Unusual Bible Interpretations: Five Books of Moses
Autor Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazinen Limba Engleză Hardback – 15 dec 2014
He discusses over one hundred different subjects, covering history, philosophy, and practical information people should know, including thought-provoking questions like:
• Are all biblical laws rational?
• Did pagan practices influence biblical laws?
• Does God become angry?
• When did Judaism accept the idea of conversion?
• Are there errors in Scripture?
• Must religious people sacrifice themselves totally to God and not question God’s will?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Israel Drazin served for thirty-one years in the US military and attained the rank of Brigadier General. He has two Masters, in both psychology and Hebrew literature, a PhD in Judaic Studies, and is an attorney and a rabbi. He developed the legal strategy that saved the military chaplaincy when its constitutionality was attacked in court, and he received the Legion of Merit for his service. Dr. Drazin is the author of twenty-five books, including a series of five volumes on the Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible, which he co-authored with Dr. Stanley M. Wagner, and a series of three books on the twelfth-century philosopher Moses Maimonides, the latest being Maimonides: Reason Above All, published by Gefen Publishing House. His website is www.booksnthoughts.com.
| Toate formatele și edițiile | Preț | Express |
|---|---|---|
| Hardback (5) | 165.88 lei 3-5 săpt. | |
| Gefen Publishing House – 21 iul 2016 | 165.88 lei 3-5 săpt. | |
| Gefen Publishing House – oct 2015 | 167.37 lei 3-5 săpt. | |
| Gefen Publishing House – 2017 | 167.48 lei 3-5 săpt. | |
| Gefen Publishing House – 15 mar 2015 | 168.08 lei 3-5 săpt. | |
| Gefen Publishing House – 15 dec 2014 | 169.13 lei 3-5 săpt. |
Preț: 169.13 lei
Preț vechi: 204.45 lei
-17%
Puncte Express: 254
Preț estimativ în valută:
29.94€ • 34.77$ • 25.94£
29.94€ • 34.77$ • 25.94£
Carte disponibilă
Livrare economică 10-24 februarie
Preluare comenzi: 021 569.72.76
Specificații
ISBN-13: 9789652297082
ISBN-10: 9652297089
Pagini: 200
Dimensiuni: 150 x 218 x 25 mm
Greutate: 0.59 kg
Editura: Gefen Publishing House
Colecția Gefen Publishing House
Locul publicării:Jerusalem, Israel
ISBN-10: 9652297089
Pagini: 200
Dimensiuni: 150 x 218 x 25 mm
Greutate: 0.59 kg
Editura: Gefen Publishing House
Colecția Gefen Publishing House
Locul publicării:Jerusalem, Israel
V-ar putea interesa
-
The Kabbalistic TraditionAlan Unterman-20%Preț: 71.87 lei89.70 lei -
Preț: 366.93 lei -
The Tabloid BibleNick PagePreț: 136.47 lei -
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth EditionGordon D. FeePreț: 122.75 lei -
Beyond BeliefElaine PagelsPreț: 90.93 lei -
The Rhetorical Function of the Book of EzekielThomas Renz-11%Preț: 546.64 lei614.21 lei -
Who on Earth is God?: Making Sense of God in the BibleNeil Richardson-23%Preț: 171.00 lei222.95 lei -
New Testament TheologyThomas R Schreiner-19%Preț: 413.48 lei510.47 lei -
Reading the Women of the Bible: A New Interpretation of Their StoriesTikva Frymer-KenskyPreț: 107.00 lei -
Biblical Interpretation: Past & PresentGerald L BrayPreț: 362.70 lei -
Against the FlowJohn C. LennoxPreț: 126.00 lei -
Dust and GloryDavid RuncornPreț: 76.04 lei -
The Gospel of Thomas and Christian WisdomStevan L. DaviesPreț: 138.11 lei -
JudaismLavinia Cohn-SherbokPreț: 75.09 lei -
Unlocking the Torah Text SETShmuel Goldin-9%Preț: 858.55 lei943.47 lei -
Judaism Alive: Using the Torah to Unlock Your Life's PotentialRabbi Shlomo EinhornPreț: 94.82 lei -
-14%Preț: 212.58 lei246.39 lei -
Preț: 212.99 lei -
A Bit of Wit, A World of WisdomYehoshua Kurland-13%Preț: 126.73 lei145.38 lei -
Renewal: Inspirational Lessons of Rosh HashanahRabbi Shmuel Herzfeld-12%Preț: 77.10 lei87.87 lei -
Lion Cub of Prague: 3-Volume SetDr Moshe David Kuhr-18%Preț: 373.86 lei457.01 lei
Cuprins
