Reclaiming the Dead Sea Scroll

by Lawrence H. Schiffman

Book Overview

Controversy has surrounded the Dead Sea Scrolls ever since they were first discovered in caves bordering the Dead Sea. what is their true meaning? What revelations do they hold about Judaism and about... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385481217
• ISBN13: 9780385481212
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: Anchor Bible
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 1.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A Comprehensive Treatment about a Complex Topic

Lawrence H. Schiffman wrote an excellent book re The Dead Sea Scrolls. RECLAIMING THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS is a clearly written account of the development and interpretation of these Scrolls which were first discovered in 1947. Schiffman argues that not only Christians but also religious Jews can benefit from this book to gain a better understanding of the roots of their religion. Schiffman presents the controversies surrounding the editing and publication of the Dead Sea Scrolls. These controversies were based in part on pettiness, professional jealously, etc. Yet, Schiffman also informs readers that some of these controversies were based on honest differences of opinion. An interesting feature of this book is the photo plates of some of "the players" involved in this controversy. One of the scholars involved in interpreting and publishing the scrolls was Ben Zion Wacholder whose was one of the professors this reviewer's son while in graduate school at Hebrew Union College in Cincinatti, Ohio. Schiffman gives a detailed yet clear picture of the scholars involved and explains why there was controversy and what the differences were. Schiffman also explained the cultural mileau in Palestine and Judea during the time that the Scrolls were written (c.400 BC-200 AD). Devout Jews were caught in cultural conflict between Hellenistic Greek influences and later Roman influences especially after 63 BC. Schiffman explains that these differences were serious and led what may be called the Maccabean Wars (c.175 BC-163 BC). Schhiffman showed that not only were there conflicts between religious Jews and their Greek and later Roman rulers, but these influences caused internal conflict among religious Jews themselves. For Christians this helps explain the mention between Saduccess and Pharisees mentioned in the New Testament. For those who seek a biblical background of the Jewish vs. Greek conflicts, the books of First Maccabees and Second Maccabees, which are found in Catholic Bibles, are the biblical sources. As an aside, religious Jews celebrate Hanukkah to commerate the Maccabean struggle against the Greeks. Schoffman's book helps readers to better understand this conflict. An important feature of THE DEAD SEAS SCROLLS is the maps and geography of the sites where the Scrolls were found. Alert readers should understand that the Dead Sea Scrolls were written over a long period of time in response to outside political pressures and internal Jewish conflicts. Some of the Scrolls contain parts of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)and are some of the earliest examples of books of the Bible that we know of. Readers should note that some of the biblical books found in The Dead Sea Scrolls are different and either shorter or longer than those contained in contemporary bibles. This is a good topic to investigate. Most scholars and historians think that memebers of the Essenes wrote and edited The Dead Sea Scrolls. One interpretation of these men is that they iso

recllaiming the dead sea scroll

the writter gives a deep doctrine of theology.exellent contribution. i really enjoyed. DR.a.x.g. silva

The first book to view the Dead Sea Scrolls as Judaic Texts

One of the greatest scholars of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Lawrence Schiffman, tries to correct the problem of 40 years of Christian reading into the Judaic texts found at Qumran. By exploring the Scrolls as a whole, as well as the main groups of Jews in ancient Israel, Schiffman presents an amazing thesis as to who theses people were, and what schism led them to break from their homes and form this community. A book full of wisdom, and insight, Schiffman leads the reader on a complete exploration of the times, Scrolls, and provides a very helpful glossary for the layman, and scholar alike