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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThanks to these generous donors for making the publication of this book possible: Stanley and Marcia Katz; Members of the Levine and Frankel families.Acclaimed storyteller and Jewish scholar Ellen Frankel has masterfully tailored fifty-three Bible stories that will both delight and educate today's young readers. Using the 1985 JPS translation (NJPS) of the Hebrew Bible as her foundation, Frankel retains much of the Bible's original wording and simple narrative style as she incorporates her own exceptional storytelling technique, free of personal interpretation or commentary. Included in the volume is an; Author's Notebook; in which Frankel shares with rabbis, parents, and educators the challenges she faced in translating and adapting these stories for children, such as how she deals with adult language in the original Bible text and themes inappropriate for most young readers. Withenticing, full-page color illustrations of each Bible story, award-winning artist Avi Katz ignitTrade Review“An enchanting, beautiful book . . . [that is] sure to draw in young people while providing them with an accurate and dynamic understanding of the Bible. And Avi Katz’s illustrations just entice and pull in the reader again and again.”—Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of A Code of Jewish Ethics, Jewish Literacy, and many other books“[The JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible] will seed many children’s memories and nourish their senses of wonder, curiosity, and history . . . This volume is a treasure for the generations!”—Peninnah Schram, professor of speech and drama at Yeshiva University’s Stern College and Azrieli Graduate School, storyteller, recording artist, and author“Ellen Frankel has succeeded in restoring the story to the most famous book of stories . . . Here, at last, the voice of storyteller rises up from the page and draws us into the mystery and beauty of the core stories of Jewish tradition . . . luminous illustrations by Avi Katz . . . bring these stories to life.”—Howard Schwartz, author of Leaves from the Garden of Eden: One Hundred Classic Jewish Tales and Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism, 2005 winner of the National Jewish Book Award“Ellen Frankel’s retelling of biblical stories is clearly a labor of love. . . . [She] has created a work that dazzles as it teaches.”—Hadassah Magazine

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Book SynopsisFirst published 500 years ago as the ""Rabbinic Bible"", the biblical commentaries known as Miqra'ot Gedolot have inspired and educated generations of Hebrew readers. With this edition, the voices of Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Nachmanides, Rashbam, and other medieval Bible commentators come alive once more, speaking in a contemporary English translation annotated and explicated for lay readers.

