The Rabbi Who Studied With Galileo: Finding Hashem Through Science

Imagine a Jewish scholar in the 17th century sitting in a small room surrounded by a telescope, a Torah scroll, an open Gemara, books of mathematics, and works of Kabbalah. This was Yosef Shlomo Delmedigo, known as the Yashar of Candia (1591–1655) — a rabbi, physician, mathematician, astronomer, and kabbalist who lived during the era of the Scientific Revolution.

Delmedigo studied with Galileo, traveled across Europe and the Middle East, and wrote works that explored the relationship between science and Torah. He saw the natural world as a reflection of the wonders of creation and believed that studying nature could deepen a person’s understanding of Hashem. His life tells the story of a man who bridged worlds and left a lasting influence on both Jewish scholarship and scientific thought.

A Brilliant Young Scholar

Yosef Shlomo Delmedigo was born on June 16, 1591, in Candia, now known as Heraklion on the island of Crete, into a distinguished family of scholars and physicians. His grandfather, Rabbi Eliyahu Delmedigo, was a well known philosopher, and the family originally came from Germany before settling in Crete and Italy.

From a young age, Delmedigo stood out as a gifted student. Alongside Torah study, he developed a deep curiosity about the wider world. He studied languages such as Greek, Italian, and Spanish, and showed special interest in mathematics and astronomy.

At the age of fifteen he moved to Italy to study at the University of Padua, one of the leading universities of the time. There he studied medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. He was deeply influenced by the great scientist Galileo Galilei, whom he later referred to as "my teacher" in his book Elim.

He completed his studies in 1613 and received a medical degree. During his lifetime he built a remarkable personal library of about seven thousand books, an extraordinary number for that era.

A Life of Travel and Discovery

After completing his studies, Delmedigo returned to Candia, married, and had a daughter. After his wife passed away, he began a life of travel driven by his passion for knowledge and his desire to deepen his understanding of Torah and science.

In 1616 he traveled to Alexandria and Cairo, where he debated mathematicians and impressed scholars with his wide knowledge. Later he reached Constantinople, where in 1619 he observed and recorded the appearance of a comet.

Between 1620 and 1624 he served as personal physician to Prince Janusz Radziwiłł in Lithuania, while continuing his research and writing.

He later lived in Hamburg, Glückstadt, and Amsterdam, where he served as a rabbi and preacher. Eventually he settled in Prague, one of the great centers of Jewish learning in Europe.

His book Elim includes responses to questions from a Karaite scholar on astronomy, mathematics, and alchemy, demonstrating the breadth of his expertise. He was also respected as a halachic authority, and Rabbi Shabtai HaKohen, known as the Shach, cites him in the laws of meat and milk.

Bridging Science and Kabbalah

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Delmedigo’s life was his ability to connect fields that often seemed to contradict each other, such as science and Kabbalah.

In his youth he was skeptical of Kabbalah and even dismissed it. Later, while living in Constantinople, he met Rabbi Yaakov ben Nachmias, who introduced him to deeper teachings. Delmedigo began to see connections between Kabbalah and philosophical ideas he had encountered in his studies.

In his work Matzref LaChokhmah, he defended Kabbalah against the criticism of his grandfather, who questioned the authenticity of the Zohar. Delmedigo explained how Kabbalah could be understood alongside science and philosophy.

For Delmedigo, the natural world revealed the wonders of creation. Studying the heavens and the laws of nature was another way to appreciate the wisdom of the Creator.

A Lasting Legacy

Yosef Shlomo Delmedigo passed away on October 16, 1655, in Prague and was buried there. He left behind dozens of works, many preserved only in manuscript form, covering subjects such as medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and Kabbalah.

Some of his writings were controversial, and certain scholars criticized his ideas. Nevertheless, his influence continued to spread among later generations of Jewish thinkers.

Delmedigo showed that faith and knowledge do not have to stand in opposition. He viewed the study of the world as a way to recognize the greatness of Hashem and the depth of creation.
His life remains an inspiring example of intellectual courage, curiosity, and devotion to both Torah and wisdom — a scholar who saw the wonders of creation as an invitation to explore the world with both mind and soul.