Moses Ibn Ezra

Rabbi Moses ben Jacob ibn Ezra
Born	c. 1055 – 1060 Granada
Died	1138
Other names	Ha-Sallaḥ
School	Jewish philosophy

Rabbi Moses ben Jacob ibn Ezra, known as Ha-Sallaḥ ("writer of penitential prayers") (Arabic: أبو هارون موسى بن يعقوب ابن عزرا‎‎, Abu Harun Musa bin Ya'acub ibn Ezra, Hebrew: משה בן יעקב הסלח אבן עזרא‎‎) was a Jewish, Spanish philosopher, linguist, and poet. He was born in Granada about 1055 – 1060, and died after 1138. Ibn Ezra was Jewish by religion but is also considered to have had great influence in the Arabic literary world. He is considered one of Spain's greatest poets and was thought to be ahead of his time in terms of his theories on the nature of poetry. One of the more revolutionary aspects of Ibn Ezra’s poetry that has been debated is his definition of poetry as metaphor and how his poetry illuminates Aristotle’s early ideas. The impact of Ibn Ezra’s philosophical works was minor compared to his impact on poetry, but they address his concept of the relationship between God and man.

Moses was born in Granada, Spain and received both a Hebrew education and a comprehensive education in Arabic literature. While living in Lucena, the "city of poetry" Ibn Ezra was a student of Isaac Ibn Ghayyat. He held an important administrative office in his home province as evidenced by his Arabic title of ṣāḥib al-shurṭa. Ibn Ezra also developed a strong friendship with poet Judah Halevi and was an important influence in Halevi's early poetic works. The capture of Granada by the Almoravides resulted in the destruction of Ibn Ezra’s Jewish community as well as the breakup of Ibn Ezra’s family. This eventually led to his fleeing to the Christian part of Spain. In his new city in Castile, Ibn Ezra considered himself an exile and did not think he would be able to return to his home city. During this time it is rumored that Ibn Ezra had disagreements with his family, specifically with one of his brothers,Yosef, as well as with his own children. These disagreements contributed to his never returning home.

He was related to Abraham ibn Ezra and a pupil of Isaac ibn Ghiyyat. Ibn Ezra belonged to one of the most prominent families of Granada, Spain. According to Isaac Israeli ("Yesod Olam"), he had three brothers: Isaac, Joseph, and Zerahiah, all of whom were distinguished scholars. His elder brother, Isaac Abū Ibrāhīm, was married to one of the Nagid’s daughters. After the arrival of the Almoravids, the Ibn Ezra family fortune was confiscated; and his three brothers had to flee. Moses was married and had many children, but later on he also fled because of some threat to his life, leaving his family behind and spending the rest of his life in the Christian north.

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