This book is an exercise in the systematic recourse to anachronism as
a theological-exegetical mode of apologetics. Specifically, Neusner
demonstrates the capacity of the Rabbinic sages to read ideas attested
in their own day as authoritative testaments to — to them —
ancient times. Thus, Scripture was read as integral testimony to the
contemporary scene.
About a millennium — 750 B.C. E. to 350 C. E. — separates
Scripture’s prophets from the later sages of the Mishnah and the
Talmud. It is quite natural to recognize evidence for differences over
a long period of time. Yet Judaism sees itself as a continuum and
overcomes difference. The latecomers portray the ancients like
themselves. “In our image, after our likeness” captures the
current aspiration. The sages accommodated the later documents in
their canon by finding the traits of their own time in the record of
the remote past. They met the challenges to perfection that the sages
brought about.
Of what does the process of harmonization consist? To answer that
question the author surveys the presentation of the prophets by the
rabbis, beginning with Moses. To overcome the gap, Rabbinic sages turn
Moses into a sage like themselves. The prophet performs wonders. The
sage sets forth reasonable rulings. The conclusion expands on this
account of matters to show the categorical solution that the sages
adopted for themselves, and that is the happy outcome of the study.
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A Documentary Catalogue
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780761860921
Publisert
2015
Utgave
1. utgave
Utgiver
Bloomsbury USA
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter