The dedication of a commemorative marble slab in the old Cordoba synagogue marked today’s celebration of the octocentennial anniversary of the birth of Moses Maimonides, the famous Jewish philosopher and physician.
“This stone will bear witness of the peace concluded between Spain and the brothers of Maimonides,” the Mayor of Cordoba said, opening the ceremony. “Without peace with Israel there is no world peace.”
The civil governor of the Cordoba district, greeting the assembly in the name of the Spanish government, alluded to the anti-Jewish persecutions in Germany. “Certain countries,” he said, “illuminate monuments of soldiers with a flame symbolizing peace. This stone, like a flame, will recall for future generations the peace existing between the Jews and Spain.”
Senor Antonio Jean Morente, former Ambassador, who was one of the speakers at today’s ceremony, pointed out that children must often bear the consequences of the errors made by their parents.
“We Spaniards,” he said, “are glad that the Jews do not bear any resentment against us for the errors of our forefathers.”
Prof. Donemilo Gacia Gomez, director of the Institute of Art, addressed an assembly of scholars today on the value of Rambam’s teachings.
The delegates and guests from many countries who are participating in the Maimonides celebrations were today conducted by the municipality on an excursion to visit Moorish ruins.
The evening passed in entertainment and concerts arranged by the municipality in the palace of the county council for the foreign guests and diplomats who came to Cordoba to witness the festivities.
‘NO WORLD PEACE WITHOUT PEACE WITH ISRAEL,’ OFFICIAL STATES
fect, that “our chief benefactor Harvard,” like the Jews, regarded the School as superior to and more sacred than the Synagogue; because John Harvard preferred to endow a College rather than a Church. The orator refers to Harvard College as a “Beth hammidrash.”
A book, containing quotations from Maimonides and used by Harvard students in the 17th century, is in the display. It is “Moses and Aaron,” by Thomas Godwyn, London. 1620. Another is a Harvard College catalogue for 1723 recording a list of Maimonides’ works.
The traditional portrait of Maimonides is shown in Ugolino’s “Thesaurus Antiquitatum,” Venice, 1744.
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