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Book SynopsisThe Jewish Family Ethics Textbook guides teachers and students of all ages and backgrounds in mining classical and modern Jewish texts to inform decision-making on hard choices.Trade Review"The Jewish Family Ethics Textbook is an excellent work for anyone looking for an introductory text in Jewish ethics."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Reporter"Scheindlin has provided us with a gift to continue to look at ourselves and those we are close to, whether family or friends, and to engage in a continual learning process by linking our contemporary lives to the ethics and values of our rich tradition."—Stephen G. Donshik, Jerusalem Post“In this thoughtful and thorough work, Rabbi Scheindlin brings traditional Jewish texts directly into conversation with contemporary Jewish voices, managing to both honor the tradition and the values of our day. Rabbi Scheindlin does not shy away either from the aspects of the tradition that seem most remote from—or offensive to—our own social mores or from the thorny real-life dilemmas of our experience in twenty-first-century America. This guide speaks directly to our most difficult questions. It is an extraordinarily useful resource for all those who seek to teach the tradition—whether in a synagogue, school, or home—and all those who seek to live an ethical life rooted in Jewish tradition and responsive to contemporary life.”—Rabbi Rachel Timoner, senior rabbi, Congregation Beth Elohim, Brooklyn, New York“This is the book we have been waiting for! For inquisitive high school students and adults of all ages and streams of Jewish life who are eager to wrestle with questions of ethics, this creative book by an esteemed teacher grounds the most urgent moral issues of our time in eye-opening texts. The Jewish Family Ethics Textbook is sure to generate lively conversations from the classroom to the dinner table.”—Rabbi Judd Kruger Levingston, director of Jewish studies, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and author of Sowing the Seeds of Character: The Moral Education of Adolescents in Public and Private Schools“Neal Scheindlin’s book is a gold mine for educators. Distilling decades of wisdom from a master teacher, this rich trove of important Jewish texts bears on challenges that teenagers, families, and schools grapple with every day.”—Rabbi Joshua Cahan, educator, Leffell School, Westchester, New York“This is a most important book introducing students to the profound depth of Jewish Family Ethics found in classic Jewish literature.”—Rabbi Mel Gottlieb, president, Academy for Jewish Religion, California“A richly rendered, sensitive, and nuanced volume. As a beloved teacher of Jewish studies in a pluralistic Jewish high school, Scheindlin presents cutting-edge issues that loom large for today’s youth with warmth and empathy toward his audience and a reverence for Jewish tradition.”—Elliott Rabin, director of thought leadership at Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools, New York City“This is an essential study guide for parents, educators, young adults, and teens seeking to clarify and deepen their understanding of and relationship to Jewish ethics. Educators will appreciate this well-curated collection of cases and texts as a valuable compass to navigate explorations with teens about challenging essential questions of our day. In an era when opinions are so often shaped by influencers and soundbites, this book provides substantive Judaic source material to ground student learning about ethical dilemmas in our tradition in our times.”—Miriam Heller Stern, national director, Rhea Hirsch School of Education, Los AngelesTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments How to Use This BookUsing the Book in a Classroom Setting Using the Book without a Teacher Introduction Theories of Ethical Decision Making How Jews Approach Ethical Problems Works and History of Classical Jewish LiteratureText 1—Deut. 17:8–11A Brief Jewish LexiconText 2—Eiruvin 13bClassical Literature as Understood by Modern Jews 1. Parents and Children Case Study #1: Who Chooses Where to Go to College? Case Study #2: Caring for a Parent with Dementia Case Study #3: Distancing from an Abusive Parent Text Study #1: Children’s Twin Obligations to Parents—Honor and ReverenceText 1a—Exod. 20:12 Text 1b—Deut. 5:16 Text 2—Lev. 19:3 Text 3—Mekhilta, Massekhta de-BaHodesh 8 Text 4a—Kiddushin 30b Text 4b—Kiddushin 30b (continued) Text 5—Kiddushin 30b–31aText Study #2: The Mitzvot Children Owe to ParentsText 6—Kiddushin 31b Text 7a—Shulḥan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 240:21 Text 7b—Rashi on Lev. 19:3 Text 7c—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Rebellion 6:11 Text 8a—Shulḥan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 240:4–5 Text 8b—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Rebellion 6:12 Text 8c—Golinkin, “Institutionalizing Parents with Alzheimer’s Disease” Text 9a—Kiddushin 31a–b Text 9b—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Rebellion 6:9 Text 9c—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Rebellion 6:10 Text 9d—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Rebellion 6:11 (continued) Text 10a—Midrash Tanhuma Eikev 3 Text 10b—Kiddushin 31b Text 11a—Dorff, Love Your Neighbor as Yourself Text 11b—Diamant, Choosing a Jewish LifeText Study #3: Parents’ Responsibilities to ChildrenText 12a—Kiddushin 29a Text 12b—Nevins, “Between Parents and Children” Text 13—Kiddushin 29a–bText Study #4: Problems in the Parent-Child RelationshipText 14—Shulḥan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 240:18 Text 15—Dratch, “Honoring Abusive Parents” Text 16a—Jacob, “Responsibility of Children to Their Parents” Text 16b—Nevins, “Between Parents and Children”Conclusion 2. Honesty Case Study #1: Cheating on an Exam Case Study #2: Potential Plagiarism Case Study #3: Withholding Part of the Truth from a Prospective Employer Text Study #1: Truth Telling and Its LimitsText 1a—Exod. 20:13 Text 1b—Exod. 23:7 Text 1c—Lev. 19:11 Text 1d—Mecklenburg, HaKetav VeHaKabbalah on Exod. 23:7Text 2—Ketubot 16b–17a Text 3a—Yevamot 65b Text 3b—Bava Metzia 23b–24a Text 3c—Mishnah Nedarim 3:4Text Study #2: Whistleblowing and RebukeText 4—Tosefta Bava Kama 7:3 Text 5a—Leff, “Whistleblowing” Text 5b—Lev. 19:17 Text 5c—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Personal Qualities 6:7 Text 5d—Lev. 19:14 Text 5e—Sifra Kedoshim 2:14 Text 6—Shulḥan Arukh, Hoshen Mishpat 388:9Text 7—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Robbery and Lost Objects 11:3Text Study #3: Crediting Others for Use of Their Intellectual PropertyText 8—Tanhuma Bemidbar 22 Text 9a—Gittin 10b Text 9b—Berakhot 5b Text 9c—Tosefta Bava Kama 7:3 Text 10a—Deut. 19:14 Text 10b—Bava Batra 21b Text 11a—Shulḥan Arukh, Hoshen Mishpat 203:1 Text 11b—Arukh HaShulḥan, Hoshen Mishpat 212:3Text 11c—CCAR Responsum, “Copyright and the Internet”Conclusion 3. Social Media Case Study #1: Social Media Insults Case Study #2: Online Privacy Text Study #1: Permitted and Forbidden SpeechText 1a—Lev. 19:16 Text 1b—Rashi on Lev. 19:16 Text 2—Arakhin 15b Text 3a—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Personal Qualities 7:2 Text 3b—Hafetz Hayyim 1:8 Text 3c—Hafetz Hayyim 3:3 Text 4—Yoma 4b Text 5—Hafetz Hayyim 10:1 Text 6—Student, “A Torah Guide for the Digital Age”Text Study #2: PrivacyText 7—Mishnah Bava Batra 3:7; Bava Batra 60a Text 8a—Kurshan, Comments on Bava Batra 2a–b Text 8b—Dorff, Love Your Neighbor and Yourself Text 8c—Samlan, “The Ten Commandments of Social Media”Conclusion 4. Sex and Intimacy Case Study #1: Four Ideas about Jewish Sexual Ethics Case Study #2: LGBTQ Orientations Text Study #1: The Two InclinationsText 1a—Gen. 1:31 Text 1b—Ramban, Iggeret HaKodesh Text 2—Genesis Rabbah 9:7Text Study #2: Sex within MarriageText 3—Mishnah Ketubot 5:6; Ketubot 62b Text 4—Nedarim 20a–b Text 5a—Eiruvin 100b Text 5b—Shulḥan Arukh, Even HaEzer 25:2Text Study #3: The Power of Sexual DesireText 6—Kiddushin 81a Text 7a—Mishnah Kiddushin 1:1 Text 7b—Yevamot 61b Text 7c—Gittin 81b Text 7d—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Marriage 1:4Text Study #4: Sexual ValuesText 8a—Birkat Eirusin, Betrothal Blessing from the Wedding Ceremony Text 8b—Blessing Six of the Wedding Ceremony Text 9a—Novak Winer, Sacred Choices Text 9b—Salkowitz, “Reform Jewish Sexual Values” Text 10—Plaskow, Standing Again at SinaiText Study #5: LGBTQ SexualityText 11a—Lev. 18:22 Text 11b—Lev. 20:13 Text 12—Sanhedrin 54a–b Text 13a—Shulḥan Arukh, Even HaEzer 24:1 Text 13b—Bayyit Ḥadash on Even HaEzer 24:1 Text 14a—Nedarim 51a with Rashi’s commentary Text 14b—Torah Temimah on Lev. 18:22 Text 14c—Havrelock, “Acharei Mot: Boundaries of Rituals: The Sanctuary and the Body” Text 15—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Intercourse 21:8Text 16—Berakhot 19b Text 17—Dorff, Nevins, and Reisner, “Homosexuality, Human Dignity and Halakhah” Text 18—Reconstructionist Commission on Homosexuality, “Homosexuality and Judaism” Text 19—Litman, “‘Bisexual’ Identity: A Guide for the Perplexed”Conclusion 5. Medical Ethics at the Beginning of Life Case Study #1: Who Counts as a Parent? Case Study #2: Choosing Single Parenthood Case Study #3: Surrogate Motherhood Case Study #4: Parenthood through Cloning Text Study #1: The Mitzvah of ProcreationText 1—Gen. 1:27–28 Text 2—Yevamot 63b Text 3—Mishnah Yevamot 6:6 Text 4—Dorff, Matters of Life and Death Text 5a—Jacob, “Jewish Marriage without Children” Text 5b—Panitz, “Must a Jew Have Children? A Conservative Answer”Text Study #2: Assisted Reproductive TechnologiesText 6—Hagigah 14b–15a Text 7—Mishneh LaMelekh on Mishneh Torah, Laws of Matrimony 15:4 Text 8a—Ramban on Lev. 18:20 Text 8b—Waldenberg, Responsa Tzitz Eliezer Text 9—Broyde, “The Establishment of Paternity in Jewish and American Law” Text 10—Grossman, “Choosing Parenthood”Text Study #3: Surrogate MotherhoodText 11a—Gen. 16:1–4,15 Text 11b—Gen. 30:1–6 Text 11c—Spitz, “On the Use of Birth Surrogates” Text 12a—Gellman, “The Ethics of Surrogate Motherhood” Text 12b—Freundel, Contemporary Orthodox Judaism’s Response to Modernity Text 12c—Jakobovits, Jewish Medical Ethics Text 13a—Jacob, “Surrogate Mother” Text 13b—Spitz, “On the Use of Birth Surrogates” Text 13c—Loike and Tendler, “Gestational Surrogacy” Text 13d—State of Israel Ministry of Health, “Surrogacy in Israel”Text Study #4: Parenthood through CloningText 14—Sanhedrin 65b Text 15a—Menachem HaMeiri on Sanhedrin 67b Text 15b—Ashkenazi, Responsa Hakham Tzvi 93 Text 16—Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5 Text 17—Waldenberg, Responsa Tzitz Eliezer Text 18—Grazi and Wolowesky, Overcoming InfertilityConclusion 6. Abortion Case Study #1: Fetal Reduction of Twins Case Study #2: Abortion of a Fetus with a Deficit Case Study #3: When Contraception Fails Text Study #1: Halakhic Status of the FetusText 1a—Exod. 21:12 Text 1b—Exod. 21:22–23 Text 2—Mishnah Ohalot 7:6 Text 3a—Exod. 22:1–2 Text 3b—Rashi on Exod. 22:1–2 Text 3c—Sanhedrin 73b Text 4—Sanhedrin 72bText Study #2: Two Approaches to Abortion EthicsText 5a—Rashi on Sanhedrin 72b, s.v. “If its head came out” Text 5b—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Murder and Preservation of Life 1:9Text Study #3: Fetal PersonhoodText 6—Arachin 7a Text 7—Sanhedrin 84b Text 8a—Central Conference of American Rabbis, Resolution on Abortion Text 8b—Agudath Israel of America, National Public Policy Position Paper Text 9—Feldman, “Abortion: The Jewish View” Text 10—Bleich, Judaism and Healing Text 11—Meacham (leBeit Yoreh), Encyclopedia of Jewish Women Text 12—Waldenberg, Responsa Tzitz Eliezer Text 13—Feinstein, Responsa Iggrot Moshe Text 14—Jacob, “When Is Abortion Permitted?” Text 15—“Israel: Reproduction and Abortion: Law and Policy” Text 16—Alpert, “Sometimes the Law Is Cruel”Conclusion 7. Medical Ethics at the End of Life Case Study #1: Defining Death Case Study #2: Extending Life at What Cost? Case Study #3: Physician-Assisted Dying Text Study #1: Basic Principles of Jewish Medical EthicsText 1a—Ps. 24:1 Text 1b—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Proper Conduct 3:3 and 4:1 Text 2a—Mishnah Yoma 8:6–7 Text 2b—Yoma 85b Text 2c—Yoma 85a Text 3a—Exod. 21:18–19 Text 3b—Bava Kamma 85a Text 3c—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Murder and Preservation of Life 11:4–5Text Study #2: When Death Is InevitableText 4a—Semaḥot 1:1–1:4 Text 4b—Shulḥan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 339:2 Text 5—Avodah Zarah 18a Text 6—Shulḥan Arukh, Yoreh De’ah 339:1 Text 7a—HaLevi, Natural and Artificial Life Text 7b—Waldenberg, Responsa Tzitz Eliezer Text 8a—Reisner, “A Halakhic Ethic of Care for the Terminally Ill” Text 8b—Sinclair, Tradition and the Biological Revolution Text 8c—Sherwin, Jewish Ethics for the Twenty-First Century Text 9a—Uniform Determination of Death Act (1980)Text 9b—Mishneh Torah, Laws of Shabbat 2:19 Text 9c—Mishnah Ohalot 1:6 Text 9d—Rosner, Biomedical Ethics and Jewish Law Text 9e—Waldenberg, Responsa Tzitz Eliezer Text 9f—Veatch, “The Evolution of Death and Dying Controversies”Text Study #3: SuicideText 10a—Semaḥot 2:1 Text 10b—1 Sam. 31:3–4 Text 11a—Lev. 19:14 Text 11b—Sifra Kedoshim 2:14 Text 12—Mishnah Gittin 5:9 Text 13—Cahana, “‘Who Shall Live . . . ’”Conclusion Notes Bibliography

