Yehudah HaLevi

Yehudah HaLevi was a prominent medieval Jewish philosopher, poet, and physician, born circa 1075 in Tudela, in what is now Spain. He is best known for his philosophical dialogue, 'The Kuzari', which defends Judaism and attempts to explain the Jewish faith to the Khazars. The book is structured as a dialogue between the king of the Khazars and a Jew who was invited to explain Judaism, ultimately leading to the king's conversion.

Throughout his life, Yehudah HaLevi was also renowned for his poetry, which often expressed deep personal and religious themes, including Zionism, making him one of the earliest proponents of Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel. His poems are considered some of the greatest in Hebrew literature, and they continue to be studied and revered in modern times.

In addition to his literary and philosophical contributions, Yehudah HaLevi also practiced as a physician, which was a common profession among Jewish scholars during the medieval period. His works, both poetic and philosophical, have had a lasting impact on Jewish thought and culture, influencing a wide range of later Jewish thinkers and writers.

Books

The Kuzari: In Defense of the Despised Faith (The Torah Classics Library) (English and Hebrew Edition)