Customer Reviews

Leviticus As Literature

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This is essential reading for anyone interested on the bible. It is written from an anthropoligical point of view by one of the greatest anthropologists of our era. There is no claim here to biblical scholarship in its narrow sense. But the Book of Leviticus is shown to be much more than a boring list of sacrificial and purity rituals. The detailed poetic and thematic structures are described both as explanations of what the book is about religiously as well as from a literary point of view. This combination is really engaging. Although some of the associations and structures are forced and general rules are derived from single cases, although frankly I think she gets some things wrong, I have not been so stimulated by a book on the bible for a very long time. Even for someone totally familiar with traditional commentaries this will be an exciting read.

One of my great passions is the study of inner meanings of symbols and how they connect to an ancient line of wisdom that tells us all who we are. In particular the connections in myths, chants, and now religions. Mary Douglas's book has opened many new doors that reflect this connection in what I refer to as the ancient line of wisdom or knowledge. Her reflections on the structure of Leviticus reveal important messages of the ancient past that are critical for survival today. I love the book as well as her "In the Wilderness". Aloha nui, Pohaikawahine