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Book SynopsisApproaching the Bible in an original waycomparing biblical heroes to heroes in world literatureElliott Rabin addresses a core biblical question: What is the Bible telling us about what it means to be a hero? Focusing on the lives of six major biblical charactersMoses, Samson, David, Esther, Abraham, and JacobRabin examines their resemblance to hero types found in (and perhaps drawn from) other literatures and analyzes why the Bible depicts its heroes less gloriously than do the texts of other cultures: * Moses founds the nation of Israeland is short-tempered and weak-armed. * Samson, arrogant and unhinged, can kill a thousand enemies with his bare hands. * David establishes a centralized, unified, triumphal governmentthrough pretense and self-deception. * Esther saves her people but marries a murderous, misogynist king. * Abraham's relationships are wracked with tension. * Jacob fathers twelve tribesand wins his inheritance through deceit. In the end, is God the reTrade Review"[Rabin's book is] wonderful to read and ponder."—Steven Kepnes, Jewish Observer"As Rabin’s excellent volume so expertly teaches us, the Bible's portrayal of its heroes inspires us today 'To have high expectations of our leaders and to tolerate their imperfections . . . Biblical heroes are role models precisely because of the difficulties they encounter, both out in the world and inside themselves.'"—Stu Halpern, Jewish Book Council"A fascinating and deceptively accessible look at the commonalities of biblical heroes and heroines with each other and with the heroes of the more modern literary tradition (e.g., Shakespeare, Austen, Whitman, Richard Wright, and Quentin Tarantino). Rabin's book is a witty and knowledgeable take on biblical heroism, and it is highly recommended to all readers."—Janelle Peters, Reading Religion"Whether you are Jewish or Christian or someone outside these two faith traditions, there will be a great reward from reading [The Biblical Hero]. . . . This is a book you'll want to add to your reading list and dive into it as soon as possible."—bobcornwall.com“In this passionate, erudite, beautifully written book, Elliott Rabin makes a compelling spiritual and literary case for the flawed biblical hero. Drawing on sources ranging from rabbinic commentators to Shakespeare, he reminds us why generations of Jews over the millennia have embraced the biblical heroes as contemporaries, urging human beings in all our brokenness to aspire to spiritual greatness.”—Yossi Klein Halevi, senior fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute, Jerusalem“Elliott Rabin’s delightful and highly readable exploration of biblical narratives and their counterparts in ancient myths offers us fresh insights into Abraham, Samson, Esther, and other characters and forever changes how we experience their triumphs and struggles. Ultimately, The Biblical Hero is a story about us: complex human characters who, in heroic fashion, struggle with our imperfections.”—Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, CEO, Hadar Institute, and author of Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us about Building Vibrant Jewish Communities“The book is both superbly written and easily readable. The subject matter is engaging, the world literature references are enlightening, and scholars and laypeople alike will benefit from the many insightful readings of familiar biblical texts.”—Gary A. Rendsburg, Blanche and Irving Laurie Professor of Jewish History, Rutgers University“The Biblical Hero offers us creative archetypes for understanding some of the most significant figures in biblical history and, arguably, Jewish life. Even more, it opens up a critical conversation about the hero’s role in society at a time when we need heroes more than ever.”—Erica Brown, associate professor, George Washington School of Education and Development“What does it mean to be a hero? In this accessible volume, Elliott Rabin explores well-known biblical figures through the cultural and literary lenses of ‘heroes’ to unpack multiple dimensions of their characters. Readers who are curious about what biblical study has to offer students of leadership, character, and human fallibility will enjoy this examination of the complex lives of some of the Bible’s key figures.”—Miriam Heller Stern, national director, School of Education, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion“The Biblical Hero invites the reader to experience a broad array of biblical characters as both heroes in their own time and paradigms of heroism that have echoed throughout literature and time. Rabin’s work is a rich examination of the intersection of power, influence, leadership, achievement, failure, and identity. I highly encourage readers of all ages to delve into this wonderful book.”—Marc Kramer, founder, Kramer Education GroupTable of ContentsPreface: The Need for Heroes Acknowledgments Author’s Note Introduction: Heroic-Unheroic Heroes, the Biblical Model 1. Moses: Prototype 2. Samson: Strongman 3. Esther: Queen 4. Abraham: Pilgrim 5. Jacob: Trickster 6. David: King 7. God: Archetype or Antitype? Conclusion: The Biblical Hero Today Notes Bibliography General Index Source Index

