...Midrash is the act and process of interpretation of the Bible, but there is no one midrash. To fully understand this concept we must look at the purpose of midrashic methodology and how it works. In doing this we will be looking at Midrash Rabbah for the Book of Genesis or Bereshit. Midrash Rabbah contains two interpretations of the account of creation, which will allow us to better analyze midrashic methodology. Unlike the Talmud or Zohar, midrash does not refer to a single text but a type of text. In Back to the Sources, Barry Holtz defines midrash as, first, “(deriving from the Hebrew root ‘to search out’) is the process of interpreting. The object of interpretation is the Bible or, on occasion, other sacred texts; second, Midrash refers to the corpus of work that has collected these interpretations.” (Holtz, p.178) Midrash interprets in both halachic and aggadic aspects. As we learned in the Efron text, The Jews, halacha refers to text discussing civil and religious law. Although really all law was seen as religious, there wasn’t a specific separation between what we look at today as civil and religious respectively. Aggadah on the other hand is a nonlegal text of rabbinical Judaism that is more theological or ethics based. What does this mean for midrash? A midrash will look at biblical text and interpret its meaning in both legal and nonlegal ways. Midrash is able to account for the gaps in biblical text by giving an interpretation of what may have been meant, which...
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...What is Midrash? This is quite an intractable issue. It doesn’t only contain very wide and very old texts, but also multitudinous philosophers. Even though Midrash is not a good scientific source for studying Bible today, it powerfully helps us understand the spirit of authors from later the Old Treatment, the developing of Judaism, and the constitution of the New Treatment’s mission. Midrash was an exegetical method used in early Jewish religion. The word usually is used for any written or oral commentary on a biblical text. It is an interpretive act, seeking the answers to religious questions (both practical and theological) by plumbing ?? the meaning of the words of the Torah. (Efron page?) As early as the 1st c. CE rabbinic principles of hermeneutics and philology were used to bring the interpretation of difficult passages in the literal text of scripture into line with the religious and ethical values of the teachers. (Holtz 177-178) One can say that the Midrash on the verse Genesis 1:1 says that “...and some Midrashim interpretation of the verse would go here.”The original purpose of Midrash was to resolve problems in the Hebrew text of the Bible. (Malon) Thus, Midrash exposes the values and worldview of the rabbinic interpreter and audience rather than the original intention of the author of the biblical text. Midrash falls into two categories: Midrash aggada and Midrash halakha. The root of the Hebrew term is used to refer to Jewish law, halakhah, means "go" or "walk...
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...The Midrash is known to be an ancient commentary on part of the Hebrew scriptures. I am not familiar with the concept of the Midrash other than it provides the people with a outsiders commentary on the scriptures rather than the idea and teachings itself within the Hebrew scriptures. Not only that, the Midrash points out and clarifies many things that you may have thought about or that the scriptures itself hint toward. In a huge way, the Midrash is almost a book of clarification for many. Its initial purpose was to help resolve problems and confusion with the biblical stories that goes beyond just what’s written on paper. It seems as though the Midrash has a significant meaning in the culture and the philosopher, R. Gamaliel, took part in writing an interesting and different take on the original text. The process of creating the Midrash was preformed with help from the rabbis. The commentary within the Midrash is basically all the interpretations the people came across and then the rabbis “filled in the gaps” through the assistance of the Torah. This books overall goal is to aid and provide us with answers to many questions we may have come across when reading the Hebrew scriptures. It has been said by many that the Torah does provide the Jewish culture with laws and rules however they are very broad. One of the Midrash’s purposes is to go into further detail on the rules and provide us with further clarification. After reading the Midrash Rabbah on the book of Genesis it...
