Tanakh — read closely, read against the grain, read for now.
Belated, but: I’ve been catching references to the “Chapter 9 Project,” which seems to have become linked by some pundits to a modern blood libel, accusations of genocide committed by Jewish Israelis against Palestinians in Gaza. I respect many aspects of the more progressive denominations of Ashkenazi Judaism, but this project and the association that … Read more
You see, there were still some three hundred lingering members of the plotting movement in the capital, who were so convinced that we were a threat to national security that, even after the second imperial edict permitting us the use of force in defending ourselves and our success in self-defense against mobs whipped up by … Read more
Monarchy should be consigned to the dustbin of dead-ends in human history, along with human sacrifice, slavery, and dumping your sewage in the street. The righteous leadership of a single, flawed monarch does not challenge this fact of human evolution. Neither does the righteous leadership expected of one of that monarch’s future descendants. “Restore the … Read more
Do you think the average Egyptian really hated Hebrews, or personally supported the Pharaoh’s more extreme policies targeting them? Do you think maybe they were a little bit afraid of the Hebrews, threatened by the success of foreigners on Egyptian soil? After all, the government itself said that these foreigners were a threat! Nevertheless, those … Read more
As the brothers go down to Egypt… And the children of Yisrael are dramatically reunited (*chef’s kiss* prose)… You are obviously wondering to yourself – what do Egyptologists have to say about this story in particular and the biblical narratives in general? Well now. Surprise surprise it turns out there’s a legitimate debate between those … Read more
#biblicalZionism “The views of Radak, Ibn Ezra, and Abrabanel on the idiom בת/בנות ציון (bat/banot Tziyyon, “daughter/daughters of Zion”) reveal their distinct interpretive approaches to the significance of the phrase in the Sifré Nevi’im, particularly in Yeshayahu. Below is a more detailed exploration of their perspectives: — Radak (Rabbi David Kimhi) Radak’s Interpretation:Radak often interprets … Read more
Controversial opinion: None of the “tests” the Creator gave Abraham abinu were pass/fail. Including the last “test.” The directive given to him was phrased ambiguously, communicating only generally that he was to elevate his son as something wholly dedicated to the Creator. The purpose of the ambiguity was to allow an event to unfold that … Read more
Today’s reading from Yirmiyahu… Zion. Today’s recital from the psalms of Dawid…. Zion. Today’s selection from the Pele Yoéts… Resettling the Land. Is it just me or did none of these authors get the memo that Zionism started with Herzl in the 19th century?
Some thoughts on historiography, in preparation for Pesah, the holiday of history: History may not be a science, but it is a discipline that makes use of the sciences. That said, the material evidence of bygone ages that scientists have to work with is relatively scant, and the majority of textual evidence that might provide … Read more