David Frankel | Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies - Jerusalem (original) (raw)
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Papers by David Frankel
Journal of Hebrew Scriptures, 2010
YHWH is usually understood to play two roles in Psalm 82: that of prosecutor of the gods (vv 2–5)... more YHWH is usually understood to play two roles in Psalm 82: that of prosecutor of the gods (vv 2–5) and that of high judge who convicts the gods to death (vv 6–7). This article suggests that the role of the high judge is played not by YHWH but by El. YHWH serves as prosecutor of the gods in El's court. In this reading YHWH speaks only in vv 2–5. In vv 6–8 El offers his verdict, after hearing the testimony of YHWH against the gods. After sentencing the gods of his council to death (vv 6–7), El appoints YHWH to rule the world in their place (v 8).
The Murmuring Stories of the Priestly School, 2002
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The following essay represents an attempt to articulate a contemporary Jewish theology of Israel ... more The following essay represents an attempt to articulate a contemporary Jewish theology of Israel and the Land. My own proficiency is in the critical study of the Hebrew Bible as this is pursued in the world of the academy. The academic approach to biblical studies is founded on the principle of personal detachment and objectivity, at least as a goal to be strived for even if never completely achieved. For some people, the findings of this approach to the biblical text have no place in contemporary theological discourse which, by its nature, is confessional, or faith centered. My own approach is very different. 1 For me, the critical study of the Bible offers a crucial corrective to what is problematic with so much of theological writing. In so many instances, theology bends the texts to the wishes of the theologian, distorting or obscuring their plain meaning to fit in with a particular agenda. A few texts are selectively highlighted, and opposing texts are conveniently ignored, giving the impression that the sources speak in a single, authoritative voice. One of the most important contributions of the critical study of the Bible is the recognition of the many and often contradictory voices found in Scripture. The attempt of the theologian to flatten these voices all under a single rubric not only reflects poor scholarship. It also fails on religious grounds, for it reflects a refusal on the part of the theologian to give an earnest and open-hearted listening to the full breadth of the biblical testimonies of faith. From my point of view, all of the biblical voices need to be given equal consideration. Even the voices that are clearly predominant are not to be privileged over the more marginal voices. The approach to Jewish biblical theology that I 1 See David Frankel, The Land of Canaan and the Destiny of Israel: Theologies of Territory in the Hebrew Bible, Eisenbrauns 2011, 382-400.
Drafts by David Frankel
This paper seeks to highlight the potential contribution of textual criticism to the larger domai... more This paper seeks to highlight the potential contribution of textual criticism to the larger domain of biblical studies, including literary analysis, redaction criticism and the study of ancient Israelite Religion. Of course, few would deny the theoretical significance of text criticism for these disciplines. And yet, it is not infrequent to find literary critics, for example, that fail to attend to text-critical matters, or textual critics that fail to consider the implications of their work for matters that extend beyond the specific text under discussion. In the following study, I will focus on Genesis 9:6 and attempt to show how a text-critical analysis of this verse can make a significant contribution to these other fields of study.
Journal of Hebrew Scriptures, 2010
YHWH is usually understood to play two roles in Psalm 82: that of prosecutor of the gods (vv 2–5)... more YHWH is usually understood to play two roles in Psalm 82: that of prosecutor of the gods (vv 2–5) and that of high judge who convicts the gods to death (vv 6–7). This article suggests that the role of the high judge is played not by YHWH but by El. YHWH serves as prosecutor of the gods in El's court. In this reading YHWH speaks only in vv 2–5. In vv 6–8 El offers his verdict, after hearing the testimony of YHWH against the gods. After sentencing the gods of his council to death (vv 6–7), El appoints YHWH to rule the world in their place (v 8).
The Murmuring Stories of the Priestly School, 2002
This is a digital offfprint for restricted use only |
The following essay represents an attempt to articulate a contemporary Jewish theology of Israel ... more The following essay represents an attempt to articulate a contemporary Jewish theology of Israel and the Land. My own proficiency is in the critical study of the Hebrew Bible as this is pursued in the world of the academy. The academic approach to biblical studies is founded on the principle of personal detachment and objectivity, at least as a goal to be strived for even if never completely achieved. For some people, the findings of this approach to the biblical text have no place in contemporary theological discourse which, by its nature, is confessional, or faith centered. My own approach is very different. 1 For me, the critical study of the Bible offers a crucial corrective to what is problematic with so much of theological writing. In so many instances, theology bends the texts to the wishes of the theologian, distorting or obscuring their plain meaning to fit in with a particular agenda. A few texts are selectively highlighted, and opposing texts are conveniently ignored, giving the impression that the sources speak in a single, authoritative voice. One of the most important contributions of the critical study of the Bible is the recognition of the many and often contradictory voices found in Scripture. The attempt of the theologian to flatten these voices all under a single rubric not only reflects poor scholarship. It also fails on religious grounds, for it reflects a refusal on the part of the theologian to give an earnest and open-hearted listening to the full breadth of the biblical testimonies of faith. From my point of view, all of the biblical voices need to be given equal consideration. Even the voices that are clearly predominant are not to be privileged over the more marginal voices. The approach to Jewish biblical theology that I 1 See David Frankel, The Land of Canaan and the Destiny of Israel: Theologies of Territory in the Hebrew Bible, Eisenbrauns 2011, 382-400.
This paper seeks to highlight the potential contribution of textual criticism to the larger domai... more This paper seeks to highlight the potential contribution of textual criticism to the larger domain of biblical studies, including literary analysis, redaction criticism and the study of ancient Israelite Religion. Of course, few would deny the theoretical significance of text criticism for these disciplines. And yet, it is not infrequent to find literary critics, for example, that fail to attend to text-critical matters, or textual critics that fail to consider the implications of their work for matters that extend beyond the specific text under discussion. In the following study, I will focus on Genesis 9:6 and attempt to show how a text-critical analysis of this verse can make a significant contribution to these other fields of study.