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...Theology Research Papers Based on the topics provided below, you will be required to submit two theological research papers for this course. Each paper should be 7–9 double-spaced pages in length, with default margins and 12-pt. font in Times New Roman. You should include sources that support and contradict a specific position. Ten sources are required. Each paper should also include a title page and bibliography, each formatted in accordance with Turabian standards. The goal of these papers is to not only conclude with a position (even if tentative) regarding the theological issue investigated, but also to interact with the content and arguments for and against the positions that entail all sides of the issue. In other words, you must interact with and respond to opposing views, as well as seriously consider the strengths and weaknesses of your position. In writing this paper, you should work with the biblical text and interact with theological and exegetical arguments used to support all sides of the issue, but nevertheless come to conclusions based upon the strength of the arguments being studied. In doing research of this kind, you are encouraged to use primary sources written by proponents of the positions being espoused. Do not exclusively use secondary sources that summarize the content of a position. Instead, be sure to use sources that argue in support of a position. The first Theological Research Paper is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week...
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...Theology Research Papers Based on the topics provided below, you will be required to submit two theological research papers for this course. Each paper should be 7–9 double-spaced pages in length, with default margins and 12-pt. font in Times New Roman. You should include sources that support and contradict a specific position. Ten sources are required. Each paper should also include a title page and bibliography, each formatted in accordance with Turabian standards. The goal of these papers is to not only conclude with a position (even if tentative) regarding the theological issue investigated, but also to interact with the content and arguments for and against the positions that entail all sides of the issue. In other words, you must interact with and respond to opposing views, as well as seriously consider the strengths and weaknesses of your position. In writing this paper, you should work with the biblical text and interact with theological and exegetical arguments used to support all sides of the issue, but nevertheless come to conclusions based upon the strength of the arguments being studied. In doing research of this kind, you are encouraged to use primary sources written by proponents of the positions being espoused. Do not exclusively use secondary sources that summarize the content of a position. Instead, be sure to use sources that argue in support of a position. The first Theological Research Paper is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week...
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...MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND MIRACLES MINISTRIES ZONAL HEADQUARTERS KUBWA, ABUJA COURSE: LAYMEN COURSE PROJECT TOPIC: THE BIOGRAPHY OF PROPHET EZIEKEL. PREPARED BY: BRO. J.O. TOYOBO ABSTRACT Ezekiel who grew up as a priest, was carried off to Babylon with the Jewish exiles deported in 597BCand there he became a prophet of God. His message was one of coming jugdement on the remaining in Jerusalem but his preaching was not well received by the Jews who were with him in captivity. When his dire prediction came true in 587BC with the destruction of Jerusalem [33:21] the people from then on listened with great earnestness. His message changed at this point from being the unbending jugdement to one of comfort and hope for the future. The worst had come, it now time to make plans for begin again. Ezekiel saw himself as a shepherd and a watchman over Israel. As a shepherd, he was to protect the people but as a watchman he was to warn of danger ahead. The message of Ezekiel was based upon the unchangeable holiness of God. This is both a promise and a warning. It is a warning because God has promised to judge sin this will not change. It is a promise because God has promised to remain faithful to his people and this will not change. This book of Ezekiel shows God‘s unbreakable promise fulfilled in both respects. The city fell according to promise because of Judah’s sin; the city will be restored according to promise because...
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...OUTSMARTING GOD: EGYPTIAN SLAVERY AND THE TOWER OF BABEL SHEILA TULLER KEITER The Book of Exodus begins the story of Israel's enslavement in Egypt. A new pharaoh rises to power, one who did not know Joseph (Ex. 1:8). This new pharaoh ushers in a new regime and new policies. He embarks on a national program of enslavement and subjugation. Yet these policies are not as original as one might think, for they are reminiscent of the social-political experiment of another great building society, the people who built the Tower of Babel. The Torah deliberately links these two societies and passes judgment on both. The new pharaoh begins by bringing his cause to the Egyptian people, making the following pitch: 'Look, the Israelite people are much too numerous for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, so that they may not increase; otherwise, in the event of war, they may join our enemies in fighting against us and go up from the land' (Ex. 1:9-10). As presented in the text, the pharaoh's logic is hard to discern. His solution to the problem of Israel's burgeoning population is persecution and enslavement, rather than expulsion or genocide (Ex. 1:11). If they are too many, why not just kill them? Pharaoh does eventually order the killing of all the male babies born to the Hebrews, but only after his first policy prescription results in an Israelite population boom (Ex. 1:12, 16). Furthermore, if the Israelites represent a potential fifth column, why is Pharaoh afraid that they will...
