Download or read book Prophets of the Past written by Michael Brenner and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2010-08-02 with total page 318 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Prophets of the Past is the first book to examine in depth how modern Jewish historians have interpreted Jewish history. Michael Brenner reveals that perhaps no other national or religious group has used their shared history for so many different ideological and political purposes as the Jews. He deftly traces the master narratives of Jewish history from the beginnings of the scholarly study of Jews and Judaism in nineteenth-century Germany; to eastern European approaches by Simon Dubnow, the interwar school of Polish-Jewish historians, and the short-lived efforts of Soviet-Jewish historians; to the work of British and American scholars such as Cecil Roth and Salo Baron; and to Zionist and post-Zionist interpretations of Jewish history. He also unravels the distortions of Jewish history writing, including antisemitic Nazi research into the "Jewish question," the Soviet portrayal of Jewish history as class struggle, and Orthodox Jewish interpretations of history as divinely inspired. History proved to be a uniquely powerful weapon for modern Jewish scholars during a period when they had no nation or army to fight for their ideological and political objectives, whether the goal was Jewish emancipation, diasporic autonomy, or the creation of a Jewish state. As Brenner demonstrates in this illuminating and incisive book, these historians often found legitimacy for these struggles in the Jewish past.

Download or read book The Early Prophets Joshua Judges Samuel and Kings written by and published by Schocken. This book was released on 2014-11-04 with total page 881 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The story of ancient Israel, from the arrival in Canaan to the destruction of the Kingdom of Judah and the Babylonian exile some six centuries later, here is the highly anticipated second volume in Everett Fox’s landmark translation of the Hebrew Bible. The personalities who appear in the pages of The Early Prophets, and the political and moral dilemmas their stories illuminate, are part of the living consciousness of the Western world. From Joshua and the tumbling walls of Jericho to Samson and Delilah, the prophet Samuel and the tragic King Saul, David and Goliath, Bathsheba and Absalom, King Solomon’s temple, Elijah and the chariot of fire, Ahab and Jezebel—the stories of these men and women are deeply etched into Western culture because they beautifully encapsulate the human experience. The four books that comprise The Early Prophets look at tribal rivalries, dramatic changes in leadership, and the intrusions of neighboring empires through the prism of the divine-human relationship. Over the centuries, the faithful have read these narratives as demonstrations of the perils of disobeying God’s will, and time and again Jews in exile found that the stories spoke to their own situations of cultural assimilation, destruction, and the reformulation of identity. They have had an equally indelible impact on generations of Christians, who have seen in many of the narratives foreshadowings of the life and death of Jesus, as well as models for their own lives and the careers of their leaders. But beyond its importance as a foundational religious document, The Early Prophets is a great work of literature, a powerful and distinctive narrative of the past that seeks meaning in the midst of national catastrophe. Accompanied by illuminating commentary, notes, and maps, Everett Fox’s masterly translation of the Hebrew original re-creates the echoes, allusions, alliterations, and wordplays that rhetorically underscore its meaning and are intrinsic to a timeless text meant to be both studied and read aloud.

Download or read book Early Jewish History and Prophets written by Walter Hazen and published by Milliken Publishing Company. This book was released on 2002-09-01 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In addition to valuable historical and practical information, this packet teaches students about major events in early Jewish history and its prophets. Review questions, questions for discussion, key word lists, a test, and an answer key are included. These features facilitate student assimilation of the fundamentals of a religion practiced by an estimated 13 million people around the globe. You will be delighted to observe your students' growing understanding of the enormous cultural and historical contributions of the world's first major monotheistic religion.

Download or read book Encyclopaedia Britannica written by Hugh Chisholm and published by . This book was released on 1910 with total page 1090 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This eleventh edition was developed during the encyclopaedia's transition from a British to an American publication. Some of its articles were written by the best-known scholars of the time and it is considered to be a landmark encyclopaedia for scholarship and literary style.

