A Day in the Life of the Rambam

In 1199, when the Rambam was already an old man, Rav Shmuel ibn Tibbon wrote to him from afar, asking to come and study with him. The Rambam answered with warmth, and with an honest account of why he could not promise much time.

He explained that he lived in Fustat, about a mile and a half from Cairo, where the sultan resided. Each morning he went to the palace to see the royal household, and if anyone there was unwell he might be kept for most of the day.

Only in the afternoon did he get back home, weary and hungry. There he would find his waiting room full of people, Jews and non-Jews, rich and poor, all waiting for him. He asked them to let him eat something first, which he said was the only meal he had in twenty-four hours.

Then he treated them and wrote out instructions until nightfall, and sometimes for two or three hours after dark. He grew so tired that he had to lie down while he worked.

Only on Shabbos could he sit with the community. After the morning prayers he taught them until noon, and some came back after Minchah to learn with him until the evening prayers.

He told his translator that this was his life, and he urged him not to make the long journey, since the visit could not give either of them what he hoped for.