Of course much later in 1200AD, when Hebrew scholars come to their senses finally when they mature out of the primitive orthodox stages. They were influenced so heavily then by the Islamic philosophers that preserved Greek reason & rational which was always the main template for all...when they weren't all off pontificating about imaginary beings. (which gives men like them a means of living & Caliphs/Kings justification for their rule)
Appreciation of Aristotle
Aristotle was almost universally held in esteem by the Jews; at one time for his intelligence and mental power, at another as a penitent sinner. The following is Maimonides' verdict concerning him: "The words of Plato, Aristotle's teacher, are obscure and figurative: they are superfluous to the man of intelligence, inasmuch as Aristotle supplanted all his predecessors. The thorough understanding of Aristotle is the highest achievement to which man can attain, with the sole exception of the understanding of the Prophets." Shem-?ob ben Isaac of Tortosa (1261) styles Aristotle "the master of all philosophers." Elijah b. Eliezer of Candia, who edited the "Logic" about the end of the fourteenth century, calls Aristotle "the divine," because, having been endowed by nature with a sacredly superior intellect, he could understand of himself what others could receive only from the instruction of their teachers. See Aristotle in Jewish Legend. |
