Yehuda Alharizi (1165 - 1234, Hebrew יהודה אלחריזי also appears as Judah or Jehuda Al-Harizi) was a Jewish rabbi, translator, and poet active in Spain in the Middle Ages. He was supported by wealthy patrons, to whom he wrote poems and dedicated compositions.

He was a rationalist, conveying the works of Maimonides and his approach to rationalistic Judaism. He translated Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed and some of his Commentary on the Mishnah from the Arabic.

Alharizi's poetic translation of the Guide for the Perplexed is more readable than that of Samuel ben Judah ibn Tibbon. However, it has not been very widely used in Jewish scholarship due to its lesser precision. It had some influence in the Christian world due to its translation into Latin.

Alharizi adapted Arabic poetry, translating it into Hebrew and adding his own works such as the "Tahkemoni", in the Arabic form known as maqama. Another collection of his poetry was devoted to preaching ethical self-discipline and fear of heaven. He also published a translation of works of the Arab poet Al-Hariri called Mahbarot Iti'el.

He undertook long journeys in the lands of the Middle East. His works are suffused with his impressions from these journeys.

Reference

• Yehuda Alharizi in the Hebrew-language Wikipedia. Retrieved March 14, 2005.

External links

• Al-Ḥarizi, Judah B. Solomon B. Hophni in the Jewish Encyclopedia of 1901-1906