Summer Tanach Studies
Monday, August 2, 2010, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Eitz Chayim Community Room
Topic “The Cushite Woman”
Zipporah, the Cushite Woman, Miriam and Moses
Review Zipporah (previous blog)
Num 11:35-12:9 and Related Texts
Bring wine and food as desired.
Bring your own Tanach if possible
Category Archives: Commentary
Notes from Zipporah and Bridegroom of Blood
It may be useful to look over the notes prior to the class on Cushite woman. In the discussion, some suggested that since God had decreed circumcision with Abraham, Moses was not in compliance and therefore Zipporah needed to circumcise Moses. In this view, it was not Gershom who was circumcised. My notes contain an alternate view.
Keturah and Midian
Ø Gen 25:1-2 After death of Sarah, and Rebekkah moves into Isaac’s tent – Moses takes Keturah for wife– one son is Midian. (nomadic desert tribes) –
Ø Gen 25:6 sons of Abraham’s concubine (pilagesh) are sent eastward. (Perhaps Keturah’s sons.). I Chron 1:32 states “Sons of Keturah, Abraham’s concubine (pilagesh). Pilagesh is between wife and slave, technically independent, sustained by man, yet free to leave. (TWC p 125)
Exodus –Jethro and Zipporah
Ø 2:15-22 – Moses flees from Pharoah after killing the Egyptians and goes to the land of Midian
· Per Etz Hayim: early history of close friendly relations between Midianites and Israel – became enemies following conquest of Canaan (see Num 31)
Ø 3:1 – Father in law priest now called Jethro. Moses tending flocks goes to Horeb (Sinai) and burning bush; mysterious and miraculous Presence. YGod calls Moses to service, Moses demurs. —YMagic rod snake; —Yleprous hand [CUSHITE]; —Ywater turns to blood [ZIPPORAH]; —YAaron to speak [CUSHITE].
Ø 3:20 – So Moses took his wife and sons.
Ø 4:18-20 – Moses takes leave of Jether (Jethro) and Moses heads to Egypt
Ø 4:22-3 – Moses to say to pharoah about killing first-born (he never does)
Ø 4:24-26 – the mysterious bridegroom of blood and Zipporah’s evident priestess power. Echoes of burning bush mysteriousness and blood.
· Moses’ legs could be genitals.
· Tosefta Shabbat 15:8 – women can circumcise, but not in Bavli. See also Cohen.
· (JSB 113) the saving power of the bloody foreskin may foreshadow the protective role of blood on the Israelite’s door posts.
· (Pardes) Interpretations of why God seeks to kill Moses (strictly speaking not clear if Moses or son is intended victim)
o premonition of things to come re Pharaoh: plague against firstborns; danger to nation as a whole during last plague
o variation of theme of Moses refusing call – comes after God’s revelation at bush and Moses’ reluctance
· (Pardes) Interpretations of Zipporah’s action
o she placates the attacker and illustrates to Moses that the weak can overcome the strong – and can stick hostile oppressors; and Moses did seem paralyzed by weakness here.
o right after this Ex 5, Moses goes to pharoah.
o she rescues him a bit like Miriam and Pharaoh’s daughter did
· Note Jacob wrestling with Angel: Gen 32:23-33 for a comparable mysterious encounter with God
· Etz Hayim: confrontation with God is so terrifying that it makes confrontation with Pharaoh minor. hatan damim could convey “you are now circumcised and so protected for me by means of the blood of circumcision.” Shades of protection of pascal lamb blood.
Etz = Etz Hayim
Fischer = Exodus to Deuteronomy A Feminist Companion to the Bible: “The Authority of Miriam,” Imrtraud Fischer
JSB = JPS Study Bible
Nashim = Nashim Spring 2010 Wendy Zierler “On Account of the Cushite Woman that Moses Took”
Pardes = Countertraditions in the Bible
Summer Tanach Studies July 19
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The formation of the Israelites
To those who were in the Canaanite class, thanks for sending me back to check on my comments about the Iron Age being responsible for cisterns and creating terraces.
Although a huge number of cisterns were required, along with clearing the wilderness and creating the terraces in the settlement in the hills of Palestine in the time of Joshua (about 1200 BCE), the evidence that iron tools made this possible is thin. What is certain that there was a huge amount of physical labor involved in the settlement, in creating the irrigation systems and the vineyards etc. Carol Meyers says “The role of the Israelites as inventors of technology is a moot point. What stands out is the presumably unprecedented and widespread use of cisterns in the pioneer period [time of Joshua circa 1200 BCE]…. The number of implements made of iron in proportion to bronze does not rise significantly in the Iron I period. Whether iron or bronze tools, the physical effort involved was sustantial.” Discovering Eve, pg 55. See also the PBS Nova series “The Secrets of the Bible.” http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bible/
Texts for Canaanites – from Curse to Conquest
Summer Tanach Series “We Have Met the Enemy and S/he is Us”
http://www.igopogo.com/we_have_met.htm
MONDAY, June 21 – Canaanites – from Curse to Conquest
MONDAY, June 21 – Canaanites – from Curse to Conquest
TUESDAY, July 6 – topic tbd
MONDAY, July 19 – topic tbd
MONDAY, August 2 – topic tbd
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the Eitz Chayim Community Room
136 Magazine Street, Cambridge
Feel free to bring brown bag dinner and/or wine
Through a close and intertextual reading of selected Biblical texts, we will explore the intersection of gender and politics in the ancient Israelite love/hate relationship with the outsider/other.
