Spinoza was the famed Jewish philosopher who laid the intellectual foundations of the Enlightenment. He was excommunicated by Amsterdam’s Jews in 1656 for heresy.
Scholar Yitzhak Melamed's request to visit a synagogue was rejected because he 'devoted [his] life to the study of Spinoza’s banned works and the development of his ideas'
In video statement to nations taking part in Vienna negotiations, PM says Tehran seeks 'to end sanctions in exchange for almost nothing'; FM Lapid warns Iran is playing for time
A Jewish expert on Spinoza was named 'persona non grata' in Amsterdam's synagogue and library jta.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jta.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.