Samuel ibn Nagrela (Ha-Nagid; Ibn Nagdela; Ibn Nagrela; Samuel ha-Nagid)

(933-1055)

   Spanish statesman, scholar and military commander. Born in Cordoba, he was forced to flee the city in 1013 and opened a spice shop in Malaga. He joined the staff of King Habbus, the Berber ruler of Granada, and was later appointed vizier of Granada. In 1027 he became the nagid of Spanish Jewry. When Habbus died in 1037, Samuel ibn Nagrela supported his son Badis, taking on the administration of the kingdom and command of the armies. He composed poetry, wrote grammatical works, and completed an intro-duction to the Talmud. He was also a patron of numerous scholars.