Questions About The Source

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Answered Questions (5)

Second half of my question, since it was over the total number of allowed characters. "Numerous were the Biblical texts in which some Old Testament hero rejoiced at the news he was the father of a son, and one of the morning prayers recited by men included the passage: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast not made me a woman" Thoughts on this passage?

Portia Religions from the Middle East-Judaism, Christianity and Islam have taken away the rights of women. Women were once regarded as the most powerful and …moreReligions from the Middle East-Judaism, Christianity and Islam have taken away the rights of women. Women were once regarded as the most powerful and respected creatures on earth since they gave forth human life. Women were regarded as goddesses and were treated as such. Middle Eastern religions made women subservient and created this whole image as of women being cunning, seducers who tricked men into submission. I personally blame all the patriarchal religions for the humiliation and mistreatment of women. If women were treated as goddesses there would be less SENSELESS VIOLENCE, LESS WARS and more peace and love.(less)

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If Michener was known to research his material so well, why did he make so significant errors in describing aspects of Jewish law? eg In his chapter "The Law" he discusses a "bastard" child. Nowhere is a mamzer (bastard) forbidden from attending synagogue or reading the Torah. In fact there is a rabbinic dictum that a mamzer who is a scholar precedes even the high priest (in apportioning honors).

gary schreiber While it is historical fiction, likely Michener was also agenda driven and wished to portray traditional Judaism as overly strict and restrictive, thu…moreWhile it is historical fiction, likely Michener was also agenda driven and wished to portray traditional Judaism as overly strict and restrictive, thus providing a basis for Christianity as "replacement theology." Still he acknowledged that rules were a necessary component of Christianity as well, so that it just represents a "kinder/ gentler" religion. In truth Michener, writes based on the secular assumption that all religions stem from ignorance of the natural world and attempt to appease the forces of nature. From there he takes the perspective that the 3 monotheistic religions evolved . He is sympathetic to the abuse that various religions heap against those whom they consider infidels, misguided or sinners and practitioners of abominable rituals. (less)

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I am reading THE SOURCE to get a better understanding of Israel and the ongoing Middle East "situation." I do NOT want to read a book that's theme is "all religions are one," or one whose author's intent is to debunk Christianity. I am only on chapter three, and I like the book, but my intent is to improve my history, not to correct my religion. Can you address the theme of this book? Thank you in advance, RKM

Bill Rosmus Better then to read 'Exodus' by Leon Uris. It gives one of the more accurate accounts of the founding of Israel. The biggest source of the problems th…moreBetter then to read 'Exodus' by Leon Uris. It gives one of the more accurate accounts of the founding of Israel. The biggest source of the problems there right now was from the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (the Muslim religious leader, and founder of the forerunner of the Islamic Brotherhood) in the 40s and 50s who was a close friend of Hitler.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... (less)

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How many pages?

Sara Lawson There are somewhere around 1100 pages, depending on the edition.

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is the 2002 reprint in paperback the same font size as original or is it a larger size? Small Mitchner print was not an issue when originally printed but much more so now. Is a large print paperback available?

Maria Rose It is worth getting a secondhand copy of this book in hardback, if you are find ing the font hard on your eyes and the second hand copies are cheaper …moreIt is worth getting a secondhand copy of this book in hardback, if you are find ing the font hard on your eyes and the second hand copies are cheaper than buying a new paperback. Besides with over 1000 pages , a paperback edition would barely hold together to finish reading the novel.(less)

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Unanswered Questions (3)

In the chapter, "King of the Jews", the protagonist of this chapter seems to be unsure why he got caught in the prison (page 436: "...but I am not amazed that Shelomith and I have finally been caught in Herod's web. Who informed upon us? I cannot guess. What was our crime? It's impossible even to speculate."). But later in this chapter, it is very clear how the couple got themselves into the prison. Where was i wrong?

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Who was the archaeologist Michener consulted with? Is he acknowledged in The Source?

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p. 343, "On this matter the testimony of the of the Torah was clear. Women under Judaism were treated no worse than Near Eastern women in general: deplored at birth, endured in adolescence, married off as soon as possible, discriminated against in law and subjected to misery if they became unwanted widows." Cont. below?

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