Movies and Midrash

Movies and Midrash

Author: Wendy I. Zierler

Publisher: State University of New York Press

Published: 2017-08-15

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 1438466161

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Brings popular cinema and Jewish religious texts into a meaningful dialogue. Finalist for the 2017 National Jewish Book Award in Modern Jewish Thought and Experience presented by the Jewish Book Council Movies and Midrash uses cinema as a springboard to discuss central Jewish texts and matters of belief. A number of books have drawn on films to explicate Christian theology and belief, but Wendy I. Zierler is the first to do so from a Jewish perspective, exploring what Jewish tradition, text, and theology have to say about the lessons and themes arising from influential and compelling films. The book uses the method of “inverted midrash”: while classical rabbinical midrash begins with exegesis of a verse and then introduces a mashal (parable) as a means of further explication, Zierler turns that process around, beginning with the culturally familiar cinematic parable and then analyzing related Jewish texts. Each chapter connects a secular film to a different central theme in classical Jewish sources or modern Jewish thought. Films covered include The Truman Show (truth), Memento (memory), Crimes and Misdemeanors (sin), Magnolia (confession and redemption), The Descendants (birthright), Forrest Gump (cleverness and simplicity), and The Hunger Games (creation of humanity in God’s image), among others. Wendy I. Zierler is Sigmund Falk Professor of Modern Jewish Literature and Feminist Studies at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and the author of And Rachel Stole the Idols: The Emergence of Modern Hebrew Women’s Writing.


Book Synopsis Movies and Midrash by : Wendy I. Zierler

Download or read book Movies and Midrash written by Wendy I. Zierler and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2017-08-15 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Brings popular cinema and Jewish religious texts into a meaningful dialogue. Finalist for the 2017 National Jewish Book Award in Modern Jewish Thought and Experience presented by the Jewish Book Council Movies and Midrash uses cinema as a springboard to discuss central Jewish texts and matters of belief. A number of books have drawn on films to explicate Christian theology and belief, but Wendy I. Zierler is the first to do so from a Jewish perspective, exploring what Jewish tradition, text, and theology have to say about the lessons and themes arising from influential and compelling films. The book uses the method of “inverted midrash”: while classical rabbinical midrash begins with exegesis of a verse and then introduces a mashal (parable) as a means of further explication, Zierler turns that process around, beginning with the culturally familiar cinematic parable and then analyzing related Jewish texts. Each chapter connects a secular film to a different central theme in classical Jewish sources or modern Jewish thought. Films covered include The Truman Show (truth), Memento (memory), Crimes and Misdemeanors (sin), Magnolia (confession and redemption), The Descendants (birthright), Forrest Gump (cleverness and simplicity), and The Hunger Games (creation of humanity in God’s image), among others. Wendy I. Zierler is Sigmund Falk Professor of Modern Jewish Literature and Feminist Studies at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion and the author of And Rachel Stole the Idols: The Emergence of Modern Hebrew Women’s Writing.

Movies and Midrash

Movies and Midrash

Author: Wendy I. Zierler

Publisher: SUNY Press

Published: 2017-08-16

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 1438466153

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Brings popular cinema and Jewish religious texts into a meaningful dialogue. Movies and Midrash uses cinema as a springboard to discuss central Jewish texts and matters of belief. A number of books have drawn on films to explicate Christian theology and belief, but Wendy I. Zierler is the first to do so from a Jewish perspective, exploring what Jewish tradition, text, and theology have to say about the lessons and themes arising from influential and compelling films. The book uses the method of “inverted midrash”: while classical rabbinical midrash begins with exegesis of a verse and then introduces a mashal (parable) as a means of further explication, Zierler turns that process around, beginning with the culturally familiar cinematic parable and then analyzing related Jewish texts. Each chapter connects a secular film to a different central theme in classical Jewish sources or modern Jewish thought. Films covered include The Truman Show (truth), Memento (memory), Crimes and Misdemeanors (sin), Magnolia (confession and redemption), The Descendants (birthright), Forrest Gump (cleverness and simplicity), and The Hunger Games (creation of humanity in God’s image), among others. “This is a groundbreaking work of originality, insight, and high quality. It will be of great importance not only for Jewish readers but also for non-Jewish readers who long for a non-Christian perspective on popular film. I loved this book!” — Eric Michael Mazur, editor, Encyclopedia of Religion and Film