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction iii
GENESIS 3
Chapter 1 3
Bereishit 3
Genesis 1:1–6:22 3
Obscurities, Ambiguities, Women, and Snakes 3
Must people believe the earth was created from nothing, called creatio ex nihilo? 3
What does the tale of the Garden of Eden tell us? 3
Disparaging statements about women 3
Snakes eating dust 3
Chapter 2 3
Noach 3
Genesis 7:1–11:32 3
Noah, Lot, Abraham, and Names 3
Vegetarians vs. Carnivores 3
Various versions of the flood 3
Is human nature evil? 3
Who did Noah curse? 3
Why are names reported differently? 3
Does God occasionally come down from heaven? 3
Why does the Bible tell us about Lot? 3
Why do we need to know when Abraham's father died? 3
Why does the Bible explain names? 3
Chapter 3 3
Lech Lekha 3
Genesis 12:1–17:27 3
Curious Ideas about Abraham 3
Even the patriarchs were humans 3
The purpose of ancient altars 3
What is the significance of walking on land? 3
What is the purpose of chapter 14? 3
The unusual levirate law 3
Dots in the Bible 3
Chapter 4 3
Vayera 3
Genesis 18:1–22:24 3
More Unusual Ideas about Abraham 3
Comparing one biblical tale with another 3
Why did Abraham get up early? 3
Does 22:13 have a scribal error? 3
Conversions 3
Chapter 5 3
Chayei Sarah 3
Genesis 23:1–25:18 3
Naming Biblical Cities and Aging 3
The Bible's handling of names of cities 3
A Midrash on aging 3
Chapter 6 3
Toldot 3
Genesis 25:19–28:9 3
Women and a Midrash 3
Women in the Bible 3
Another Midrash 3
Chapter 7 3
Va'yeizei 3
Genesis 28:10–32:3 3
Vows, Polygamy, and Magic 3
Jacob's vow 3
Does the Torah reflect a view of favoring men having many wives? 3
What does the phrase "bear upon knees" imply? 3
Does the Torah reflect a belief in magic? 3
Chapter 8 3
Vayishlach 3
Genesis 32:4–36:43 3
Angels, Swearing, Wrestling, Holidays, Rape, Idol Worship, Heaven, and Hell 3
Angels and demons 3
How did the ancients swear? 3
Jacob wrestling with an angel 3
The first holiday 3
The tale of Dinah's rape 3
Forgetting a promise 3
Idol worship in Jacob's family 3
Heaven and Hell 3
When was the Torah written? 3
Chapter 9 3
Vayeishev 3
Genesis 37:1–40:23 3
Joseph, Order of Biblical Narratives, Conflicting Narratives, Judah 3
Joseph 3
The order of biblical narratives 3
Jacob's reaction to the report that Joseph was killed 3
More than one version of a story in Scripture 3
The tale of Judah 3
Was Joseph really righteous? 3
Chapter 10 3
Mikeitz 3
Genesis 41:1–44:17 3
How to Interpret Biblical Narratives, Dreams, Conversion in the Bible, Joseph’s Behavior… 3
Egyptian wise men 3
Halakha vs. narratives 3
Joseph’s vs. Pharaoh’s dreams 3
Conversion in the Bible 3
Joseph’s Egyptian name 3
Joseph’s reaction to his brothers 3
Two stories? 3
Are the details told backward? 3
Patriarchs showing favoritism 3
Chapter 11 3
Vayigash 3
Genesis 44:18–47:27 3
Joseph, Dreams vs. Prophecy, Biblical Chronology and Counts, Spacing in the Bible, Masorites 3
Joseph revealing his identity 3
Did Joseph repeat his father’s mistake? 3
Dreams vs. prophecy 3
Joseph closing Jacob’s eyes 3
Biblical chronology 3
Biblical counts 3
Spacing in the Bible 3
Chapter 12 3
Vayechi 3
Genesis 47:28–50:26 3
Burial in Israel, Bowing, More Favoritism, Jacob’s Final Words, a Strange Biblical Verse, and Shiloh 3
Burial in Israel 3
Why did he bow? 3
Why did Jacob make Joseph’s sons tribal leaders? 3
What did Jacob intend with his last words? 3
Midrashim that Jacob studied Torah and did not age 3
Why are second sons preferred? 3
A strange biblical verse 3
What is Shiloh? 3
An unusual biblical word 3
Past or future 3
Nice to you when they need you 3
Was Joseph placed in a coffin? 3
EXODUS 3
Chapter 13 3
Shemot 3
Exodus 1:1–6:2 3
Biblical Language and Style, and Why Some People Acted as They Did 3
The message of a single letter 3
Why were Joseph’s deeds forgotten 3
More hyperbole 3
Singular and plural 3
Midrashim 3
A cursory reading is unreasonable here 3
Moses’s name 3
Anachronism? 3
God’s essence and name 3
Borrowing from Egyptians 3
