Why Is Judah Ibn Tibbon Important

Judah Ibn Tibbon seems to value, above all else: education. In Judah Ibn Tibbon’s writing, he constantly articulates the message of the importance of learning and studying. He explains how he traveled and worked quiet hard just to be able to hand his son books in a variety of topics that are so numerous as to be considered as Judah Ibn Tibbon said, “…an extensive library.” Specifically, this library contained books ranging from science, hebrew, and arabic. Judah Ibn Tibbon instructed his son, “…devote thyself to science & religion…” This quote illustrates the extent to which Judah Ibn Tibbon valued education as to dedicate ones life to it. Judah Ibn Tibbon also expressed his desire that his son should be able to “…make thy script as perfect
Education in Torah in his view is very important. So important in fact that Eleazer instructed his children that “Even if compelled to solicit from others the money to pay a teacher…” one must be able to learn Torah & learning Torah he states is for both men and women. Eleazer’s all means necessary approach to learning Torah shows a very strong commitment to Torah. Another tenant that Eleazer holds dear is not wasting time. He seems to very much dislike loitering around as he demands his children to avoid idle chit chat and that his daughters should “…be never without work to do…” because, “idleness leads first to boredom then to sin.” This clearly displays his notion in full view of the fact that wasting time is harmful and not only harmful but it will eventually lead one to sin. The role of humbleness is quiet important as well. His advise to his children to “…be of those who see & are not seen, who hear & are not heard” is stated to demonstrate to his children to be humble and to keep your head down and do what you have to do rather than be what everyone is gossiping about and focusing on. Furthermore, Eleazer demanded that “…no funeral oration be spoken in my honor” which seems quiet humble and could be interpreted as attempting to set an example for his children on just how important being humble is even to the