Church & Synagogue Libraries, Volume 29, Number 3, November/December 1995 Page: 13 of 20
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further reading after each entry.
Even in small thought-bites, Wangerin is not always easy
reading. His style is often highly embellished, but he is
surely an original thinker, and unabashedly in his expres-
sions of faith and doubt, as well as in anguish over that
ongoing struggle of the soul.
For the unitiated, this compact volume might be a good
way to "sample" Wangerin. And, for the growing number of
established admirers of this Lutheran pastor, this book offers
a streamlined way to savor the profound thoughts and
feelings of his stylish authorship.
Betty B.Brown
Westminster Presbyterian
Pittsburgh, PA
THE MISHNAH: AN INTRODUCTION
Neusner, Jacob. Jason Aronson. 256p. $20.00pb
ISBN 1-56821-358-1
296.1 Mishnah - Criticism, Interpretation, etc.
THE MIDRASH: AN INTRODUCTION
Neusner,Jacob. Jason Aronson. 256p. $20.00pb
ISBN 1-56821-357-1
296.1 Halakhic Midrashim - Introductions
Exploring Jacob Neusner's introductions to Mishnah and
Midrash emphasizes the reality of trying to understand
classical rabbinic texts: one has to study them, not merely
read them. These two volumes have been reissued in softcover
and are practical for students who may want to underline or
highlight Neusner's major points.
Mishnah is the legal code based on the Hebrew Bible that
was written about 1,800 years ago. Midrash is the interpre-
tation of biblical texts, sometimes in the form of a story, that
the rabbis wrote down in various commentaries.
Jacob Neusner, distinguished research professor of reli-
gious studies at the University of South Florida, is considerd
a major scholar in the field of Mishnah. The Mishnah is
organized in six divisions. Each one encompasses several
Tractates. The rabbis' discussions dealt with various aspects
of householders' lives in the areas of Agriculture, Appointed
Times (holidays and the Temple), Women, Damages, Holy
Things and Purities (cleanliness/uncleanliness).
Neusner analyses the literary language, the logical way
rabbis presented a situation, and what were their conclu-
sions. Mishnah sets forth the world view of the sanctity of
Israel. The message of the Mishnah, according to Neusner,
is that everything that matters depends on human will and
intention.
Neusner has produced more that eighty volumes of trans-
lations and analyses of Midrash. Midrash can be found in the
literature of three major periods: the 2nd and 3rd centuries
(Tannaitic Midrashim) covering Exodus, Leviticus, Num-
bers, and Deuteronomy; 4th and 5th century compilations,
including commentary on Genesis and the role of Christian-
ity and its effect on Jews; and 6th and 7th century writingson Ruth and the Song of Songs. Once again, Neusner cites the
logical manner in which the rabbis voiced their ideas and his
explanation of what they said. He discusses Midrashim in
their own contexts, rather than applying them to whatever one
wants to prove.
The author's approach is academic, always unique and, no
doubt most laypeople would benefit from using additional
references in studying these books. The "introductions" are
not simple; nonetheless they do provide the reader with a taste
of the knowledge needed to understand the thinking and ways
of the times.
The index at the end of each book is not as complete as one
would expect, but the bibliographies of Neusner's Mishaic
and Midrashic studies are mind-boggling.
Recommended for church and synagogue libraries.
Evelyn Pockrass
Hebrew Congregation
Indianapolis, IN
JEWS AND CHRISTIANS: GETTING OUR STORIES
STRAIGHT
Goldberg, Michael. Trinity Press International. 1991. 224p.
$14.95
ISBN 1-56338-004-8
220.6 Theology, Bible
Though this book is not brand new - indeed, this is the
second edition and itself a few years old - it is important to
review because of its essential nature to what a congregational
library is all about. Moreover the book is written in the context
of both Jewish and Christian heritages.
One of the most challenging emphases in modem preaching
and teaching, "narrative theology," is exempli fied in this book
by Rabbi Goldberg. The premise is that virtually all doctrines,
systems of ethics and general beliefs about our world - both
secular and religious - are based on a bedrock story.
ForJews, that master story is their Exodus from slavery and
their becoming a new people around the covenant with God
sealed at Mount Sinai.
For Christians, the master story is the passage through death
and the Resurrection of Jesus and the news of eternal life
assured to those who became his disciples.
So, for Rabbi Goldberg, "being a Christian or a Jew is not
so much a matter of subscribing to a community's core
doctrine as of affirming its core story."
No one will be unchallenged by reading this book. For
Christians it is refreshing to have our core story (Matthew's
account) analyzed by someone outside the faith. For Jews,
Rabbi Goldberg's analysis of the Exodus story will be enlight-
ening. And his warning that the Holocaust - a legitimate
story of experience --ought not be substituted for the core
story of the Exodus is thought-provoking.
For everyone, the author's comparison of our core stories
pointing up the differences that result in our understanding ofC&SL - November/December. -1995
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Church and Synagogue Library Association. Church & Synagogue Libraries, Volume 29, Number 3, November/December 1995, periodical, November 1995; Portland, Oregon. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1457861/m1/13/: accessed July 9, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.