Joseph ibn Naghrela

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Abu Husain Joseph ibn Naghrela (c. 1031 - December 30, 1066) was a vizier to the Berber king Badis al-Muzaffar during the Moorish rule of the Andalusia and the leader of the Jewish community of Granada.

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[edit] Life and career

Joseph succeeded his father, Samuel ibn Naghrela, as vizier and rabbi, directing at the same time an important school. Among his students were Isaac ben Baruch ibn Albalia the Talmudist, and the poet Isaac ibn Ghayyat.

The 1906 edition of the Jewish Encyclopedia states that "Arabic chroniclers strangely relate that he believed neither in the faith of his fathers nor in any other faith. It may also be doubted that he openly declared the principles of Islam to be absurd. [1] Arabic poets also praised his liberality."[2]

Further, the Jewish Encyclopedia reports that Joseph "controlled" the King and "surrounded him with spies." He was also accused of several acts of violence, which drew upon him the hatred of the Berbers, who were the ruling majority at Granada. The most bitter among his many enemies was Abu Isḥaḳ of Elvira, a fanatical Arabic poet who hoped to obtain an office at court and wrote a malicious poem against Joseph and his coreligionists. This poem made little impression upon the king, who trusted Joseph implicitly; but it created a great sensation among the Berbers. They spread a rumor to the effect that Joseph intended to kill Badis, deliver the realm into the hands of Al-Mutasim of Almería with whom the king was at war, then to kill Al-Mutasim and seize the throne himself.

Other sources report that Joseph attempted to ease the tension between the Berbers and the Arab population and prevent excesses against the local Arabs, which led to a civil war.[3]

[edit] Death and massacres

Main article: 1066 Granada massacre

On December 30, 1066, Muslim mob stormed the royal palace where Joseph had sought refuge, then crucified him. In the ensuing massacre of the Jewish population, most of the Jews of Granada were murdered. "More than 1,500 Jewish families, numbering 4,000 persons, fell in one day."[4]

Joseph's wife fled to Lucena with her son Azariah, where she was supported by the community. Azariah died in early youth.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Dozy, "Geschichte der Mauren in Spanien," ii. 301
  2. ^ Nagdela (Nagrela), Abu Husain Joseph Ibn by Richard Gottheil, Meyer Kayserling, Jewish Encyclopedia. 1906 ed.
  3. ^ 1066 December 30, Granada (Spain) in Jewish history (Jewish Agency for Israel)
  4. ^ Granada by Richard Gottheil, Meyer Kayserling, Jewish Encyclopedia. 1906 ed.

[edit] References

  • Munk, Notice sur Abou'l Walid, pp. 94 et seq.;
  • Dozy, Gesch. der Mauren in Spanien, German ed., ii. 300 et seq.;
  • Grätz, Gesch. vi. 55 et seq., 415 et seq.;
  • Ersch and Gruber, Encyc. section ii., part 31, p. 86.G. M. K.

This article incorporates text from the 1901–1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, a publication now in the public domain.

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