Book Synopsis Movies and Midrash by : Wendy I. Zierler

Download or read book Movies and Midrash written by Wendy I. Zierler and published by SUNY Press. This book was released on 2017-08-16 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Brings popular cinema and Jewish religious texts into a meaningful dialogue. Movies and Midrash uses cinema as a springboard to discuss central Jewish texts and matters of belief. A number of books have drawn on films to explicate Christian theology and belief, but Wendy I. Zierler is the first to do so from a Jewish perspective, exploring what Jewish tradition, text, and theology have to say about the lessons and themes arising from influential and compelling films. The book uses the method of “inverted midrash”: while classical rabbinical midrash begins with exegesis of a verse and then introduces a mashal (parable) as a means of further explication, Zierler turns that process around, beginning with the culturally familiar cinematic parable and then analyzing related Jewish texts. Each chapter connects a secular film to a different central theme in classical Jewish sources or modern Jewish thought. Films covered include The Truman Show (truth), Memento (memory), Crimes and Misdemeanors (sin), Magnolia (confession and redemption), The Descendants (birthright), Forrest Gump (cleverness and simplicity), and The Hunger Games (creation of humanity in God’s image), among others. “This is a groundbreaking work of originality, insight, and high quality. It will be of great importance not only for Jewish readers but also for non-Jewish readers who long for a non-Christian perspective on popular film. I loved this book!” — Eric Michael Mazur, editor, Encyclopedia of Religion and Film

Kosher Movies

Kosher Movies

Author: Rabbi Herbert Cohen

Publisher: Urim Publications

Published: 2015-07-15

Total Pages: 290

ISBN-13: 9655242315

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Crossing genres of films, this book contains movies that have lessons in them as a way of finding insights into daily life. While other critics summarize a film, focus on the amount of profanity and nudity it contains, and decide whether it's worthwhile to watch, Herbert Cohen takes a different tactic and views films as life lessons. This collection of meaningful films, with inspiring and emotional stories that help understand the plight of others, provides new ways to approach self-growth.


Book Synopsis Kosher Movies by : Rabbi Herbert Cohen

Download or read book Kosher Movies written by Rabbi Herbert Cohen and published by Urim Publications. This book was released on 2015-07-15 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Crossing genres of films, this book contains movies that have lessons in them as a way of finding insights into daily life. While other critics summarize a film, focus on the amount of profanity and nudity it contains, and decide whether it's worthwhile to watch, Herbert Cohen takes a different tactic and views films as life lessons. This collection of meaningful films, with inspiring and emotional stories that help understand the plight of others, provides new ways to approach self-growth.

Modern Midrash

Modern Midrash

Author: David C. Jacobson

Publisher: State University of New York Press

Published: 2012-02-01

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13: 1438407726

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book explores a central phenomenon in the development of modern Jewish literature: the retelling of tradtional Jewish narratives by twentieth-century writers. It shows how and toward what ends Biblical stories, legends, and Hasidic tales have been used in shaping modern Hebrew literature. The author's impressive knowledge and careful analysis of both early and modern Hebrew texts reveal the main literary features of the genre, while making an important contribution to current discussions of the relationship between midrash and literature, the relationship between myth (and other traditional narratives) and modern literature, and the concept of intertextuality. The book also provides many fresh insights on the various issues of modern Jewish existence addressed in these works. Among these are: the revival of the Jewish tradition by reinterpreting it in light of new values, the preservation of Jewish identity entering into Western culture, the changing roles of men and women in Jewish culture, challenges to traditional Jewish views of sexuality, attempts to physically destroy the Jewish people, moral and political issues raised by the establishment of the State of Israel, and the conflict between Jews and Arabs.


