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Biblical Literacy: The Most Important People, Events, and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible
Encyclopedic in scope, but arranged by people, events, laws and ideas, this reference makes available in one volume all the Bible's timeless stories of love, greed, and the human condition; stories that form the basis for our sense of morality. It not only provides a complete education in all the books of the Hebrew Bible but it conveys their psychological and emotional tr...more
Hardcover, 628 pages
Published
October 8th 1997
by William Morrow
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I have a simmering disdain for organized religion. That said this book is amazingly good, it covers the old testament and nicely summarizes the chapters while taking out the tedious who begat whom parts and ends each chapter with a section detailing issues of debate in the religious community and the consensus on these by religious scholars.
This book will increase your understanding of the tenets of the Judeo-Christian faith. I would highly recommend it to believers and nonbelievers alike since...more
This book will increase your understanding of the tenets of the Judeo-Christian faith. I would highly recommend it to believers and nonbelievers alike since...more
Through reading this book I experienced a profound shift in my understanding of the Bible. It unlocked the historical context of the OT in a way that I had never known it could. The narrative changed to from seeing people quaking in fear of an angry God to seeing the way people fail each other and trick each other. We see brothers failing brothers, father's failing daughters. I'd never seen the way women are redeemed throughout scripture, starting with the story of Tamar and somewhere in the mid...more
I'm currently reading this as a companion to the weekly Torah portion, and I'm loving it. Addresses some of the problems and confusion I've had with certain portions (like why did Noah get so very angry with Ham and consequently with Canaan?). Excellent guide to the Hebrew bible. It even includes a list of the 613 mitzvot with citations at the end. Indispensbable reference book.
This is a terrific resource for learning about the entire Hebrew Bible. It goes way beyond the five books of the Torah and covers the Writings and Prophets in detail, and is one of the only books I've seen that does this. It also lists the 613 mitzvot one by one, with an explanation. For getting a handle on the Writings and Prophets and browsing through all the mitzvot in one place, this book is invaluable.
However, due to the nature of its focus, it's denser and less varied then Telushkin's oth...more
However, due to the nature of its focus, it's denser and less varied then Telushkin's oth...more
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Like his other books (Jewish Literacy and Jewish Wisdom), this is another survey book that will give you the Jewish perspective on the Hebrew Bible. A good read for beginners like me.
MW
MW
Sep 23, 2010
Craig J.
added it
"Biblical Literacy: The Most Important People, Events, and Ideas of the Hebrew Bible by Joseph Telushkin (1997)"
Jun 30, 2010
Aaron Carlberg
added it
Another rabbinical book. Interesting to read but - well, we all have our issues.
A must-read for those who have no idea what the Bible is all about, as well as those looking to refresh their knowledge.
This book is a good way to get a synopsis of the Torah, the prophets, and the writings. It also inspired me to launch yet another blog.
http://613aday.blogspot.com/
in which I list a commandment a day as highlighted in the back of Rabbi Telushkin's book.
http://613aday.blogspot.com/
in which I list a commandment a day as highlighted in the back of Rabbi Telushkin's book.
so far it's an easy read. it doesn't have as much information as i was hoping. i wanted a book that would give insight into the hebrew culture and why jewish believers think the way they do about scripture.
Jul 10, 2007
amanda
added it
Recommended by Rabbi and a good reference.
Apr 08, 2013
Jennifer Elsken
marked it as to-read
Mar 21, 2013
Barbara
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Mar 10, 2013
C. Tucker
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Feb 27, 2013
Alisa
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Feb 27, 2013
Gregg Kramer
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Feb 26, 2013
Dave Friedman
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Associate of CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.
Ordained at Yeshiva University and Rabbi Telushkin pursued graduate studies in Jewish history at Columbia University.
More about Joseph Telushkin...
Ordained at Yeshiva University and Rabbi Telushkin pursued graduate studies in Jewish history at Columbia University.
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