Download or read book The Jewish Prophet written by Michael Shire and published by Jewish Lights Publishing. This book was released on 2002 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An outstanding gift book! An inspiring and enlightening look at the role of the prophet throughout Jewish history--beautifully illustrated. This beautifully illustrated collection of Jewish prophecy features the lives and teachings of thirty men and women. Throughout the ages, they bravely stood up to speak God's message and made a lasting contribution to our understanding of both the human and the Divine. This book also provides an inspiring and informative description of the role each played in their own time--and an explanation of why we should know about them in our time. These inspiring moral and spiritual leaders were critics of the evils of society, rooted out corruption among those in power and provided healing and comfort in times of despair and hardship. They ranged from the biblical prophets through the thinkers and leaders of medieval times to modern-day visionaries and activists. All of these people spoke up bravely against the evils of their day, and were prepared to risk their lives for the sake of truth. The lives and words of these passionate advocates for change are still a source of great inspiration today. Rabbi Dr. Michael Shire introduces their own words by discussing the life and message of each prophet, revealing how much Judaism has contributed to society's moral values. Drawing parallels between the biblical and later prophets, he highlights our ongoing need for men and women to take on the role of the prophet. Illustrated with illuminations from medieval Hebrew manuscripts, The Jewish Prophet is a richly decorated and fascinating collection of inspiration and wisdom; and the only book to gather together prophecy from ancient, medieval and modern times.

Download or read book The Origin of the Jews written by Steven Weitzman and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2019-04-02 with total page 408 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The scholarly quest to answer the question of Jewish origins The Jews have one of the longest continuously recorded histories of any people in the world, but what do we actually know about their origins? While many think the answer to this question can be found in the Bible, others look to archaeology or genetics. Some skeptics have even sought to debunk the very idea that the Jews have a common origin. Steven Weitzman takes a learned and lively look at what we know—or think we know—about where the Jews came from, when they arose, and how they came to be. He sheds new light on the assumptions and biases of those seeking answers—and the religious and political agendas that have made finding answers so elusive. Introducing many approaches and theories, The Origin of the Jews brings needed clarity and historical context to this enduring and divisive topic.

Download or read book From Jesus to Christ written by Paula Fredriksen and published by Yale University Press. This book was released on 2008-10-01 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Magisterial. . . . A learned, brilliant and enjoyable study."—Géza Vermès, Times Literary Supplement In this exciting book, Paula Fredriksen explains the variety of New Testament images of Jesus by exploring the ways that the new Christian communities interpreted his mission and message in light of the delay of the Kingdom he had preached. This edition includes an introduction reviews the most recent scholarship on Jesus and its implications for both history and theology. "Brilliant and lucidly written, full of original and fascinating insights."—Reginald H. Fuller, Journal of the American Academy of Religion "This is a first-rate work of a first-rate historian."—James D. Tabor, Journal of Religion "Fredriksen confronts her documents—principally the writings of the New Testament—as an archaeologist would an especially rich complex site. With great care she distinguishes the literary images from historical fact. As she does so, she explains the images of Jesus in terms of the strategies and purposes of the writers Paul, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John."—Thomas D’Evelyn, Christian Science Monitor

