‘Now I Know’: Five Centuries of Aqedah Exegesis

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Religious, Judaism
Cover of the book ‘Now I Know’: Five Centuries of Aqedah Exegesis by Albert van der Heide, Springer International Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Albert van der Heide ISBN: 9783319475219
Publisher: Springer International Publishing Publication: February 28, 2017
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: Albert van der Heide
ISBN: 9783319475219
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Publication: February 28, 2017
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

This book describes how medieval Jewish Bible scholars sought to answer the question of what is meant by the Angel’s message from God to Abraham: ‘Now I Know’, as written in Genesis 22 verse 12. It examines these scholars’ comments on the nineteen verses in Genesis that tell the story of Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his own son Isaac, the Aqedat Yiṣḥaq. It explores the answers they found to the question of what, indeed, this story is trying to tell us. Is it a drastic way to condemn the practice of child sacrifice? Does it call for replacing human sacrifices with animal sacrifices? Is it a trial by which the Almighty tests the fidelity of one of His followers? Or is it His way to show the world the nature of true belief?

The book starts with an introduction to familiarize readers with the many and varied manifestations of the Aqedah theme in Jewish culture and with the developments of medieval Jewish Bible exegesis in general. Next, it offers translations and analyses of the classical medieval Jewish Bible commentaries that deal with the exegesis of Genesis 22, exploring the many angles from which the Aqedah story has been understood. No less than five centuries of medieval Aqedah exegesis are reviewed, from Saadya (882-942) to Isaac Abrabanel (1437-1508). These texts from the commentaries are combined with hermeneutical key passages by Moses Maimonides, Joseph Ibn Kaspi, Ḥasdai Crescas, and others, which were familiar to the minds of the exegetes, or which, conversely, reflect the impact of biblical Aqedah exegesis on religious thought. Together, the passages discussed illustrate the growth and development of Jewish Bible exegesis in dialogue with the rabbinic sources and with the various trends of thought and theology of their times. The consistent focus on the Aqedah constitutes a unifying theme, while the insights presented here greatly advance our understanding of the various developments in medieval Jewish Bible exegesis.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book describes how medieval Jewish Bible scholars sought to answer the question of what is meant by the Angel’s message from God to Abraham: ‘Now I Know’, as written in Genesis 22 verse 12. It examines these scholars’ comments on the nineteen verses in Genesis that tell the story of Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his own son Isaac, the Aqedat Yiṣḥaq. It explores the answers they found to the question of what, indeed, this story is trying to tell us. Is it a drastic way to condemn the practice of child sacrifice? Does it call for replacing human sacrifices with animal sacrifices? Is it a trial by which the Almighty tests the fidelity of one of His followers? Or is it His way to show the world the nature of true belief?

The book starts with an introduction to familiarize readers with the many and varied manifestations of the Aqedah theme in Jewish culture and with the developments of medieval Jewish Bible exegesis in general. Next, it offers translations and analyses of the classical medieval Jewish Bible commentaries that deal with the exegesis of Genesis 22, exploring the many angles from which the Aqedah story has been understood. No less than five centuries of medieval Aqedah exegesis are reviewed, from Saadya (882-942) to Isaac Abrabanel (1437-1508). These texts from the commentaries are combined with hermeneutical key passages by Moses Maimonides, Joseph Ibn Kaspi, Ḥasdai Crescas, and others, which were familiar to the minds of the exegetes, or which, conversely, reflect the impact of biblical Aqedah exegesis on religious thought. Together, the passages discussed illustrate the growth and development of Jewish Bible exegesis in dialogue with the rabbinic sources and with the various trends of thought and theology of their times. The consistent focus on the Aqedah constitutes a unifying theme, while the insights presented here greatly advance our understanding of the various developments in medieval Jewish Bible exegesis.

More books from Springer International Publishing

Cover of the book Simulation and Modeling Methodologies, Technologies and Applications by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Machine Learning in Medicine - Cookbook Two by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Biology and Subjectivity by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Berichte zur Lebensmittelsicherheit 2014 by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Introduction to Mechanical Engineering by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovations by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Innovative Statistical Methods for Public Health Data by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Creating Performances for Teaching and Learning by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Recent Advances on Hybrid Approaches for Designing Intelligent Systems by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Low-Carbon Energy in Africa and Latin America by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Prostate Cancer Survivorship by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Alternative Schooling, Social Justice and Marginalised Students by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Augmented Communication by Albert van der Heide
Cover of the book Knowledge Management in Organizations by Albert van der Heide
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy