The biblical commentaries of rabbi abraham ibn ezra 1089109211641167 have become indispensable to anyone desiring a full appreciation of the biblical text, and this noted scholar also wrote extensively on philology, philosophy, mathematics, and astrology. Some astrological themes in the thought of abraham ibn ezra. He wrote the first book about the hebrew language in hebrew since ancient times, and also introduced the decimal system to jews of his time, with his invention of a hebrew symbol for zero. The religious poems of abraham ibn ezra, volume two studies in hebrew poetry hebrew edition by levin, israel and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A parallel hebrewenglish critical edition of the book of nativities and the book of revolution. Abraham ibn ezra 10891164 was a great jewish poet, philosopher and bible commentator. Yesod mora and sefer hashem, the book of the divine name, are dense. Abenezra ibn ezra, or, to give him his full name, abraham ben meir ibn ezra 1092 or 10931167, one of the most distinguished jewish men of letters and writers of the middle ages. Ibn ezra excelled in philosophy, astronomyastrology, mathematics. Abraham ibn ezrapoet, philosopher, grammarian, and biblical exeget. Ibn ezra described the process of the worlds emanation from god by the. Naftali ben menahem tells us about rabbi moshe taku who wrote a book about ibn ezra 50 years after his death ktav tamim, in regensburg, germany, in which he mentions a book by ibn ezra called the book of life sefer hahaim.
Abraham ibn ezra book of the world sela, shlomo sela this volume offers the first critical edition, translated and annotated, of the two versions of abrahan ibn ezras book of the world, the first hebrew work, unique in medieval jewish science, to discuss the theories and techniques of historical and meteorological astrology. With this volume he begins the publication of ibn ezras complete works on astrology. Johansson, nadja, religion and science in abraham ibn ezra s sefer haolam including an english translation of the hebrew text langermann, tzvi, abraham ibn ezra, stanford encyclopedia of philosophy, 2006. Read abraham ibn ezra the book of the world online, read in mobile or kindle. It is worth noting that he was the first to try to systematize jewish grammar. His chidoth, riddles in poetic form, and his small poems written on innumerable occasions, made him. For i did not compose this book to show that i mastered the sciences or to glorify myself by showing that secrets have been revealed to me.
The golden age of spain produced some magnificent jewish scholars. He has played an important role in the fields of biblical exegesis, poetry, grammar, astronomy, astrology, mathematics, and natural sciences. Abraham ben meir ibn ezra spanishjewish scholar britannica. Abraham ibn ezra drew not only on biblical language but was also consciously participating in a well established arabic poetic tradition of using the apple as a locus of amorous discourse. Pdf the two commentaries of abraham ibn ezra on the book of. A parallel hebrewenglish critical edition of the two versions of the text, ed. A companion, published by oxford university press abraham ibn ezrapoet, philosopher, grammarian, and biblical exeget 10891164 was born in tudela, spain, where he lived until he left in 1140 to wander to other lands. Abraham ibn ezra the book of the world download ebook. He wrote the first book about the hebrew language in hebrew since ancient times, and also introduced the decimal system to jews of his time, with his invention of. Abraham ibn eras astrological writings, volume 2 series.
He lived in spain until 1140 and then left spain for a period of extensive wandering in lucca, mantua, verona, provence, london, narbonne, and finally rome. Abraham ibn ezra stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Exceptionally erudite, he was among the last creative geniuses of the spanish golden age. Abraham ibn ezra on nativities and continuous horoscopy. The book of reasons sefer hateamim by rabbi abraham ibn ezra. Abraham ben meir ibn ezra was one of the most distinguished jewish biblical commentators and philosophers of the middle ages. A parallel hebrew english critical edition of the two versions of the text abraham ibn eras astrological writings, volume 2 356. He was born in tudela, navarre, northern spain, one of the oldest and most important jewish communities in navarre, but the location of his death is uncertain.