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Book SynopsisUnbinding Isaac assembles multiple strands of thought and modern knowledge of ancient human sacrifice to offer an original reading of the Akedah. Trade Review"[A] provocative study."—Publishers Weekly"Unbinding Isaac is a lucid thesis-driven tour of some of the most important interpretations of the Akedah."—Abraham Socher, Jewish Review of Books"[An] engaging and relevant book of impressive scholarly work on a critical biblical theme with ever-lingering vibrations and variations, interpretations and implications. . . . A well-prepared and helpful study and discussion guide is available at jps.org/books/unbinding-isaac."—CCAR Journal: The Reform Jewish Quarterly"An extraordinarily efficient and effective effort to call us to, and equip us for, a reading [of the Akedah] that is 'both textually cohesive and ethically defensible.' . . . Seeking that higher perception [of God's will], Koller's work so vitally teaches us, is a mission we can and must pursue, and pursue indefinitely."—Tradition"The first of Koller's monographs that explicitly aims to engage a nonspecialist audience—yet without compromising intellectual rigor. Koller's ability to write clearly and compellingly while commanding such diverse material is impressive."—AJS Review"[A] rich transhistorical study of the Akedah and its reception. . . . [A] trenchant critique of Akedah theology."—Journal of Jewish Ethics“One would have thought that centuries of dissecting twenty-odd verses of Genesis from every perspective imaginable have exhausted their meaning. Yet Koller, with his erudite grasp of both biblical literature and the longue durée of the Jewish interpretive tradition, unbinds the Akedah to reveal its philosophical and theological grandeur. As he unravels it, he wrests it from the grip of the dominant and dangerous interpretation that faith justifies violence and redirects our attention to the message that resounds in Gods’ warning to Abraham: ‘Do not lay a hand on the boy!’”—James A. Diamond, Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Chair of Jewish Studies, University of Waterloo“Koller’s bold claim that ‘one person’s religious fulfillment cannot come through harm to another’ stands alone as a textually rooted, morally compelling vision for sincere faith in a modern world that too often finds form in false fundamentalisms. Unbinding Isaac should be required reading for all of us seeking the voice of the ethical imperative in religious community.”—Yehuda Kurtzer, president, Shalom Hartman Institute of North America“The book is a pleasure to read, but no less learned for that. There is great depth of learning on show here, but Koller manages somehow to wear that learning relatively lightly—an impressive feat.”—Daniel Rynhold, professor of modern Jewish philosophy, Yeshiva University“Aaron Koller leads his readers on a journey through a stunningly wide range of material—ancient, medieval, and modern; Jewish and Christian; Hasidic, Misnagdic, and secular; some scholarly, some poetic, some dug up by archaeologists—without ever losing focus or clarity. Wearing his massive learning lightly, he helps readers learn from these sources even as he shows them how to critique them on ethical and intellectual levels. His own interpretation of this deeply (and troublingly) influential narrative is at once respectful of the biblical text and religiously sensitive.”—Benjamin D. Sommer, professor of Bible and ancient Semitic languages, Jewish Theological Seminary, and winner of the Goldstein-Goren Prize for Best Jewish ThoughtTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Acknowledgments How to Use This Book Introduction: The Challenge and the Power of the Story 1. Jewish Experiences of the Akedah 2. Kierkegaard 3. Jewish Parallels from the Century of Kierkegaard 4. Jewish Followers from the Twentieth Century 5. Criticizing Kierkegaard 6. On Child Sacrifice 7. Maimonides and the Complexity of the Divine Will 8. Rejecting Child Sacrifice Conclusion: The Demands of God and People Source Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisRethinking the great literary prophets whose ministry ran from the eighth to the sixth centuries BCE—Amos, Hosea, First Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Second Isaiah, and Job—Thinking about the Prophets examines their often-shocking teachings in light of their times, their influence on later thinkers, and their enduring lessons for all of us. Trade Review"Erudite and accessible, this insightful analysis will appeal to any reader interested in the Bible, the philosophy of religion, or simply the history and literature of the ancient world."—Publishers Weekly“Thinking about the Prophets is a significant contribution to understanding the institution of Israelite prophecy as fundamentally an ethical project and to understanding the prophets as moral thinkers taking their rightful place in the long history of moral social thinkers in the Jewish and Western philosophical tradition.”—Steven P. Kepnes, professor of world religions and of religion and Jewish studies, Colgate University “Seeskin innovatively shows us that the prophets were thinkers too and that their thinking has had an indelible impact on Western understandings of God, the world, and human responsibility. Erudite and accessible as well, this work would be an excellent text in college-level courses on biblical literature or Jewish thought and in adult education settings.”—Judith R. Baskin, Philip H. Knight Professor of Humanities Emerita, University of Oregon Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Preface: Children of Prophets Introduction: What Is a Prophet? 1. Amos: Moral Idealism 2. Hosea: Divine Pathos 3. First Isaiah, Part 1: War and Peace 4. First Isaiah, Part 2: The Coming of the Messiah 5. Jeremiah: Suffering for the Sake of God 6. Ezekiel: Freedom and Responsibility 7. Second Isaiah: Monotheism Takes Hold 8. Job: Innocent Suffering Conclusion: The Legacy of the Prophets Notes Bibliography

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Book SynopsisJudaism and Its Bible explores the profoundly deep yet complex relationship between Jews, Judaism, and the Hebrew Bible, describing the extraordinary two-and-a-half-millennia journey of a people and its book that has changed the world.Trade Review"Well written and accessible . . . useful for discussion groups or a synagogue class."—Reporter"A well written introductory work about the Bible and its relationship to the Jewish people and Judaism. . . . Recommended for all libraries."—Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews“Frederick Greenspahn brings us an abundance of gifts in this remarkable book: his expertise as a biblicist, his erudition in multiple areas of Jewish civilization, his formidable research skills, his experience as a popular university lecturer, and his skill as a writer.”—Ziony Zevit, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biblical Literature and Northwest Semitic Languages and Literatures, American Jewish University“I am astonished by the breadth and depth of learning on display. The book’s comprehensiveness makes it a tour de force.”—Alan Cooper, Elaine Ravich Professor of Jewish Studies, Jewish Theological SeminaryTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction List of Abbreviations 1. Surrounded by Scripture 2. Creating the Bible 3. Theologies of Scripture 4. A Tale of Two Torahs 5. The Bible’s Many Meanings 6. Making the Bible Accessible Conclusion Notes Selected Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisBiblical Women Speak employs midrash (interpretative techniques) to discover ten biblical women’s stories from a female point of view and provide insights beyond how ancient male scholars viewed them.Trade Review"Women in the Bible are often unnamed, defined sole­ly by their rela­tion­ships with oth­ers. Take Judah’s wife, for exam­ple. She is known as Bat Shua, or 'daugh­ter of Shua.' This label­ing, or lack there­of, makes it easy for sto­ries like hers to be sub­sumed by those of men. Feld­man, by con­trast, dives into these women’s sto­ries, bring­ing them to life with depth and insight. Feldman’s analy­sis of Miriam’s sto­ry is a stand­out of the book."—Jewish Book Council"An inspirational book, which speaks to us of the issues of our times . . . through Jewish classical, modern and feminist lenses. . . . A masterpiece of scholarship, creativity and exquisite writing."—Rabbi Dr. Ron Kronish, Jerusalem Report"Readers looking to better understand midrash will particularly enjoy the sections on classic commentary, while those interested in new ways of understanding the text will find the contemporary midrash of interest. Biblical Women Speak would also make an excellent text for Torah discussion groups."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Reporter"For the most part the sages neglected these minor [female] characters or viewed them negatively. . . . Feldman brings this conversation into the modern era: She composes midrashim that turn these biblical characters into real human beings, facing problems familiar to those of women (and men) today. . . . Who deserve our attention and our respect, and who should never be cast out of our community."—Moment Magazine"I am very impressed by the author’s creativity and in-depth understanding of her characters. . . . There are ten retellings (or stories) in this stunning collection. . . . Most of the stories focus on characters that we don’t usually think about. . . . What is most interesting to me is how she enables us to empathize with these marginal biblical women. The book is arranged meticulously and is clearly well-researched. . . . I plan to use Feldman's fascinating midrashim . . . in my future classes."—Naomi Graetz, Times of Israel blog“Meeting these new role models of Jewish womanhood—some famous, others voiceless or infamous and nameless in the Torah—left me both enlightened and delighted. Reading the biblical text, rabbinic commentary, modern midrash, and Rabbi Feldman’s contemporary commentary illuminated four dimensions of these remarkable women.”—Maggie Anton, author of Rashi’s Daughters“Rabbi Marla J. Feldman is a marvelous teacher, and in Biblical Women Speak she proves to also be a weaver of ancient, modern, and original texts that give voice to women of the Bible who were often ignored or nameless, filling a void that has existed for centuries. Accessible for both beginner and advanced students, Biblical Women Speak should be required in any class of midrash.”—Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, executive director, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism“Rabbi Marla Feldman has created a dynamic and compelling conversation among the generations. Both individuals and groups will admire her captivating modern midrashic interpretations and her expert navigation of traditional texts. Feldman shows us how fresh and relevant our sacred tradition can be!”—Rabbi Mary L. Zamore, executive director, Women’s Rabbinic Network“Rabbi Marla Feldman has added an imaginative, insightful contribution to our collective Jewish library. As she creatively gives voice to both familiar and lesser-known female biblical characters, she shows why their stories matter for us as contemporary readers.”—Rabbi Andrea L. Weiss, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Provost, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of ReligionTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Keturah: Abraham’s Last Wife Biblical Text: Genesis 25:1–6 Modern Midrash: Keturah, The Great Mother of Many Generations Classical Commentary and Midrash: Devoted Wife or Concubine? Author’s Commentary: Keturah’s Missing Story—Filling in the Blanks 2. Leah and Rachel: Devoted Sisters and Bitter Rivals Biblical Text: Genesis 35:16–21 Modern Midrash: Leah’s Eulogy Classical Commentary and Midrash: Sisters, Wives, Rivals, and Matriarchs Author’s Commentary: A Tale of Two Sisters 3. Bat Shua: Judah’s Unnamed Wife Biblical Text: Genesis 38:1–12 Modern Midrash: The Woman Who Mourns Classical Commentary and Midrash: Judah’s Family Misfortune Author’s Commentary: Bat Shua’s Tragic Tale of Lust and Loss 4. Bilhah: The Loving Handmaid Biblical Text: Genesis 50:15–17 Modern Midrash: A Letter to My Beloved Son Joseph Classical Commentary and Midrash: Bilhah the Servant, Sister, Surrogate, Spouse Author’s Commentary: Emissary of Forgiveness 5. Pharaoh’s Daughters, Part 1: Potiphar’s Unnamed Wife Biblical Text: Genesis 39:1–19 Modern Midrash: Zuleikha, the Prison Mistress Classical Commentary and Midrash: Potiphar’s Wife in the Joseph Narrative Author’s Commentary: A Name and Narrative for Potiphar’s Wife 6. Pharaoh’s Daughters, Part 2: Puah, Shiphrah, and the Sacred Sisterhood Biblical Text: Exodus 1:8–22 Modern Midrash: The Sacred Sisterhood Classical Commentary and Midrash: The Subversive Midwives Author’s Commentary: The Midwives’ Tale 7. Pharaoh’s Daughters, Part 3: The Princess and the Slave Girl Who Rescue Moses Biblical Text: Exodus 2:1–9 Modern Midrash: Amat-Bat-Ra, the Servant Savior Classical Commentary and Midrash: Princess, Protector, Prophet Author’s Commentary: A Conspiracy of Women 8. Shelomith Bat Dibri: The Blasphemer’s Mother Biblical Text: Leviticus 24:10–14 Modern Midrash: Testament of Shelomith Classical Commentary and Midrash: The Biblical Tale of the Blasphemer Author’s Commentary: A Mother’s Anguish 9. Miriam: Exiled by God, Dwelling beyond the Camp Biblical Text: Numbers 12:1–16 Modern Midrash: Miriam’s Fringes Classical Commentary and Midrash: Crime and Punishment Author’s Commentary: Outcasts and Angels 10. Noah: Daughter of Zelophehad Biblical Text: Numbers 27:1–8, 36:1–12 Modern Midrash: Noah and Elishama—A Love Story Classical Commentary and Midrash: Five Righteous Women Author’s Commentary: Rights Given and Taken Away Appendix: Overview of Midrash Glossary of Classical Sources Notes Bibliography