Each session will be completely stand-alone. Come to any or all.
Neither prior text study nor knowledge of Hebrew is required. Penina will supply the text choices. Bringing your own tanach (Bible) will be very helpful.
Topics may include
• Moabite women (and Ruth and David) – the permeable boundary between insider and outsider
• The Cushite woman (and Miriam and Moses)
• The Adam and Eve – is Creation in the image of God androgynous? Is YHVH gendered?
Joshua June 6 2010 – Chaps 14 – 15
Sources are in bold (if any) and described at end.
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Think about Num 14:44 where people defied YYVH and went to battle and were routed with Ai.
Caleb and Joshua represent those who are willing to fight for their land. The 10 spies who died of plague showed themselves willing to fight – but not sure about the need to do so, and not trusting in God.
CHAPTER 14
14:1————- Eleazar the priest ELEAZAR (Heb. אֶלְעָזָר; “God/El-has-aided”), high priest after *Aaron . Eleazar was Aaron’s third son (Ex. 6:23); his older brothers Nadab and *Abihu perished after offering strange fire before the Lord (Lev. 10:1–7; Num. 3:4). During his father’s lifetime Eleazar served as the “head chieftain of the Levites” (Num. 3:32) and performed some of the functions of the high priest (ibid. 19:4). After Aaron’s death, Eleazar was appointed high priest in his father’s place (ibid. 20:28; Deut. 10:6). “Eleazar.” Encyclopaedia Judaica. Ed. Michael Berenbaum and Fred Skolnik. 2nd ed. Vol. 6. Detroit : Macmillan Reference USA
—————— Moses can invest Joshua, but priest has to seek instructions from Unim. In Num 34:17: Eleazar is priest, not prophet – he carries on Aaronic tradition while Joshua carries on Mosaic.
14:6————- Caleb is a Kenizzite, but also seemingly referred to as of the tribe of Judah Judah
14:7-8———- Caleb speaks as if he were the only spy
14:11———– Caleb is strong for war – then and now
14:9,13-14—- Joshua gave Hebron
14:14———– Repeat “Kenizzite
14:15———– Land had rest from war. See 11:23 for same statement. [formula?]
CHAPTER 15
15:1————- Judah ’s lot extends to Edom
15:13———– Joshua give’s Caleb a portion “among the children of Judah
15:15———– Kiriath-sepher = “City of writing” or “city of books” – to spell out that the city to be destroyed is a city of books puts conquest in a different light – though Joshua and Judges foreground trumphalism, this remnant suggests that the place to be destroyed may be center of learning where history and texts are valued. (J&M – Fewell, pg 131-2)
15:16———– Caleb will give Achsah his daughter to whomever will smite Kiriath sepher. Achsah subordinate to father and husband. Achsah means bangle or Anklet. (J&M – Fewell, pg 133)
15:17———– There is no body count, no herem. Was this a peaceful capture?
15:18———– Is dismounting a sign of submission or an emphatic gesture whereby Achsah plants herself firmly on the ground in order to confront her father? (J&M – Fewell, pg 137)
15:19———– Achsah becomes vocal, active. Her direct speech emphasizes the importance of this encounter (J&M Bowman pg 22).
—————— Achsah requests a blessing as is normally given to first born (daughters of Zelophehad ask for land – Num 27:1-11 and Jos 16:3-6) (AFC-J Bowman pg 22). Why would her father have given her only arid land? Caleb’s motive is not shown. From a narrative point of view, this stresses Achsah’s assertiveness (J&M Bowman pg 24). “Does the fact that the bargaining chip turns bargainer render the original bargain somewhat ironic?” (J&M – Fewell, pg 134)
—————— Achsah gains her wishes through appeals to men who have authority over her – ideal woman in patriarchal society. She demonstrates both constraints of patriarchy and the power women may have within those limitations. (AFC-J– Klein: pg 60)
—————— In Joshua this episode brings to conclusion Moses’ promise to Caleb = end of Caleb’s story, communicating the reward to the faithful.
—————— In Judges this is not an end but a beginning – introduces first Judge = Othoniel (outsider or insider undermines Us vs Them ideology that drives conquest) (J&M – Fewell, pg 140)
—————— Women shown as owners of property rare, repeated in daughters of Zelophehad (Jos 17:3-6) (J&M – Fewell, pg 140)
—————— Achsah – male vision of what is necessary for survival and prosperity is limited – the women knows that land is dry and must have water. (WBC – Fewell)
15:20-62——- Inheritance of Judah by families
15:63———– Jebusites – inhabitants of Jerusalem – their king was Adoni-Tzedek who led the charge against Gibeon (Jos 10:1) who was slaughtered (Jos 10:22-27). They were reduced to serfdom by Solomon (I Kings 9:20, 21). Occupied Palestine
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AFC-J = A Feminist Companion to the Bible, Ser 1, Judges, Athalya Brenner, ed.
