Holiness, Ethics and Ritual in Leviticus

Holiness, Ethics and Ritual in Leviticus PDF Author: Leigh M. Trevaskis
Publisher: Sheffield Phoenix Press Limited
ISBN: 9781906055981
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In this book, Trevaskis argues that holiness in Leviticus always has an ethical dimension, and is not simply a cultic category. In so doing he departs from the usual view that in Leviticus 1-16 (P) holiness is largely a cultic concept. Biblical scholars have commonly read ritual texts as practical instruction or prescription, inferring the theological significance of the rituals from elsewhere. For example, theological interpretations of the 'burnt offering' have been derived from its use in narrative settings (e.g. Gen. 8.20; 22.13) rather than from its legal prescription in Leviticus 1. Trevaskis, however, argues that an implicit command to be holy exists within some ritual texts in Leviticus, which are more than mere ritual prescriptions. It is in the symbolic dimensions of the rituals that the theological significance lies. In support of this argument, he undertakes exegetical studies of the 'burnt offering' (Leviticus 1), of the 'purity regulations' (Leviticus 11_15) and of the physical appearance of priests and sacrificial animals (Leviticus 21-22). These studies take place within a methodological framework that avoids capricious symbolic interpretations. Trevaskis draws on cognitive linguistic insights to discern when a text may allude to other texts within the Pentateuch (especially Genesis 1-3), and attends to the legislator's use of various rhetorical devices (e.g. 'rhetorical progression'). Since the command to 'be holy' in Leviticus 17-26 (H) only makes explicit what P leaves implicit in Leviticus 1-16, this study has important implications for the compositional history of Leviticus. It becomes much less clear that H's ethical view of holiness developed from a prophetic critique of P (as Milgrom and Knohl, for example, argue).

Holiness, Ethics and Ritual in Leviticus

Holiness, Ethics and Ritual in Leviticus PDF Author: Leigh M. Trevaskis
Publisher: Sheffield Phoenix Press Limited
ISBN: 9781906055981
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In this book, Trevaskis argues that holiness in Leviticus always has an ethical dimension, and is not simply a cultic category. In so doing he departs from the usual view that in Leviticus 1-16 (P) holiness is largely a cultic concept. Biblical scholars have commonly read ritual texts as practical instruction or prescription, inferring the theological significance of the rituals from elsewhere. For example, theological interpretations of the 'burnt offering' have been derived from its use in narrative settings (e.g. Gen. 8.20; 22.13) rather than from its legal prescription in Leviticus 1. Trevaskis, however, argues that an implicit command to be holy exists within some ritual texts in Leviticus, which are more than mere ritual prescriptions. It is in the symbolic dimensions of the rituals that the theological significance lies. In support of this argument, he undertakes exegetical studies of the 'burnt offering' (Leviticus 1), of the 'purity regulations' (Leviticus 11_15) and of the physical appearance of priests and sacrificial animals (Leviticus 21-22). These studies take place within a methodological framework that avoids capricious symbolic interpretations. Trevaskis draws on cognitive linguistic insights to discern when a text may allude to other texts within the Pentateuch (especially Genesis 1-3), and attends to the legislator's use of various rhetorical devices (e.g. 'rhetorical progression'). Since the command to 'be holy' in Leviticus 17-26 (H) only makes explicit what P leaves implicit in Leviticus 1-16, this study has important implications for the compositional history of Leviticus. It becomes much less clear that H's ethical view of holiness developed from a prophetic critique of P (as Milgrom and Knohl, for example, argue).

Leviticus

Leviticus PDF Author: Jacob Milgrom
Publisher: Fortress Press
ISBN: 9781451410150
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 422

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Book Description
Building upon his life-long work on the Book of Leviticus, Milgrom makes this book accessible to all readers. He demonstrates the logic of Israel's sacrificial system, the ethical dimensions of ancient worship, and the priestly forms of ritual.

Leviticus: An Introduction and Study Guide

Leviticus: An Introduction and Study Guide PDF Author: Philip Peter Jenson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 0567674851
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 129

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Book Description
In this guide, Philip Peter Jenson provides an introduction to Leviticus, examining its structure, character, and content. In particular, he focuses on explaining the basic concepts that inform the rituals and ethics of Leviticus. This is especially the case for the pervasive and complex category of holiness, along with its antithesis, impurity. Overall, Jenson's emphasis is on the overarching coherence of the book and how it reached its present canonical form. Leviticus is a difficult book for most readers, describing rituals that are no longer practiced and reflecting a culture that is vastly different from that of the modern West. Yet it is the central book of the first section of the Bible of both Jews and Christians, and it is at the heart of the law revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. It includes the foundational texts on matters such as sacrifice or love for one's neighbour. In this comprehensive introduction, Jenson offers extensive analysis, and concludes each chapter with reflections on the contemporary significance of the texts being discussed.