Circumcising with flint 3
Chapter 14 3
Va’eira 3
Exodus 6:2–10:1 3
God’s Names and More on Biblical Writing Styles 3
God’s names 3
Metaphoric speech 3
A superfluous letter? 3
Singular and plural 3
The meaning of a word 3
Another metaphor 3
Magic 3
Disparaging biblical terms 3
Chapter 15 3
Bo 3
Exodus 10:1–13:16 3
Biblical Terminology, Hyperbole, and Memory 3
The meaning of biblical terms 3
More hyperbole 3
Borrowing from Egyptians 3
Was Aaron communicating with God? 3
Why roast and not boil? 3
Remembering the exodus 3
Chapter 16 3
Beshalach 3
Exodus 13:17–17:16 3
How to Read Midrashim, the Implication of a Midrash that Seems to Teach that the Majority is Usually Wrong, and Not All Torah Laws are Ideal 3
Midrashim do not tell true facts 3
Non-midrashic explanations 3
Chapter 17 3
Yitro 3
Exodus 18:1–20:23 3
Obscurities and Biblical Laws 3
Obscurities 3
Ten Commandments 3
Conflicting laws 3
Chapter 18 3
Mishpatim 3
Exodus 21:1–24:18 3
Many Biblical Laws Are Outdated and Were Changed 3
Chapter 19 3
Terumah 3
Exodus 25:1–27:19 3
Two Highly Controversial Bible Interpretations 3
Did the Mishkan exist during the post-Moses eras until the time of King Josiah? 3
The ark 3
Chapter 20 3
Tetzaveh 3
Exodus 27:20–30:10 3
Were the Ancient Israelites Superstitious, and Were Parts of the Bible Composed Long After Moses’s Death? 3
Ehrlich’s view is that the ancient Jews were superstitious 3
Date of the Torah 3
Chapter 21 3
Ki Tisa 3
Exodus 30:11–34:35 3
Why did Moses Smash the Tablets? 3
Chapter 22 3
Vayak’heil 3
Exodus 35:1–38:20 3
The Sabbath Prohibition against Fire 3
Chapter 23 3
Pekudei 3
Exodus 38:21–40:38 3
The Cherubim 3
LEVITICUS 3
Chapter 24 3
Vayikra 3
Leviticus 1:1–5:26 3
Miscellaneous Unusual Interpretations 3
Ehrlich: 3
Ehrlich: 3
Bechor Schor: 3
Ibn Ezra: 3
Ehrlich: 3
Chapter 25 3
Tzav 3
Leviticus 6:1–8:36 3
Unusual Ideas about Sacrifices 3
Why did the Torah require that the fire of the sacrifice burn on the altar all night (6:2)? 3
Leviticus 6:3 states that priests should put their linen pants on their flesh 3
Why does 6:10 prohibit leavened bread on the altar? 3
Why does the Torah forbid eating certain fats and blood (3:17 and 7:25, 26)? 3
Chapter 26 3
Shemini 3
Leviticus 9:1–11:47 3
The Significance of Numbers, Sacrifices, and Defilement 3
The numbers seven, three, and eight 3
Why did Aaron the priest offer a sacrifice? 3
The smell of the sacrifices 3
Why didn’t the tabernacle become ritually unclean (tamei, also translated "impure") when Aaron’s two sons died in it? 3
Chapter 27 3
Tazrea 3
Leviticus 12:1–13:59 3
Unclear Biblical Pronouncements 3
The word tazria in Leviticus 12:2 is a good example 3
The Karaite sect of Judaism 3
Different treatment of men and women 3
Chapter 28 3
Metzora 3
Leviticus 14:1–15:33 3
What Is the Metzora? 3
Why was it treated by priests? 3
The number seven appears frequently in respect to the metzora 3
Chapter 29 3
Acharei Mot 3
Leviticus 16:1–18:30 3
Killing Innocents, Yom Hakippurim, the Scapegoat, and Eating Meat 3
Does God kill people for minor mistakes as well as innocent people who are nearby? 3
The Scapegoat 3
Yom Hakippurim 3
Is eating meat permitted? 3
Chapter 30 3
Kedoshim 3
Leviticus 19:1–20:27 3
What Is Holy? 3
Chapter 31 3
Emor 3
Leviticus 21:1–24:23 3
The Soul and Being Impure 3
"Nefesh" does not mean "soul" 3
The unusual biblical rule of being unclean 3
Chapter 32 3
Behar 3
Leviticus 25:1–26:2 3
Explaining Biblical Commands 3
Why did God issue each command? 3
Chapter 33 3
Bechukotai 3
Leviticus 26:3–27:34 3
The Main Curse 3
NUMBERS 3
Chapter 34 3
Bemidbar 3
Numbers 1:1–4:20 3
Problems with Traditions 3
Why were the Levites selected to serve in the tabernacle in place of firstborn Israelites (3:41)? 3
Dots over biblical letters 3
Chapter 35 3
Naso 3
Numbers 4:21–7:89 3
A Mistake in the Midrash? 3
Rashi’s grandson did not accept his grandfather’s methodology 3
Chapter 36 3
Beha’alotecha 3
Numbers 8:1–12:16 3
