Booklist

*Updated 13-06-09*

Biblical Criticism

• F.F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003)

Nice little book on the formation of the NT and its reliability, concise and to the point, I would recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about the NT guided by a solid teacher that shows some of Biblical Criticism but keeps his reader ’safe’.

• Yitzchak Etshalom, Between the Lines of the Bible (New York: Yashar books, 2006)

I really enjoyed this book alot! Rabbi Etshalom presents the reader a glimpse into what he calls the New Orthodox Torah commentary, that works very close to the text and brings the text to new heights. Answers the questions/challenges posed by Higher Criticism in a very novel way and most importantly an honest way. I had the opportunity while in Jerusalem to talk to the Rabbi myself and must say that he is not only a very good scholar but a very pleasant person to talk to as well.

• M.J. Paul, Het Archimedisch Punt in de Pentateuchkritiek (Den Haag: Boekencentrum, 1988)

A very strong dissertation in which the author shows the fundamental flaw of Wellhausen’s thesis of the discprecancy between Exodus 20 and the restriction in Deuteronomy of the making of altars other than that in the Tabernacle/Temple. A friend of mine told me that the university (Leiden) was not happy with this dissertation but couldnt refuse it as it was so good. Its very technical and Im sure I didnt understand 80% he said:) But theres an English summary in the back which gives a good picture and conclusion of what he presents.

• David Weiss Halivni, Revelation Restored (London: SCM Press, 1997)

This book was given by an Orthodox Jewish friend of mine and I must say it really opened my eyes to a new dimension of the Bible. One that I think I have been trying to supress, (see reviews above): the composite nature of the Torah and the role of Ezra and his scribes in editing and effectively restoring its place within the people of God, after a long period of neglect. Halivni shows how several of the early sages give Ezra  a big role and how there may be traces in Rabbinic literature of his restoration project. The book is divided in three parts, the first titled The Compilers’ Editorial Policy, the second Overcoming Maculation and the third Revelation Restored: Theological Consequences in which he reflects on what it means to acknowledge the composite nature of the Torah. I found it to be a very constructive and creative work and would certainly recommend it.

Christology

• A. van de Beek, Jezus Kurios – Christologie als Hart van de Theologie (Kampen: Kok, 1998)

This book I was recommended to read by a Professor of Systematic Theology after I inquired after the Incarnation. The book didnt fare well on me, as its mostly written from a very reformed perspective and highly based on deduction. In short, he assumes the Incarnation and then argues how beautiful it is, G’d taking on the suffering on the world. While this may even be a valid method, I think deduction should start from what the Tanakh informs us, in which case it seems unlikely that one would end at the same conclusion as him, although this seems also very difficult as these paradigms (the Jewish and Christian) are so strongly defined that one either assumes one or the either.

• Raymond E. Brown, An Introduction to New Testament Christology (Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1994)

Very good account, concise, which I like in general and quite free from theologically driven agendas, or at least not obvious. He goes through the text of the New Testament and delineates the christological development. He is quite careful and opts more often the lower christology over high christology. An interesting, though somewhat distressing, approach was his putting the gospels next to each other, where differences came out more clear. He showed how these differences were likely to be intentional and reflected secondary theological modifications, but in this way the development came out more clearer than I had seen before. The appendix was quite remarkable where he said: “Jesus is never called God in the Synoptic Gospels, and a passage like Mark 10:18 would seem to exclude a preserved memory that Jesus used the title of himself. Even the Fourth Gospel never portrays Jesus as saying specifically that he is God.” I still have difficulty with how he in the end is able to affirm all creeds but he seems not to be the only one who does this and I am starting to think that at some point its almost inevitable to keep ‘the faith’ without doing so, but while he is a Catholic where the authority of the church is a pillar in protestant circles this is still looked at somewhat suspicious.

• James G. Dunn, Christology in the Making (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2003)

This book I devoured, I really enjoyed it alot. Dunn is stripping away layer after layer and brings his reader very close, in my opinion, to what the writer’s of the NT tried to convey and also what they did not try to convey. The conclusion is a bit dissappointing as he first shows how theres no almost no sign of the Incarnation in the NT but ends up affirming it, mostly based though on the authority of the Church tradition.

Chumash/Torah

• Chumash Meirat Eynayim (Jerusalem: Hotzaat Hatanach Hamefoar, 1991)

This Chumash has Rashi’s commentary in a quite large text size making it easier to study, also including is Iqar Siftei Chachamim (summary of the Siftei Chachamim, presenting mainly his conclusions). I was looking for exactly this Chumash as most Chumashim have either very small Rashi, or block script, or with vowels, and I wanted one that had large letters but still Rashi script and no vowels.