Book Synopsis Modern Midrash by : David C. Jacobson

Download or read book Modern Midrash written by David C. Jacobson and published by State University of New York Press. This book was released on 2012-02-01 with total page 235 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores a central phenomenon in the development of modern Jewish literature: the retelling of tradtional Jewish narratives by twentieth-century writers. It shows how and toward what ends Biblical stories, legends, and Hasidic tales have been used in shaping modern Hebrew literature. The author's impressive knowledge and careful analysis of both early and modern Hebrew texts reveal the main literary features of the genre, while making an important contribution to current discussions of the relationship between midrash and literature, the relationship between myth (and other traditional narratives) and modern literature, and the concept of intertextuality. The book also provides many fresh insights on the various issues of modern Jewish existence addressed in these works. Among these are: the revival of the Jewish tradition by reinterpreting it in light of new values, the preservation of Jewish identity entering into Western culture, the changing roles of men and women in Jewish culture, challenges to traditional Jewish views of sexuality, attempts to physically destroy the Jewish people, moral and political issues raised by the establishment of the State of Israel, and the conflict between Jews and Arabs.

The Midrash

The Midrash

Author: Jacob Neusner

Publisher: Jason Aronson

Published: 1990

Total Pages: 672

ISBN-13: 9780876688144

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

An introduction to the seven Midrash compilations with a lucid account of their main points. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.


Book Synopsis The Midrash by : Jacob Neusner

Download or read book The Midrash written by Jacob Neusner and published by Jason Aronson. This book was released on 1990 with total page 672 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An introduction to the seven Midrash compilations with a lucid account of their main points. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

The Talmud's Theological Language-Game

The Talmud's Theological Language-Game

Author: Eugene B. Borowitz

Publisher: SUNY Press

Published: 2007-06-01

Total Pages: 332

ISBN-13: 9780791467022

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Analyzes the structure and logic of aggadic discourse in the Talmud.


Book Synopsis The Talmud's Theological Language-Game by : Eugene B. Borowitz

Download or read book The Talmud's Theological Language-Game written by Eugene B. Borowitz and published by SUNY Press. This book was released on 2007-06-01 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Analyzes the structure and logic of aggadic discourse in the Talmud.

Learning to Read Midrash

Learning to Read Midrash

Author: Simi Peters

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Presenting a systematic approach to the study of midrash, each of the readings presented in this book attempts to reconstruct the reasoning behind midrashic commentary on biblical narrative. The goal of the book is to convey a sensitivity to the language and meanings of the Tanakh, and to develop a reverent appreciation for the language and teachings of the Jewish sages.


Book Synopsis Learning to Read Midrash by : Simi Peters

Download or read book Learning to Read Midrash written by Simi Peters and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presenting a systematic approach to the study of midrash, each of the readings presented in this book attempts to reconstruct the reasoning behind midrashic commentary on biblical narrative. The goal of the book is to convey a sensitivity to the language and meanings of the Tanakh, and to develop a reverent appreciation for the language and teachings of the Jewish sages.

Mystery Midrash

Mystery Midrash

Author: Lawrence W. Raphael

Publisher: Turner Publishing Company

Published: 2012-03-03

Total Pages: 373

ISBN-13: 158023609X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Confront murder, mayhem—and your own mysteries of being. From a corporate giant's kidnapping of a rabbi, to the disappearance of the clarinetist in a klezmer band, to four rabbis' use of their text interpretation skills to help a detective solve a murder that one of them has committed, this unique collection of mysteries will enlighten you at the same time it intrigues and entertains. While featuring enough death and deception to keep the detective protagonists on their toes, each story presents the uncertainties that are a part of contemporary Jewish identity—inviting us all to confront our own mysteries of being. Throughout the stories' tangled puzzles and suspenseful adventures, the characters solve not only the "whodunit"-type mysteries, but also struggle to solve the mystery of their spiritual lives. Mystery Midrash will be a lasting delight for mystery buffs of all faith traditions.


