Search Scripture Well: Karaite Exegetes and the Origins of the Jewish Bible Commentary in the Islamic East
Leiden: Brill, 2004. First edition. Hardcover. Octavo. xv, (1), 374, (2)pp. Index and 27 page bibliography. Text mostly in English with some Judaeo-Arabic Hebrew. Lime green buckram lettered in white. A fine, as new copy.
The Jewish Bible commentary was created in the Islamic East during the tenth century by scholars seeking a rational, systematic approach to Scripture. Among its earliest champions were the Karaites, scripturalists who denied rabbinic authority. Seeking to restore Judaism to its biblical roots, they wrote numerous commentaries in Judeo-Arabic. Through the investigation of key topics, this book traces the contours of early Karaite biblical exegesis. Subjects covered include: halakhic indeterminacy; dream interpretation; the Song of Songs as salvation history; Psalms exegesis as liturgical commentary; and inter-religious polemics. The exegetes discussed include Ya‘qub al-Qirqisani, Salmon b. Yeruhim, Sahl b. Masliah, and above all, Japheth b. Eli. Extensive selections from unpublished manuscripts are presented in English translation and the original Judeo-Arabic. (Publisher) Contents: Ch. 1.; "Search scripture well" --; Ch. 2.; Unclean birds and tassels : indeterminacy and halakhic exegesis --; Ch. 3.; Interpreting dreams and scriptures --; Ch. 4.; "The voice of the turtledove" : interpreting the song of songs --; Ch. 5.; Shoshannim and their liturgy : exegesis, prayer, and communal identity --; Ch. 6.; prophet like Moses : exegesis as religious polemic --; Epilogue : on the origins of the Jewish Bible commentary in the Islamic east --; Judeo-Arabic texts. (OCLC)
Volume 29 in the Brill series "Etudes sur la Judaisme Medieval." (EJM). Fine. Item #52296
ISBN: 9789004139022
Price: $175.00