Uriel Simon, Leading Biblical Scholar and Bar-Ilan Professor, Dies at 97

Professor Uriel Simon, a prominent Israeli biblical scholar and former head of the Bible Department at Bar-Ilan University, passed away at the age of 97. Simon dedicated decades to the study and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, with a particular focus on the work of Rabbi Abraham ibn Ezra. He was also a significant figure in Israeli religious and public discourse.

Born in Jerusalem in 1929, Simon was the son of thinker Akiva Ernst Simon. He earned advanced degrees in Bible and General History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His early career included teaching at the Zeitlin Religious High School in Tel Aviv before joining Bar-Ilan University, where he held positions including head of the Bible Department and director of the Institute for the Study of the History of the Bible. He also held the Rabbi Nurick Chair in Bible.

Professor Simon's scholarly work explored various aspects of the Bible, including the prophetic books, literary approaches to scripture, and medieval Jewish exegesis. His extensive research on Abraham ibn Ezra's commentaries was a central part of his academic output. Among his notable books are "Four Approaches to the Book of Psalms, From Saadia Gaon to Ibn Ezra" and "Azen Malin Tivchan," published in 2013, which delves into Ibn Ezra's interpretive methods. In 2004, Simon received the Bialik Prize for Jewish Studies.

Simon advocated for a literary and historical approach to biblical interpretation, emphasizing the plain meaning of the text while considering its language, historical context, literary structure, and internal logic. He also examined the relationship between the plain meaning and Midrashic tradition, exploring the potential for interpretive dialogue between them. Beyond academia, Simon was involved in public life, co-founding "Oz v'Shalom, Netivot Shalom" and leading the "Meimad" movement. His book "Seek Peace and Pursue It" articulated a religious perspective emphasizing peace, reconciliation, and coexistence within biblical and Jewish thought.

Simon, who lived in Ramat Gan for many years before moving to Jerusalem in his later years, is survived by his two children, grandchildren, and a large extended family. His daughter, Rabbi Michal Nagan, heads the Tzali preparatory program, and his son, Professor Itamar Simon, is a biologist at the Hebrew University.