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Book Synopsis2023 Top Ten Book from the Academy of Parish ClergyThe Messiah Confrontation casts new and fascinating light on why Jesus was killed. Grounded in meticulous research on the messianism debates in the Bible and during the Second Temple period, biblical scholar Israel Knohl argues that Jesus’s trial was in reality a dramatic clash between two Jewish groups holding opposing ideologies of messianism and anti-messianism, with both ideologies running through the Bible. The Pharisees (forefathers of the rabbinic sages) and most of the Jewish people had a conception of a Messiah similar to Jesus: like the prophets and most psalmists, they expected the arrival of a godlike Messiah. However, the judges who sentenced Jesus to death were Sadducees, who were fighting with the Pharisees largely because they repudiated the Messiah idea. Thus, the trial of Jesus was not a clash between Jewish and what would become Christian doctrines but a confrontation between two Trade Review"Knohl suggests that Jesus would not have been convicted and executed if tried by Pharisees instead of Sadducees. Accessible prose makes parsing scriptural texts and placing them in historical and political context enthralling, even for those unfamiliar with biblical criticism. This thought-provoking work fascinates."—Publishers Weekly, starred review"This book really is a gift to those of us who wish to pursue Jewish-Christian dialog that allows for a conversation about Jesus. His book also helps us read the New Testament and its descriptions of the various religious parties and their interactions with early Christians. As such, The Messiah Confrontation offers us a helpful guide to the roots of Jesus’ own sense of calling and purpose, while allowing us to embrace the Jewish roots of the Christian faith more fully (especially the Pharisaic ones, to rehabilitate the Pharisees in the eyes of Christians)."—Word&Way"The Messiah Confrontation is an engaging, provocative book."—John J. Collins, Jewish Review of Books"Knohl's treatment of Isaiah, Hosea, Jeremiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Daniel, the Psalms of Solomon, and other important texts is astute and perspicacious. The writing is felicitous. . . . I teach a freshman seminar at USC on the history of the messianic idea, and I imagine I will be consulting this new volume periodically as I hone my lessons moving forward."—Joshua Garroway, CCAR Journal"Brilliant . . . detailed and scientific. . . . Knohl’s thorough analysis has far-reaching consequences for the relationship between Jews and Christians today. . . . The Messiah Confrontation unfolds like a fascinating mystery."—Jerusalem Report“For Christians, rejecting the theological anti-Jewishness of their own tradition and embracing the Jewishness of Jesus require radical revisions of basic understandings. The Messiah Confrontation moves this project forward by showing that the defining conflict leading to the death of Jesus took place within Judaism, not against it. Knohl’s bold analysis is compelling, illuminating, and important for Christian and Jewish readers alike.”—James Carroll, author of Constantine’s Sword“A fascinating interpretation of two strands of biblical thought that developed over a millennium and collided in the trial of a Jew named Jesus of Nazareth. Erudite and a page-turner.”—Ronald Hendel, Norma and Sam Dabby Professor of Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies, University of California–Berkeley“The Messiah Confrontation is the product of meticulous research yet it takes away one’s breath. It can be seen as a key that allows us to understand messianic phenomena hundreds of years after the writing of biblical literature, and in reality until this very day. Knohl lays the foundation for the development of a narrative that allows us to classify, categorize, and evaluate key events throughout Jewish history in light of messianic tension. In essence, it provokes the reader and the scholar to develop a new narrative of Jewish history—one based entirely on the tensions between different messianic ideas.”—Dov Schwartz, professor of Jewish philosophy, Bar Ilan University“Knohl not only documents a series of transformations in Israelite messianism but also meticulously discusses their political ramifications. This thought-provoking work is a must-read for anyone interested in the biblical world as well as in Jewish thought and politics throughout history.”—Ishay Rosen-Zvi, chair of the Department of Jewish Philosophy and Talmud, Tel Aviv University“In The Messiah Confrontation, Israel Knohl, one of the leading Bible scholars of our time, proposes an original and provocative history of messianism from the Bible through ancient Judaism, culminating in a new interpretation of the trial and death of Jesus. This profoundly learned and accessibly written book will be of great interest to scholars and laypersons alike, and especially to all readers concerned with the fraught history of Judaism and Christianity and their many intersections.”—David Stern, Harry Starr Professor of Classical and Modern Hebrew and Jewish Literature, Harvard UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Birth of the Messianic Figure 2. Rejection of the Kingship Concept 3. Reconceiving the Messiah 4. Messianic Rise and Fall of “the Branch” 5. Shifting Sands of Torah Authority 6. Torah Distinctions between the Human and the Divine 7. Introducing Resurrection of the Dead into Jewish Thought 8. The Sadducees’ Denial of the Doctrine of Reward 9. Qumran Accounts of an Exalted and Suffering Messiah 10. The Pharisees’ Expectations of an Imminent Messiah 11. Jesus’s Messianic Conception 12. The Trial of Jesus Afterword Notes Bibliography Subject Index Scriptural Index

