Maimonides, Spinoza, and the Noahide Laws

The seven Noahide commandments are a Jewish-Talmudic concept that was systematically codified in Maimonides’ *Mishneh Torah* —the most impressive medieval attempt to codify Jewish law. Spinoza’s critique of Maimonides in the Theological-Political Treatise raises fundamental questions about Maimonides’ stance toward these seven commandments, which concern reason, revelation, and salvation. The lecture examines these questions within the broader context of early modern natural law theories as well as the religious and philosophical debates within the Jewish community of Amsterdam.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Michela Torbidoni is a philosopher whose research focuses on early modern Jewish thought, particularly Spinoza, skepticism, and rabbinic literature. She is currently a research associate at the University of Göttingen and previously worked at the Maimonides Center for Advanced Studies at the University of Hamburg.