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?
Tag: isaiah
Ibn Ezra: Centering (Vaera)
God declares, “I am the Lord in the midst of the land!” Abraham ibn Ezra explores the idea of being in the center, and M.C. Richards talks about centering.
Rashbam: On Ne’eman (Ki Tavo)
The word ne’eman comes from the Hebrew root meaning faithful or trustworthy. In Ki Tavo it shows up in an unusual context.
Rashbam: Shaking on the Way (Vayigash)
After their emotional reunion, Joseph sends his brothers back to Canaan to bring their father and all of their household…
Isaiah’s Justice
Isaiah uses the terms mishpat and tzedek/tzedaka as key qualities in a just society. What exactly do they mean?