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Book SynopsisThis edition renews and revises the iconic Jewish Publication Society translation of the Bible to reflect advances in scholarship and changes in English while maintaining the utmost fidelity to the original Hebrew. Trade Review“This gender-sensitive translation will transform our understanding of the Tanakh and our place within it. It invites the reader to envision the Divine and the main actors of the Bible in a more expansive way.”—Rabbi Angela W. Buchdahl, Central Synagogue, New York City“This revised translation is not only gender sensitive; it is also gender sensible. Every decision regarding gender has been carefully considered to produce a faithful rendering of the Bible that is finely tuned to contemporary sensibilities. The explanations of the principles that direct these decisions are a welcome bonus; they enhance our understanding of the workings of biblical Hebrew and modern English.”—Adele Berlin, Robert H. Smith Professor Emerita of Biblical Studies at the University of Maryland“As we strive for utmost fidelity in how we render the eternal words of Tanakh, greater gender inclusivity in how we talk about people, and greater gender sensitivity in how we speak about God, JPS’s new gender-sensitive translation offers us a momentous contribution to biblical study—a massive and crucial step forward. A must-have for every Jewish library and for every contemporary student of Torah.”—Rabbi Shai Held, president and dean of Hadar“Gender norms have so dramatically changed since the completion of the JPS Tanakh translation in 1985 that it is both a necessity and a pleasure to have this new translation, which pays deliberate and careful attention to issues of gender. Because this is gender sensitive rather than gender inclusive, it does not simply paper over the ways in which the text assumes male dominance, but tries to discern whether particular usages of male pronouns and terms were meant to be inclusive or not. In so doing, the translation both enlightens and disturbs, challenging many fixed assumptions and allowing readers to come to the Tanakh with fresh eyes.”—Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai: Judaism from a Feminist Perspective “Mining advances in ancient Near Eastern scholarship, rooted authentically in Jewish exegetical traditions, and paying exceptionally fine-tuned attention to contemporary English-language usage, this gender-sensitive translation is startling, thought-provoking, and equally well situated for the synagogue, the traditional classroom, and community adult education programs, among other settings.”—Leonard Greenspoon, author of Jewish Bible Translations“The rabbis of the Talmud taught that ‘the Torah speaks in human terms,’ but this can only be the case if the Tanakh is translated and re-translated to reflect shifts in our manner of speaking. The JPS TANAKH: Gender-Sensitive Edition allows all of us to see ourselves created in the image of God and reflected in the Bible’s teachings.”—Ilana Kurshan, author of If All the Seas Were InkTable of ContentsContents Table of Scriptural Readings Preface Glossary for the Footnotes Abbreviations and Terms Torah - The Five Books of Moses Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Nevi'im - The Prophets Joshua Judges I Samuel II Samuel I Kings II Kings Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel The Twelve Minor Prophets Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Ketuvim - The Writings Psalms Proverbs Job The Song of Songs Ruth Lamentations Ecclesiastes Esther Daniel Ezra Nehemiah I Chronicles II Chronicles

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Book SynopsisWho Are the Jews—And Who Can We Become? tackles perhaps the most urgent question facing the Jewish people today: Given unprecedented denominational tribalism, how can we Jews speak of ourselves in collective terms?Trade Review"Hartman adroitly argues that 'as long as the story we tell ourselves about ourselves embraces and strengthens the complexity of our identities . . . we provide ourselves with the tools to expand our moral aperture,' and invites essential debates about Judaism's past, present, and future. This impresses."—Publishers Weekly“This inspired work gives us a language for understanding today’s core Jewish issues, both in Israel and the Diaspora. I look forward to gathering my community around it for a spirited discussion of its insights.”—Rabbi Edward Feinstein, senior rabbi, Valley Beth Shalom, in Encino, California“While not shying away from criticism or complexity, Hartman gives us a glimpse of the world as it could be: one steered by collective Jewish meaning, moral rigor, and courageous commitment to each other.”—Rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl, senior rabbi, Central Synagogue, in New York City“Who Are the Jews—And Who Can We Become? belongs on the short shelf of indispensable books on contemporary Judaism.”—Yossi Klein Halevi, author of Letters to My Palestinian NeighborTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Part 1. What’s Our Story? 1. The Genesis Covenant and the First Jews 2. Exodus Judaism and the Covenant of Commandments 3. Conversion and the Rabbinic Synthesis of Genesis and Exodus 4. Good Jews and Bad Jews and the Art of Boundaries 5. Maimonides, Champion of Exodus 6. Emancipation from the Genesis Covenant 7. Zionism and the Resurrection of Genesis 8. The North American Homeland between Europe and Zion(ism) Part 2. A Zionism for the Twenty-First Century 9. Foundations for a Twenty-First Century Liberal Jewish Story 10. Recalibrating the Religion-State Status Quo 11. Israel’s Relationship with World Jewry 12. Unpacking a Not-So-“Basic” Law 13. Yearning Again for Peace Part 3. A Diaspora Future 14. At Home 15. Intermarriage and the Meaning of Jewishness 16. The Eroding North America-Israel Relationship 17. The Future of Liberal Zionism in North America 18. The Choice to Belong Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe large number and diversity of biblical passages dealing with the theme of creation underlines its central importance to the biblical message.

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Book SynopsisA companion of the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels and the Dictionary of Paul and his Letters, this volume focuses on the rest of the New Testament (Acts, Hebrews, the general letters and Revelation) and on the post-apostolic church.

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Book SynopsisExamines the major themes of the first five books of the Old Testament.

