Other Writings/Traditions

Abstract

Other Writings/Traditions Thomas Hieke, Christopher T. Begg, and Fred W. Guyette Thomas Hieke Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz Christopher T. Begg Catholic University of America Fred W. Guyette Erskine College and Seminary 2475. [Seductive Biblical Women in Rabbinic Perspective] Yuval Blankovsky, "Verführung um des Himmels willen: Verführerische biblische Frauen aus Sicht der Rabbinen," Rabbinische Literatur, 263-78 [see #2537]. B. elaborates on a hitherto unnoticed pattern of interpretation in rabbinic literature that praises non-Jewish women and criticizes men. Secondly, B. tries to explain the reason for the emergence of this pattern: Why should the rabbis praise non-Jewish women? B. presents some examples from the Midrash Bereshit Rabbah (Judah and Tamar; Tamar and the wife of Potiphar: both do what they do "for heaven's sake"; Lot and his daughters). Next, B. interprets the sugia in b. Hor. 10b dealing with Lot and his daughters, Tamar vs. Zimri (Num 25:14), and Jael and Sisera. These two works have different reasons for praising the seductive women. In Bereshit Rabbah, the rabbis ascribe seduction to biblical women for the sake of heaven, in order to convey the patriarchal message that sexual intercourse is appropriate for the purpose of procreation and that gentile women desire Jewish men because they recognize their cultural superiority. The Talmud, on the other hand, shows a concern with situating the concept of sin for heaven's sake, as suggested by the biblical Jael story, in the context of Levirate marriage. Therefore, the sugia also mentions Lot's daughters and Tamar, but not Ruth, because, according to rabbinical understanding, Ruth did not commit any sexual sin. The above women use their sexuality for the benefit of the Jewish group, and this pattern exemplifies the rabbinic idea that sins committed with good intentions are legitimate to some degree.—T.H. Google Scholar 2476. [Bibliography of Jewish Intertestamental and Early Rabbinic Literature] David W. Chapman and Andreas J. Kostenberger, "Jewish Intertestamental and Early Rabbinic Literature: An Annotated Bibliographical Resource Updated Again (Part 1)," JETS 63 (3, 2020) 559-60. This publication builds on the authors' initial bibliography for the corpora cited in their title that appeared in JETS 43 (2000) 577-618 and was itself updated in JETS 55 (2012) 235-72, 457-88. As they note in their opening remarks concerning the present contribution (p. 560): "Part 2 of this annotated bibliography is due to appear in the next issue. The structure of these two articles is Part 1: 1. General Reference Tools; 2. OT Versions; 3. Apocrypha; and 4. Pseudepigrapha; Part 2: 5. Dead Sea Scrolls; 6. Individual Authors (Philo, Josephus, Pseudo-Philo, Fragmentary Works); 7. Rabbinic Literature; and 8. Other Early Works from the Rabbinic Period."—C.T.B. Google Scholar 2477. [Priestly Violence; Zeal for Yhwh; Genesis 34; Test. Lev. 5–7] Enric Cortès, "Del sacerdoci gratuït a la violència del 'zel per YHWH'. De la Torà a la literatura intertestamentària: TestLev 5–7 [From Gratuitous Priesthood to Violence Committed Out of 'Zeal for Yhwh': From the Torah to Intertestamental Literature: Test. Lev. 5-7]," RCT 45 (1, 2020) 9-39. My article aims to discern how priestly election in ancient Israel came to be regarded in the Pentateuch and subsequently in extrabiblical testamentary literature as something [End Page 911] due to the Levites or priests who engaged in acts of violence in the name of zeal for God that resulted in their being awarded the priesthood. In this connection, I review the essay of J. Kugel in HTR 85 (1, 1992) 1-34 on the role of Levi as a priest in Test. Lev. 5–7 vis-àvis the presentation of the Levi figure in Genesis 34. My article, I believe, offers a better understanding of the related issue of circumcision, especially as this features in Jubilees, Philo, and the Book of Judith. My article also pays special attention to the midrashic elaboration of Test. Lev. 5–7 [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] Google Scholar 2478. [Epistle of Barnabas 4; Hesiod, Works and Days 106–201] Kylie Crabbe, "The Generation of Iron and the Final...