The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan (Yale Judaica Series) (Paperback)

~ Judah Goldin (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Hebrew (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 303 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (September 10, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300046979
• ISBN-13: 978-0300046977
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #340,708 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, October 7, 2008

By	K. D. Kelly (Johnstown, PA) - See all my reviews

As usual, I come at this text as a Lutheran pastor, and a fan of all things Jewish. It is in my estimation impossible to understand the Old Testament--for those who may still believe in it--without the aid of rabbis, no matter what your own denomination. I might also add that Christianity didn't just fall from the sky, it originates in Judaism; Christ was a Jew, as was Paul, patron saint of Lutheranism. My shelves are littered with Jewish works and the reason for that is that there is a depth of knowledge of scriptures in general contained in their works that one doesn't usually see in main line Protestant commentaries. Jewish works, the JPS Series for example, is not afraid to engage the text and allow the text to speak for itself. The rabbis in this particular work do the same; in fact they do what we claim to do: allow scripture to interpret scripture. There's a freshness to this work that I think comes from the zeal with which the fathers approach the texts. The same may also be said of the patristic fathers; both sets of fathers approached scripture not as a set of propositions to be declared, but rather as a life to be lived. If you find yourself preaching each week, then a text like this is good, if for no other reason, than it forces you to re-read portions of scripture simply to see if the midrash makes sense. I think that in doing so you develop the ability to read scripture closer, you begin to make the distinction between scripture and tradition, and you begin to accept the Old Testament as a part of the totality of scripture, rather than a historical oddity castrated by the New Testament and St. Paul. Finally, reading a work like this opens up the possibility that there may in fact be more than one interpretation of scripture--an idea that is sinking sand for a Lutheran, but shouldn't be.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More wisdom , November 3, 2004

By	Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

The Avot of Rabbi Nathan is a Jewish wisdom book that contains many profound insights into human life. The study of it should be done in relation to the more well- known and more important Pirke Avot to which it is in a sense a supplement.