Lunchtime Seminar at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, University of Edinburgh (IASH) 11 March 2012, 12:30-2pm:
Sarah Stroumsa: Friendship in a Mediterranean Society: the case of Maimonides’ favorite student.
In his History of Physicians Jamal al-Din Ibn al-Qiftī (d. 1248) included an entry on Maimonides’ student, Joseph Ibn Shimon (d. 623/1226), to whom we owe the most important text of medieval Jewish philosophy, Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed. The entry itself presents a rare, though not unique, example of inter-religious friendship between scholars. At the same time, when read in context, this short text offers a penetrating testimony of the dramatic politico-religious events of this period.
Interested staff and PG students, please email h.holtschneider@ed.ac.uk to book a place, stating any dietary requirements, by Friday 1 March 2013 (places are limited to 15).
Edinburgh Jewish Studies Network 