The Unlikely Buddha

Moses ben Maimon, known as Maimonides or the Rambam, is a towering figure in Jewish intellectual history. His influence spans centuries and disciplines, shaping Jewish thought, Western philosophy, theology, and medicine. To understand Maimonides is to explore his turbulent life, his intricate philosophical system, and his enduring legacy. A Life Forged in Adversity Born in 1138 in Córdoba, Spain, Maimonides grew up during a golden age of cultural flourishing under Muslim rule. However, this era ended abruptly with the arrival of the Almohads, a fanatical Islamic sect that imposed forced conversions or exile on Jews and Christians. Maimonides' family chose exile, embarking on a perilous journey across Spain and North Africa. This period of displacement deeply shaped Maimonides' worldview. Witnessing religious intolerance firsthand reinforced his commitment to preserving Jewish identity and law. Eventually, his family settled in Fustat (Old Cairo), Egypt, where Maimon...

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 buried the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under layers of ash and pumice, preserving them in tragic detail.  While much has been written about the destruction, the story of those who survived is far less known. Thanks to the meticulous record-keeping practices of Pompeii's residents and the surprising discovery of a garum amphora, a researcher named **Steven Tuck** embarked on a fascinating journey to trace survivors and their escape routes.   The Disaster Unfolds   When Vesuvius erupted, it unleashed chaos on the residents of Pompeii. The disaster struck in stages:   1. **Initial Tremors**: Earthquakes leading up to the eruption were not uncommon in the region, so many residents dismissed them as routine.   2. **First Eruption Phase (Around 1 PM)**: A towering column of ash, pumice, and gases shot miles into the sky. For hours, debris rained down on Pompeii, collapsing roofs and ma...