• Mikraot Gedolot Hamaor (Jerusalem: Hamaor, )

This edition of Mikraot Gedolot is really good, beautifully type-set, the text quite large, Rashi under it, and the verse upon he comments in bold, followed by Siftei Chachamim, Ibn Ezra, Ramban, Sforno, Klee Yakar etc.

• Moşe Farsi, Tora: Bereşit (Istanbul: Gözlem Gazetecilik, 2004)

I chanced upon this commentary in a Turkish bookstore (not a religious one at all) and couldnt leave it standing there:) Most of the running commentary features Rashi, Ramban, but also R’ Hirsch and several other Rishonim, mostly traditionalists though.

• R’ Yisrael I. Z. Herczeg, Rashi: Commentary on the Torah (New York: Mesorah Publications ltd., 2007)

I’d say this is a must have for anyone studying the Bible, Rashi is so amazing, I really love studying his work, its difficult to explain whats so good about him, his comments are filled with depth, but at first sight very simple, making it attractive for the learned as well as the novice (the latter being me). Whats nice is that Artscroll has inserted footnotes explaining in short some of his comments with the help of traditional supercommentaries. Again, buy it, you wont regret it.

Devotionals

• R’ Shimon Finkelman & R’ Yitzschak Berkowitz, Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson A Day (New York: Mesorah Publications ltd., 2006)

If everybody would start his day with this little book (and of course the Bible:P) the world would be a much better place. Daily the Chofetz Chaim exhorts his readers to beware of the sin of lashon hara. Everyday one page focused on the halacha and one page that is more focused on exhortation. Really life changing.

• Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved (Uhrichsville: Barbour Publishing Inc., 2005)

I havent seen many devotionals but this is one is gold, so good that is sometimes feels as if G’d is really speaking through it, and I know He does. Its really amazing to see how the author weaves in verses from the Bible to the point that it becomes almost indistinguishable which is which.

• Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning (Uhrichsville: Barbour Publishing Inc., 2005)

I bought this one in Israel and must say that I love it. Spurgeon has the power to really exhort his reader and make him realize whats the task thats waiting for him that day.

Hebrew

• Edna Kadman, Hebrew with Pleasure (Jerusalem: S. Zack, 2005)

This is a nice grammar for learning modern Hebrew, I worked only half through it as I decided I wanted to put more effort into Biblical Hebrew than modern.

• Kittel, Hoffer, Abts Wright, Biblical Hebrew (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005)

Good but difficult book, Im glad I studied the book by Parsons and a little of Kadman’s before I opened this one as the pace is very high and it follows an inductive approach. Yet I must say that it has helped me alot and gotten me quite comfortable with the Biblical text, as every lesson includes translating verses from the Bible.

• John Parsons, Zola’s Introduction to Hebrew (Dallas: Zola Levitt Ministries Inc., 2006)

Nice introductory book, really for people who have absolutely no Hebrew knowledge, teaches block and cursive script Hebrew and just that. No grammar, just the alef-bet.

History

• Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006)

Good and concise account of the period, written in an accessible manner with lots of references for further study. He really seems to master the period and gives so it seems a very balanced overview. Definitely worthwile to read to get a good understanding of the 2nd Temple period. A bit troubling I found the presentation of sects where the parallels between early Christianity and other sects were quite striking.

• James D.G. Dunn, The Partings of the Ways (London: SCM Press, 2006)

Another one of James Dunn’s comprehensive studies into 2nd Temple Judaism. I keep on being amazed by his extensive knowledge, his research is very thorough and makes use of virtually all sources that are available. I value James Dunn especially as his exegesis tends to be quite objective, the reason for this I think is because his religious views can be categorized as neo-orthodox, that is to say, he attributes a very strong voice to the church tradition and in this way does not have to read all later developments back into the Bible, because in a sense the revelation of God does not end with Revelation (!). He sets out what he sees as the four pillars of 2nd Temple Judaism and examines how early Christianity undermined these and when this happened. The four being: Monotheism, the Temple, Election and the Torah. In short he sees the Temple being undermined by the group of (Hellenistic) Christians mainly seen in the person of Stephen, but shows that this was not the case for the Jerusalem Christians or Hebrews as they are called in Acts. When it comes to the Election of Israel and the Torah he shows that Jesus wasnt really deviating from normative (as far as we can speak of normativity) views on these but that with Paul something decisive happened. I have been looking for references to Nanos but unfortunately he doesnt engage him into his studies. The last pillar, which in Dunn’s view caused the definite split was Monotheism, not that Dunn sees the Trinity in its orthodox formulation as a real threat to Monotheism (at least thats what I think he’s trying to convey) but says that with Johns Gospel the Christological thought had broken through boundaries.

