Modelling Biblical Law: the Covenant Code
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Moses Hayim Luzzatto's Quest for Providence
City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works All Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects 10-2014 'Like Iron to a Magnet': Moses Hayim Luzzatto's Quest for Providence David Sclar Graduate Center, City University of New York How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/380 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact: [email protected] “Like Iron to a Magnet”: Moses Hayim Luzzatto’s Quest for Providence By David Sclar A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty in History in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The City University of New York 2014 © 2014 David Sclar All Rights Reserved This Manuscript has been read and accepted by the Graduate Faculty in History in satisfaction of the Dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Prof. Jane S. Gerber _______________ ____________________________________ Date Chair of the Examining Committee Prof. Helena Rosenblatt _______________ ____________________________________ Date Executive Officer Prof. Francesca Bregoli _______________________________________ Prof. Elisheva Carlebach ________________________________________ Prof. Robert Seltzer ________________________________________ Prof. David Sorkin ________________________________________ Supervisory Committee iii Abstract “Like Iron to a Magnet”: Moses Hayim Luzzatto’s Quest for Providence by David Sclar Advisor: Prof. Jane S. Gerber This dissertation is a biographical study of Moses Hayim Luzzatto (1707–1746 or 1747). It presents the social and religious context in which Luzzatto was variously celebrated as the leader of a kabbalistic-messianic confraternity in Padua, condemned as a deviant threat by rabbis in Venice and central and eastern Europe, and accepted by the Portuguese Jewish community after relocating to Amsterdam. -
Sanctuary Theology in the Book of Exodus
Andrews University Seminary Studies, Summer 1986, Vol. 24, No. 2, 127-145. Copyright@ 1986 by Andrews University Press. SANCTUARY THEOLOGY IN THE BOOK OF EXODUS ANGEL MANUEL RODRIGUEZ Antillian College Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00709 The book of Exodus is the first OT book that mentions the Israelite sanctuary. This book provides us not only with precise information with respect to the sanctuary's physical structure and furniture, but also with basic information on its significance. The present study proposes to take an overview of several important theological motifs that emerge in connection with the ancient Israelite sanctuary as portrayed in the book of Exodus. Although various of these aspects have already been noticed by other researchers, my hope herein is to bring together certain significant elements in such a way as to broaden our understanding of the ancient Hebrew concept of the meaning of the ancient Israelite sanctuary. At the outset, it is appropriate to state that the various ele- ments we shall consider all have a bearing upon, and contribute to, an overarching theological concern related to the OT sanctuary/ temple: namely, the presence of Yahweh. Moreover, the book of Exodus is foundational for a proper understanding of this basic motif, as it describes how the people of Israel were miraculously delivered from Egyptian slavery by Yahweh, and how, by his grace, they became a holy nation under his leadership. He entered into a covenant relationship with them, and gave them the precious gift of his own presence.' 'The theology of the presence of God is a very important one in the OT. -
Interpreting Biblical Law
Interpreting Biblical Law Three different meanings of “law”: • Law/Torah = Genesis–Deuteronomy (also “Pentateuch”) • law/torah = the law of Moses (collection of laws) • law and gospel = God’s commands and teachings throughout Scripture Inductive Bible Study Applied to the Law (Example: Leviticus 19) 1. Observation: What do you notice about the text? What questions does it raise for you? (Read the text in at least two different versions of the Bible.) 2. Interpretation: What is the author trying to communicate? Who is the author? (traditionally, Moses wrote the Pentateuch, but the text does not name the author) What is the literary context? (within narrative of the exodus; context of other laws) In the literary context, what does this chapter communicate to the reader? (Lev. 19: be holy as the Lord is holy) What is the historical context (of the laws, of the passage, and of the book)? (giving of the law at Sinai during the exodus; some later laws may be included) What are some things in the text that are specific to that time and culture? What did this law or passage mean in its historical context? What does this passage communicate about who God is, how he relates to his people, and how he wants his people to live and act? 3. Evaluation: How does this relate to the rest of Scripture and to the faith of the church? Does this law occur elsewhere in the OT? How do the wording and setting compare? Are there examples of this law in practice elsewhere in the Bible? How does this compare to the law itself? Does this law occur in the NT? How is it discussed or applied there? Examples: gleaning in Lev. -
