Ramban רמב"ן
Torah commentator, leader of Spanish Jewry, defender at the Barcelona disputation
Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman was born in Girona in 4954, worked as a physician and was the acknowledged head of Catalonian Jewry. His Torah commentary openly joins three layers: the plain sense, philosophical explanation, and "by way of truth"—the hints of Kabbalah. He argues with Rashi respectfully, with Ibn Ezra sharply, and with Rambam constantly, yet defended Rambam when his books were burned.
In 5023 King James I of Aragon compelled him into a public disputation with the convert Pablo Christiani. Ramban agreed on condition of complete freedom of speech, and took it. He dismantled his opponent's proofs, explaining that aggadah is neither law nor dogma. The king rewarded him, but the Dominicans pressed charges, and he had to leave Spain.
In 5027 he went up to the Land of Israel. He found Jerusalem devastated: two dyer brothers, he wrote, and a minyan gathering at their house on Sabbaths. He rebuilt a community and a synagogue that bears his name, and wrote his son a letter still read today.
He died in 5030 in the Land of Israel.
On the timeline
Places
Related
Sources
Rishonim
- Ramban’s commentary on the Torah — the joining of plain sense, midrash and the hidden teaching
- Iggeret HaRamban — the letter to his son on humility — still read today
- Shaar HaGemul — on reward and the world to come
- Sefer HaVikuach — his own record of the Barcelona disputation
Basis: documents and evidence.