idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
It is well known that Judaism eventually came to rest in a sacred book rather than a sacred space, a centrality expressed by its public reading in the synagogue service. The completion of that Torah reading in an annual cycle made it the unifying narrative for each community and the entire nation. Less widely appreciated, though, is the paradox that in Judaism the canon remained fluid even as it became fixed. The word of God, unlike the language of humans, was deemed to bear an infinity of meanings, with the result that canon spawned commentary. Of all literary genres, commentary is the least appealing to the modern temperament with its penchant for speed, novelty and self-expression. Yet it is the key to Judaism’s singular achievement: a canon without closure. Revelation proved to be expansive rather than restrictive. The right, indeed the obligation, of every Jew to plumb the Bible for meaning kept the text ever open, pliant and relevant in a conversation that spanned the ages.
Prof. Dr. Ismar Schorsch is Chancellor Emeritus und Rabbi Herman Abramovitz Professor of Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (New York) and an outstanding scholar in the area of Jewish Studies. His research focuses on the history of Jewish Scholarship, science of Judaism and conservative Judaism. His book »Canon Without Closure« (2007) is a collection of Torah commentaries.
For further information:
Leibniz-Institut für Europäische Geschichte (IEG)
Referat Veranstaltungen/Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Stefanie Wiehl
Alte Universitätsstraße 19
55116 Mainz
Tel. + 49 (0) 6131-39 393 50
Fax + 49 (0) 6131-39 353 26
Information on participating / attending:
The lecture is open to everyone and participation is free of charge.
Date:
01/21/2013 18:30 - 01/21/2013 20:00
Event venue:
Leibniz-Institut für Europäische Geschichte (IEG)
Alte Universitätsstr. 19
Konferenzraum, 1. OG
55116 Mainz
Rheinland-Pfalz
Germany
Target group:
Scientists and scholars, Students
Email address:
Relevance:
transregional, national
Subject areas:
History / archaeology, Religion, Social studies
Types of events:
Presentation / colloquium / lecture
Entry:
01/09/2013
Sender/author:
Stefanie Wiehl
Department:
Geschäftsführung / Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Event is free:
yes
Language of the text:
English
URL of this event: http://idw-online.de/en/event42148
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