Jacob Milgrom, a Conservative rabbi and modern Bible scholar, is a, if not the, leading authority on Leviticus. Milgrom's painstakingly thorough commentary on the first sixteen chapters of Leviticus has revolutionized the modern understanding of the rituals and practices described in the book.

Drawing upon classical (and some obscure) Jewish interpreters, modern scholarship, and his own brilliant insights, Milgrom argues that Leviticus' seemingly dry recounting of rituals and practices expresses a profound theology of Israel, a theology based upon life and death, good and evil, with the G*d of Israel supreme. Milgrom argues that Leviticus banishes demons from its theology and posits man's choices as the cause of evil. Analogizing the sacrificial system to "The Portrait of Dorian Grey", Milgrom argues that sin creates impurity on the Tabernacle and the more serious the sin, the more severe the pollution. Pollution unchecked can drive the divine presence from the people's midst. Sacrifice (chiefly the hattat/purification offering) served to remove the impurity but only if the sinner was motivated by asham/guilt.

In addition to explaining the differing types of sacrifices, Milgrom also explains the dietary laws (kashrut) as a reflection of the priestly theology. To twist a phrase, taxonomy recapitulates theology. Milgrom argues that the dietary laws reflected and fostered a profound respect for life, both animal and human.

Milgrom also investigates in detail the purity laws regulating childbirth, menstruation, sex, certain diseases and similar physical causes of impurities. He argues that the laws governing physical impurities reflected the priestly life/death theology but that physical causes of impurity were understood differently than moral causes of impurity.

Milgrom proceeds verse by verse and each chapter is followed by fascinating essays in which he sets out in a more orderly fashion his interpretation. His work is regularly cited by leading scholars but the work is accessible to non-experts, though it is not an "easy read" by any means. Be prepared to read and reread this work in order to grasp all that Milgrom is saying. Milgrom's interpretation opens up not only Leviticus but virtually every other page of the Bible to new interpretations.

Milgrom includes a huge bibliography and detailed indices. One complaint - the Anchor Bible series does not set out the Hebrew text so be prepared to try to decode the transliteration system employed by Milgrom.

I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to grapple with the meaning of Leviticus. Christian and Jews, modern scholars and lay persons all can benefit from reading Milgrom's penetrating analysis.

Jacob Milgrom, a Conservative rabbi and modern Bible scholar, is a, if not the, leading authority on Leviticus. Milgrom's painstakingly thorough commentary on the first sixteen chapters of Leviticus has revolutionized the modern understanding of the rituals and practices described in the book.

Drawing upon classical (and some obscure) Jewish interpreters, modern scholarship, and his own brilliant insights, Milgrom argues that Leviticus' seemingly dry recounting of rituals and practices expresses a profound theology of Israel, a theology based upon life and death, good and evil, with the G*d of Israel supreme. Milgrom argues that Leviticus banishes demons from its theology and posits man's choices as the cause of evil. Analogizing the sacrificial system to "The Portrait of Dorian Grey", Milgrom argues that sin creates impurity on the Tabernacle and the more serious the sin, the more severe the pollution. Pollution unchecked can drive the divine presence from the people's midst. Sacrifice (chiefly the hattat/purification offering) served to remove the impurity but only if the sinner was motivated by asham/guilt.

In addition to explaining the differing types of sacrifices, Milgrom also explains the dietary laws (kashrut) as a reflection of the priestly theology. To twist a phrase, taxonomy recapitulates theology. Milgrom argues that the dietary laws reflected and fostered a profound respect for life, both animal and human.

Milgrom also investigates in detail the purity laws regulating childbirth, menstruation, sex, certain diseases and similar physical causes of impurities. He argues that the laws governing physical impurities reflected the priestly life/death theology but that physical causes of impurity were understood differently than moral causes of impurity. The person affected by physical causes of impurity was in need of ritual purification and sometimes was required to bring sacrifices to purify the Tabernacle of impurities occasioned by severe physical impurities. In contrast, the sinner needed forgiveness and was always required to bring a sacrifice, accompanied by asham/guilt, to purify the Tabernacle of the impurity caused by sin.