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...According to Rabbi Ephraim Landschulz, a Jew can only find the source of his or her being in the holy land. Abraham has to discover who he is on his journey to the unknown land. G-d has Abraham go on this journey to see if Abraham was actually capable of leading a great nation, the Jews. This interpretation was similar to the idol smashing midrash because Abraham has to find himself. In the idol smashing midrash, Abraham smashed all the idols in his father’s idol shop because that is what he believes in. Abraham found what he really was when he was smashing the idols, and will find himself on his journey to the new place. The fourth and final interpretation by Rabbi Sacks is “go by yourself.” According to Sacks, “only a person willing to stand alone, singular, and unique can worship the G-d who is alone, singular and unique.” This interpretation does not take as much thought as the others, it is much more self explanatory. When Abraham is alone, he will be able to find what he is really and listening to. This interpretation is similar to the third one because they both have to do with finding...
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...Ed Peter P. Bucag TREDTRI Midrash (The Coming of Lilith) The story is a point of view changer. It changed what I feel about women and it gave me an idea on how should I treat women. The story is a great story for it can change lives and it bears a message that has strong essence. It made me and my friend, who happens to be a girl, realized that a feminist, like Judith Plaskow, can touch hearts and change lives by fighting for what is worth fighting for and standing up on behalf of every woman in the world to be recognized as a human being, not just a mere satisfaction for men. After reading and analyzing the story by heart, I believe that my lived faith is changed. It changed in a good way because I am given opportunity to start a new life in which I must not be too arrogant and not be a sadist towards women. A new life in which I must show respect and care to not just women, but to my other fellow human beings as well for we are all made equal by God the Father and no man or woman shall be on a higher ground than the others for he or she is not created that way. Now that I have a new and a better faith to live, I believe that it could save me from doing wrong deeds and that I could live a peaceful life in which I will not cause anyone trouble and not do anyone harm. The possible downside to my new faith is that others might abuse my kindness towards them, but no matter what could happen if I become too kind to anyone, I will not be afraid of the...
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...Purim is a joyous Jewish holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from their enemies in the biblical Book of Esther. Purim is celebrated on the fourteenth day of the Hebrew month of Adar, which usually falls sometime in February or March. Purim is such a popular holiday that the ancient rabbis declared that it alone would continue to be celebrated after the Messiah comes (Midrash Mishlei 9). All other holidays will not be celebrated in the messianic days. The Purim Holiday received its name because Haman was angered by Mordechai when he would not kneel down to Haman. Haman then sets out to destroy the Jewish people. A pur or lottery is then placed in front of Haman to choose which day and month this would occur. When Mordecai discovered Haman’s plan to destroy the Jewish people he persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. Knowing she would be put to death for being in the king’s presence without being summoned Esther fasted for three day to prepare herself. This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself. The king welcomed Esther and she told him of Haman's plot against her people. The Jewish people were saved, and Haman and his ten sons were hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai. Reading the Megillah on Purim Reading the Purim Story from the...
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...method of incorporating the Golem and other Jewish symbolism and stories serves to establish a dichotomy between the Old World and American characterizations of Jewish identity. This can be seen with the play between Josef's and Sam's approaches to their Jewish heritage. At the start of the novel, Josef represents the Old World version of Judaism. He comes from a well-off family, has received formal training in the arts, and carries the weight of his heritage with him. As Kornblum and Josef begin to transport the Golem in his coffin, Josef notes that "it felt as if they were struggling … with a substantial pint box and a large pine box and a large suit of clothes, and little besides" (Chabon 64). Kornblum then responds with a quote from the Midrash, a commentary on...
