Who Was Ibn Ezra? Jewish Biography as History

Hailed as one of the greatest commentators on the Torah, Abraham ibn Ezra lived a life of great scholarly accomplishment amidst great personal suffering. Part of the Jewish Biography as History series available at www.jewishhistorylectures.org.

[@RETURNTOSABBATH]

Thank you so much. I did not know much of anything about Ibn Ezra until i received a copy of the Commentators bible. IN Dt 5.3 he speaks of the fathers as being the likes of Abraham etc as opposed to the fathers of the sons of Israel who were present at the second telling. This of course agreed with my own idea as to what the text represented, so now i am a big fan of Ibn Ezra..THanks again.

[@rayhilchey6706]

I love Mr Abramson's wisdom but how did he miss Ibn Ezra's allegory in the last lines of the poem of the garment? The poor garment as in his poor expression of love for the creator. Beautiful.

[@rayhilchey6706]

Dear Mr Abramson. Please excuse my ignorance of scripture but I have an abiding love for philology and myth. Possibly you could answer a question for me? I understand Ezra was the name of the Persian Satrap in Jerusalem at the time of the Greek conquest. He was approached by either Ptolemy 1 or 2 to give a history of the Hebrew people for the new Library at Alexandria. Ezra had his scholars composed the Septuagint written in kione Greek Now in relation to your excellent talk on Maimonides, that I thoroughly enjoyed I understand there was a much earlier Maimonides. As Vizer to one of the Ptolemy kings he reorganized the state and tax system, settling villages with retired soldiers. During a time of dynastic wars and suffering his population had a level of security and prosperity unknown elsewhere and Maimonides’ wealth was fabled. Thus the expression, possible Essene, “you can’t serve both God and Maimon (Maimonides)”. Can you date this earlier Maimonides? Which Ptolemy King?

[@dragonfly111cute]

Can you tell me what Meir mean in his name? could the name be transposed to Mier or Miera? in spelling? It's all so confusing do you have a lecture of the area of Tudela, Spain? Do you have a link to the text? well thank you ...your funny yes I am a Christian finding my Sephardic heritage in Spain virtually lost to me lucky for me there is much online this question will help me thank you in advance heading to the webpage!

[@dragonfly111cute]

***** Thank you so much! yes I watched that one first :) I have watch probably 3 last too!

[@davidsavage6324]

+Henry Abramson wrote a good

[@Asdfhjkl998]

No , it’s in Granada ............Allah save beni Israel bless and all ways keep to right pat to Hashem ........

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

Seminal Rap artist in fact. A Luftmench. Titteryeme hehe. I like that one. The T word belongs only to the Sustaining, eternal Father alone. It seams like blasphemy when heard in any other context. He keepeth my life like the calf in the stall. Wont for nowt s'long as ive toddled along looking to the first love.. Know need, never kneeded. Haleilulielah! Oral, always trumps written, how could any surmise an argument against this? Yashuva? (is that spelled right?) Is it an affliction of the mind? Ibn Ezra is honey & butter til mi brown breaded lie. There is but one will. Some frustratedly or laughably gnaw at it. By cherrishable compliance to the low of gravity.

[@yoshimodi]

Very interesting lesson, thank you very much.

[@martinstraus6663]

Hello again. A small correction- Rice on פסח is only permitted to Tunisian Jews due to a famine, I was told by my late father in law, Nissim. Z"L, who was a Sephardi Jew from Spanish Morocco. His wife , Suzanne is a French Moroccan Jew, from Casablanca. Oy- don't ask about the difference! Suffice it to say that as a Polish Ashkenazi Jew I had to learn to speak French to fit in! Even my American daughters are fluent French! Nissim was Spanish speaking. Anyway, they were not permitted to eat rice. עס איז שוער צו זיין א איד!

[@stms.africa4690]

he was also an Astrologer of note.

[@amaxamon]

He did a lecture on that too!

[@itsmejustletmein]

Dr. Abramson, thank you very much for the wonderful lecture. I am surprised to hear about Ibn Ezra having influenced Nachmanides. I recall (though I don't have the chapter and verse handy) that in his commentary to the Torah Nachmanides refers to Ibn Ezra as "lacking in faith" (at least in the footnotes two Artscroll's version of Nachmanides the "lacking in faith" statement refers to Ibn Ezra.) Can you please comment on this. Thanks again.

[@elaneradim6117]

THANK YOU

[@DavidHerman33154]

It always seems to me that ibn Ezra plays the straw man for Ramban/Nachmanides to knock down his argument and state his own. So I presume that his use of ibn Ezra at Barcelona was a case of "needs must" and not a real sign of positive regard.

[@MyName-tu8mh]

Stam a mishigana apekoiris How can you compare the last few lines that discuss moses death that the even ezra takes the position that Yehoishia wrote it, to say that the thora was written later in time and not by the same author (hashem and moses and a line by yoishuya) It's apekorsis!

[@kwyzi]

just love these lectures, thanks

[@isthereanyname]

great lecture

[@tagalder70]

Good video Doctor. I am from Timmins Ontario. I trust you know where that is.

[@veaudor]

So very interesting!

[@morrisday333]

This is a good lecture to fill in the off week of the Sephardic series!

[@kwyzi]

Many thanks

[@stms.africa4690]

He was also an Astrologer

[@pinelopivlastou410]

very very nice

[@P90XStory]

תודה רבה!

[@khakkhan8610]

Who is the son of God in Judaism? Ibne azra??

[@MaryLopez-bv7ks]

Seriosuly?

[@Altaaff123]

No, Ibn Ezra is not the Prophet Uzair (Ezra) Peace be upon him as the Qur'an says. Ibn Ezra is a Spanish Jew commentator as Henry Abramson explains. Jews (essenes) believed Ezra (Prophet Uzair peace be upon him) as the son of God. Evidence - The dead sea scrolls found in 1947-48 and now in concealment by State of Israel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpzZdItvbK5lpNU

[@yudimandel]

Filled in a lot of blanks for me on Ibn Ezra. Thank you.