Israel Books

This book examines the process of the creation of history in the Hebrew Bible. Brettler sets out to "show what various biblical authors were `trying to do' when they wrote" their respective works.

The author begins with a strong survey of the history of historical criticism, followed by a presentation of what he believes to be the "four central factors responsible for the production of ancient Israelite biblical texts:" the use of typologies, the interpretation of earlier texts, literary shaping, and ideological influence. During an introductory discussion of `history,' `ideology,' and `literature,' Brettler suggests that what has classically been understood as `history' should actually be called `historiography' or `history writing,' while history should be understood simply as, "a narrative that presents a past." Along the same lines, `ideology' is best considered "a specific set of beliefs," which Brettler differentiates from `propaganda,' which is the method used to disseminate those beliefs. Finally, the author discards the word `literature' as an accurate description of the biblical text, arguing that "literary works are determined by the community, not by their authors." Therefore since the author did not consider his work to be literature, but rather a history, we too should refrain from calling the narrative `literature.' Brettler does concede that there are various rhetorical or literary devices and genres employed within the biblical text, but since the author employed these devices with the intention of writing a narrative history, we too should refrain from referring to the results of his literary endeavors as `literature.' This is a fine hair to split and will certainly be criticized by future respondents.

Brettler then presents his evidence in a series of six chapters that increase in degree of redaction-critical difficulty. This section is cleverly bracketed by a discussion of Chronicles (chapter 2) on the front end, in which we have the extant sources (Samuel and Kings) used by the Chronicler in his redaction, and concluding with "Text in a Tel" (chapter six), a detailed discussion of redaction-criticism that uses the multi-layered redactions of 2 Kings 17 as the literary ground in need of excavation.

Brettler's indebtedness to his teacher, Michael Fishbane, is evident the moment Brettler begins his intrabiblical exegesis of the text (chapters 2-7). This is a strength of the book, in that the author highlights many textual examples essential to any survey of redaction-criticism methodology, and in seeking an explanation of each highlighted redaction, the author tells the story of the creation of the history of Israel.

Brettler's best work is with his treatment of Chronicles. He states, "The Chronicler...provides an incontrovertible example of the flexibility of the past in the hands of one biblical historian." But Brettler ultimately leaves open for debate the question of whether the Chronicler felt he was correcting earlier scribal errors or whether he was the historian "of a totalitarian regime, attempting to control the ideology of the population." This is an important question to say the least, for its answer determines whether the Hebrew Bible was composed as multiple redactions of early oral and written themes and histories, or was composed late in history solely from the ideological imagination of the Deuteronomistic Historians.

The author then proceeds with his analysis, suggesting that the repeated promotion of Judah over the firstborn Reuben in the Genesis narrative illustrates the biblical author's use of typologies within the text. In Deuteronomy, Brettler offers a classic treatment in which he substantially demonstrates a revision of history on the behalf of the Deuteronomist. The author's treatment of the Ehud-Eglon story as satire was a surprisingly compelling argument. Here, Brettler suggests that the purpose of this genre is to increase the life span of the story's moral by using mocking, sexual, and scatological references towards Israel's Moabite enemies. Finally, Brettler discusses ideology, using the book of Samuel as a vehicle that promotes David and offers an apology for the royal ideology of the Davidic line.

Brettler ends his book with a healthy discussion of whether it is possible to reconstruct actual history. Following R. G. Collingwood, Brettler offers an analogy to the American legal system which discusses the two tests that are used in determining the validity of an argument: the unanimity rule of criminal courts that requires something be "beyond a reasonable doubt," and the less stringent majority rule of a civil court that only requires a "preponderance of evidence." Holding up Lionel Grossman's view as a model, Brettler concludes that "history cannot be objective in the sense of `ontologically founded,' but can be `something like rationally justifiable or defensible, not arbitrary, and open to criticism.'" Inasmuch, one can never be certain that one has recreated the actual past, because the past, especially a narrative one, is never fully recoverable. The responsible scholar should accept this reality and "decide which of the alternative reconstructions of the Israelite past best fits the evidence." Brettler concludes, "Biblical historical texts reflect a combination of genuine interest in the past, strong ideological beliefs and refined rhetorical devices."

With the exception of the persistent denotation of possessive plurals with a double apostrophe (or is it a quotation mark?), a practice never before encountered by the present reviewer, Brettler's work is well written, well argued, and is a great addition to the library of the biblical scholar or historian interested in the narrative history of Israel.

Walter Jacob and Moshe Zemer collaborate to assemble anoutstanding series of essays and responses by esteemed andknowledgeable contributors in Crime And Punishment In Jewish Law. The subject matter covered include the concept of crime, assessing guilt, capital punishment, religious violence, criminal insanity, rabbinical malpractice, electronic eavesdropping, and a great deal more. Crime And Punishment In Jewish Law is an impressive and unique contribution to Judaic studies.

I'm a crim pro junkie, so this book is a cherished belonging. A good investment for anyone in a crim pro class, but a necessity for anyone who has to do any sort of self-guided crim pro research. And it's a steal at around $50.

Okay, I completely aced this class, so maybe I'm prejudiced! :-) This book is well organized, and keeps the extraneous info to a minimum. The facts of each case are given, the rulings of lower courts (with reasonings), then the decisions of the US Sup. Court (majority and dissenting if applicable). Paying attention to the considerable footnotes was my "secret to success," along with copious notes. This book is an excellent tool for a student who pays attention and wants to get the "A."

Samuel Segev's latest book entitled Crossing the Jordan offers never-before-published insight into the peace process. Segev has a lifetime of relevant experience as a journalist covering the Middle East and as a senior editor of a major Isreali newspaper. Segev delivers unbiased accounts of previously undisclosed back-door negotiations. Crossing the Jordan is a must read for anyone interested in the peace process in general and the art of the deal in politics.

