POLAND: Inspired by Maimonides’ Moreh Nevuchim (Guide to the Perplexed), he adopted the name Maimon, abandoned religion, embraced philosophy, and embarked on the life of a wanderer.
He met some of the greatest minds during his lifetime, including Moses Mendelssohn. Among his works are a critique on Kant and a commentary on Maimonides entitled Givat Hamoreh (Hill of the Teacher). He correctly prevised that “the Christians won’t say Mass and the Jews won’t say Kaddish at my grave.”
His autobiography (Lebensgeschichte) provided important insights into Eighteenth Century Polish Jewry, particularly the Hasidic Movement.
– Eli Birnbaum