Tanach · Rishonim on Tanach · Ibn Ezra · Torah
Ibn Ezra on Leviticus 26:21/אבן עזרא על ויקרא כ״ו:כ״א
אקרי. אמרו רבים שפירושו גבורה ונצוח כאיש שיחזק לבו ולא יפחד למען שלא ינוצח ואין ריע לו וי״א שהוא מגזרת כל הקורו׳ והטעם שאמר בדברי הפלשתים כי לא ידו נגעה בנו מקרה הוא ועל ב׳ הפירושי׳ יחסר בי״ת כמו כי ששת ימים או יהי כן תלכו עמי הליכת קרי כאשר הראיתיך רבים כאלה והנה כתוב כחטאתיכם ולא יוסיף עליכם ועל חטאתיכם דבק עם ליסרה אתכם הטעם בעבור חטאתיכם:
1CONTRARY. Many say that the meaning of keri (contrary) is power and might. You will act like a person who hardens his heart and is not afraid that he will be defeated.75 The word keri has no neighbor.76 Other say that the word keri is related to korot (befallen) in all that had befallen (Gen. 42:29). Its meaning is found in what Scripture says in the account of the Philistines wherein we read, it is not His hand that smote us; it was a chance (mikreh) that happened to us77 (I Sam. 6:9). According to both interpretations the word keri is missing a bet.78 should be read as if written be-keri. According to I.E. our verse literally reads, And if you walk hardened with Me, or And if you walk in chance with Me. Hence I.E.’s comment. It is like the word sheshet79. (six) in for in six days (Ex. 20:11).80 Or, ve-im telekhu immi keri (and if you walk contrary unto Me) is to be read as if written ve-im telekhu immi halikhat keri (if you walk, a contrary walk, unto Me).81 is to be understood as the walk of a person with a hardened heart, or the walk of a person who does not believe in divine providence. In this case the word halikhat is missing from our text. I have already shown you many such instances.82 Note, our verse reads according to your sins. God will not add to the sins.83 (v. 18; v. 24) as in addition to or more than your sins. Al chatatekhem (for your sins) (v. 18) is connected to le-yasserah etkhem (chastise you). The meaning of al chatatekhem (for your sins)84 is because of your sins.