December 13

Born in 1135 in Córdoba, Moses ben Maimon—known as Maimonides—emerged as one of the most influential Jewish scholars of the Middle Ages. After fleeing the Almohad invasion of Spain, he settled in Morocco and later Egypt, where he served as the personal physician to the Ayyubid court. He authored the fifteen-volume Mishneh Torah, a comprehensive codification of Jewish law that remains authoritative. His philosophical treatise, Guide for the Perplexed, sought to harmonize Aristotelian philosophy with biblical theology, impacting both Jewish and Christian thinkers. Maimonides also wrote treatises on medicine, science, and ethics, demonstrating his polymathic brilliance. He died in 1204 in Fustat (Old Cairo), leaving a profound legacy in religious and philosophical thought.

Anthony Collins was an English philosopher and proponent of deism born in 1676. A prominent advocate for religious tolerance and freedom of thought, he challenged orthodox views through works like 'A Discourse of Free-Thinking' and 'The Scheme of Literal Prophecy'. Collins argued against determinism and for human moral responsibility, influencing Enlightenment debates on free will. He engaged in public controversies with clergy and other thinkers, marking him as a key figure in early 18th-century intellectual life. Collins also wrote on natural religion, emphasizing reason and evidence over revelation. His clear and persuasive style made his essays widely read and debated. He died on December 13, 1729, leaving a legacy as one of England's foremost deist philosophers.

Born in 1874, Nicholas Roerich studied art in Saint Petersburg before embarking on archaeological expeditions across Central Asia. His luminous landscapes and mystical scenes reflected his deep interest in Eastern philosophy. Roerich founded the Roerich Museum in New York and proposed the Roerich Pact to protect cultural treasures during armed conflict. He developed the Agni Yoga philosophical system, blending spirituality and art into a unified vision. Roerich’s multidisciplinary work left a lasting impact on art, archaeology, and cultural preservation.