Let me begin by noting that I’m writing this on Shabbos. Nonetheless, I’d like to make mention of the fact that I LOVE the Jewish Bible. Love it, love it, love it.
Is it a good piece of literary work? That might depend on whether you’re a Jew or a goy, and furthermore whether you’re a Jew who considers it possible that these words might be more than just some census report or “stam a yid”.
Anyhow, I could certainly speak to the subject of what value the Bible might “objectively” have (once we’ve “overcome our biases” based in childhood and tribal identity) but for now I just want to wish you a gut shabbos. ;-)
And no, no, no—I don;t mean to taunt you. My own opinions are (it appears to me based upon what I’ve read of yours as well as a few educated guesses) likely quite similar to yours. Furthermore I’ve read quite a bit of your writing and appreciate it.
Nonetheless, at this exact moment (perhaps because I just came from Sailor’s blog and had to fend off a handful of Nazis) I’m a full-fledged yid, and I just wanted to give you a big chabadsker hug :-)
Also, just to reiterate: I love the Jewish Bible. Partially because I’ve chosen to view it as canon (much as I view Shir Betar as canon—despite its obvious lack of being brought down to us by a Navi in any conventional sense) but,,, for many other reasons as well—and as a literary text of your people (provided one subscribes to the notion of “Peoplehood”) it’s obviously inspirational.
And in all honesty, as literature it rocks as well. In fact, so many of the literary themes and devices of later literature first showed up (so far as the surviving record indicates) in the Bible—and is thus worthy of appreciation much as Citizen Kane is, despite the later improvements made to Cane-ian themes and directions which showed up in subsequent films.
Ani Yosef! - Tell me you don’t tzitter.
HaShomer Achi Anochi? - Tell me a chill doesn’t run down your spine
Ki Sheal Nu: Miyamim Rishoinim asher hayu lifanecha, limin hayoim asher barah eloihim adam al ha’aretz umiktzei hashamayim ad kitzei hashamuyim hanihiyah kadavar hagadoil hazeh oi hashumah kumoihu? etc.… - tell me that isn’t dramatic and doesn’t give you pause as to the possibility of Moshe referring to some actual event.
“Yadeinu lo shafchu hadam hazeh!”—tell me the din of egla arufah isn’t brilliant
Eicha!! - It’s not a lament that rends your heart?
etc. etc.
Leizer!
Let me begin by noting that I’m writing this on Shabbos. Nonetheless, I’d like to make mention of the fact that I LOVE the Jewish Bible. Love it, love it, love it.
Is it a good piece of literary work? That might depend on whether you’re a Jew or a goy, and furthermore whether you’re a Jew who considers it possible that these words might be more than just some census report or “stam a yid”.
Anyhow, I could certainly speak to the subject of what value the Bible might “objectively” have (once we’ve “overcome our biases” based in childhood and tribal identity) but for now I just want to wish you a gut shabbos. ;-)
And no, no, no—I don;t mean to taunt you. My own opinions are (it appears to me based upon what I’ve read of yours as well as a few educated guesses) likely quite similar to yours. Furthermore I’ve read quite a bit of your writing and appreciate it.
Nonetheless, at this exact moment (perhaps because I just came from Sailor’s blog and had to fend off a handful of Nazis) I’m a full-fledged yid, and I just wanted to give you a big chabadsker hug :-)
Also, just to reiterate: I love the Jewish Bible. Partially because I’ve chosen to view it as canon (much as I view Shir Betar as canon—despite its obvious lack of being brought down to us by a Navi in any conventional sense) but,,, for many other reasons as well—and as a literary text of your people (provided one subscribes to the notion of “Peoplehood”) it’s obviously inspirational.
And in all honesty, as literature it rocks as well. In fact, so many of the literary themes and devices of later literature first showed up (so far as the surviving record indicates) in the Bible—and is thus worthy of appreciation much as Citizen Kane is, despite the later improvements made to Cane-ian themes and directions which showed up in subsequent films.
Ani Yosef! - Tell me you don’t tzitter. HaShomer Achi Anochi? - Tell me a chill doesn’t run down your spine Ki Sheal Nu: Miyamim Rishoinim asher hayu lifanecha, limin hayoim asher barah eloihim adam al ha’aretz umiktzei hashamayim ad kitzei hashamuyim hanihiyah kadavar hagadoil hazeh oi hashumah kumoihu? etc.… - tell me that isn’t dramatic and doesn’t give you pause as to the possibility of Moshe referring to some actual event. “Yadeinu lo shafchu hadam hazeh!”—tell me the din of egla arufah isn’t brilliant Eicha!! - It’s not a lament that rends your heart? etc. etc.
Come on Leizer, fess up!
:-)
mnuez www.mnuez.blogspot.com