Download or read book written by Heinrich Walter Guggenheimer and published by [email protected]. This book was released on 2000 with total page 792 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Prestige of the Pagan Prophet Balaam in Judaism Early Christianity and Islam written by George H. van Kooten and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2008-05-31 with total page 349 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume deals with the pagan prophet Balaam who figures in the book of Numbers. By the very nature of his stature as a non-Israelite, pagan prophet, the figure of Balaam raises important questions with regard to the nature of prophecy and the relation between the Israelite God and the pagan nations. The conflicting stories and potent oracles of Balaam in Numbers 22-24 and other parts of the Jewish Scriptures prompted extensive reflection on this ambiguous figure. Thus the leading perspective developed in this volume is the often simultaneous praise and criticism of Balaam as a prestigious pagan prophet throughout ancient Judaism, early Christianity and the early Koranic commentaries. The papers are clustered in four sections which deal with (1) Balaam in the Old Testament and the Ancient Near East, and comparable figures in Ancient Greece; (2) Balaam in Ancient Judaism; (3) Balaam in the New Testament & Early Christianity; and (4) Balaam in the Koran and early Koranic commentaries. The reception of this enigmatic figure can be characterized as the simultaneous praise and criticism of a pagan prophet. The book is particularly useful as it also contains Émile Puech’s newly reconstructed text, translation and commentary of the first combination of the Deir ‘Alla inscriptions which contain an excerpt of the book of the historical Balaam. Combined with the other papers, the volume pictures a fascinating continuum between paganism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Download or read book Jewish People Jewish Thought written by Robert M. Seltzer and published by Prentice Hall. This book was released on 1980 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This classic survey of the main features of the Jewish historical landscape exposes students to the rich scholarly literature on Jewish history, theology, philosophy, mysticism, and social thought that has been produced in the last century and a half. It shows Judaism as a creative response to ultimate issues of human concern by members of a group that has faced a unique concatenation of political, economic, and geographical circumstances. -- From product description.

Download or read book An Introduction to Early Judaism written by James C. Vanderkam and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2022-01-06 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on the best archaeological research, this volume explores the history of Judaism during the Second Temple period (516 BCE–70 CE), describing the body of Jewish literature written during these centuries and the most important groups, institutions, and practices of the time. Particularly interesting are VanderKam’s depiction of events associated with Masada and, more briefly, the Bar Kokhba revolt—as well as his commentary on texts unearthed in places like Elephantine and Qumran. Now in its second edition, with additional material and updated throughout, this book remains the preeminent guide to early Judaism for anyone looking for a text that is concise and accessible while still comprehensive—and written by one of the foremost experts in the field.

Download or read book When Christians Were Jews written by Paula Fredriksen and published by Yale University Press. This book was released on 2018-10-23 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A compelling account of Christianity’s Jewish beginnings, from one of the world’s leading scholars of ancient religion How did a group of charismatic, apocalyptic Jewish missionaries, working to prepare their world for the impending realization of God's promises to Israel, end up inaugurating a movement that would grow into the gentile church? Committed to Jesus’s prophecy—“The Kingdom of God is at hand!”—they were, in their own eyes, history's last generation. But in history's eyes, they became the first Christians. In this electrifying social and intellectual history, Paula Fredriksen answers this question by reconstructing the life of the earliest Jerusalem community. As her account arcs from this group’s hopeful celebration of Passover with Jesus, through their bitter controversies that fragmented the movement’s midcentury missions, to the city’s fiery end in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, she brings this vibrant apostolic community to life. Fredriksen offers a vivid portrait both of this temple-centered messianic movement and of the bedrock convictions that animated and sustained it.

Download or read book The David Story A Translation with Commentary of 1 and 2 Samuel written by Robert Alter and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2009-10-21 with total page 452 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A masterpiece of contemporary Bible translation and commentary."—Los Angeles Times Book Review, Best Books of 1999 Acclaimed for its masterful new translation and insightful commentary, The David Story is a fresh, vivid rendition of one of the great works in Western literature. Robert Alter's brilliant translation gives us David, the beautiful, musical hero who slays Goliath and, through his struggles with Saul, advances to the kingship of Israel. But this David is also fully human: an ambitious, calculating man who navigates his life's course with a flawed moral vision. The consequences for him, his family, and his nation are tragic and bloody. Historical personage and full-blooded imagining, David is the creation of a literary artist comparable to the Shakespeare of the history plays.

