Tag Archives: Judaism

White Paper: Recovering the Authentic Voice of Ignatius: The Syriac Recension, Apostolic Continuity, and the Survival of the Apostolic Pattern

Executive Summary The textual history of the letters of Ignatius of Antioch is complex, with three principal recensions: the long Greek recension, the middle Greek recension, and the short Syriac recension. While scholarly consensus since the 19th century has favored … Continue reading

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White Paper: The Collateral Victims: How the Hostility Between Jews and Hellenizing Christians Marginalized Apostolic Sabbath Keepers

Executive Summary In the centuries following the apostolic era, a widening rift emerged between Jewish communities and the increasingly Gentile, Hellenizing forms of Christianity. While this hostility had complex political, cultural, and theological causes, one group was caught in the … Continue reading

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White Paper: From Shame to Modesty — The Changing Connotation of the Veil Between Genesis 38 and Modern Times

Executive Summary This white paper explores the meaning of the veil in the biblical account of Genesis 38, where Tamar veils herself to pose as a prostitute, and contrasts it with the modern connotation of the veil as a symbol … Continue reading

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The Double Bind of Openness and Secrecy: Hazards and Responses of Persecuted Religious Minorities

Introduction For religious minorities living under conditions of persecution, the dilemma of how to practice their faith in the face of hostility is perennial. The core of the problem is the double bind between openness and secrecy: being open about … Continue reading

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Was the Book of Job Known to David? Exploring the Relationship between the Psalms and Job

The relationship between the Psalms of David and the Book of Job offers a fertile ground for examining the intellectual and theological currents in ancient Israel. The Psalms attributed to David, full of poetic depth, emotional candor, and theological reflection, … Continue reading

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The Midrash and Mishnah as the Beginnings of the Jewish Systematic Theology Project

The relationship between Midrash and Mishnah is crucial for understanding the development of Jewish law and thought. Here’s how Midrash led to Mishnah: 1. The Need for Interpretation and Application: 2. From Biblical Exegesis to Legal Systematization: 3. Two Types … Continue reading

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Jehoiachin: A Tragic King and the Forefather of Exilarchs

Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah or Coniah, occupies a significant place in the annals of Judean history, particularly during the turbulent period of the Babylonian Exile. His brief reign, marked by both tragedy and historical significance, has left an enduring … Continue reading

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Book Review: Citizen 865

Citizen 865: The Hunt For Hitler’s Hidden Soldiers In America, by Debbie Cenziper It is impossible for me at least to read this book in 2024 and think in the same way that the author does about this story. This … Continue reading

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Book Review: Operation Last Chance

Operation Last Chance: One Man’s Quest To Bring Nazi Criminals To Justice, by Efraim Zuroff It is clear, in reading this book, that there are some serious issues when it comes to vigilante efforts to deal with aging ex-Nazis. Even … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Lost Cafe Schindler

The Lost Cafe Schindler, by Merial Schindler This book is framed as a family mystery wrapped within larger mysteries, the sort of book that is best understood by those who have some familiarity with the lost world of European Jewry, … Continue reading

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