Ibn Ezra: Justice, Justice (Shoftim)
“Justice, justice you shall pursue…” Why the repetition? Avraham Ibn Ezra gives us three possible understandings.
Ibn Ezra: Sacred Numbers (Re’eh)
One god. A tithe (literally meaning a tenth). “Round” numbers. Ibn Ezra lets us in on the secret of sacred numbers.
Ibn Ezra: Quick Fire (Eikev)
Moses calls God “a devouring fire”. What aspect of devouring or of fire are we supposed to relate to God’s action here? Ibn Ezra clarifies.
Ibn Ezra: Incremental Free Will (Vaetchanan)
God hopes that the people of Israel will be reverent – does this mean they have free will? Or does God still control a great deal through laws of nature?
Ibn Ezra: The Secret of the Twelve (Devarim)
Ibn Ezra references the “secret of the twelve.” This phrase raises a question that has haunted Jewish tradition – did Moses write the entire Torah?