Poets, Philosophers, and the Golden Age of Al-Andalus

From the 8th century, when Moorish soldiers crossed over from Africa to Iberia, to the collapse of Moorish rule in 13th century Christian Reconquista, Jews lived in Al-Andalus amid the moderate Islamic rule based in Cordoba. The golden age of Spain was golden, but for the Jews, it was always a bit tarnished. However, what endures are the gifts left by the poets and philosophers of Al-Andalus. We will read the poetry of Yehudah HaLevi and Solomon Ibn Gabirol, the Zohar of Moses de Leon, and the philosophy of Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (Maimonides).