Book Synopsis Mystery Midrash by : Lawrence W. Raphael

Download or read book Mystery Midrash written by Lawrence W. Raphael and published by Turner Publishing Company. This book was released on 2012-03-03 with total page 373 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Confront murder, mayhem—and your own mysteries of being. From a corporate giant's kidnapping of a rabbi, to the disappearance of the clarinetist in a klezmer band, to four rabbis' use of their text interpretation skills to help a detective solve a murder that one of them has committed, this unique collection of mysteries will enlighten you at the same time it intrigues and entertains. While featuring enough death and deception to keep the detective protagonists on their toes, each story presents the uncertainties that are a part of contemporary Jewish identity—inviting us all to confront our own mysteries of being. Throughout the stories' tangled puzzles and suspenseful adventures, the characters solve not only the "whodunit"-type mysteries, but also struggle to solve the mystery of their spiritual lives. Mystery Midrash will be a lasting delight for mystery buffs of all faith traditions.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Author: Daniel Ross Goodman

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2020-08-24

Total Pages: 163

ISBN-13: 0761872248

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Why do we watch movies? If we read in search of more life, as Harold Bloom is fond of saying, then we watch movies, this book proposes, in search of wonder. We watch movies in search of awe-inspiring visions, transformative experiences, and moments of emotional transcendence and spiritual sublimity. We watch movies for many of the same reasons that we engage in religion: to fill our ordinary evenings and weekends with something of the extraordinary; to connect our isolated, individual selves to something that is greater than ourselves; and because we yearn for something that is ineffable but absolutely indispensable. This book, through an exploration of some of the most intriguing films of the past two decades, illustrates how movies are partners with religion in inspiring, conveying, and helping us experience what Abraham Joshua Heschel refers to as "radical amazement": the sense that our material universe and our ordinary lives are filled with more wonders than we can ever imagine, and that it takes spiritually—as well as cinematically—trained eyes to uncover these ever-present ocular gems. In addition to illustrating how films utilize religious themes and theological motifs to convey a sense of wonder, this book offers new interpretations of key films from canonical American directors such as Martin Scorsese, Terrence Malick, Richard Linklater, Wes Anderson, and the Coen brothers.


Book Synopsis Somewhere Over the Rainbow by : Daniel Ross Goodman

Download or read book Somewhere Over the Rainbow written by Daniel Ross Goodman and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2020-08-24 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why do we watch movies? If we read in search of more life, as Harold Bloom is fond of saying, then we watch movies, this book proposes, in search of wonder. We watch movies in search of awe-inspiring visions, transformative experiences, and moments of emotional transcendence and spiritual sublimity. We watch movies for many of the same reasons that we engage in religion: to fill our ordinary evenings and weekends with something of the extraordinary; to connect our isolated, individual selves to something that is greater than ourselves; and because we yearn for something that is ineffable but absolutely indispensable. This book, through an exploration of some of the most intriguing films of the past two decades, illustrates how movies are partners with religion in inspiring, conveying, and helping us experience what Abraham Joshua Heschel refers to as "radical amazement": the sense that our material universe and our ordinary lives are filled with more wonders than we can ever imagine, and that it takes spiritually—as well as cinematically—trained eyes to uncover these ever-present ocular gems. In addition to illustrating how films utilize religious themes and theological motifs to convey a sense of wonder, this book offers new interpretations of key films from canonical American directors such as Martin Scorsese, Terrence Malick, Richard Linklater, Wes Anderson, and the Coen brothers.

How Do We Know This?

How Do We Know This?

Author: Jay M. Harris

Publisher: SUNY Press

Published: 1995-01-01

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 9780791421444

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book is a study of rabbinic legal interpretation (midrash) in Judaism’s rabbinic, medieval, and modern periods. It shows how the rise of Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Judaism in the modern period is tied to distinct attitudes toward the classical Jewish heritage, and specifically, toward rabbinic midrash halakah.


Book Synopsis How Do We Know This? by : Jay M. Harris

Download or read book How Do We Know This? written by Jay M. Harris and published by SUNY Press. This book was released on 1995-01-01 with total page 402 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a study of rabbinic legal interpretation (midrash) in Judaism’s rabbinic, medieval, and modern periods. It shows how the rise of Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Judaism in the modern period is tied to distinct attitudes toward the classical Jewish heritage, and specifically, toward rabbinic midrash halakah.