who was hasdai?
Hasdai ibn Shaprut born about 915 at JaÃ©n, Spain; died about 970 at CÃ³rdoba, Andalusia, was a Jewish scholar, physician, diplomat, and patron of science. His father, Isaac ben Ezra, was a wealthy and learned Jew of JaÃ©n. Hasdai acquired in his youth a thorough knowledge of Hebrew, Arabic, and Latin, the last-named language being at that time known only to the higher clergy of Spain. He also studied medicine, and is said to have discovered a panacea, called Al-Faruk. Appointed physician to ...