Centralizing the Cult

Centralizing the Cult PDF Author: Julia Rhyder
Publisher: Mohr Siebeck
ISBN: 3161576853
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 506

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Book Description
Back cover: In this work, Julia Rhyder examines the Holiness legislation in Leviticus 17-26 and cultic centralization in the Persian period. Rather than presuming centralization as an established norm, Leviticus 17-26 forge a distinctive understanding of centralization around a central sanctuary, standardized ritual processes, and a hegemonic priesthood

Unveiling Holiness A Reflective Analysis of the Book of Leviticus

Unveiling Holiness A Reflective Analysis of the Book of Leviticus PDF Author: Claudius Brown
Publisher: Claudius Brown
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The Book of Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament. It is a part of the Torah, which is the foundational text of Judaism. Leviticus primarily focuses on religious laws, rituals, and regulations governing the lives of the Israelites, particularly those related to worship, sacrifice, and ethical behavior. The book is traditionally attributed to Moses and is considered a continuation of the events recorded in the previous book, Exodus. Key Themes and Content of Leviticus: Priestly Rituals and Sacrifices: A significant portion of Leviticus is dedicated to outlining various rituals and sacrifices that the Israelites were required to perform as part of their worship. These rituals include offerings for sin, guilt, peace, and consecration. The book provides detailed instructions for how these rituals were to be carried out and emphasizes the importance of approaching God with reverence and purity. Holiness and Purity: Leviticus stresses the concept of holiness, both in terms of the sanctity of the tabernacle (the portable sanctuary) and in the lives of the Israelites. The book outlines guidelines for maintaining purity, including dietary laws, regulations regarding bodily discharges, and guidelines for proper hygiene.

Divine Presence and Community

Divine Presence and Community PDF Author: Frank H. Gorman
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 9780802801104
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description
This commentary by Frank Gorman shows how Leviticus, though focusing largely on matters associated with the Levitical pristhood, is also important to laypeople. It issues a call to holiness and an appeal for ethical behavior in community.

Just Business

Just Business PDF Author: Alexander Hill
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 9780830875917
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
"An ethical man is a Christian holding four aces." So said Mark Twain. But practicing Christians, at least, want to be ethical in all areas of life and work--not just when they are holding four aces. To those faced with the many questions and quandaries of doing business with integrity, Alexander Hill offers a place to begin. Alexander Hill carefully explores the foundational Christian concepts of holiness, justice and love. These keys to God's character, he argues, are also the keys to Christian business ethics. Hill then shows how some common responses to business ethics fall short of a fully Christian response. Finally, he turns to penetrating case studies on such pressing topics as employer-employee relations, discrimination and affirmative action, and environmental damage. This is an excellent introduction to business ethics for students and a bracing refresher for men and women already in the marketplace.

Purity and Holiness

Purity and Holiness PDF Author: Marcel Poorthuis
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004421394
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 389

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Book Description
Purity has long been recognized as one of the essential drives which determines humankind's relationship with the holy. Codes of purity and impurity, dealing with such far-ranging topics as 'external stains' and 'inner remorse', represent the physical and 'bodily' side of religious experience and provide the key to the understanding of human orientation to nature, and the structure of society, including even relationships between the sexes. Starting with the Hebrew Bible, a number of articles study some rather neglected passages from both exegetical and cultural-anthropological standpoints. Next, it is shown that the concept of purity is far more central to the New Testament than previously thought. Luke is portrayed as a Jewish-oriented writer. The discussion of purity in Mark is compared with Rabbinical and Qumranic material. Patristic discussions of purity reflect both allegorical and literal interpretations, while rabbinical rulings display a fine sense for detail and realia. Biblical references to illness are interpreted both in Christian and Jewish traditions as a metaphor for immoral behavior. The present collection of studies proceeds far beyond other collections on purity, studying both the medieval and modern periods. Purity rules, in both Christian and Jewish society, do not disappear in the Middle Ages, but become increasingly stronger. Sometimes there appear unexpected and surprising similarities between both societies. Modern society sees a decline in the importance of purity, reflecting a growing ambiguous attitude to the relationship between the body and the holy. A feminist perspective is also provided, examining the intertwined relationship between religion, gender and power. Exegesis, archaeology, liturgy, anthropology and even architecture are all used to study the complex phenomena of purity in their religious and social dimensions from both Christian and Jewish perspectives.

Leviticus

Leviticus PDF Author: S. Tamar Kamionkowski
Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 0814679951
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 390

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Book Description
The book of Leviticus provides two different theologies related to God's presence within ancient Israel. Leviticus 1-16 was written by an elite caste of priests (P), and Leviticus 17-26 (H) was added to the book to "democratize" access to God. While the Priestly work has hardly inspired lay readers, the Holiness Writings provide some of the most inspiring and well-known verses from the Bible. This volume shows how gender dynamics shift between the static worldview of P and the dynamic approach of H and that, ironically, as holiness expands from the priests to the people, from the temple to the land of Israel, gender behaviors become more highly regulated. This complicates associations between power and gender dynamics and opens the door to questions about the relationships between power, gender, and theological perspectives.

The Ethics of Leviticus

The Ethics of Leviticus PDF Author: Abba Engelberg
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781947857124
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 384

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Book Description
The Book of Leviticus addresses many topics that a modern reader might have questions about. Why does God require us to offer animal sacrifices? Why are the holiday rituals necessary? Why does the Torah address family relations and the definition of marriage? Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg addresses these and many more ethical questions that arise from the book of Leviticus.