The Maimonides Project

Maimonides was an enlightened Rabbi, philosopher and physician, whose writings are revered by the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions. He died 800 years ago, but his writings and message of reconciliation, born of understanding the similarities of the three faiths, must be realized. He wrote in both Hebrew and Arabic and his manuscripts highlight the convergence of these faiths. Some of these writings have been housed in the Vatican Library. Many of these important historical and theological works have  never been available for public viewing before this project.

For Phase one, September 2002, Pave the Way Foundation requested and was granted permission to bring Jewish scholars to view the original manuscripts of Maimonides to the Vatican Library. The Library was especially opened for this occasion by Fr. Raffaele Farina SBD, Prefect of the Library and H.Em. Jorge Cardinal Mejia, Vatican Librarian and Archivist.

For Phase two, Pave the Way initiated the Vatican loan of Maimonides works, along with other rare Hebrew manuscripts, for exhibit in Jerusalem, at the Israel Museum's 40th anniversary, September 27, 2005. This historic commemoration was the first time in history that these manuscripts were on Israeli soil.

Opening of the Israel Museum Exhibit with the two Chief Rabbis of Israel, the Director and curators of the Israel Museum, the Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and the Prefect of the Vatican Library.

Phase three, Pave the Way has arranged for a gift of the digitization of the Vatican Library manuscript collection. This is extremely significant since it will "pave the way" to one day opening this, one of the largest collections in the world, to worldwide learning.  

Digitizing process is explained

PTWF is honored by the Franciscan Custody in the Holy Land and receives the Jerusalem Medal

Phase four will be dedicated to reproducing these rare manuscripts, in concert with the Vatican Library, so that the every day person, libraries and schools may one day access these treasures. PTWF has also instituted the digitization project to preserve the manuscripts of the Franciscan Custody in the Holy Land. Through PTWF, There are now over 8000 images of manuscripts that were preserved for ever. Copies of these priceless images will be preserved at the Vatican Library, the Franciscan Custody in Israel and in Washington DC.  The George S. Blumenthal Foundation, which donated these services through PTWF, will be creating a website for the Franciscan Custody where these manuscripts can be viewed on line for world wide learning.