DELL MEDIGO, ELIA. — Philosopher and Talmudist, b. in Candia (for which he is often called Helias Cretensis) c. 1460, d. there c. 1493. He received, alongside a strictly Jewish education, a broad classical culture. He frequented various cities in Italy, such as Padua and Florence, where he taught philosophy.
Among his disciples was Pico della Mirandola (q.v.), with whom he remained closely bound in friendship. In his numerous publications he adhered to the most genuine Jewish tradition, polemicizing against the Karaites and the Kabbalists. In philosophy he followed Maimonides and Averroes. His principal work is an apology of the Jewish religion, written in Hebrew, Bêhinath had-dâth («Examination of the Religion»). With his Latin writings he effectively contributed to making medieval Jewish philosophical thought known to Christians.