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Book SynopsisExplores the epistles' reception history and their effects in sermons, music, art, literature, and politics over time 1, 2 Peter and Jude Through the Centuries considers three small epistles which are often overlooked in controversial discussions of theology, culture, art, music, politics, and literature. This book offers fresh perspectives on the epistles' effects in numerous theological and cultural contexts such as slavery, the role of women in marriage, the nature of Christology, and how believers should relate to the government. Author Rebecca Skaggs traces the reception history of 1 Peter, Jude, and 2 Peter and investigates the texts' effects on diverse doctrinal, social and political issues. Their influence on artists, musicians, dramatists and literary writers is explored, especially the Doctrine of the Descent of Christ into Hades. Each chapter includes an overview of central issues and topics, a selection of ancient readings with interpretations and a brief survey of moderTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Abbreviations xii Introduction 1 Historical Overview and Genre 2 Reception Historical Sources for 1, 2 Peter, and Jude 6 Significant Ancient Interpreters 7 Nineteenth‐ and Twentieth‐Century Perspectives 10 Aims and Methods of this Commentary 14 Literary Relationships: Which Came First – Jude or 2 Peter? 18 Chapter 1 The Transformed Life in the Context of Suffering, Grace, Hope, and Love (1:1–2:10) 22 Author, Audience, and Abundant Grace (1:1–2) 22 The Meaning and Purpose of Suffering (1:3–10) 26 Consequences of the Transformed Life: Suffering Related to the Suffering of Christ (1:11–12) 36 Consequences of the Transformed Life: Hope, Holiness, and Love (1:13–23) 40 The Transformed Life: Three Metaphors (1:24 – 2:10) 47 The Grass Metaphor (1:24, 25) 47 The Milk Metaphor (2:1–3) 49 The Living Stones Metaphor (2:4–10) 51 Doctrinal Interpretations: The Priesthood of all Believers 54 Doctrinal Interpretations: Eternal Security 55 Chapter 2 Three Practical Situations (1 Peter 2:11–3:17) 57 Transition (2:11–12) 57 The Governing Authorities (2:13–17) 59 Slavery (2:18–25) 66 Submission and Suffering for Doing Good 68 Christ as Guardian of Our Souls, v.25 74 Marriage (3:1–7) 76 Ornamentation (3:3–6) 83 To “Husbands” (3:7) 86 The “Weaker Vessel” (3:7) 88 Transition: Summary and Concepts to Come (3:8–17) 88 Summary: Live in Harmony and Mutual Love (3:8–12) 89 Suffering for Doing Good (3:13–17) 89 Chapter 3 Christ’s Visit to the Spirits in Prison, 3:18–22 91 Christ’s Resurrection, the Ground of the Transformed Life 91 The Preaching or Announcement in Hades 96 The Audience for Christ’s Preaching 97 Religious Traditions 105 Opposition 108 Summary of the Effects of 1 Peter 3:18–22 So Far 109 Other Interpretations 110 Effects in Literature 110 Effects in Music 112 Effects in Drama 112 Effects in Art 114 Relation to the Harrowing of Hell Tradition 128 Summary/Observations 130 Chapter 4 The Transformed Life: The Believer as Sufferer (1 Peter 4:1–19) 132 Suffering is in God’s Control (4:7–11) 138 Love Covers a Multitude of Sins (v.8) 139 Love Shown in Joyful Service and Hospitality (4:9–11) 141 Suffering for Being a Christian (4:12–19) 142 The Spirit of Glory … Rests upon You (v.14) 144 Judgment Begins with the House of God (4:17) 145 Scarcely Saved (vv.18–19) 146 Chapter 5 Final Exhortations and Greetings (1 Peter 5:1–14) 149 Message to Three Groups (5:1–10): “Elders” (vv.1–4); the “Younger” (vv.5–6); and “All” (vv.6–10) 149 The Message to “All” (vv.2, 6–10) 155 God Gives Grace to the Humble (vv.6–11) 157 The Final Promise to All (vv.10–11) 160 Final Greetings: Who, Where, and How (vv.12–14) 161 Who is Silvanus and What is His Role in the Writing of the Epistle? 161 Who is “Mark?” 162 Where/What is Babylon? 162 Chapter 6 Jude: A Dynamic Response to Heresy 166 Greeting and Purpose 166 Purpose (v.3) 170 The Body of the Epistle: Charges/Punishment Predicted (vv.4–16) 173 The Fallen Angels: Second Example of Punishment (v.6) 175 Sodom and Gomorrah: Third Example (v.7) 178 Second Set of Triple Charges (vv.8–11): Pollution, Rejection of Authority, Slander of Heavenly Beings 180 The Illustration: The Dispute Between Michael and Satan (v.9) 182 Three Examples of Punishment: Cain, Balaam, and Korah (v.11) 184 Metaphors of Charges Against the Teachers (vv.12–16) 186 Prediction of Punishment: Enoch’s Prophecy (vv.14–16) 188 Exhortations to the Faithful (17–23) 191 Closing Doxology (vv.24–25) 194 Effects in Literature, Culture, and Art: Michael and Satan’s Dispute (v.9) 196 Chapter 7 Excursus: Jude’s Role in the Reception History of Enoch 200 Enoch in the Early Church 201 Summary 205 Effects in Literature, Culture, and Art: The Fallen Angels, Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4 206 Chapter 8 Greetings and the Bases for Certainty (2 Peter 1) 213 Greetings: Authorship, Authenticity, and Authority (1:1–2) 213 The Basis for Certainty and Peter’s Response: Participation in the Divine Nature (1:4–11) 216 Can Salvation Be Lost? (vv.10–11) 222 More Grounds for Certainty: Eyewitness Testimony (1:12–15) 223 Even More Grounds for Certainty: The Nature of Prophecy and the Inspiration of Scripture (1:16–21) 225 Chapter 9 The False Teachers and Peter’s Response (2 Peter 2:1–22) 232 Chapter 10 Where is the Promise of His Coming? (2 Peter 3:1–18) 244 Reaffirmation and Reminders (3:1–3) 244 Where is the Promise and Peter’s Response: Judgment andRescue (3:4–10) 248 Final Exhortations (3:11–18) 252 Chapter 11 Excursus: Delay of the Parousia (2 Peter 3) 255 Modern and Current Scholarship (eighteenth to twenty-first centuries) 261 Concluding Remarks 265 Appendix 1: Who Wrote These Epistles? The Reception of 1, 2 Peter and Jude 268 Appendix 2: Ancient Writers, their Writings, and their Sources 273 Appendix 3: Reception Historical Timeline 279 Appendix 4: Overview of the Reception History of Enoch 284 Glossary 288 Bibliography 296 Index of Biblical References 312 Index 316

