who is Ezra to the jews?

Answer 1

Ezra was a prophet and leader of the jews after the period of the Babylonian exile. Together with nehemia he oversaw the rebulding of the temple. In addition, he oversaw the return of Jews to Jewish observance. On his return to israel he saw how much of the law had been forgotten and instituted the regular reading of the Torah with a simultaneous aramaic translation (so that everyone could hear and understand it) on market days (Monday and Thursday) as well as on the Sabath and all Holy days. He also put various gezeirot (Rabbinical ordinances in place) to prevent people from doing things that would lead to violation of biblical precepts through misunderstanding why something was done vs why something else was forbidden, Some of these remained in place, most were either removed or made less stringent over time as the people relearnt the law and the need for them was no longer there.

So, in short, to Jews he was a political leader, a religious leader, jurist and prophet.

Answer 2

Ezra is sometimes accused of having been a mere legalist who gave excessive attention to the letter of the law. His work, however, should be seen and judged within a specific historical context. He gave to his people a cohesion and spiritual unity which prevented the disintegration of the small Jewish community. Had it not been for the intransigence of Ezra and of those who adopted his ideal, it is doubtful that Judaism would have so effectively resisted Hellenism, then or in later centuries. Ezra set the tone of the postexilic community, and it was characterized by fidelity to the Torah, Judaism's authentic way of life. It is in this light that we can judge most fairly the work of Ezra during the Restoration.

Peace!

Answer 3

A scribe who was knowledgeable in the law of Moses who lived at the time of the Babylonian captivity and it's end. It was Ezra who sought to "teach" the Israelites (Jews) Moses' statues and judgements, and is "theoretically" thought to have been the one, along with his sons to "write" much of what had been destroyed which had "existed" in written form at one time of hebrew chronology.
To some he is also thought of as a "prophet."

Answer 4

A true scribe.
"For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel."
(Ezra 7:10)