Surprising Interpretations in Midrash Sifrei, Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds, Rashi, and Arnold Ehrlich 3
Chapter 37 3
Shelach 3
Numbers 13:11–15:41 3
How to Interpret the Torah 3
Seemingly contradictory biblical texts 3
Is God involved in human affairs? 3
Why does the Bible change people’s names? 3
Were the Israelites enslaved in Egypt? 3
The oral law 3
Chapter 38 3
Korach 3
Numbers 16:1–18:32 3
Organization of the Torah and God’s Presence 3
Is the Bible chronological? 3
Where is God? 3
The lesson of "a covenant of salt" – Midrash? 3
Chapter 39 3
Chukat 3
Numbers 19:1–22:1 3
Are Biblical Laws Rational, Is Original Sin a Jewish Concept, Did Pagan Practices Influence Torah Laws, Are There Obscurities in the Torah? 3
Is a chok a biblical law that has no reasonable basis? 3
Is Nachmanides’ interpretation Christian? 3
Did Israelites copy some pagan laws regarding the sex of sacrifices? 3
We don’t know why Moses was punished 3
A strange tale of Pharisees 3
Chapter 40 3
Balak 3
Numbers 22:2–25:9 3
The Names of Biblical Portions, Who Was Balaam, the Miracle of the Speaking Ass, What Is Baal Peor? 3
Why did God name a biblical portion after the evil King Balak? 3
Who was Balaam? 3
Why is Bil’am’s name spelt Balaam? 3
Why did Balak bring Balaam to see the Israelites in order to curse them? 3
Why did God first tell Balaam not to go to curse the Israelites and then told him to go? 3
What was the miracle of the ass speaking? 3
Sages say that Balaam’s speaking ass was a miracle prepared as a final act of creation. What are they teaching? 3
Is Balaam belittling his skills when he praises Israel in 23:23: "There is no enchantment with Jacob or divination in Israel"? 3
Why is ma tovu read at the start of synagogue services? 3
What was the worship of Baal Peor (25:3)? 3
Does God become angry? 3
Chapter 41 3
Pinchas 3
Numbers 26:10–30:1 3
Are There Errors in the Torah? 3
Bible critics 3
Chapter divisions 3
Mistake in the Torah text? 3
A verse cut in two 3
Contradictory verses? 3
It never happened 3
My story about mistakes in Scripture 3
How should people understand strange midrashic tales? 3
The Mystery of Missing Words 3
Chapter 42 3
Matot 3
Numbers 30:2–32:42 3
How the Bible is Divided and Discrimination 3
Where do we start? 3
The laws of vows are discriminatory 3
Is the battle with Midian only a legend? 3
Can Israelites marry non-Israelites? 3
Why did the Israelites need to make atonement? 3
Chapter 43 3
Masei 3
Numbers 33:1–36:13 3
Answers That Will Not Satisfy All Readers 3
Inconsistent names and numbers 3
Settling in Canaan 3
Levitical cities 3
Cities of refuge 3
The saga of Zelophehad’s daughters 3
DEUTERONOMY 3
Chapter 44 3
Devarim 3
Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22 3
The Oral Torah 3
The first "Oral Torah" 3
Corrupted names of books 3
More on Medrish 3
The paradigm Midrash 3
Contradictions? 3
Material in Deuteronomy that is post-Moses 3
Hyperbole 3
Chapter 45 3
Va’etchanan 3
Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11 3
Nuances, Deeper Significances, Lessons Lost in Translations, and Verses That Say Something Rabbis Rejected 3
Unusual word 3
Lord y-h-v-h 3
Many gods in heaven? 3
Ten commandments? 3
Anochi 3
Ger 3
This mountain and Lebanon 3
What is God saying? 3
Another example 3
Chapter 46 3
Ekev 3
Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25 3
Some Apparent Contradictions between Deuteronomy and the Prior Biblical Books 3
Finger of God 3
More contradictions? What was done with golden calf dust? 3
When were the Levites given a tabernacle function? 3
Where did the Israelites travel? 3
Chapter 47 3
Re’eih 3
Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17 3
Are the Masorites Always Right, and Does the Torah Prefer Vegetarians? 3
Metaphors, Maimonides, and action 3
A verse that caused disagreements 3
Does the Torah prefer people to be vegetarians? 3
Chapter 48 3
Shoftim 3
Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9 3