From Ark of the Covenant to Torah Scroll: Ritualizing Israel’S Iconic Texts
Syracuse University SURFACE Religion College of Arts and Sciences 2014 From Ark of the Covenant to Torah Scroll: Ritualizing Israel’s Iconic Texts James W. Watts Syracuse University Follow this and additional works at: https://surface.syr.edu/rel Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, History of Religions of Western Origin Commons, and the Jewish Studies Commons Recommended Citation James W. Watts, "From Ark of the Covenant to Torah Scroll: Ritualizing Israel’s Iconic Texts," pre- publication draft, published on SURFACE, Syracuse University Libraries, 2014. This Book Chapter is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Arts and Sciences at SURFACE. It has been accepted for inclusion in Religion by an authorized administrator of SURFACE. For more information, please contact [email protected]. From Ark of the Covenant to Torah Scroll: Ritualizing Israel’s Iconic Texts James W. Watts [Pre-print version of chapter in Ritual Innovation in the Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism (ed. Nathan MacDonald; BZAW 468; Berlin: De Gruyter, 2016), 21–34.] The builders of Jerusalem’s Second Temple made a remarkable ritual innovation. They left the Holy of Holies empty, if sources from the end of the Second Temple period are to be believed.1 They apparently rebuilt the other furniture of the temple, but did not remake the ark of the cove- nant that, according to tradition, had occupied the inner sanctum of Israel’s desert Tabernacle and of Solomon’s temple. The fact that the ark of the covenant went missing has excited speculation ever since. It is not my intention to pursue that further here.2 Instead, I want to consider how biblical literature dealt with this ritual innovation. -
On Robert Alter's Bible
Barbara S. Burstin Pittsburgh's Jews and the Tree of Life JEWISH REVIEW OF BOOKS Volume 9, Number 4 Winter 2019 $10.45 On Robert Alter’s Bible Adele Berlin David Bentley Hart Shai Held Ronald Hendel Adam Kirsch Aviya Kushner Editor Abraham Socher BRANDEIS Senior Contributing Editor Allan Arkush UNIVERSITY PRESS Art Director Spinoza’s Challenge to Jewish Thought Betsy Klarfeld Writings on His Life, Philosophy, and Legacy Managing Editor Edited by Daniel B. Schwartz Amy Newman Smith “This collection of Jewish views on, and responses to, Spinoza over Web Editor the centuries is an extremely useful addition to the literature. That Rachel Scheinerman it has been edited by an expert on Spinoza’s legacy in the Jewish Editorial Assistant world only adds to its value.” Kate Elinsky Steven Nadler, University of Wisconsin March 2019 Editorial Board Robert Alter Shlomo Avineri Leora Batnitzky Ruth Gavison Moshe Halbertal Hillel Halkin Jon D. Levenson Anita Shapira Michael Walzer J. H.H. Weiler Ruth R. Wisse Steven J. Zipperstein Executive Director Eric Cohen Publisher Gil Press Chairman’s Council Blavatnik Family Foundation Publication Committee The Donigers of Not Bad for The Soul of the Stranger Marilyn and Michael Fedak Great Neck Delancey Street Reading God and Torah from A Mythologized Memoir The Rise of Billy Rose a Transgender Perspective Ahuva and Martin J. Gross Wendy Doniger Mark Cohen Joy Ladin Susan and Roger Hertog Roy J. Katzovicz “Walking through the snow to see “Comprehensive biography . “This heartfelt, difficult work will Wendy at the stately, gracious compelling story. Highly introduce Jews and other readers The Lauder Foundation– home of Rita and Lester Doniger recommended.” of the Torah to fresh, sensitive Leonard and Judy Lauder will forever remain in my memory.” Library Journal (starred review) approaches with room for broader Sandra Earl Mintz Francis Ford Coppola human dignity.” Tina and Steven Price Charitable Foundation Publishers Weekly (starred review) March 2019 Pamela and George Rohr Daniel Senor The Lost Library Jewish Legal Paul E. -
Rereading Paul on Circumcision, Torah, and the Gentiles Asha K
A Seal of Faith: Rereading Paul on Circumcision, Torah, and the Gentiles Asha K. Moorthy Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2014 © 2014 Asha K. Moorthy All rights reserved ABSTRACT A Seal of Faith: Rereading Paul on Circumcision, Torah, and the Gentiles Asha K. Moorthy It is generally held that the Apostle Paul dismissed the rite of circumcision for Gentiles. This dissertation, however, offers a different perspective. Through examination of relevant sources regarding the role of circumcision in conversion along with consideration of Philo of Alexandria’s depiction of Abraham as an exemplar of and for the proselyte, this project will suggest that Paul, in Rom 4:11‐ 12, uses the example of Abraham in order to explain the value of circumcision for Jews as well as for Gentiles. It will be argued, moreover, that Paul’s objections to circumcision, as found in Romans as well as in Galatians, Philippians, and 1 Corinthians, were not to the rite per se but rather to the notion that circumcision was necessary for entering the Abrahamic covenant, “becoming a Jew,” justification, salvation, spiritual transformation, protection or identity in Christ. A case will be made, moreover, that in Paul’s day there were two competing forms of circumcision and that Paul was opposed to the more radical procedure. Finally, divergences in Paul’s handling of the topic of circumcision in different letters will be explained through attention to particular audience concerns. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1. -
