Latest Essays
Redacting the Relationship to the Transjordanian Tribes
Redacting the Relationship to the Transjordanian Tribes
Numbers 32 combines two versions of how Gad and Reuven receive Moses’ permission to settle the Transjordan. The non-Priestly story emphasizes fraternity and kinship, while the Priestly version emphasizes law and obedience to YHWH. By synthesizing them, the redactor suggests that law can serve as a pillar around which the Israelite community can coalesce.
Why Now? Toward a Sociology of Knowledge Analysis of TheTorah.com
Why Now? Toward a Sociology of Knowledge Analysis of TheTorah.com
An analysis of why the approach taken by TheTorah.com has found such a large audience among the Orthodox at this time.
Why Was Joshua Singled Out by Moses?
Why Was Joshua Singled Out by Moses?
The story of the scouts introduces Hoshea bin Nun for the first time, following which Moses renames (only) him Joshua before sending him off to scout the land. And yet, Joshua has already featured in several stories as Moses’ protégé.
Eldad and Medad Successfully Challenge Moses’ Control over Prophecy
Eldad and Medad Successfully Challenge Moses’ Control over Prophecy
When Eldad and Medad prophesy in the camp, Joshua zealously presses for their incarceration. Moses, however, exclaims that all the people should ideally be prophets.
