Title
Ephrem, a 'Jewish' Sage: A Comparison of the Exegetical Writings of St. Ephrem the Syrian and Jewish Traditions (Studia Traditio,Used
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This book seeks to reconsider the commonly held view that some of Ephrem's writings are antiSemitic, and that his relationship with Judaism is polemical and controversial. The outcome of the research highlights several key issues. First, it indicates that the whole emphasis of Ephrem's critical remarks about Jews and Judaism is directed towards Christian conduct, and not towards Jews; and second, it considers Ephrem's negative remarks towards Jews strictly within the context of his awareness of the need for a more clearly defined identity for the Syriac Church. Furthermore, this book examines discernible parallels between Ephrem's commentaries on Scripture and Jewish sources. Such an exercise contributes to a general portrait of Ephrem within the context of his Semitic background. And in addition, the book offers an alternative reading of Ephrem's exegetical writings, suggesting that Ephrem was aiming to include Jews together with Christians among his target audience. Further analysis of Ephrem's biblical commentaries suggests that his exegetical style resembles in many respects approaches to Scripture familiar to us from the writings of Jewish scholars. A comparison of Ephrem's writings with Jewish sources represents a legitimate exercise, considering ideas that Ephrem emphasises, exegetical techniques that he uses, and his great appreciation of 'the People' the Jews as a chosen nation and the people of God an appreciation which becomes apparent from Ephrem's presentation of them. The process of reading Ephrem's exegetical writings in parallel with Jewish sources strongly identifies him as an heir of Jewish exegetical tradition who is comfortably and thoroughly grounded in it. This reading identifies Ephrem on a theological, exegetical and methodological level as a Christian writer demonstrating the qualities and features of a Jewish sage. The author has been awarded a PhD at Durham University (Department of Theology and Religion). In her research she works with a variety of methodologies including historical and literary criticism, and philosophical techniques.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Ephrem, a 'Jewish' Sage'? A: The book explores the relationship between St. Ephrem the Syrian's writings and Jewish traditions, arguing against the notion that Ephrem's works are anti-Semitic and highlighting his appreciation for Jewish culture.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Ephrem, a 'Jewish' Sage' is Elena Narinskaya.
- Q: What is the significance of Ephrem's exegetical style? A: Ephrem's exegetical style closely resembles that of Jewish scholars, indicating his grounding in Jewish exegetical tradition and suggesting that he aimed to reach both Jews and Christians in his writings.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 357 pages.
- Q: When was 'Ephrem, a 'Jewish' Sage' published? A: The book was published on December 2, 2010.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The book is listed as 'Used Book in Good Condition'.
- Q: What category does this book fall under? A: This book is categorized under Christianity.
- Q: Can this book be of interest to someone studying Jewish traditions? A: Yes, the book examines parallels between Ephrem's writings and Jewish sources, making it relevant for those studying Jewish traditions.
- Q: Does the book provide new insights into Ephrem's relationship with Judaism? A: Yes, it challenges previous views and provides a nuanced understanding of Ephrem's relationship with Judaism and his writings.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic study? A: Yes, the book is well-researched and provides valuable insights, making it suitable for academic study in theology and religious studies.