Obscure and Ambiguous Texts, Unnecessary Biblical Words, God’s View of Non-Israelites, and Who Should Guide Us 3
Obscurities and ambiguities 3
Does God dislike statues? 3
Unnecessary words? 3
Why mention “man or woman” three times? 3
Why mention justice twice? 3
Two or three witnesses? 3
Should we be guided by decisions rendered by now-dead judges? 3
Are monarchy regulations in chapter 17 ambiguous? 3
Chapter 49 3
Ki Teizei 3
Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19 3
Judaism Today Is Not Torah Judaism but Rabbinic Judaism 3
The stubborn and rebellious son 3
Chapter 50 3
Ki Tavo 3
Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8 3
Nachmanides and the Sanctity of the Land of Israel 3
Chapter 51 3
Nitzavim 3
Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20 3
Nachmanides on Curses and Magic 3
Idolatry, magic,and divination 3
Astrology 3
Bible predicts future events 3
Chapter 52 3
Vayeilech 3
Deuteronomy 31:1–31:30 3
Biblical Contradictions, Shemitah, and Afterlife 3
Contradictions? 3
The Shemitah year 3
Biblical proof of life after death 3
Chapter 53 3
Haazinu 3
Deuteronomy 32:1–32:52 3
Poems and Demons 3
Poetry 3
“Name” does not always mean the word by which a person is called 3
Is emuna “faith”? 3
Demons 3
Chapter 54 3
Vezot Haberakha 3
Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12 3
Speculations about Moses’s Death 3
How could Moses write about his death and burial? 3
Why does the Midrash say that Moses cried when he was informed that he was about to die? 3
Who buried Moses? 3
Why was Moses’s burial place kept secret? 3
Did God kiss Moses? 3
Didn’t God tell Moses at the onset of his mission or at least imply that he would lead the Israelites into Canaan; why wasn’t this prophecy fulfilled? Error! Bookmark not defined.
Index 3
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 3
Introduction iii
GENESIS 3
Chapter 1 3
Bereishit 3
Genesis 1:1–6:22 3
Obscurities, Ambiguities, Women, and Snakes 3
Must people believe the earth was created from nothing, called creatio ex nihilo? 3
What does the tale of the Garden of Eden tell us? 3
Disparaging statements about women 3
Snakes eating dust 3
Chapter 2 3
Noach 3
Genesis 7:1–11:32 3
Noah, Lot, Abraham, and Names 3
Vegetarians vs. Carnivores 3
Various versions of the flood 3
Is human nature evil? 3
Who did Noah curse? 3
Why are names reported differently? 3
Does God occasionally come down from heaven? 3
Why does the Bible tell us about Lot? 3
Why do we need to know when Abraham's father died? 3
Why does the Bible explain names? 3
Chapter 3 3
Lech Lekha 3
Genesis 12:1–17:27 3
Curious Ideas about Abraham 3
Even the patriarchs were humans 3
The purpose of ancient altars 3
What is the significance of walking on land? 3
What is the purpose of chapter 14? 3
The unusual levirate law 3
Dots in the Bible 3
Chapter 4 3
Vayera 3
Genesis 18:1–22:24 3
More Unusual Ideas about Abraham 3
Comparing one biblical tale with another 3
Why did Abraham get up early? 3
Does 22:13 have a scribal error? 3
Conversions 3
Chapter 5 3
Chayei Sarah 3
Genesis 23:1–25:18 3
Naming Biblical Cities and Aging 3
The Bible's handling of names of cities 3
A Midrash on aging 3
Chapter 6 3
Toldot 3
Genesis 25:19–28:9 3
Women and a Midrash 3
Women in the Bible 3
Another Midrash 3
Chapter 7 3
Va'yeizei 3
Genesis 28:10–32:3 3
Vows, Polygamy, and Magic 3
Jacob's vow 3
Does the Torah reflect a view of favoring men having many wives? 3
What does the phrase "bear upon knees" imply? 3
Does the Torah reflect a belief in magic? 3
Chapter 8 3
Vayishlach 3
Genesis 32:4–36:43 3
Angels, Swearing, Wrestling, Holidays, Rape, Idol Worship, Heaven, and Hell 3
Angels and demons 3
How did the ancients swear? 3
Jacob wrestling with an angel 3
The first holiday 3
The tale of Dinah's rape 3
Forgetting a promise 3
Idol worship in Jacob's family 3
Heaven and Hell 3
When was the Torah written? 3
Chapter 9 3
Vayeishev 3
Genesis 37:1–40:23 3
Joseph, Order of Biblical Narratives, Conflicting Narratives, Judah 3
