This is a small slice of a part of medieval history that i think hasn’t been discussed much in this Forum. “Rambam” - abbreviated name of Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon - better known as Moses Maimonides, was the well-known Jewish physician of no one less than the Muslim ruler, Saladin (Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, whose name literally means, Righteousness of Faith, Joseph, Son of Job), during the 12th century.
Maimonides occupies a very significant position in Jewish medieval history. i think he has written some documents/books regarding Jewish covenants or laws (?) (someone correct me if i am mistaken, please). He wrote extensively on the Talmud and due to his vast knowledge and accomplishments, served as the head of the Jewish communities in Egypt.
We all know about Salah al Din - his courage and valour in the battlefields, and his statesmanship as a ruler. What is perhaps less known is his tolerance as well. His “tolerance was exemplary. He allowed Christian pilgrims in Jerusalem after its fall.” (Source). At a time when Maimonides and his family left their home due to rising anti-Semitism (during Maimonides’ childhood), and the Christian Crusades were being initiated, IMO Salah al Din stands out as a very unique figure for this particular time period. When one of his arch enemies, Richard I (popularized as “Lionheart”) became sick in England, Salah al Din offered the services of his Jewish physician Maimonides to tend to the British monarch. Richard I invited Maimonides to stay in England, but the Jewish physician refused - preferring instead to work under the Muslim ruler. Subsequent to his work being finished in England, he returned to Egypt to work for Salah al Din.
i think this part of 12th century religious history has not been much discussed in this Forum so i just wanted to bring it up to explore how much history these three monotheistic faiths all share. Two good starter websites for further information re: Salah al Din, are these: