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Maimonides was the ‘light of the Dark Ages’
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Moshe ben Maimon, better known as Maimonides, was a 12th century medieval sephardic Torah scholar and physician. While a venerated Jewish theologian, he gained widespread recognition as a healer and was personal physician to Sultans and royal families. A study of his life as a physician reveals that he was the consummate healer.
A deeply spiritual man, his principles on caring for the sick arguably form the basis of what is now considered “patient-centered care.” A perfect fusion of scientist and ethicist, he described in his writings, in visionary style, many modern day afflictions, including diabetes, asthma and hepatitis. Maimonides was a proponent of cultural sensitivity and dedicated his life to the service of his patients.
He regarded medicine as the most noble of vocations and advocated a life of focus and singular purpose – the well-being of the patient. In fact, in the holy Prayer of Maimonides it is written: “May no strange thoughts divert my attention at the bedside of the sick, or disturb my mind in its silent labors, for great and sacred are the thoughtful deliberations required to preserve the lives and health of Thy creatures.”
Oath of Maimonides
His study of the Torah inspired him to acknowledge that God directs us to consecrate our lives to charity. It was this spirit of giving which permeated his entire approach to caring for the sick.
His physician oath, which is stated below, presciently describes the virtue of other centeredness, continuing education and quest for knowledge.
“The eternal providence has appointed me to watch over the life and health of Thy creatures. May the love for my art actuate me at all time; may neither avarice nor miserliness, nor thirst for glory or for a great reputation engage my mind; for the enemies of truth and philanthropy could easily deceive me and make me forgetful of my lofty aim of doing good to Thy children.
May I never see in the patient anything but a fellow creature in pain.
Grant me the strength, time and opportunity always to correct what I have acquired, always to extend its domain; for knowledge is immense and the spirit of man can extend indefinitely to enrich itself daily with new requirements. Today he can discover his errors of yesterday and tomorrow he can obtain a new light on what he thinks himself sure of today.
Oh, God, Thou has appointed me to watch over the life and death of Thy creatures; here am I ready for my vocation and now I turn unto my calling.”
Quest for improvement
He affirms the profound privilege or “appointment” bestowed upon him to care for the sick. He distilled the act of healing to its very essence – love for the art of medicine and love for the patient. For Maimonides, there simply was no room for pursuit of fame or riches. This venerable holy man maintained that thirst for excessive profit and renown were “enemies of truth and of love for mankind.”
Judgment was simply not part of Maimonides’ lexicon. Any undesirable trait of any patient was merely a manifestation of pain. The master physician treated all people with the same dignity.
Lastly, continual quest for improvement in Maimonides’ eyes was essential for responsible medical practice. With a persistent desire to question established dogma, exemplary physicians gain new light on established paradigms.
Indeed, we could live more peaceful and meaningful lives if we simplified our vocation and incorporated the timeless principles of Maimonides – gratitude for the privilege of healing, other centeredness and constant quest for knowledge.