Abraham ibn ezra the book of reasons by shlomo sela, 9789004157644, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Abraham ben meir ibn ezra, poet, grammarian, traveller, neoplatonic philosopher, and astronomer, best known as a biblical exegete whose commentaries contributed to the golden age of spanish judaism. Neither did i write it in order to argue with our ancient. He was born in tudela in northern muslim spain and received his education in the great centers of learning in cordoba, christian toledo and saragossa. Naftali ben menahem reports on rabbi moshe taku who wrote a book, ktav tamim, about ibn ezra 50 years after his death, in which he mentions a book by ibn ezra called the book of life sefer hahaim. Download abraham ibn ezra the book of the world ebook free in pdf and epub format. Reprinted with permission from the jewish religion. However, when he would later move to cordoba, he would claim it to be his place of birth. Norman strickman phd dropsie university is a rabbi at marine park jewish center and a professor of judaic studies at touro college, new york table of contents.
Abraham ben meir ibn ezra, poet, grammarian, traveller, neoplatonic. The beginning of wisdom is a one of the most important of the basic medieval texts of astrology. Abraham ibn ezra book of the world sela, shlomo sela. Abraham ibn ezra the book of reasons a parallel hebrewenglish critical edition of the two versions of the text edited, translated, and annotated by. He was one of the most distinguished jewish men of letters and writers of the middle ages. All the hebrew grammar books to that time had been written in arabic including. Astronomy and astrology in the works of abraham ibn ezra. His biblical commentaries include expositions of the book of job, the book of daniel. Ezra was a poet, grammarian, biblical exegete, philosopher, astronomer, astrologer, and physician. Catalan version of ibn ezras book of nativities, and another. Shlomo sela this volume offers the first critical edition, translated and annotated, of the two versions of abrahan ibn ezraa tms book of the world, the first hebrew work. Abraham ezra, jewish philosopher, astrologer, poet world.
This book might be the same as kohot shnot haadam, an autobiography whose possible existence was reported by david kahanah. Ibn ezra, avraham article about ibn ezra, avraham by the. Translations all of these books also contain commentary and biography carmi, t. Shlomo sela has edited a multivolume set on ibn ezras astrological writings for brill press. Abraham ibn ezra the book of the world a parallel hebrew english critical edition of the two versions of the text. Abraham ibn ezra book of the world sela, shlomo sela this volume offers the first critical edition, translated and annotated, of the two versions of abrahan ibn ezra s book of the world, the first hebrew work, unique in medieval jewish science, to discuss the theories and techniques of historical and meteorological astrology. Shlomo sela is a lecturer in the departments of jewish philosophy and bible at barilan university. Pdf the two commentaries of abraham ibn ezra on the book. Abraham ibn ezra book of the world etudes sur le judaisme medieval english and hebrew edition 9789004179141. Abraham ibn ezra and the metaphors of imagination medieval. It served as the backbone to an extensive and quite complete textbook of astrology by ibn ezra which which also included the book of reasons, the book of nativities and others. His research focuses on jewish attitudes toward the sciences, with special interest in the history of astrology in the middle ages.
Rabbi abraham ibn ezra wrote also several books on hebrew grammar, a profound dissertation on philosophy called yesod mora, and several books on astronomy and mathematics. Translations all of these books also contain commentary and biography. Ibn ezra described the process of the worlds emanation from god by the neoplatonic image of the process of the multiplication of numbers from the one, and as the process of speech issuing from the mouth of a speaker. Abraham ibn ezra was born in tudela, in the presentday spanish province of navarre, when the town was under the muslim rule of the emirs of zaragoza. Ibn ezra travelled around spain, which was gradually regaining its christian heritage from islam, and also visited the important jewish centres in northern africa, especially kairouwan, tunisia from which we get the word caravan, meaning military outpost. Abraham ibn ezras introduction to the book of psalms chapter 1 chapter 2 chapter 3 chapter 4 chapter 5. Tradition maintains that ibn ezra married judah halevis daughter after three of his children died and one son converted to islam, ibn ezra became a. Translated by meira epstein edited by robert hand with this and subsequent translations of ibn ezras works we have our first translations directly from the original language of arabic era astrology. With this volume he begins the publication of ibn ezra s complete works on astrology.
