Nehama Leibowitz
Nehama Leibowitz was a renowned Israeli Bible scholar and commentator who made significant contributions to the study of the Hebrew Bible. Born in 1905 in Riga, then part of the Russian Empire, she moved to Germany where she pursued her higher education, earning a Ph.D. in Bible studies. In 1930, she immigrated to Palestine, which later became the state of Israel, where she dedicated her life to teaching and biblical scholarship.
Throughout her career, Nehama Leibowitz taught at several prestigious educational institutions and developed a unique method of Bible study that combined traditional Jewish sources with modern literary techniques. Her teachings and writings have had a profound influence on both religious and secular circles within the Jewish community and beyond. She was known for her deep insights into the biblical text, her ability to engage with students and readers, and her extensive use of classical Jewish commentaries.
Leibowitz's work garnered widespread acclaim and she received numerous awards, including the Israel Prize for education in 1956, which is the state's highest honor. She continued to teach and write until her death in 1997. Her legacy lives on through her numerous students and the many books she wrote, including her famous series of commentaries on the Torah, which are still widely studied and respected for their depth and clarity.