Benjamin of Tudela: The Hispano-Jewish Marco Polo

The adventurer who loved Baghdad and brought a new word to Europe...China

The rather wonderful thing about living in Spain is that historical figures who have dwelt for so long in musty old books in cobweb-filled libraries come to life. And if you are Jewish, every town - however seemingly insignificant in the modern era - rings with the sound of a glorious past.

This weekend, on the local holiday of San Valero*, my family and…