Joseph 3
The order of biblical narratives 3
Jacob's reaction to the report that Joseph was killed 3
More than one version of a story in Scripture 3
The tale of Judah 3
Was Joseph really righteous? 3
Chapter 10 3
Mikeitz 3
Genesis 41:1–44:17 3
How to Interpret Biblical Narratives, Dreams, Conversion in the Bible, Joseph’s Behavior… 3
Egyptian wise men 3
Halakha vs. narratives 3
Joseph’s vs. Pharaoh’s dreams 3
Conversion in the Bible 3
Joseph’s Egyptian name 3
Joseph’s reaction to his brothers 3
Two stories? 3
Are the details told backward? 3
Patriarchs showing favoritism 3
Chapter 11 3
Vayigash 3
Genesis 44:18–47:27 3
Joseph, Dreams vs. Prophecy, Biblical Chronology and Counts, Spacing in the Bible, Masorites 3
Joseph revealing his identity 3
Did Joseph repeat his father’s mistake? 3
Dreams vs. prophecy 3
Joseph closing Jacob’s eyes 3
Biblical chronology 3
Biblical counts 3
Spacing in the Bible 3
Chapter 12 3
Vayechi 3
Genesis 47:28–50:26 3
Burial in Israel, Bowing, More Favoritism, Jacob’s Final Words, a Strange Biblical Verse, and Shiloh 3
Burial in Israel 3
Why did he bow? 3
Why did Jacob make Joseph’s sons tribal leaders? 3
What did Jacob intend with his last words? 3
Midrashim that Jacob studied Torah and did not age 3
Why are second sons preferred? 3
A strange biblical verse 3
What is Shiloh? 3
An unusual biblical word 3
Past or future 3
Nice to you when they need you 3
Was Joseph placed in a coffin? 3
EXODUS 3
Chapter 13 3
Shemot 3
Exodus 1:1–6:2 3
Biblical Language and Style, and Why Some People Acted as They Did 3
The message of a single letter 3
Why were Joseph’s deeds forgotten 3
More hyperbole 3
Singular and plural 3
Midrashim 3
A cursory reading is unreasonable here 3
Moses’s name 3
Anachronism? 3
God’s essence and name 3
Borrowing from Egyptians 3
Circumcising with flint 3
Chapter 14 3
Va’eira 3
Exodus 6:2–10:1 3
God’s Names and More on Biblical Writing Styles 3
God’s names 3
Metaphoric speech 3
A superfluous letter? 3
Singular and plural 3
The meaning of a word 3
Another metaphor 3
Magic 3
Disparaging biblical terms 3
Chapter 15 3
Bo 3
Exodus 10:1–13:16 3
Biblical Terminology, Hyperbole, and Memory 3
The meaning of biblical terms 3
More hyperbole 3
Borrowing from Egyptians 3
Was Aaron communicating with God? 3
Why roast and not boil? 3
Remembering the exodus 3
Chapter 16 3
Beshalach 3
Exodus 13:17–17:16 3
How to Read Midrashim, the Implication of a Midrash that Seems to Teach that the Majority is Usually Wrong, and Not All Torah Laws are Ideal 3
Midrashim do not tell true facts 3
Non-midrashic explanations 3
Chapter 17 3
Yitro 3
Exodus 18:1–20:23 3
Obscurities and Biblical Laws 3
Obscurities 3
Ten Commandments 3
Conflicting laws 3
Chapter 18 3
Mishpatim 3
Exodus 21:1–24:18 3
Many Biblical Laws Are Outdated and Were Changed 3
Chapter 19 3
Terumah 3
Exodus 25:1–27:19 3
Two Highly Controversial Bible Interpretations 3
Did the Mishkan exist during the post-Moses eras until the time of King Josiah? 3
The ark 3
Chapter 20 3
Tetzaveh 3
Exodus 27:20–30:10 3
Were the Ancient Israelites Superstitious, and Were Parts of the Bible Composed Long After Moses’s Death? 3
Ehrlich’s view is that the ancient Jews were superstitious 3
Date of the Torah 3
Chapter 21 3
Ki Tisa 3
Exodus 30:11–34:35 3
Why did Moses Smash the Tablets? 3
Chapter 22 3
Vayak’heil 3
Exodus 35:1–38:20 3
The Sabbath Prohibition against Fire 3
Chapter 23 3
Pekudei 3
Exodus 38:21–40:38 3
The Cherubim 3
LEVITICUS 3
Chapter 24 3
Vayikra 3
Leviticus 1:1–5:26 3
Miscellaneous Unusual Interpretations 3
Ehrlich: 3
Ehrlich: 3
Bechor Schor: 3
Ibn Ezra: 3
Ehrlich: 3
Chapter 25 3
Tzav 3
Leviticus 6:1–8:36 3
Unusual Ideas about Sacrifices 3
Why did the Torah require that the fire of the sacrifice burn on the altar all night (6:2)? 3
Leviticus 6:3 states that priests should put their linen pants on their flesh 3
Why does 6:10 prohibit leavened bread on the altar? 3
Why does the Torah forbid eating certain fats and blood (3:17 and 7:25, 26)? 3
