About the Book

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August 2023

Judaism and Its Bible explores the profoundly deep and complex relationship between Jews, Judaism, and the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew Bible has been ubiquitous in Jewish life and thought: Jews read it, interpret it, and debate it. They translate the Bible even as they deem those translations inadequate, and they cite the Bible as the basis for observances that are not even mentioned in it. Jews quote the Bible as authority for their tradition’s preservation and innovation, as both the word of God and the language of humans, and as justification for both pro- and anti-rabbinic movements. Fascinating and comprehensive, Judaism and Its Bible describes the extraordinary two-and-a-half-millennia journey of a people and its book that has changed the world.

“Frederick Greenspahn brings us an abundance of gifts in this remarkable book: his expertise as a biblicist, his erudition in multiple areas of Jewish civilization, his formidable research skills, his experience as a popular university lecturer, and his skill as a writer.”—Ziony Zevit, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biblical Literature and Northwest Semitic Languages and Literatures, American Jewish University

“I am astonished by the breadth and depth of learning on display. The book’s comprehensiveness makes it a tour de force.”—Alan Cooper, Elaine Ravich Professor of Jewish Studies, Jewish Theological Seminary

“A well written introductory work about the Bible and its relationship to the Jewish people and Judaism…recommended for all libraries.”—Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews

“Well written and accessible…useful for discussion groups or a synagogue class.”—The Reporter

“Greenspahn’s book is a treasure trove of data about the Bible’s place in Judaism throughout
the ages.”–Review of Biblical Literature