Samuel Ibn Nagrel´a was born in Granada, Spain in 993. He received an excellent Jewish and general education and became a Talmudic scholar, statesman, poet, soldier, philologist and one of the most influential Jews in Muslim Spain. He was fluent in Hebrew, Arabic and Latin. He was a student of one of the most respected rabbis of his time, Rabbi Hanoch ben Moshe.

Fleeing from the Berbers, Samuel settled in Malaga. There he opened a spice shop, near the Palace of the Vizier of Granada, Abu al-Kasim ibn al-Arif. Samuel began to receive visits from a servant of the Vizier who asked him to write letters for him, which he did very well thanks to his mastery of Arabic and Hebrew calligraphy. The Vizier, who admired Samuel’s writing style, asked his servant to introduce him to the author. After their first meeting, Samuel was hired as the Vizier’s personal secretary. Samuel and the Vizier became good friends and soon the Vizier realized Samuel’s capabilities. In addition to his secretary, Samuel became his political advisor.

Upon the Vizier’s death, Sultan Habbus al Muzaffar appointed Samuel Vizier of Granada, despite a decree prohibiting Jews from holding public office. Samuel became the king’s advisor on political and military matters. He rose to be the head of the Muslim army of Granada and participated in multiple battles against Arab Seville. Upon the death of Sultan Habbus, his son Badis was crowned and Samuel was appointed his chief advisor and general of the army. In 1027, the Jewish community granted Samuel the title of HaNagid, the prince.

It is said that a fanatic Muslim had severely offended Samuel and the king, upon learning of this, ordered Samuel to have his tongue cut out. Instead, Samuel sent a gift to the offender, thereby earning his gratitude. The king questioned Samuel and he replied: I cut out his aggressive tongue and gave him a gentle tongue instead.

Samuel put his wealth and high authority to good use. He was passionate about spreading knowledge. While serving as a soldier, he wrote poems on the subject of war and battle. He purchased and gave thousands of copies of books to poor Jewish students in Sicily, Spain, Egypt and Jerusalem. He actively sought to spread Judaism and Jewish culture, helping less fortunate scholars such as Salomon Ibn Gabirol.

In addition to serving as Vizier for three decades, his military responsibilities gave him no respite and Samuel HaNagid, weakened by the same, died of natural causes in 1056 on a battlefield. He was beloved by the community and mourned by Muslims and Jews alike. Aside from his poems, his only major surviving work is Hilchot Hanagid, a compilation and commentary of halacha based on the two Talmuds. Samuel HaNagid certainly deserves to be in the Jewish hall of fame.

Prepared by Marcos Gojman.

Bibliography: Encyclopaedia Judaica, Jewish Encyclopedia and other sources.