Tzadikim

Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra

Bible commentator, astrologer, translator from Arabic into Hebrew, grammarian, philosopher, poet.

Born: Toledo, Spain, 1089 or 1090
Died: died c. 1167, apparently in Calahorra, 1164 (Adar I)
 

Popularly referred to as Ibn Ezra. Bible commentator, translator from Arabic into Hebrew, grammarian, philosopher, poet.

Ibn Ezra spent his youth in Cordova, Spain, where he received his Torah education. He established a close friendship with Rabbi Yehudah Halevi, the famous poet and philosopher. In 1135 Ibn Ezra was forced to flee to Rome. There he composed his Bible commentary. Later he traveled to Provence, London, back to Provence, and to many other places. Some say that he journeyed to Eretz Yisrael and that he died there.

Believing in astrology, he attempted to reconcile the belief in cosmic decrees with the concept of free will.

He wrote various books on mathematics and astrology, on the calendar, and on the astrolabe; eight treatises on astrology were completed at Lucca in 1148.

Ibn Ezra's most famous work is his Bible commentary, which appears in all editions of Mikra'ot Gedelot (books that provide Bible text alongside classical commentaries for study), is one of the foremost classics of Torah exegesis. In his commentary Ibn Ezra follows the peshat, the interpretation according to the plain meaning, in preference to the aggadic, homiletic, allegoric approach. Many of the comments deal with problems of grammar and syntax. They are written in a style that is extremely terse and often interspersed with obscure allusions.

A great number of commentaries have been written on Ibn Ezra's work, each attempting to shed light on the many obscure phrases. He fought valiantly for the purity of the Hebrew language and did not hesitate to criticize harshly any infraction of the rules of grammar or style he encountered. His caustic wit is apparent in many sarcastic comments with which he demolishes interpretations he considers incorrect. His commentary is studied by all serious students of Tanach (Bible).

Some of the famous poems written by Ibn Ezra are  "Tzam'ah nafshi L'Elohim L'El Chai..." and "Ki Esh'mera Shabbat...".

*** For more stories about the life of R' Avraham Ibn Ezra, please check Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra (Hebrew).

May the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Avraham ibn Ezra   protect us all, Amen.

Video by Henry Abramson, a specialist in Jewish history and thought

Light a virtual Candle
  • Soul Elevations

    • Lazar ben Manya and Moisey
    • Vicki bat Ira-She
    • רבי יחיאל הלל בן רבי יעקב
    • Marianna bat Liu Jian
    • Patricia Ruth bat Abraham
    • Ester bat Abraham bat Abraham Avinu
    • שיינה מינדל בת ר' יחיאל הלל
    • Wynne Wai Yee bat Jimmy K.K
    • Vera Wai Lan bat Jimmy K.K
    • GUADALUPE ARGIMIRO ben Leandro Cabrera
    • Juan Antonio Villalon ben David Villalon
    • Christine Siu Man bat Jimmy K.K
  • Healing

    • VICTORIA MICHEL bat ARACELI
    • Eve bat Chava
    • Avrohom Yaakov ben Rochel
    • Gabriela bat Oneida Yanira
    • Karen bat Ruth
    • Ana bat Zlota
    • Itzhak ben Mafrat
    • Sarah Miriam bat Dania Nechama
    • SPYRIDON ben VICTORIA
    • Chaya bat Sarah
    • Vichian Kunin ben Plang Kunin
    • MARTHA ELOINA bat ROSA
    • Rebecca bat Sanjs
    • Alex Sason ben Rima
    • Heffsi bat Husni
    • Jackie bat Bertha
    • Raelynn bat Jackie
    • Angela bat Jane
    • Janna bat Feyga Mera
    • Luiz ben Maria
    • Daniel ben Arlene
    • David Eric ben Miriam Marcus
    • Adaline bat Cathrine
    • Moshe Naftali ben Avraham
    • Oneida Yanira bat Milila
    • יוסף בן נחמה
    • Everyone who needs it ben Sara
    • Zaharia Natan ben Mazol Milana
    • ROSA MAGDA GOMEZ HERNANDEZ ben Rosa Hernández
  • Success in life

    • Yehudith Mashah bat Baruch Eric
    • Yocheved Rut bat Abraham
    • David ben Ernesto
    • Sarah bat Primo
    • Rocio Yadira Guerra Padilla bat María del Refugio Padilla Cabrera
    • Arik ben John Ambrose
    • Debbie bat Ralph
    • Jimmy ben Cheung Shu Ti
    • Sarita Mazal bat Moises Jacobo
    • Moshe Wolk aka Jetro da Silva ben Shaul
    • Moshe Wolf aka Jetro da Silva ben Matilda
    • Sarah bat Abraham
    • Florrie bat Karen (Kae)
    • Isabella/Isabella Devora Abigail bat Carmen Cecilia/Abigail
    • אסתר בת אברהם
    • SPYRIDON DIAMANTIDIS ben ADAMANDIOS
    • Nsama ben Chama
    • Elisheba bat William Yady
Light a virtual Candle


Hillulot | Biographies | Prayers | Virtual Candle