Gary Schnittjer discusses the second edition of his book 'Torah Story and Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch', the significance of Torah as a story, the extended echo effect in the Bible, misunderstandings of the book of Leviticus, dealing with apparent favoritism and the concept of apprenticeship on the Pentateuch, and the classification dilemma of the book of Daniel.
The Levites and priests in the Torah play distinct roles in protecting Israel and maintaining the sacredness of the tabernacle.
Intentional ambiguity in biblical narratives prompts readers to explore interpretations, debate sin stories, and deepen their faith.
Deep dives
The Function of Levites and Priests in Numbers 16 and 25
In Numbers 16 and 25, the role of the Levites and priests is highlighted as they intervene to prevent disaster and maintain the holiness of the tabernacle. The Levites are portrayed as protectors of Israel, keeping the laity away from the dangers of God's holiness. On the other hand, the priests bear the burden of holiness and have the privilege of leading worship. This distinction emphasizes the need for both protection and maintaining the sacredness of the tabernacle.
The Power of Ambiguity in Biblical Narratives
Ambiguity is a recurring feature in various biblical narratives, creating curiosity and prompting readers to wrestle with the texts. Examples include Cain's offering, Ham's sin, Aaron's sons offering strange fire, and Moses' disqualification from the land. These instances of intentional ambiguity serve an instructional purpose, inviting readers to explore different interpretations, debate the sin stories, and delve deeper into faith and understanding.
Apprenticeship and Humility in Scripture Study
Through the concept of apprenticeship, readers are encouraged to approach scripture with humility and a willingness to be mentored. The term apprentice signifies a commitment to learning from the scriptures, viewing them as a guide for life and a source of vocational knowledge. It goes beyond mere knowledge acquisition and emphasizes obedience and submission to God's redemptive plan.
The Narrative Nature of Daniel
Daniel, often treated as a prophetic book, can also be viewed as a story. It evokes debates about its genre classification, with some considering it prophetical and others associating it with wisdom literature. Recognizing the hybrid nature of Daniel, it can be taught both with the prophets and with the narratives, depending on the teaching approach and desired contextual connection.
Episode: This episode covers a wide swathe of the Torah’s terrain, including reading the Torah as a story (even Leviticus), reading laws that come into conflict with each other, The Cat […]