Chapter 26 3
Shemini 3
Leviticus 9:1–11:47 3
The Significance of Numbers, Sacrifices, and Defilement 3
The numbers seven, three, and eight 3
Why did Aaron the priest offer a sacrifice? 3
The smell of the sacrifices 3
Why didn’t the tabernacle become ritually unclean (tamei, also translated "impure") when Aaron’s two sons died in it? 3
Chapter 27 3
Tazrea 3
Leviticus 12:1–13:59 3
Unclear Biblical Pronouncements 3
The word tazria in Leviticus 12:2 is a good example 3
The Karaite sect of Judaism 3
Different treatment of men and women 3
Chapter 28 3
Metzora 3
Leviticus 14:1–15:33 3
What Is the Metzora? 3
Why was it treated by priests? 3
The number seven appears frequently in respect to the metzora 3
Chapter 29 3
Acharei Mot 3
Leviticus 16:1–18:30 3
Killing Innocents, Yom Hakippurim, the Scapegoat, and Eating Meat 3
Does God kill people for minor mistakes as well as innocent people who are nearby? 3
The Scapegoat 3
Yom Hakippurim 3
Is eating meat permitted? 3
Chapter 30 3
Kedoshim 3
Leviticus 19:1–20:27 3
What Is Holy? 3
Chapter 31 3
Emor 3
Leviticus 21:1–24:23 3
The Soul and Being Impure 3
"Nefesh" does not mean "soul" 3
The unusual biblical rule of being unclean 3
Chapter 32 3
Behar 3
Leviticus 25:1–26:2 3
Explaining Biblical Commands 3
Why did God issue each command? 3
Chapter 33 3
Bechukotai 3
Leviticus 26:3–27:34 3
The Main Curse 3
NUMBERS 3
Chapter 34 3
Bemidbar 3
Numbers 1:1–4:20 3
Problems with Traditions 3
Why were the Levites selected to serve in the tabernacle in place of firstborn Israelites (3:41)? 3
Dots over biblical letters 3
Chapter 35 3
Naso 3
Numbers 4:21–7:89 3
A Mistake in the Midrash? 3
Rashi’s grandson did not accept his grandfather’s methodology 3
Chapter 36 3
Beha’alotecha 3
Numbers 8:1–12:16 3
Surprising Interpretations in Midrash Sifrei, Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds, Rashi, and Arnold Ehrlich 3
Chapter 37 3
Shelach 3
Numbers 13:11–15:41 3
How to Interpret the Torah 3
Seemingly contradictory biblical texts 3
Is God involved in human affairs? 3
Why does the Bible change people’s names? 3
Were the Israelites enslaved in Egypt? 3
The oral law 3
Chapter 38 3
Korach 3
Numbers 16:1–18:32 3
Organization of the Torah and God’s Presence 3
Is the Bible chronological? 3
Where is God? 3
The lesson of "a covenant of salt" – Midrash? 3
Chapter 39 3
Chukat 3
Numbers 19:1–22:1 3
Are Biblical Laws Rational, Is Original Sin a Jewish Concept, Did Pagan Practices Influence Torah Laws, Are There Obscurities in the Torah? 3
Is a chok a biblical law that has no reasonable basis? 3
Is Nachmanides’ interpretation Christian? 3
Did Israelites copy some pagan laws regarding the sex of sacrifices? 3
We don’t know why Moses was punished 3
A strange tale of Pharisees 3
Chapter 40 3
Balak 3
Numbers 22:2–25:9 3
The Names of Biblical Portions, Who Was Balaam, the Miracle of the Speaking Ass, What Is Baal Peor? 3
Why did God name a biblical portion after the evil King Balak? 3
Who was Balaam? 3
Why is Bil’am’s name spelt Balaam? 3
Why did Balak bring Balaam to see the Israelites in order to curse them? 3
Why did God first tell Balaam not to go to curse the Israelites and then told him to go? 3
What was the miracle of the ass speaking? 3
Sages say that Balaam’s speaking ass was a miracle prepared as a final act of creation. What are they teaching? 3
Is Balaam belittling his skills when he praises Israel in 23:23: "There is no enchantment with Jacob or divination in Israel"? 3
Why is ma tovu read at the start of synagogue services? 3
What was the worship of Baal Peor (25:3)? 3
Does God become angry? 3
Chapter 41 3
Pinchas 3
Numbers 26:10–30:1 3
Are There Errors in the Torah? 3
Bible critics 3
Chapter divisions 3
Mistake in the Torah text? 3
A verse cut in two 3
Contradictory verses? 3
It never happened 3
My story about mistakes in Scripture 3
How should people understand strange midrashic tales? 3
The Mystery of Missing Words 3
Chapter 42 3
Matot 3