Como salir de la guerra palestino-israeli? Que es necesario hacer para que un reconocimiento y una aceptacion reciprocos abran de nuevo una via hacia la paz? Shlomo Ben-Ami, ex ministro de Asuntos Exteriores de Israel y uno de los principales actores de las negociaciones con los palestinos, aporta en este documento exceptional una reflexion indispensable para comprender las razones del fracaso del proceso de paz, al tiempo que aclara de manera novedosa el lugar en que se encuentran las relaciones entre israelies y palestinos y expone las razones por las que el conflicto se ha recrudecido.

Estamos ante una obra de lectura urgente en la que Shlomo Ben-Ami define claramente los principios de una solucion, que no puede ser mas que politica, y propone un apasionante analisis sobre la situacion interna de Israel y la necesaria refundacion politica de Estado que debe ser al mismo tiempo un Estado judio y un Estado ciudadanos. Cual es el futuro de Israel? tiene por objecto proporcionar las claves para entender el presente momento del conflicto palestino-israeli en su dramatica actualidad y mostrar que todavia existe un rayo de esperanza para redescubrir el camino de la paz.
--- from book's back cover

An Associate Professor of Old Testament studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Langston takes readers of "Cultic Sites in the Tribe of Benjamin" for an in-depth look at the strong religious role the ancient tribe of Benjamin played in biblical history before and during the period of Israel's monarchy. The author examines the varied and often uncertain Hebrew terminology behind the cultic references of the Old Testament, seeking to align textual "remains" with corresponding archaeological context. Langston's careful analysis of the archaeological sites in geographic Benjamin contains a wealth of material for scholars, Bible students, and interested laymen alike. Readers will appreciate the author's skillful, thought-provoking text and carefully-crafted analysis of what otherwise could have been a difficult and ponderous topic. Langston's study belongs on the shelf of everyone interested in the formative period of Israel's religious experience.

Author: Col. J. C. Gawler

Take a close look at an 1880 reprint of Dan- The Pioneer of Israel.
Denmark = Danmark = Tribe of Dan!
The book focuses on the Tribe of Dan's early enterprises and their settlements and connections with the Scythians. Traces the Danaans or Danes of Scandinavia, Ireland, and Scotland back to the Tribe of Dan.

The Tribe of Dan, by its enterprise and vigour, has made itself one of the most conspicuous branches of Jacob's family. Its ancestor was the son of one of the concubines, and was the firstborn of Rachel's household. "God has judged me", said Rachel, and she called his name "Dan", which means to judge, to rule; and this word, perhaps on that occasion first started as a surname has been perpetuated as a title in the Gothic, Anglo-Saxon and English. In these languages Din, Dun, Don and Dan, signify ruler, master. The expression is repeatedly used by Shakespeare, Spenser, Chauser, Prior and others. The Spanish, too, from close contact for ages with the Hebrew, has engrafted it in their title of Don; it is in use in the universities to designate a professor or university official.

How often do we see in the Bible that the name of an individual, foreshadows the character and career. Dan's name given by Rachel implies authority and vigour, and Jacob, when bestowing his blessings (Gen. 49:16), repeats and confirms it: "Dan shall judge his people", said the venerable patriarch, and proceeded to name other characteristics implying great wisdom and astuteness. The serpent is the scriptural symbol of wisdom (Gen. 3:1; Matt. 10:16) : In dealing with foes his plans would be laid with wisdom and secrecy, and his action would be unlooked for and rapid.

Thus begins the opening chapter of this 1880 reprint of the Tribe of Dan's early enterprises and their settlements and connections with the Scythians. The Danaans, or Danes of Scandinavia, Ireland and Scotland are traced back to the Tribe of Dan.

Colonel Gawler shows the connection between the Danai of Greece and the Danites of Israel and tells why he believes Dan was not sealed among the 144,000 in the Book of Revelation.
Stapleback
40 pages

This book tells a very simple story. Of how the less than 150 inhabitants of Yad Mordechai held off a brigade-size (2000 soldiers) Egyptian force for nearly six days starting on May 19, 1948, and showed that freedom can be possible if one is willing to fight for it. 110 of the defenders escaped in a daring May 24 retreat, while 26 died in the battle. There were roughly 300 Egyptian casualties.

Margaret Larkin does a splendid job of giving us the history of this kibbutz prior to the War of 1948. And she gives an overview of the military situation at the start of the Arab invasion. There are two dozen photographs about Yad Mordechai and the battle.

Yad Mordechai was named for Mordechai Analevicz, the twenty-two old leader of the Warsaw Ghetto Jewish uprising against the Germans in 1943.

Israel made good use of the six days that the defenders of Yad Mordechai provided to set up defenses against the Egyptian army, which was headed north, towards Tel Aviv.

The defenders of Yad Mordechai had some weapons, of course. 400 hand grenades. Two 2-inch mortars with 50 shells. An anti-tank gun with three shells. A machine gun with 10,000 rounds of ammunition, and five sub machine guns with several dozen rounds of ammunition for each. And more than three dozen rifles, with about 3000 rounds of ammunition in total. Still, I got the strong impression that most military people would have expected a kibbutz with these prospects for defence to be captured in at most a few hours, not six days.

Anyone who wants to learn about the Arab-Israeli war of 1948 ought to read this book, with its detailed descriptions of this amazing battle and of the people who fought it.

David and the Giant is a delightful book. It tells the storyof David and Goliath in a way that has our son captivated and theartwork is bright and interesting. We have been searching for bible story books that would engage and interest our 2 1/2 year old for sometime. We have finally found a real winner! I highly recommend this book!