Your desk set-up reminds me of my own.It's unfortunate that you don't have enough room in your book shelves. I'm sure you own loads of books. Where do you keep them?
dman, I don't think that's what he was asking, read his comment again.
Nice reference in the post title, Chana, but please tell me Henry James is not one of your favorite authors. The Turning of the Screw, as I recall, was a title all too descriptive of the experience of reading the book.
And I thought I was the only one who discovered the new edition of Legends of the Jews...
Despite problems with Kugel's recent book (as discussed by R' Wieder on Sunday), I think his work on early Biblical interpretation is much less controversial. I've read selections from The Bible As It Was (and its expanded - and much more expensive - edition, called Traditions of the Bible), and it's really a great analysis of the development of midrashim and other exegesis of that era. I highly recommend his In Potiphar's House as an introduction to The Bible As It Was - he does much of the same thing, but he's much more explicit about his methodology. His recent (2007?) Laddder of Jacob is similar as well.
PS - I love the Calvin and Hobbes book right in the middle of everything.
In a way I was half joking; I only said he's an apikores because he's semi-religious in a way, but I don't, of course, think there's anything wrong with reading biblical criticism or books based on it. ...maybe wrong not to...
(i.e.- obviously this is an important topic- but my opinion is that's it's wrong to not make others' opinions and research aware to ourselves...that would be close-minded.)
And it's true; 'The Bible as it Was' is a little less 'blasphemous' than "How to Read the Bible" for example...
...but kugelman's an interesting guy; sort of reminds me of Rav Soloveichik in a weird way...
G: In my experience, many people who refer to others as apikorsim (or worse) are doing so based on what others tell them. Examples: Rabbi Slifkin, "Making of a Godol".
Shlomo: Glad to see you were at least partially joking. See my response to G. Also, see the really nasty comments to some of the posts on Rabbi Harry Maryles's blog, which can be found at: http://haemtza.blogspot.com/
Firstly, be careful in assuming the notions of others based upon your personal experiences as it is a slippery slope which leads to the very behavior you are calling into question.
Second, at what point is one allowed to forgo personal investigation and trust in the opinion of another?
--basically...relax. Don't jump to the worst conclusion at the first opportunity. Asking one to back up a statement is one thing, leaping to an accusation w/o giving them a chance to respond is something else.
Chana,it's obvious that the living/studying quaters at Stern's dorms are crowded... What's your room like at home? Do you have a large library? You read/write so much. we are simply curious. Thanks.
And in terms of Kugel's The Bible as it Was...I have read a good chunk of it and have so far loved it. I have not found anything 'kfiradic' yet. And as Avi-Gil noted, it was his most recent book, How to read the Bible, that caused all of the controversy, not his earlier ones.
so werid!! Hey everybody i am chana's roommate. I really remember that Chana have JPS on her shelves, i think that was library copy so therefore she can't keep it forever but u take have my word that she did have JPS but not now. (Unless, chana will read what i just wrote and said that i am wrong then i will admit that i am wrong)
You know, that lamp you've got there...that's a very controversial lamp. Are you sure it's not an apikores? IS THAT WHY IT'S PARTIALLY CUT OUT OF THE CLOSE UP PICTURES???
I would not presume to speak for Chana. However, my experience is that stickers tend to fall off, and getting a keyboard with English and Hebrew letters is expensive (especially for a laptop). If I ever have to replace my keyboard, I intend to get a bilingual one.
For now, I have a chart in my desk which I consult when I have to type in Hebrew.
And from up close:
26 comments:
Your desk set-up reminds me of my own.It's unfortunate that you don't have enough room in your book shelves. I'm sure you own loads of books. Where do you keep them?
How is Kugel's book thats on your table?
To holy hyrax:
What's wrong with a copy of Professor Kugel's book on Chana's table?
dman, I don't think that's what he was asking, read his comment again.
Nice reference in the post title, Chana, but please tell me Henry James is not one of your favorite authors. The Turning of the Screw, as I recall, was a title all too descriptive of the experience of reading the book.
Yair:
Agreed.
I placed that book and two others by Professor Kugel on reserve at my local library.
YU Student,
On the floor, of course! I have piles and piles of books all over my bedroom floor. Also on the bed.
Holy Hyrax,
I'm only at the beginning- but it's great!
Yair,
Henry James? For shame! The reference is to James Joyce.
Dman, that means I'm going to be talking to you about the book when I'm done with it!
Chana:
Probably not for a while.
First I have to receive the book.