EJ = Encyclopaedia Judaica, 2007
J&M – Judges and Methods: Gale Yee ed.
WBC = Women’s Bible Commentary: Dana Nolan Fewell: “Joshua.”
Joshua May 16 2010
Notes on Chaps 11-13
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CHAPTER 11
11:6————- YHVH says “I will deliver them up all slain before Israel
11:12———– utterly destroyed (herem) as Moses the servant of YHVH commanded
11:14———– they took spoil – destroyed men (not herem = sh m d instead)
11:15———– as YHVH commanded Moses etc
11:20———– YHVH hardened their hearts l’chazek et libam (Ex 4:21 I will stiffen his heart: aychazek et libo) so they could be destroyed (herem)
11:23———– as YHVH spoke to Moses – Joshua took the whole land. And the land had rest from war.
CHAPTER 12 – list of the 31 kings
CHAPTER 13
13:13———– Geshur and Maacath dwelt in the midst of Israel
13:22———– Balaam is slain (see Jos 22:17) – he is hakosem the soothsayer (BdB = diviners) – (see Deut 18:10: divination is prohibited and associated with the abhorrent practices of the nations that will be found in the land) (see Num 24:1-2 “and the spirit of God came upon him” [Balaam] ruah elohim; and see Num 24:14-24 when Balaam foresees the future). But Balaam is not an Israelite, so why is he slain?
Joshua May 2 2010
Notes on Joshua Chaps 9- 10
Sources are in bold (if any) and described at end.
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Consider the differences/similarities between Rahab and the Gibeonites as outsiders accepted by Israel, vs Achan who is an insider who transgresses.
Lev 20:22-24
You shall faithfully observes all My laws and all My regulations, lest the land to which I bring you to settle in spew you out. You shall not follow the practices of the nation that I am driving out before you. For it is because they did all these things that I abhorred them and said to you: You shall possess their land, for I will give it to you to possess..
Lev 20:26
You shall be holy to Me, for I YHVH am holy and I have set you apart from other peoples to be Mine.
CHAPTER 9
A chapter about outsiders
It is the recognition of holiness, not one’s nationality, suggests this story, that identifies one with God’s people. Rahab and Gibeonites are outsiders, whereas Achan and his family are insiders who do not recognize holiness. Whereas Rahab, a Canaanite woman, saves her whole family, Achan, an Israelite man, is instrumental in destroying his (Jos 7). (WBC – Fewell)
Look at Rahab and Gibeonites together – seems like an attempt to show that boundaries between Israelite and non-Israelite are more permeable than one might think. (WHC – Myers)
9:1————– “Heard thereof” – They hear of battles of Jericho
9:9————– We have heard the name and fame – re Egypt
9:10————- Refers to kings on the other side of the Jordan
9:14————- The men did not take counsel from JHVH.
9:18————- Note grumbling of community against leaders – chieftains
9:21————- Hewers of wood and drawers of water – menial jobs – see Deut 29:10-11 (even the stranger… from woodchopper to water drawer) – even they are entered into the covenant – but apparently resident aliens perform these menial tasks
9:24————- Gibeonites knew about Moses. Extermination here (sh m d) = destroy ≠ herem – nothing about sanctity
CHAPTER 10
10:- 5———– Adonai Zedek – Jerusalem appears for the first time by this name in Bible – herem – the kings decide to smite Gibeon , not Joshua
10;11———– YHVH casts great stones down from heaven (miracles?)
10:12———– Joshua speaks to YHVH
10:12-13——- On that occasion when YHVH routed the Amorites before the Israelites, Joshua addressed YHVH; he said in the presence of the Israelites:
“Stand still, O sun, at Gibeon ” (shemesh b’givion dom)
O moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.
And the sun stood still (vayidom hashemesh)
And the moon halted,
While a nation wreaked judgment on its foes
LEVITICUS 10: 1-3
1 Now Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu each took his fire pan, put fire in it, and laid incense on it; and they offered before יהוהalien fire, which יהוה had not enjoined upon them. 2 And fire came forth from יהוה and consumed them; thus they died before the presence of יהוה. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what יהוה meant by saying:
Through those near to Me I show Myself holy,
And gain glory before all the people.
And Aaron stood stock still in silence. (Vayidom Aharon)
AMOS 5:13
Assuredly,
At such a time the prudent man keeps silent (yidam),
For it is an evil time.
10:14———– YHVH listens to Joshua’s voice
10:40———– Reminder that this destruction of all that breathed was YHVH’s command.
10:43———– Reminder that YHVH is fighting for Israel
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JSB = Jewish Study Bible. Carol Meyers: “Joshua.”
WBC = Women’s Bible Commentary: Dana Nolan Fewell: “Joshua.”