books or sections.
It was written in Hebrew and was intended to
encourage the average Jew to access the body of
Jewish law more easily. a person who first reads
the Written Torah and then this work will know from it
the whole of the Oral Torah.
The Mishneh Torah (The Second Torah or Repetition of
the Torah) organised the complex and confusingly
arranged Talmud into a logical order that was
accessible to the non-Talmudic scholar ie. the
everyday Jew

Mishneh Torah (continued)

Maimonides intention was to compose a book that
would guide Jews on how to behave (halacha
proper practice) in all situations just by reading the
Torah and his code, without having to waste large
amounts of time searching through the Talmud.
The Mishneh Torah covered 3 main areas for Jews:
1.The Book of Knowledge (Sefer HaMada) covers
issues of belief, study of Torah, repentance
2.Thirteen books detail Jewish ritual and civil laws
such as blessings, circumcision, holy days,
relationships between males and females, dietary
laws and ethics
3.Notion of the Messiah discusses the time when the
Messiah would come

The Guide for the Perplexed

The Guide for the
Perplexed (Moreh
Nevuchim) was written
1187-1191 CE.
It was a philosophical
piece of writing in
which he tried to bring
together the philosophy
of Aristotle (secular or
non-religious) and
Jewish theology (sacred
or religious).

The Guide for the Perplexed

Remember that Maimonides was a talented
individual and had a lot of other interests and
qualifications in his life. Apart from being a
physician and leader in the Jewish
community, he also had an interest in
philosophy.
As such, Maimonides wrote the Guide for the
Perplexed to combine both the beliefs of
Aristotle (famous philosopher) and Jewish
teaching.
The Guide for the Perplexed blended both
Jewish sacred teachings and secular
philosophical thoughts

Commentary on the
Mishnah

Written in Arabic 11581168 CE.

In Hebrew Pirush
Hamishnayot
Offered brief explanations
for each Mishnah
explaining everything that
is not totally clear.
Includes new information
and advice for the practical
application of the Torah
Discussed fundamental
concepts such as
prophecy, revelation and
tradition

In his commentary
Maimonides elaborates
upon the development of
Jewish law and deals with
the fundamental principles
of Judaism as formulated in
his Thirteen articles of
faith.

Thirteen Principles of Faith

The Thirteen Principles or Articles of
Faith highlighted that there were
certain doctrines or teachings
necessary for salvation.
These Thirteen Principles were looked
at in his Commentary on the Mishnah
These principles have often been
used to define Jewish belief

Thirteen Principles of Faith

(continued)

1.Existence of God God is creator

2.Unity of God God is one
3.Incorporeality of God God is a spirit; no physical body or form
4.Eternity of God God is eternal
5.Prohibition of idolatry God alone is to be served and worshipped
6.Validity of Prophecy Revelation through Gods prophets
7.The preeminence of Moses Moses is the greatest of all prophets
8.Divine origin of truth Gods law given to Moses at Mt Sinai
9.Eternal validity of the Torah immutability of Torah as Gods law
10.The omniscience of God Gods foreknowledge of human
actions
11.God judges humanity reward of good and retribution of evil
12.God will send a Messiah the coming of the Jewish Messiah
13.Resurrection of the dead Orthodox Jews believe in physical
resurrection while Progressive Jews believe that ones soul returns
to God/Heaven

Sefer HaMitzvot

Began by Moses in 1151 and finished in 1168 CE. Written in

Arabic Kitab al-Faraid.
Regarded as the most authoritative listing of the
commandments, and numerous later works rely on its
enumeration (some with minor variations).
First comprehensive topically arranged code of Jewish law.
Maimonides lists the 613 mitzvot or laws in the Torah
(Pentateuch) and then gives a brief description of each.
He describes each mitzvot using fourteen shorashim (roots
or principles) to guide his selection and sites many
illustrative examples.
He further separated these laws into positive and negative
commandments: 248 positive laws and 365 negative laws.
Example of a positive mitzvot: Keep holy the Sabbath; and
an example of a negative: Do not steal

Responsa - Teshuvot
Maimonides was held in high esteem because
of his knowledge of Jewish law and religion.
Many Jewish leaders and authorities looked to
Maimonides calling upon his scholarly insights
into religious law, as well as, general civil
issues.
He wrote various Responsa (Teshuvot) in
answer to numerous questions directed to him
from Jews all over the world.
These responsa deal with a range of issues
from religio-philosophical problems, to matters
dealing with Jewish law and to explanations of
complex Torah passages.

Responsa Teshuvot (cont)

Maimonides famous Letter to Yemen
in 1172 CE offered the Yemenite
community encouragement and
practical advice when local rulers
issued religious decrees, forcing the
Jews to choose between conversion
and death.
Maimonides numerous responsa
regarding practical issues of halakha
had a major impact.

Golden Ladder of Charity

Maimonides encapsulated tzedakah
(charity) principles in an eight-rung
ladder.
The ladder creates a heirarchy
ranking tzedakah actions from least
honorable to most honorable.

Golden Ladder of Charity

(cont)

8.The person who gives reluctantly and with regret.

7.The person who gives graciously, but less than one should.

6.The person who gives what one should, but only after being asked.

5.The person gives before being asked.

4.The person who gives without knowing to whom one gives, although the
recipient knows the identity of the donor.

3.The person who gives without making his/her identity known.

2.The person who gives without knowing to whom he/she gives. The
recipient does not know from whom he/she receives.

1.The person who helps another to support himself/herself by a gift or a loan

or by finding employment for that person, thus helping that person to
become self-sufficient.