Maimonides Heritage Center – 10.27.10

So this is where I spend several hours each week, playing host to the visitors at the Center. It's truly amazing how this building that was full of garbage, adjacent to the kever of the Rambam has been turned into a beautiful museum and a center of Torah learning here in Teverya. Kol Hakavod to Rav Yamin Levy and everyone else behind this amazing project. Lots more information available on the MHC Website: http://www.mhcny.org/ and MHC Facebook Page.

Two interesting things I've noticed here at the Center:

1. There is a discrepancy in the dates of birth and death of the Rambam. The Rambam's date of birth is listed as the 14^th day in Nissan. However in some places the year is recorded as 1135 and in other places, it is listed as 1138. I suspect that this discrepancy stems from the fact that in Hebrew the last number would be either a "ה" or a "ח". These letters are easily interchangeable. The Rambam's date of death is the 20^th day in Tevet. But the year in which he died is recorded as either 1202, 1204, or 1205. How is it that we know the month and day, but not the year?
   
2. This is probably one of the most famous portrayals of the Rambam. Who decided that the Rambam did not have pe'ot?
   
   

The Center is open from 10am – 3pm, Sunday – Thursday. It's free to the public. If you'd like to schedule a visit for a group, we are happy to host you. You can reach the Center at 04-6790632.