Then, I have to make time to read it.
But before I read Dr. Kugel's books, I have to finish Actual Ethics by James Otteson.
watch out for that kugelman dude...it seems a big conversation starter, but he's obviously a huge apikores..
..but then again, who isn't in the academic world...
Shlomo:
If you have actually read Dr. Kugel's books, then please post a specific comment to substantiate your conclusion.
If you have not read any of his books and are merely repeating what someone else's opinion, please be honest with us and admit it.
I will not venture an opinion until I have read some of his work. Perhaps I will agree with the opinion you express. Perhaps not.
But the opinion I express will be based upon my reading of the books.
And I thought I was the only one who discovered the new edition of Legends of the Jews...
Despite problems with Kugel's recent book (as discussed by R' Wieder on Sunday), I think his work on early Biblical interpretation is much less controversial. I've read selections from The Bible As It Was (and its expanded - and much more expensive - edition, called Traditions of the Bible), and it's really a great analysis of the development of midrashim and other exegesis of that era. I highly recommend his In Potiphar's House as an introduction to The Bible As It Was - he does much of the same thing, but he's much more explicit about his methodology. His recent (2007?) Laddder of Jacob is similar as well.
PS - I love the Calvin and Hobbes book right in the middle of everything.
How about given us a book report when you are done
dman,
"But the opinion I express will be based upon my reading of the books'
-Why do you not assume the same of others?
dman:
In a way I was half joking; I only said he's an apikores because he's semi-religious in a way, but I don't, of course, think there's anything wrong with reading biblical criticism or books based on it. ...maybe wrong not to...
(i.e.- obviously this is an important topic- but my opinion is that's it's wrong to not make others' opinions and research aware to ourselves...that would be close-minded.)
And it's true; 'The Bible as it Was' is a little less 'blasphemous' than "How to Read the Bible" for example...
...but kugelman's an interesting guy; sort of reminds me of Rav Soloveichik in a weird way...
ugh....I mean 'kugel'!..
G:
In my experience, many people who refer to others as apikorsim (or worse) are doing so based on what others tell them. Examples: Rabbi Slifkin, "Making of a Godol".
Shlomo:
Glad to see you were at least partially joking. See my response to G. Also, see the really nasty comments to some of the posts on Rabbi Harry Maryles's blog, which can be found at: http://haemtza.blogspot.com/
Your desk is cleaner than mine. Oy!
Yay for the Yeshiva University Oppressed!
dman,
Firstly, be careful in assuming the notions of others based upon your personal experiences as it is a slippery slope which leads to the very behavior you are calling into question.
Second, at what point is one allowed to forgo personal investigation and trust in the opinion of another?
--basically...relax. Don't jump to the worst conclusion at the first opportunity. Asking one to back up a statement is one thing, leaping to an accusation w/o giving them a chance to respond is something else.
Chana,it's obvious that the living/studying quaters at Stern's dorms are crowded...
What's your room like at home? Do you have a large library? You read/write so much. we are simply curious. Thanks.
An Artscroll Tanakh?!?!? Where's the JPS?
And in terms of Kugel's The Bible as it Was...I have read a good chunk of it and have so far loved it. I have not found anything 'kfiradic' yet. And as Avi-Gil noted, it was his most recent book, How to read the Bible, that caused all of the controversy, not his earlier ones.
But no JPS?
so werid!! Hey everybody i am chana's roommate. I really remember that Chana have JPS on her shelves, i think that was library copy so therefore she can't keep it forever but u take have my word that she did have JPS but not now. (Unless, chana will read what i just wrote and said that i am wrong then i will admit that i am wrong)
You know, that lamp you've got there...that's a very controversial lamp. Are you sure it's not an apikores? IS THAT WHY IT'S PARTIALLY CUT OUT OF THE CLOSE UP PICTURES???
When I first saw the pictures, I thought, "Yeah, that looks familiar. Except that the notebooks should be on the end...!"
And then I realized that it was not my desk afterall.
And, looking more carefully, it doesn't really look like my desk at all. That was such a weird sensation.
But I also sort of feel as though my desk is a portrait of my life. :-)
Chana: How can you not have Hebrew letters on your laptop's keyboard?!
Jameel:
I would not presume to speak for Chana. However, my experience is that stickers tend to fall off, and getting a keyboard with English and Hebrew letters is expensive (especially for a laptop). If I ever have to replace my keyboard, I intend to get a bilingual one.
For now, I have a chart in my desk which I consult when I have to type in Hebrew.
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