Numbers 30:2–32:42 3
How the Bible is Divided and Discrimination 3
Where do we start? 3
The laws of vows are discriminatory 3
Is the battle with Midian only a legend? 3
Can Israelites marry non-Israelites? 3
Why did the Israelites need to make atonement? 3
Chapter 43 3
Masei 3
Numbers 33:1–36:13 3
Answers That Will Not Satisfy All Readers 3
Inconsistent names and numbers 3
Settling in Canaan 3
Levitical cities 3
Cities of refuge 3
The saga of Zelophehad’s daughters 3
DEUTERONOMY 3
Chapter 44 3
Devarim 3
Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22 3
The Oral Torah 3
The first "Oral Torah" 3
Corrupted names of books 3
More on Medrish 3
The paradigm Midrash 3
Contradictions? 3
Material in Deuteronomy that is post-Moses 3
Hyperbole 3
Chapter 45 3
Va’etchanan 3
Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11 3
Nuances, Deeper Significances, Lessons Lost in Translations, and Verses That Say Something Rabbis Rejected 3
Unusual word 3
Lord y-h-v-h 3
Many gods in heaven? 3
Ten commandments? 3
Anochi 3
Ger 3
This mountain and Lebanon 3
What is God saying? 3
Another example 3
Chapter 46 3
Ekev 3
Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25 3
Some Apparent Contradictions between Deuteronomy and the Prior Biblical Books 3
Finger of God 3
More contradictions? What was done with golden calf dust? 3
When were the Levites given a tabernacle function? 3
Where did the Israelites travel? 3
Chapter 47 3
Re’eih 3
Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17 3
Are the Masorites Always Right, and Does the Torah Prefer Vegetarians? 3
Metaphors, Maimonides, and action 3
A verse that caused disagreements 3
Does the Torah prefer people to be vegetarians? 3
Chapter 48 3
Shoftim 3
Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9 3
Obscure and Ambiguous Texts, Unnecessary Biblical Words, God’s View of Non-Israelites, and Who Should Guide Us 3
Obscurities and ambiguities 3
Does God dislike statues? 3
Unnecessary words? 3
Why mention “man or woman” three times? 3
Why mention justice twice? 3
Two or three witnesses? 3
Should we be guided by decisions rendered by now-dead judges? 3
Are monarchy regulations in chapter 17 ambiguous? 3
Chapter 49 3
Ki Teizei 3
Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19 3
Judaism Today Is Not Torah Judaism but Rabbinic Judaism 3
The stubborn and rebellious son 3
Chapter 50 3
Ki Tavo 3
Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8 3
Nachmanides and the Sanctity of the Land of Israel 3
Chapter 51 3
Nitzavim 3
Deuteronomy 29:9–30:20 3
Nachmanides on Curses and Magic 3
Idolatry, magic,and divination 3
Astrology 3
Bible predicts future events 3
Chapter 52 3
Vayeilech 3
Deuteronomy 31:1–31:30 3
Biblical Contradictions, Shemitah, and Afterlife 3
Contradictions? 3
The Shemitah year 3
Biblical proof of life after death 3
Chapter 53 3
Haazinu 3
Deuteronomy 32:1–32:52 3
Poems and Demons 3
Poetry 3
“Name” does not always mean the word by which a person is called 3
Is emuna “faith”? 3
Demons 3
Chapter 54 3
Vezot Haberakha 3
Deuteronomy 33:1–34:12 3
Speculations about Moses’s Death 3
How could Moses write about his death and burial? 3
Why does the Midrash say that Moses cried when he was informed that he was about to die? 3
Who buried Moses? 3
Why was Moses’s burial place kept secret? 3
Did God kiss Moses? 3
Didn’t God tell Moses at the onset of his mission or at least imply that he would lead the Israelites into Canaan; why wasn’t this prophecy fulfilled? Error! Bookmark not defined.
Index 3
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 3
Recenzii
Unusual Bible Interpretations is Drazin's 21st book of Biblical commentary...this work is insightful and will open your mind to interesting commentaries outside of the jaundiced eyes of ArtScroll... It
is an interesting purchase for a home library and an optional purchase for other libraries.
is an interesting purchase for a home library and an optional purchase for other libraries.