For generations, peshat has been the foundation of Torah study, providing contextual clarity and preventing students from getting lost in allegory and midrashim.

Understanding Peshat transports us to the world of Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra (1089–1164), a key figure in the Geonic-Sepharadi tradition. In his introduction to his Torah commentary, he analyses various approaches to interpretation and establishes the fundamental principles of peshat, highlighting the roles of grammar, historical context, and rational analysis.

This book presents a new, accessible English translation of Ibn Ezra’s introduction, accompanied by detailed annotations. It also explores the meaning of peshat and the historical distinctions between classical Sepharadi and Ashkenazi exegesis, deepening your understanding of our sacred Torah. The original Hebrew text is included at the back of the book for deeper study.