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...British iconoclasm. Beginning at the Reformation, the exhibition tells the story of art under attack, of smashed statues and defaced paintings. Originally, of course, iconoclasm was a religious phenomenon. Abraham's father, Terah, was an idol-maker from Ur. One day Terah left the young Abraham in charge of his shop, whereupon he smashed all the idols with a stick. "It was terrible," Abraham explained to his father. "The small idols got hungry and they started fighting for food and finally the large idol got angry and broke them into pieces." Terah didn't believe him. "Idols don't get hungry, they don't get angry, they don't speak – they're just idols." Abraham smiled, knowingly. "Then why do you worship them?" he replied. This famous Jewish midrash is not in the Bible, but explains something of the...
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...The Book Of Matthews Terrell Campbell Theology 210 Professor Lombardo April 29, 2015 The gospel according to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels, one of the three synoptic gospels, and the first book of the New Testament. The book of Matthew basically tells how the Messiah, Jesus Christ, rejected by Israel, finally sends the disciples to preach his gospel to the world. It does not so much indicate a literary genre but characterizes the contents of the book: good news about Jesus Christ. The book of Matthew may be considered a Midrash theological interpretation on the gospel of Mark. Matthew, whose name means “gift of the Lord,” was a tax collector who left his work to follow Jesus (Matthew 9:9–13). In Mark and Luke he is called by his other name, Levi. Although the author did not record his name within the text itself, the first book found in the New Testament has historically been credited to the writing of Matthew, a tax collector and one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Some New Testament scholars doubt the authorship of Matthew. The Gospel of Matthew, like all the other New Testament gospels, was originally anonymous and only attributed to Matthew, the disciple of Jesus, later in the second century. The author relied on Mark's Gospel for everything he knew about the life and mission of Jesus. There are two lines of evidence that proves the authorship of Matthew, the superscription of the ancient manuscripts and the patristic witness. According to...
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...Jews would live by • Keeping Kosher—a set of laws determining what you can eat • Tzedakah—the practice of charity • Jews are God’s “chosen” people Key Figures of Worship • Jew worship God and God alone • Patriarchs of Judaism: o Abraham, the founder of Judaism o Isaac, Abraham’s son o Jacob, Isaac’s son • Matriarchs of Judaism o Sarah, wife of Abraham o Rebecca, wife of Isaac o Leah, one of Jacob’s wives o Rachel, also one of Jacob’s wives Sacred Writings • The Tanakh—the Hebrew Bible that encompassing Torah (the “Teaching,” also first five books of the Bible), Nevi’im (“Prophets”), and Ketuvim (“Writings”) • Talmud and Mishnah—the Oral Law, which explains how the commandments are to be carried out • Kabbalah—book of Jewish mysticism • Midrash—the interpretation of the Torah • Haggadah—text used during the Passover Seder • Siddur—prayer books How Many People Practice Judaism is practiced by 14 million people worldwide. Holy Places • Jerusalem • Israel • The Western Wall • Synagogues for worship Religious Symbols • The Star of David or Magen David—the main symbol for Judaism • Chai—Hebrew for “life” • Hamsa—though not exclusively Jewish, many Jews use it as a symbol of protection, as it counteracts the evil eye • Kippah or Yarlmulke—a head covering to show respect for God and also shows modesty • Menorah or Chanukiah—A candelabra with nine branches to hold candles for the celebration of Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah). • Mezuzah—a symbol attached to doorways to identify...
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...of exactly what is critical thinking. She is unbiased because she uses definitions from many different sources as examples to explain critical thinking. There are no assumptions made; instead, the article is very factual. One example that she uses states, “ Mentions of critical thinking in job postings have doubled since 2009, according to an analysis by career-search site Indeed.com “. As a writer for the very credible wsj.com, I believe Melissa Korn is a very credible source. The next source that I have referred to is an article titled “A Society with Poor Critical Thinking Skills: The Case for 'Argument' in Education” by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, posted by huffingtonpost.com. He is the Executive Director of the Valley Beit Midrash, the Founder & President of Uri L'Tzedek, the Founder and CEO of The Shamayim V'Aretz Institute and the author of...
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