Robert Alter's Book of Psalms (moral, Moses, Torah, Tanakh)

[Jayhawker Soule]

Back in February 2005 I strongly recommended Robert Alter's The Five Books of Moses. It remains my favorite Torah translation and commentary.

Today I received Alter's new The Book of Psalms. What little I've read suggests that it is every bit as good. Just a suggestion ...

[Buttercup]

The reviews sound wonderful for The Five Books of Moses from your link. I'd love to read a different perspective on the Torah.

You know what I find interesting? Many atheists are better read regarding religion in general than some theists. Why is that do you think?

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

You know what I find interesting? Many atheists are better read regarding religion in general than some theists. Why is that do you think?

Many atheist come from serious religious backgrounds.

Many others study that which they seek to debunk.

In my case, and without wishing to sound pretentious, I really love the Tanakh, finding it endlessly fascinating and often inspiring -- and immensely more valuable than atheism as a worldview.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Jay

In my case, and without wishing to sound pretentious, I really love the Tanakh, finding it endlessly fascinating and often inspiring -- and immensely more valuable than atheism as a worldview.

It seems odd to find writing you basically think of as a fairy tale to be valuable but I think I understand.

Do you look at the books as part genuine history, part diary of human triumph & failure and part lesson book on morality?

Is it a comfort to read perhaps because of your Jewish heritage?

Jay, I think you are more open minded than many atheists....you attend synagogue and find inspiration in religious books. I'm not sure if you know how tolerant that behavior is.

[Jayhawker Soule]

At the risk of taking this thread on Alter far afield ...

Originally Posted by Buttercup

It seems odd to find writing you basically think of as a fairy tale to be valuable but I think I understand.

We are a mythopoetic species - never underestimate the function of fairy-tale. That said, to the best of my knowledge I have never reduced the Tanakh to such a thing.

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Do you look at the books as part genuine history, part diary of human triumph & failure and part lesson book on morality?

Part cultic narrative, part folk history, part bellicose propaganda, part civil code, part poetry and lament, part wisdom literature, part midrash, ....

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Is it a comfort to read perhaps because of your Jewish heritage?

I'm not sure that "it's a comfort to read", but I'm very sure that my appreciation of the Tanakh has little or nothing to do with my heritage.

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Jay, I think you are more open minded than many atheists...

As I read recently: "just because it's in the Bible doesn't make it wrong."

Atheism is an opinion. I think it a warranted one, but is is not revealed truth. There is a quality to the anthropic cosmological argument and the remarkably creative capacity of emergent systems that is, perhaps, insufficiently appreciated.

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Jay

At the risk of taking this thread on Alter far afield ...

Sorry, I thought you were just recommending the book.

We are a mythopoetic species - never underestimate the function of fairy-tale.

I agree. Truth and allegory can be found anywhere words have tread.

That said, to the best of my knowledge I have never reduced the Tanakh to such a thing.

I didn't mean to put words in your mouth. Seems as though I remember you describing events in the bible along those lines.

I'm not sure that "it's a comfort to read", but I'm very sure that my appreciation of the Tanakh has little or nothing to do with my heritage.

Really? I doubt you'll find a Christian who's as fascinated with those particular exerpts but, perhaps. My first love was Jewish and he had a similar respect for the Tanach even though he was agnostic.

Atheism is an opinion. I think it a warranted one, but is is not revealed truth. There is a quality to the anthropic cosmological argument and the remarkably creative capacity of emergent systems that is, perhaps, insufficiently appreciated.

I agree entirely. But, you're still very generous with your outlook compared to many others.

Back to topic........

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

Seems as though I remember you describing events in the bible along those lines.

See here from roughly three years ago. See also here from September 2005. I could probably find other examples as well. Shalom.