The Improvement of the Moral Qualities: Jewish Philosophy

The Improvement of the Moral Qualities Jewish PhilosophySolomon Ibn Gabirol
Rabbi Solomon Ibn GabirelThis great Hebrew poet and philosopher was born in Malaga, Spain, about the year 4782, (1021), and died in Valencia, Spain, at the age of 36 or 37.Despite his very short life, Rabbi Solomon ibn Gabirel won great fame during his own lifetime, and even more so after his death when his writings became more widely known.His father Yehuda, was a native of the famous city of Cordova which was at the time under Arab domination. About ten years before Solomon's birth, when war broke out in that part of the Spanish peninsula, his father moved to Saragossa, also under Arab domination. Later they moved to Malaga, where Rabbi Solomon was born.Losing his parents at an early age, Rabbi Solomon nevertheless continued his studies of the Talmud, in which he found his only solace. The young Rabbi Solomon was an ardent scholar and became very proficient in the Hebrew as well as Arabic languages and grammar. He also studied astronomy, geometry, and philosophy: Rabbi Solomon Ibn Gabirel began writing Hebrew poetry when he was very young. At the age of 16 he wrote a famous poem beginning with the words, "I am the master, and Song is my slave." This poem entitled "Azharoth," is based on the Taryag (613) commandments of the Torah, and was included in the Shavuoth service of many congregations.In that year, the famous Rav Hal Gaon died in Babylon, and Solomon ibn Gabirel wrote four dirges (obituary poems) on the passing of this great scholar.Rabbi Solomon Ibn Gabirel sang the praises of Rabbi Samuel Hanagid and also of another Jewish minister, Jekuthiel ibn Hasan of Saragossa. The latter became Rabbi Solomon Ibn Gabirel's friend and patron. Unfortunately, Rabbi Ibn Hasan met with a violent death through a false accusation by his enemies. Rabbi Solomon Ibn Gabirel, who was about eighteen or nineteen years old at that time, composed a touching eulogy on the loss of his friend.A number of Rabbi Solomon Ibn Gabirel's religious hymns were included in the prayer book. These include in addition to "Azharoth" mentioned above, his "Shir Hakovod" (Song of Glory), and "Shir Hayichud" (Song of Unity). Another of his famous poems is "Kether Malchuth" (Royal Crown). Rabbi Solomon Ibn Gabirel also wrote "Kinoth" (dirges) on the destruction of the Temple and the plight of Israel. His most famous book he wrote was The Improvement of the Moral Qualities. This books discusses Jewish philosophy o