Press - Multiple Nations Honor the "Rambam"

17-Nov-05

IGPC STAMP NEWS -FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MULTIPLE NATIONS HONOR THE “RAMBAM” and his contribution to the Jewish world by issuing new stamps and souvenir sheets of his image.

It has been 800 years since the death of the Rambam (Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon) and his spirit is still alive to inspire our world!

November 17, 2005 (New York) - Moses Maimonides is recognized as the greatest Jewish philosopher, thinker, leader, teacher and codifier of Jewish law (“Mishne Torah”). His leadership skills and personal conduct enrich and influence the spirituality of Judaism all over the world.

Born in Cordova, Spain, he was forced to flee from fanatical Moslems who swept across the entire region. Tolerating no other religion besides Islam, they offered non- Moslems the option to convert or be executed. Maimonides, together with his family and other co - religionists of Cordova, chose to wander from one city to another, unable to remain for long in one location. Finally, the family left Spain and moved to Morocco. Five years later, the family was forced to leave again due to religious persecution and this time, they got as far as Egypt, where they had freedom to practice Judaism. On their journey to Cairo, they passed through the Holy Land of Israel which was severely ravaged by the Crusaders and was unpopulated as a result. Throughout his journeys, the young Maimonides concentrated on Torah studies under the guidance of his father.

Supported by his brother, he was able to write copiously, gaining international acclaim in both Jewish and secular fields of knowledge. He also studied medicine on his own and earned great recognition as a successful doctor. He was appointed chief physician of the sultan and was entrusted with supervising the health of the entire Egyptian royal family.

Despite the immense workload, the Rambam was remarkably able to complete some of his greatest Jewish works, including his philosophical work “The Guide for the Perplexed” and his magnum opus, the “Mishne Torah”, the great codification of all Jewish law. He was also known as the “Great Eagle” due to his ability to spread his wings over the Jewish law.

Maimonides left instructions that after his death, his body should be brought back to the Holy Land for burial. Jews from all over the world come to visit the impressive tomb in the Israeli city of Tiberius which borders on the Sea of Galilee. 800 years after his death, the impact of the Rambam is still significant throughout the Jewish world.

Israel was the first country to issue Rambam stamps. Followed by, countries like Spain, Grenada, Antigua, Bolivia, Dominica and more who all issued stamps honoring the Rambam. A new Israeli stamp was also issued on April 7th, 2005. The new stamp shows an eagle with a human head representing Maimonides (“the Great Eagle”). The eagle’s wings expand over the Mediterranean (the area where Maimonides lived and from where his influence spread). At the end of the wings are Magen David stars which express the Rambam’s journey: from Cordova to Morocco, to Cairo and to Jerusalem and Acre where he visited.

Maimonides is now honored by IGPC with the issuance of special postage stamps and souvenir sheets from the Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Grenada Carriacou & Petite Martinique; designed for collectors who wish to participate in the philatelic celebration in honor of the Rambam and his impact on our lives.