Walking with God Session Five Chapter Five: Conquest and Judges
Walking with God Session Five Chapter Five: Conquest and Judges Reflect: Thinking of your soul, which sins or imperfections need to be conquered so that you can enter into the Promised Land of Paradise? Do you judge yourself too harshly or too leniently? Are you a good judge of your character? Remember that Israel lived in peace when their judge was good, and Israel suffered when their judge was bad. Recollection: God calls everyone to come into covenantal relationship with Him. He seeks to give us a share in His Divine life. Do you accept His invitation daily? Are you faithful to Him? Act One: Joshua Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan. The Ark of the Covenant is carried by Levites, who stand in the river. The people cross over dryshod. What is the significance of this? What is the explanation for herem warfare (also called “the ban”)? How did the Israelites mark the transition from wilderness to conquest? Who helped the spies and thus gained a spot in Jesus’ genealogy? Why are Achan and his family stoned to death? What is meant by the rare word “achor” and when is the word used? What lessons can we take from this? Against which cities did Israel execute herem, “the ban”? Study Guide developed by Ginger Herrington, Director of Adult Formation, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church June, 2021 Act Two: Judges Why does the generation after the initial conquest of the Promised Land fall so often into sin and idolatry? What is the ordering of the twelve judges illustrating? Consider the judges and their interesting tales: Othniel, nephew of Caleb, is a good judge in Judah Ehud, of the tribe of Benjamin, is a good judge – these two tribes eventually make up the “Southern Tribe” of Judah – the faithful tribe, the survivor of the Chosen People Shamgar, whose name means “a stranger,” killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad. -
THRESHING FLOORS AS SACRED SPACES in the HEBREW BIBLE by Jaime L. Waters a Dissertation Submitted to the Johns Hopkins Universit
THRESHING FLOORS AS SACRED SPACES IN THE HEBREW BIBLE by Jaime L. Waters A dissertation submitted to The Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Baltimore, Maryland August 2013 © 2013 Jaime L. Waters All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT Vital to an agrarian community’s survival, threshing floors are agricultural spaces where crops are threshed and winnowed. As an agrarian society, ancient Israel used threshing floors to perform these necessary activities of food processing, but the Hebrew Bible includes very few references to these actions happening on threshing floors. Instead, several cultic activities including mourning rites, divination rituals, cultic processions, and sacrifices occur on these agricultural spaces. Moreover, the Solomonic temple was built on a threshing floor. Though seemingly ordinary agricultural spaces, the Hebrew Bible situates a variety of extraordinary cultic activities on these locations. In examining references to threshing floors in the Hebrew Bible, this dissertation will show that these agricultural spaces are also sacred spaces connected to Yahweh. Three chapters will explore different aspects of this connection. Divine control of threshing floors will be demonstrated as Yahweh exhibits power to curse, bless, and save threshing floors from foreign attacks. Accessibility and divine manifestation of Yahweh will be demonstrated in passages that narrate cultic activities on threshing floors. Cultic laws will reveal the links between threshing floors, divine offerings and blessings. One chapter will also address the sociological features of threshing floors with particular attention given to the social actors involved in cultic activities and temple construction. By studying references to threshing floors as a collection, a research project that has not been done previously, the close relationship between threshing floors and the divine will be visible, and a more nuanced understanding of these spaces will be achieved. -
Petersson, L Priestly Source of the Pentateuch Proof-01.Indd
http://www.diva-portal.org Postprint This is the accepted version of a chapter published in Encyclopedia of Hebrew Language and Linguistics. Citation for the original published chapter: Petersson, L. (2013) Priestly source of the Pentateuch. In: Geoffrey Khan (ed.), Encyclopedia of Hebrew Language and Linguistics (pp. 230-232). Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers N.B. When citing this work, cite the original published chapter. Permanent link to this version: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-210317 Priestly source of the Pentateuch Following the traditional division between due to the placement of the chiastic elements, lå-< ±òr ָלאוֹר Priestly (P) and non-P material (i.e., J[ahwistic], represented by the indirect objects -wë-la-™òšÆú ‘the dark ְו ַלחֹ ֶשְׁך E[lohistic], D[euteronomy] and H[oliness Code] ‘the light’ and material) in the Pentateuch, there are gram- ness’ respectively (compare Gen. 1.10). In other matical and lexical usages distinctive of P in words, the fronted chiastic element in the sec- relation to non-P. ond clause creates the chiastic relationship to Linguistic studies of P have concentrated the head clause by reversing the word order: mainly on lexical and morphological features wë-verb—x; wë-x—verb (where x = the chiastic (for an extensive list of P features, see, e.g., element). The chiastic pattern with repetition of Driver 1897:131–135). The most influential the same verbal root is typical of P on account studies are those of Polzin (1976), who treats of both its frequency (there are some 190 features found in the ‘P narrative’, and Hur- examples) and variety of functions. -
LAW and COVENANT ACCORDING to the BIBLICAL WRITERS By
LAW AND COVENANT ACCORDING TO THE BIBLICAL WRITERS by KRISTEN L. COX (Under the Direction of Richard Elliott Friedman) ABSTRACT The following thesis is a source critical analysis of the law and covenant in the Torah of the Hebrew Bible. Specifically I analyze the presentation of the Israelite Covenant in the Sinai Pericope and in Deuteronomy. I present the argument that, while the biblical writers are influenced by the formula of the ancient Near Eastern treaty documents, they each present different views of what happened at Sinai and what content is contained in the law code which was received there. INDEX WORDS: Covenant, Treaty, Law, Israelite law, Old Testament, Hebrew Bible, Torah, Sinai Pericope, Israelite Covenant, Abrahamic Covenant, Davidic Covenant, Noahic Covenant, Suzerain-vassal treaty, Royal grant, ancient Near Eastern law codes LAW AND COVENANT ACCORDING TO THE BIBLCAL WRITERS by KRISTEN L. COX BA , The University of Georgia, 2008 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS ATHENS, GEORGIA 2010 © 2010 Kristen L. Cox All Rights Reserved LAW AND COVENANT ACCORDING TO THE BIBLICAL WRITERS by KRISTEN L. COX Major Professor: Richard Elliott Friedman Committee: William L. Power Wayne Coppins Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia May 2010 iv DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my all of my family. My mother has been my source of strength every day. My father who passed away my freshman year continues to be my source of inspiration for hard work, integrity and perseverance. -
PRIMER on Biblical Law
PRIMER ON BBIIBBLLIICCAALL LLAAWW RICHARD C. NICKELS PRIMER ON Biblical Law by Richard C. Nickels " . if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments," Matthew 19:17. Release 2.1, First Five Books of the Bible, June, 1996 Study No. 103 Giving & Sharing, PO Box 100, Neck City, MO 64849 Acknowledgments Thanks to Artie Satterfield, whose notes and encouragement formed the basis for this study, and Ronald H. Stewart for proofreading and overall support of the original edition. 2 Why This Book Was Written Psalm 19:7-8, 10-11 "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes . More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." Psalm 119:97, 172 "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day . for all thy commandments are righteousness." Matthew 5:17, 19 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil . Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Romans 7:12, 14 "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good . -
THE OLD TESTAMENT WILDERNESS in ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE a Christian Investigation
THE OLD TESTAMENT WILDERNESS IN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE A Christian Investigation D. Keith Innes The Old Testament Wilderness in Ecological Perspective: A Christian Investigation D. Keith Innes Copyright © 2008 Donald Keith Innes Unless otherwise stated the Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved. The Old Testament Wilderness in Ecological Perspective Keith Innes Abbreviations BDB F. Brown, S.R. Driver and C.A. Briggs: A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament with an Appendix Containing the Biblical Aramaic (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1952). BHS Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1967/77) GKC Gesenius: Hebrew Grammar (edited and enlarged by E. Kautzsch, revised by A.E. Cowley; Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1910). GNB Good News Bible (Today’s English Version) (The Bible Societies/Collins, 1976). JBL Journal of Biblical Literature. JSOT Journal for the Study of the Old Testament. LXX The Septuagint Greek translation of the Old Testament. MT The Massoretic Text. NRSV The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version (London: HarperCollins, 1989). REB The Revised English Bible (Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press, 1989). VT Vetus Testamentum. ZAW Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft. The Old Testament Wilderness in Ecological Perspective Keith Innes THE OLD TESTAMENT WILDERNESS IN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE - A Christian Investigation CONTENTS Page 1. Introduction and Acknowledgements 1 1.1. The Natural Wilderness 1 1.2. The Biblical Wilderness 2 1.3. The Symbolic Wilderness 2 1.4.