An invitation to all--regardless of religious background--to engage the Bible, grapple with its language, unlock its mysteries, and understand its relevance in our own time. Reading the Book is the model for Bill Moyers's forthcoming 10-part PBS series, Genesis: A Living Conversation, to be aired in the fall of 1996.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In this highly accessible and entertaining book, Visotzky, professor of midrash and interreligious studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary, takes readers into the world of the midrash, the rabbinic commentary on the Torah which ultimately became so complex that it was said it would make Moses dizzy. After showing that one of the major sources of the Bible's vitality has been the ongoing and ever-changing debate as to how it is to be interpreted, he examines the hermeneutic of the rabbis and the literature it produced, showing that they were critical readers incapable of fundamentalism in interpretation. He then focuses on the biblical text and the midrash themselves, looking at stories concerning Abraham, Jacob, Moses and others. Particularly effective are the chapters dealing with the binding of Isaac by Abraham and sibling rivalry in the stories of Moses and his brother (Aaron), sister (Miriam) and nephews (Nadav and Avihu). The book is lively with examples drawn from popular culture, such as how we interpret headlines in supermarket tabloids, and references to the work of movie directors like Akira Kurosawa and Pedro Almodovar.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
This book is designed to provide an "introduction to the meaningful reading of Scripture," and is aimed at all readers, "regardless of religious background." To achieve this purpose, Visotzky, a rabbi and associate dean of the graduate school of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, provides numerous examples of rabbinic methods of interpreting biblical texts. He suggests that those methods can be used profitably by readers who wish to get more from their Bible reading. He also describes two conditions essential to the worthwhile reading of scriptures: reading with a "community" (one or more additional persons) and reading with an open mind. Approaching this book with an open mind is important, for some readers may feel that Visotzky takes liberties in interpreting the text at hand. Nonetheless, liberal-thinking readers will find this interesting and witty. For larger biblical studies collections.
- Joanna M. Thomp son, Bluefield State Coll., W.Va.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Joanna M. Thomp son, Bluefield State Coll., W.Va.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An intelligent guide for thinking readers,
By A Customer
This review is from: Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text (Paperback)
This is one of the best books on The Bible that I've ever read. It is thought-provoking, insightful, and wonderfully human and humorous. I read it after seeing the author on Bill Moyer's Genesis series. This book is not just for Jewish readers; I think anyone who enjoys reading and thinking will find it delightful. It will spur even skeptics like me to a reading and appreciation of the ancient writings in The Bible.
1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A great help!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text (Paperback)
This book is a great help for one interested in learning about biblical exegisis. No teacher should be without it.
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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Oral Torah, Rabbi Hoshaya, Rabbi Shimeon, Ten Commandments, Rabbi Shmuel, Rabbi Meir, Golden Calf, Rabbi Aqiba, Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Joshua, Rabbi Elazar, Master of the Universe, Roman Empire, Rabbi Yermiah, Rabbi Simon, Church Fathers, Babylonian Talmud, Mount Sinai, Book of Genesis, God's Presence, Common Era, Rav Yehuda, New Testament, Red Sea, Jerusalem Temple Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
rabbinic community Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Oral Torah, Rabbi Hoshaya, Rabbi Shimeon, Ten Commandments, Rabbi Shmuel, Rabbi Meir, Golden Calf, Rabbi Aqiba, Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Joshua, Rabbi Elazar, Master of the Universe, Roman Empire, Rabbi Yermiah, Rabbi Simon, Church Fathers, Babylonian Talmud, Mount Sinai, Book of Genesis, God's Presence, Common Era, Rav Yehuda, New Testament, Red Sea, Jerusalem Temple Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
14
books
cite this book:
See all 14 books citing this book
- Israel and Its Bible: A Political Analysis (Garland Reference Library of Social Science) by Ira Sharkansky on 5 pages
- Genesis: A Living Conversation (Pbs Series) by Bill Moyers in Front Matter (1), Front Matter (2), and Back Matter
- From Mesopotamia To Modernity: Ten Introductions To Jewish History And Literature by Burton Visotzky on page 102, and Back Matter
- Has God Only One Blessing?: Judaism as a Source of Christian Self-Understanding (Contraversions Jews and Other Differences) by Mary C. Boys in Back Matter
- When Religion Becomes Evil: Five Warning Signs by Charles Kimball on page 221
See all 14 books citing this book
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