Maimonides’ handwriting

Autograph manuscripts of the preeminent halakhic authority and philosopher

הספרייה הלאומית

The National Library holds a precious treasure: original manuscripts handwritten by R. Moses ben Maimon – Maimonides (1138-1204). These are the autographs of one of the greatest Jewish scholars of all time.

What is autograph writing?

An autograph is a document written in the author's own hand. In the world of manuscripts, where most books were copied by scribes, autographs are particularly rare and valuable. They allow us to see the author's thinking and writing process.

בכתבי היד של הרמב"ם אפשר לראות מחיקות, תיקונים והוספות – עדות חיה לתהליך היצירה של יצירות המופת

What Does the Library Hold?

The library holds several original manuscripts by Maimonides, mainly from the Cairo Genizah. They include drafts of his 'Commentary on the Mishnah' and 'Mishneh Torah', as well as letters he wrote to his students and various Jewish communities.

Judeo-Arabic

Most of Maimonides' writings were composed in Judeo-Arabic – Arabic written in Hebrew letters. This was the literary language of Jews in Islamic lands, reflecting the rich cultural synthesis of medieval Egyptian and Spanish Jewry.