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Book SynopsisThis unique commentary on Paul's early letters by an outstanding New Testament specialist, provides a broad range of original perspectives of how people have interpreted, and been influenced by, Paul's first two letters. Addresses questions concerning the content, setting, and authenticity of the two Thessalonian letters, drawing on responses from leading scholars, poets, hymn writers, preachers, theologians, and biblical scholars throughout the agesOffers new insights into issues they raise concerning feminist biblical interpretation. Provides a history of two-way influences, as exemplified by Ulrich Luz, Hans Robert Jauss, and Hans-Georg GadamerWritten by Anthony Thiselton, a leading commentator on the Greek New TestamentTable of ContentsSeries Editors’ Preface xi Acknowledgments xiii Abbreviations xv Introduction 1 The Aims of Reception History 1 The Situation and Substance of 1 Thessalonians 7 The City of Thessalonica 10 Traditional and Nineteenth-Century Arguments about the Authenticity of 2 Thessalonians and Their Criticism 11 The Situation and Substance of 2 Thessalonians 15 Some Key Interpreters in the Reception History of 1 and 2 Thessalonians 19 1 Thessalonians 21 Paul’s Address, Thanksgiving, Prayer, and Reflection on His Visit (1 Thessalonians 1:1–10) 23 Address, Thanksgiving, and Prayer (1 Thess. 1:1–6a) 23 Introduction and Overview 23 The Apostolic Fathers and the Patristic Era 25 The Medieval Period 27 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 29 The Eighteenth Century 33 The Nineteenth Century 35 Paul’s Reflection on His Visit: The Readers are an Example to Believers from Greece (1 Thess. 1:6b–10) 38 Introduction and Overview 38 The Subapostolic and Patristic Era 39 The Medieval Period 41 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 43 The Eighteenth Century 46 The Nineteenth Century 48 Paul’s Autobiographical Reflections and Defense (1 Thessalonians 2:1–8) 50 Introduction and Overview 51 The Patristic Era 52 The Medieval Period 55 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 58 The Eighteenth Century 61 The Nineteenth Century 62 How the Readers Received the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:9–16) 65 Introduction and Overview 65 The Patristic Era 68 The Medieval Period 70 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 72 The Eighteenth Century 75 The Nineteenth Century 76 Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians and Timothy’s Visit and News (1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:13) 79 Introduction and Overview 79 The Patristic Era 81 The Medieval Period 85 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 88 The Eighteenth Century 90 The Nineteenth Century 92 The Call to Holiness, Especially to Holiness and Love in Personal Relationships (1 Thessalonians 4:1–12) 95 Introduction and Overview 95 The Patristic Era 98 The Medieval Period 101 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Periods 103 The Eighteenth Century 108 The Nineteenth Century 110 The Living and the Dead Share Together in the Parousia and in the Resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18) Introduction and Overview 115 The Patristic Era 120 The Medieval Period 129 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 132 The Eighteenth Century 137 The Nineteenth Century 140 Note on “the Rapture” in Dispensationalist Views of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17 143 The Day of the Lord: Timing and Light (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11) 146 Introduction and Overview 146 The Patristic Era 148 The Medieval Era 151 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 154 The Eighteenth Century 156 The Nineteenth Century 158 Various Christian Duties and Closure (1 Thessalonians 5:12–28) 161 Introduction and Overview 161 The Patristic Era 162 The Medieval Era 167 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 168 The Eighteenth Century 173 The Nineteenth Century 174 2 Thessalonians 177 Address, Greetings, and Thanksgiving (2 Thessalonians 1:1–4) 179 Introduction and Overview 179 The Subapostolic and Patristic Eras 180 The Medieval Period 182 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 185 The Eighteenth Century 188 The Nineteenth Century 189 Encouragement and Prayer: The Judgment of God and the Revelation of Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:5–12) 191 Introduction and Overview 191 The Apostolic Fathers and the Patristic Era 193 The Medieval Church 197 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 201 The Eighteenth Century 206 The Nineteenth Century 209 The Day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12) 211 Introduction and Overview of 2 Thess. 2:1–12 211 The Advent of Christ and the “Man of Sin” (2 Thess. 2:1–6a); Note on the Antichrist 213 Introduction and Overview 213 Note on the Antichrist 213 The Apostolic Fathers and the Patristic Period 217 The Medieval Period 223 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 226 Eighteenth Century Pietism 229 The Nineteenth Century 230 “He Who Now Restrains” and “The Lawless One” (2 Thess. 2:6b–12) 231 Introduction and Overview 231 The Patristic Era 233 The Medieval Period 236 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 239 The Eighteenth Century 242 The Nineteenth Century 242 Thanksgiving, Exhortation and Benediction (2 Thessalonians 2:13–17) 245 Introduction and Overview 245 The Subapostolic and Patristic Eras 246 The Medieval Era 248 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 249 The Eighteenth Century 251 The Nineteenth Century 253 Further Prayer and Exhortation, Largely New Issues (2 Thessalonians 3:1–18) 256 Further Prayer (2 Thess. 3:1–5) 256 Overview 256 The Apostolic Fathers and the Patristic Period 257 The Medieval Era 259 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 260 The Eighteenth Century 262 The Nineteenth Century 263 Exhortation and Admonition about “Idlers” or Undisciplined People (2 Thess. 3:6–13) 264 Introduction and Overview 264 The Subapostolic and Patristic Periods 265 The Medieval Period 268 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 270 The Eighteenth Century 272 The Nineteenth Century 273 Final Exhortations, Greetings, and Benediction (2 Thess. 3:14–18) 274 Introduction and Overview 274 The Subapostolic and Patristic Periods 274 The Medieval Period 275 The Reformation and Post-Reformation Eras 277 The Eighteenth Century 278 The Nineteenth Century 279 Brief Biographies 281 Bibliography 288 Index of Biblical and Jewish Texts (Canonical and Deuterocanonical Order) 300 Index of Names 306 Index of Subjects 312

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPreface 7 Chapter 1: Scripture and Ritual 10 The Three Dimensions of Written Texts 13 Ritualizing Scriptures in Three Dimensions 15 Jewish and Christian Scriptures 18 Manuscripts and Printing 21 Section 1: The Torah as a Scripture 24 Chapter 2: Torah and Pentateuch 25 The Pentateuch in Three Dimensions 26 Scripturalizing Torah in the Time of Ezra 29 Chapter 3: The Torah’s Rhetoric 34 The Torah's Rhetoric of Origins 35 Authority, Sanctions, Readers 48 The Rhetoric of the Deuteronomistic History 62 Chapter 4: The Torah's Iconic Dimension 70 The Pentateuch's Iconic Dimension After Ezra 72 The Pentateuch's Iconic Dimension Before Ezra 92 Ancient Lost-and-Found Books 100 Chapter 5: The Torah's Expressive Dimension 105 Reading Torah after Ezra 109 Songs and Poetry in the Hebrew Bible 123 Expressing the Covenant: the Prophets 128 Expressing Torah Before Ezra 130 Chapter 6: The Torah's Semantic Dimension 138 Interpreting Life: Wisdom Literature 138 The Tanak as a Scripture 141 Promises, Threats, and Apocalyptic 146 Scripturalizing Prophets, Psalms and Wisdom 153 Interpreting Scripture: Scribes and Rabbis 160 Identifying with Israel 171 The Pentateuch Before Ezra 180 Section 2: The Gospels as a Scripture 192 Chapter 7: Rhetoric about Jesus 192 Jesus in the Gospels Paul and his Letters Chapter 8: The Rhetoric of the Gospels The Gospel According to Mark The Gospel According to Matthew The Gospel According to Luke The Gospel According to John Chapter 9: The Gospels’ Iconic Dimension Irenaeus and the Four Gospels Iconic Gospels and Bibles Chapter 10: The Gospels' Expressive Dimension Christian Lectionaries Singing Christian Scriptures The Languages of Christian Scriptures Expert Translators Portraying Jesus in Visual Art and Media Chapter 11: The Gospels' Semantic Dimension Interpreting Jesus’s Death Other Ancient Gospels Women in the Gospels and Ancient Cultures The Gospel before the Gospels Writing Paul's Letters The Search for the Historical Jesus Section 3: The Bible as a Scripture 248 Chapter 12: The Bible's Iconic Dimension 248 Publishing Tanaks and Bibles 248 Relic Books 255 Decalogue Tablets 261 Chapter 13: The Bible's Expressive Dimension 264 The Bible in Art 264 Illustrated Bibles 267 Bible Maps 270 The Bible in Theater and Film 272 Chapter 14: The Bible’s Semantic Dimension 277 Biblical Law and Authority 277 Modern Controversies about Genesis 288 Chapter 15: The History of the Bible as a Scripture 303 Scripturalization and Canonization 303 Understanding the Bible as a Scripture 304 Cited Works and Further Reading 307

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Book SynopsisCombining Greek with the English Standard Version text, the Greek-English New Testament is an essential resource for students, pastors, and scholars who work with the Greek New Testament.

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Book SynopsisCombining the best and most recent evangelical Christian scholarship with the highly regarded ESV text, the ESV Study Bible is the most comprehensive study Bible ever published. Includes thumb indexes.

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Book SynopsisTheGreek Scripture Journal: New Testament Setfeaturesthe entirety of individual books of the Greek New Testament with widemargins and extra space between each line of text. This set of 19 journals presents the entirety of the Greek New Testament in an engaging format.

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Book SynopsisTheUnfolding Grace Study Guideserves as an onramp tothe unified story of the Bible by helping readers grasp the central message of redemption that runs from Genesis through Revelation. Designed to be used in conjunction withUnfolding Grace.

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Book SynopsisFollow Luke's ordered narrative of events in the book of Acts to see how the early church grew under the plan of God, centered on King Jesus, and empowered by the Spirit.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisPart of the 9Marks Healthy Church Study Guides series, this study examines what prayer is, how prayer works, and how prayer should function in the life of the local church.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThis 12-week study helps readers study some of Scripture's most famous narrative parables and understand their place in the storyline of Scripture.

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