This erev Shabat I will be returning several books borrowed from the local lending library,
Two are of special interest.
The first is Alan M. Dershowitz' "The Genesis of Justice" in which he looks at Genesis as a lawyer, sometimes for the defense, most often for the prosecution.
The book's subtitle gives us a clue to the barrister's direction: "Ten stories of Biblical injustices that led to the ten commandments and modern law."
Dershowitz is a knowledgeable gentleman with a yeshiva education. I don't know where he fits into "modern Judaism" - and in any event that depends on our personal perspectives from where WE fit into the grand scheme of things - but his book is thought provoking.
It probably will drive some folks' blood pressure through the roof - especially if they quit before the last page - while others will feel vindicated in their distance from those who accept the Torah (in this case, specifically Beresheet/Genesis and some commentaries on same) literally.
The attorney, whether you are in agreement with him or not, is in good company. We have long challenged HaShem, certainly from Avrom's time. This week's parasha - Vayeira - provides ample example.
Dershowitz' contention is that G-d is not always a "just" god. In fact, much of the book is the prosecutor laying his case before the court of our opinion. He raises good points that, I think, deserve attention.
Agree or disagree - he loses some cases so leaving people in disagreement probably won't surprise the author - it's an interesting way to spend a summer Shabat afternoon - or maybe two in the winter.
For the record, the effort is ISBN 0-446-52479-4, published by Warner Books, copyright 2000.
The other book of special interest is titled "Misquoting Jesus" by Bart D. Ehrman. Ehrman chairs the Religious Studies department at UNC in Chapel Hill NC.
As with the Dershowitz book, this one also has a subtitle: "The story behind who changed the bible and why." "Bible" for Ehrman in the gospels and epistles from Paul and other early church leaders ("early" covering several centuries CE).
No surprises. We know that "things" happen when copyists copy. Changes creep in - sometimes accidently, sometimes on purpose.
This book ferrets out both and provides some interesting cross-century exchanges, much as the Talmuds record debates between the luminaries.
Change a letter here, omit or add a word there and suddenly a comment takes on a completely different meaning.
Ehrman's effort is ISBN 13:978-0-06073817-4, published by HarperCollins, copyright 2005.
Both books are recommended reading for Sunday school teachers.
yohanon
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