• E.P. Sanders, The Historical Figure of Jesus (London: Penguin Books, 1993)

A very nice read. Although I have not read many works produced by the historical quest Im quite sure that this is among the best. See here for my review.

• Oskar Skarsaune, In the Shadows of the Temple (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 2002)

This book is an ideal read for Christians interested in the Jewish roots of their faith. A systematic overview, with at the end of every chapter  suggestions for further reading.

• Oskar Skarsaune and Reidar Hvalvik, Jewish Believers in Jesus (Peabody: Hendrickson, 2007)

This is a massive work, and took me quite some time to get through. Very interesting articles by an impressive list of scholars.

Midrash

• Midrash Tanchuma Hamefoar (Jerusalem: Sifrei Or Hachayim, )

Mishnah

• Shisha Sidrei Mishnah 3 vol.

Pocket-sized Mishnah, with vowels and the commentary of Rav Ovadiah MiBartenura zt”l

• Avraham Chashin, Mishnayot Meirot – Berachot

This has one has the text of the respective Mishnah with vowels, the classic commentary of Rav Ovadiah MiBartenura zt”l under it and pictures explaining certain words used in the Mishnah.

• P’nei Yisrael (Perek Hakoneis)

This is part of the series Mishnayos Metzuyaros and I would say ideal for someone whose Hebrew isnt that good yet but still is willing to learn the Mishnah in Hebrew. Pictures are included.

Mussar

• HaRav Yaakov Addes, Closeness to Hashem (Bnei Barak)
• HaRav Yaakov Addes, To Love the Torah & The Pre-eminence of Holiness (Bnei Barak)

The first work was given to me by the Rabbi himself after a chat at the kotel. This Rabbi is really a figure to see, a living saint, very well known at the Kotel, praying for hours, studying Torah, stories go around that he only sleeps about two hours a night and is praying 5 hours straight. I once heard him praying and it was absolutely amazing to hear and see how he poured out his heart to G’d and drew his fellow men into the service of Hashem.

New Testament

• James Dunn, Unity and Diversity in the New Testament (London: SCM Press, 2006)

It took me quite some time to get through this book but like with many other works of Dunn I learned quite a lot from it. He surveys the NT in search of unity and diversity and succeeds very well. His main conclusions are: Jesus is the unity of the NT, there is much diversity in other issues but these were tolerated as long as Jesus remained the focus. He also makes a big point of the fact that it is not possible to speak of orthodoxy in early Christianity. In short a nice survey of the variety of the NT.

• John Lightfoot, Commentary on the NT from the Talmud and Hebraica (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1989)

This is quite an old commentary, written in 1658 by the famous Christian Hebraist, John Lightfoot, his commentary is full with references to Rabbinic literature, and even though he is quite hostile to the Rabbi’s its a nice reference work.

• David Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary (Jerusalem: Jewish New Testament Publishing, 1992)

This commentary was one of the first commentaries I used and I benefited alot from it in those days. He presents Yeshua and his followers as Torah observant and does this through drawing on parallels in Rabbinic literature. A bit dissappointing was his continual stress on the need to evangelize Jews, but what can you expect from someone formerly employed by JfJ. Also his unquestioned reliance, or so it seems, on the doctrine of the Incarnation. One lightpoint was the fact that he would render most of the dubious verses in the NT, where one comma can equate Jesus with G’d, in a way that that would avoid this, as he would say that the NT was much more subtle. Another nice thing was his use of  Rav Tzvi Yechiel Lichtenstein’s z”l commentary on the NT, which has yet to be fully translated to English.

Non-canonical writings

• Huub van de Sandt and David Flusser, The Didache: Its Jewish Sources and Its Place in Early Judaism and Christianity (Assen: Royal Van Gorcum, 2002)

The work on chapter 6 of the Didache by van de Sandt and Flusser was eye-opening for me during my quest for an answer for non-Jews relationship to the Torah. To quote them: “In addition to the basic moral code, gentile Christians are recommended to fully observe the Tora. The fragmentory evidence in the sources seems to indicate that this was the predominant attitude in the early church.” p265 The important thing I noted here was the word ‘recommend’ as opposed to being obligated, as the latter wouldnt square with Paul’s writings. In a nutshell they say, that Didache was an adapted document that was used by the Synagogue for G’d-fearers, and that the council of Acts is affirming the prevailing view that non-Jews were not obligated to observe the Torah apart from the pre-Noachide laws, be they 3 or 4 depending on either the Alexandrian or Western manuscript. Yet the way to perfection was to submit to the whole yoke.