Rabbi abraham ibn ezra, poet, philosopher, and mathematician, was one of the outstanding personalities produced by medieval jewry. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Pdf abraham ibn ezra the book of the world download. Abraham ibn ezra was one of the important jewish poets of the middle ages and a scholarly note in both the secular and jewish cultures of his period. Click download or read online button to get abraham ibn ezra the book of the world book now. Tradition maintains that ibn ezra married judah halevis daughter. Sefer haolam book of the world, on the fates of countries and wars, and other largerscale issues. This book might the same one mentioned right below here. Abraham ibn ezras two commentaries on the book of estherthe first written in italy, the second in franceare compared in an attempt to elucidate their relationship. The six essays in this book explore ibn ezras multi. Abraham and astrology abraham s writings on astrology comprise about a dozen short books, covering natal, electional, horary, medical, and mundane astrology. The life and work of abraham ibn ezra by david mccann.
His theological works include sefer hashem book of the name, on the names of. After three of his children died and one son converted to islam, ibn ezra became a wanderer. Isaac, joseph, and zerahiah, all of whom were distinguished scholars. After he left spain, he lived in a number of cities, including rome, pisa, narbonne, and london. Abraham ibn ezra book of the world sela, shlomo sela download. Abraham ibn ezra s two commentaries on the book of esther the first written in italy, the second in franceare compared in an attempt to elucidate their relationship. According to isaac israeli yesod olam, he had three brothers. A parallel hebrewenglish critical edition of the two versions of the text etudes sur le judaisme medieval by abraham ben meir ibn ezra 3 editions first published in 2009. Rabbi abraham ibn ezras commentary on the second book of. Go to previous content download this content share this content add this content to favorites go to next content. Jewish virtual library, abraham ibn ezra johansson, nadja, religion and science in abraham ibn ezras sefer haolam including an english translation of the hebrew text langermann, tzvi, abraham ibn ezra, stanford encyclopedia of philosophy, 2006.
He was born in tudela, navarre, in northern spain, one of the oldest and most important jewish communities in. Abraham ibn ezra the book of reasons a parallel hebrewenglish critical edition of the two versions of the text. Ibn ezra, abraham ben meir 10891164, one of the most important jewish bible exegetes. Medieval philosopher, poet, grammarian and mystic abraham ibn ezra died on this date some say january 23 rd in 1167. Religion and science in abraham ibn ezras sefer haolam. His chidoth, riddles in poetic form, and his small poems written on innumerable occasions, made him the meter of all rhymers in spain. Born in 1089, ibn ezra was a friend of judah halevi.
Abraham and astrology abrahams writings on astrology comprise about a dozen short books, covering natal, electional, horary, medical, and mundane astrology. It was during his selfchosen exile that he wrote his brilliant works. The book of reasons, a parallel hebrewenglish critical edition of the two versions of the text, edited, translated, and annotated by shlomo sela, leiden. Ibn ezra belonged to one of the most prominent families of granada, spain. Died rome, italy, or possibly palestine, circa 1167. Ibn ezra, abraham ben meir 10891164 worldcat identities.
Century jewish polymath, edited by isadore twersky and jay m. Just how he earned it, however, poses a difficult historical problem. The book exodus with the commentary of abraham ibn ezra, naples 1488. He was related to abraham ibn ezra and a pupil of isaac ibn ghiyyat.
His chief claim to fame, however, is his commentary on the bible. Linked bibliography for the sep article abraham ibn ezra. Rabbi abraham ibn ezras commentary on the first book of. Arabic, and later hebrew poets frequently employed descriptions of apples in their poetry.
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