Download or read book Prophets and Prophecy in the Ancient Near East written by Martti Nissinen and published by SBL Press. This book was released on 2019-07-09 with total page 373 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A new, expanded edition of a classic reference tool This volume of more than 170 documents of prophecy from the ancient Near East brings together a representative sample of written documents from Mesopotamia, the Levant, and Egypt dating to the second and first millennia BCE. Nissinen's collection provides nonspecialist readers clear translations, transliterations, and discussions of oracles reports and collections, quotations of prophetic messages in letters and literature, and texts that reference persons with prophetic titles. This second edition includes thirty-four new texts. Features: Modern, idiomatic, and readable English translations Thirty-four new translations Contributions of West Semitic, Egyptian, and Luwian sources from C. L. Seow, Robert K. Ritner, and H. Craig Melchert

Download or read book Isaiah written by Israel Rosenberg and published by Gefen Books. This book was released on 2019 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The topic of "ISAIAH: End Times and Messiah in Judaism" is explained in the book's title. The book uses selected sections of the Hebrew biblical Book of Isaiah as a springboard for explaining Judaism's understanding of the eschatological concepts of the End Times Redemption and the Messiah. I was motivated to write this book because in repeated conversations with American Christian pastors and believers, I found that there was a lack of agreement about even the meaning of the terminology that both Christianity and Judaism share in describing their views of the future. I chose to use the Book of Isaiah as my primary source because Christian tradition, based on understanding of translations of the book into English, makes use of Isaiah as a source for understanding the future Redemption and the coming of the Messiah. Judaism has a long-established and quite different understanding of these concepts. For the past 2,000 years, the Jewish understanding of these sources has been repressed due to the danger of stating things that are not in line with dominant Christian dogma. We now live in an era where such things are no longer taboo, and the Jewish view can be placed on the table for all to see and understand. This is a critical step in helping Christians understand the Jewish sources of their faith"--

Download or read book The Hebrew Prophets and Their Social World written by Victor H. Matthews and published by Baker Academic. This book was released on 2012-10-01 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Victor Matthews, a veteran teacher and expert on the world of ancient Israel, introduces students to the Hebrew prophets and their social world. Drawing on archaeology and ancient Near Eastern texts, Matthews examines the prophets chronologically, placing them and their message into historical context. He explores pertinent aspects of historical geography, economic conditions, and social forces that influenced a prophet's life and message and explains why prophets served an integral purpose in the development of ancient Israelite religion. He also explores how prophets addressed their audience and employed rhetorical methods, images, and metaphors to communicate effectively. Logically organized, clearly written, and classroom friendly, this book meets the needs of beginning as well as advanced students. It is a substantially revised and expanded edition of the successful text Social World of the Hebrew Prophets.

Download or read book The Sibylline Oracles written by Milton S. Terry and published by Jazzybee Verlag. This book was released on 2012 with total page 389 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the extended and annotated edition including * an extensive annotation of almost 10.000 words about the oracles in religion * an interactive table-of-contents * perfect formatting for electronic reading devices THE Sibyls occupy a conspicuous place in the traditions and history of ancient Greece and Rome. Their fame was spread abroad long before the beginning of the Christian era. Heraclitus of Ephesus, five centuries before Christ, compared himself to the Sibyl "who, speaking with inspired mouth, without a smile, without ornament, and without perfume, penetrates through centuries by the power of the gods." The ancient traditions vary in reporting the number and the names of these weird prophetesses, and much of what has been handed down to us is legendary. But whatever opinion one may hold respecting the various legends, there can be little doubt that a collection of Sibylline Oracles was at one time preserved at Rome. There are, moreover, various oracles, purporting to have been written by ancient Sibyls, found in the writings of Pausanias, Plutarch, Livy, and in other Greek and Latin authors. Whether any of these citations formed a portion of the Sibylline books once kept in Rome we cannot now determine; but the Roman capitol was destroyed by fire in the time of Sulla (B. C. 84), and again in the time of Vespasian (A. D. 69), and whatever books were at those dates kept therein doubtless perished in the flames. It is said by some of the ancients that a subsequent collection of oracles was made, but, if so, there is now no certainty that any fragments of them remain.