Philosophy

• Moses Maimonides, The Guide for the Perplexed (New York: Dover Publications inc., 2000)

This was a great work to plough through, its kind of difficult as its audience doesnt really include me:) That is to say, I dont have the philosophical background nor the knowledge on what his opponents were saying to always make sense of what he’s doing. But still, I enjoyed it and learned a lot from it.

• Shalom Rosenberg, In the Footsteps of the Kuzari: vol 1 (New York: Yashar books, 2008)

I read about this book on Gil Student’s blog and downloaded a chapter. During that time I was following a course at university on Philosophy of Economics wherein various themes came up that I didnt really know how to respond to, as I never really studied philosophy. This book, although of course not focused on Economics, gave me a lot of good directions and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author in the way of the Kuzari directs his reader through all the various religions/philosophies that it is faced with today and shows how Judaism presents a coherent worldview.  The 2nd volume is out, and Ill probably be ordering it soon.

• R’ Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Halakhic Man (New York: JPS, 1984)

I decided to read a book of Rav Soloveitchik z”l as I have quite a few friends that are Modern-Orthodox and picked up this one. It was really an interesting book and I understand why he is so often referenced to.

• Keith Ward, God: A Guide for the Perplexed (Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2005)

An overview of the various schools of thought throughout the ages on God. Really interesting although sometimes a bit perplexing and confusing.

Religion

• Lawrence Kelemen, Permission to Believe (Southfield: Targum Press Inc., 1990)

In this book Kelemen sets forth four rational approaches to G’d: 1. Moral, 2. Cosmological, 3. Teleological and 4. Jewish History. All in all a good concise presentation although it wouldnt have hurt if the arguments were presented in a more fluent form. Not a book to give to a seeker, in my opinion, but for personal use can be helpful.

• Kelly Kullberg, Finding God beyond Harvard (Vaassen: Medema, 2007) Dutch edition

This book was given by a friend of mine from university who has the plan to organize the Veritas forum at our university. It was an interesting read and inspired me. It would certainly be interesting to attend the forum.

• Aaron Lichtenstein, The Seven Laws of Noah, (New York: The Rabbi Jacob Joseph School Press, 1995)

After the dozens of appeals by friends to study the seven laws of Noah, I decided to pick up a book on it. I must say that the author does a very nice way to present the laws. Its concise and to the point, spending for every law a chapter. He shows that the laws are more or less categories and ends up with about 66 laws for Noachides. Its a nice book.

• Alistair McGrath & Joanna McGrath, The Dawkins Delusion? (Downers Grove: IVP, 2007)

I found this book on a booksale for only 8 euro so I had to buy it:) I havent read Dawkins book, which would have been a better approach before reading the response, but still was able to follow the general thread. I was a bit dissappointed to be honest, he hardly engaged with Dawkins arguments, (unless he has little arguments in his book:P), but issues alot of ad hominem arguments and in general talks more about Dawkins personal agenda. He constantly lambasts Dawkins book for being unscientific and overly anti-religious but while all of this might be true, this is not very interesting, as the arguments should be weighed on their own, as Dawkins will disappear but they will remain. And if they are issued by someone who has more temper and is less anti-religious than what do we do with those arguments? Luckily he engages with some arguments and so its not a waste of money and paper.

• Keith Ward, The Big Questions in Science and Religion (West Consohocken: Templeton  Foundation Press, 2008)

10 big questions are covered in this book, but I was most interested in the 3rd question: Is Evolution Compatible with Creation. He does a very good job with answering this question (as well as the other questions) and I blogged about this as well see here. He in a sense shows the limits of both religion and science and how they interplay with each other, making..

• N.T. Wright, Simply Christian (New York: HarperOne, 2006)

After all the praise bestowed on the bishop I thought I should read something of him, also I knew it wouldnt hurt to get some positive points for Christianity as it was some time ago that I read a book by a Christian author. I especially liked the first part of the book wherein he talks in general about G’d, pointing his reader to what he calls ‘four echoes of a voice’; beauty, relationships, justice and spirituality. The second part was good as well, and I gave this book to a friend of mine who is Catholic himself but doesnt know alot about his faith, I could actually recommend it to anybody, learned or not, as this book presents the faith in such a nice way that it will have benefit for both.

Talmud

• Berachot, Bava Kamma

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• Rabbijn Mr. Drs. R. Evers, Talmoedisch Denken (Amsterdam: Uitgeverij Amphora Books, 1999)

In this book the Dutch Rabbi Evers takes upon him the task to present his reader with the 13 rules of interpretation as codified by the Tanna Rabbi Yishmael. He does this by presenting examples from both the Biblical text as well as the Talmud and slowly presents his reader with an overview of the rules.