Milgrom proceeds verse by verse and each chapter is followed by fascinating essays in which he sets out in a more orderly fashion his interpretation. His work is regularly cited by leading scholars but the work is accessible to non-experts, though it is not an "easy read" by any means. Be prepared to read and reread this work in order to grasp all that Milgrom is saying. Milgrom's interpretation opens up not only Leviticus but virtually every other page of the Bible to new interpretations.

Milgrom includes a huge bibliography and detailed indices. One complaint - the Anchor Bible series does not set out the Hebrew text so be prepared to try to decode the transliteration system employed by Milgrom.

I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to grapple with the meaning of Leviticus. Christian and Jews, modern scholars and lay persons all can benefit from reading and rereading Milgrom's penetrating analysis.

With this the third of three volumes, Jacob Milgrom completes his monumental commentary on Leviticus. No modern commentary matches Milgrom's in depth, breadth or keen insight. This volume, 3B, covers Leviticus 23-27. Milgrom argues that chapters 17-27 are composed chiefly from what is commonly referred to as the "H" ("Holiness") source, in contrast to chapters 1-16, which according to Milgrom are composed chiefly from the "P" ("Priestly") source. In my review of volume 3A, which covers Lev. 17-22, I briefly outlined the theology that Milgrom believes animates H and therefore I won't repeat it here. Instead this review focuses on the sort of commentator readers will discover Milgrom to be as they work their way through these three dense, difficult but always rewarding volumes.

One of Milgrom's most notable qualities is his thoroughness. On almost any given question, Milgrom sets out the competing answers offered by other scholars. Milgrom frequently credits others with insights he adopts and appears especially happy to credit his students with important insights. Milgrom esteems his students so highly that he compliments them by in his commentary arguing with their theories. Milgrom's generosity isn't simply a mark of good manners. Rather it is a boon to readers who cannot do the research themselves but appreciate a commentator who will give them the lay of the land. Thus, while some readers may not agree with an interpretation Milgrom offers, they may very well find more satisfactory one of the other interpretations reviewed by Milgrom.

Not only does Milgrom consistently cite the work of other modern scholars, he is also committed to demonstrating the relevance of ancient and medieval Jewish interpreters. Recognizing that classical Jewish interpreters differ from modern scholars with respect to certain assumptions (e.g., Mosaic authorship), he nevertheless demonstrates that the classical interpreters offer valuable insights and should not be overlooked. For example (p. 2378), Milgrom describes an interpretation by modern scholar Ephraim Speiser as "brilliant" but then goes on to note that Speiser's insight had been anticipated by Ralbag more than 600 years earlier.

Just as Milgrom seeks to demonstrate the relevance of classical commentators, so too he is committed to defending the integrity of P and H. Many modern biblical scholars have denigrated P as sterile and authoritarian. Others that distinguish P from H champion H over P. Milgrom argues that both P and H are humanely responding to the different worlds in which they live, all the while championing their shared, radical monotheism, whether it is by P's proffering of the chattat/purification offering as a balm to the guilt-ridden but repentant sinner, pre-exilic H's attempt to cure rising economic inequality, or exilic H's emphasis on the Sabbath after the destruction of the Temple. In the course of his commentary, Milgrom reveals himself to be humane and caring, qualities which he finds in P and H. Thus in response to an argument over Israel's slavery laws (p. 2192), Milgrom states: "That the biblical codes could contemplate and approve any situation whereby a father would sell off his children, even for a six-year period, before selling any part of his land, is beyond my comprehension." No doubt other modern scholars have no difficulty attributing such a doctrine or worse to ancient Israel and the readers must decide for themselves.

Make no mistake, Milgrom's commentary is challenging and difficult. Nevertheless, his work is worth every minute one devotes to it and those who do will reap rich rewards.

Jacob Milgrom's three part commentary of Leviticus cannot be commended highly enough. Not only does not contain Milgrom's extraordinary insights into this book but it also covers all the literature so comprehensively that the book renders all other commentaries of Leviticus redundant and obsolete. Never before in has a single man been able to revise our opinion regarding a book of the Pentateuch as radically and as convincingly as Jacob Milgrom.

This is the perfect gift for any fan of Texas history. "Big Foot" Wallace was one of a kind. Our family is related to him and would like to hear from anyone else who may be related to him.

this is my husbands great great great uncle it was something reading about pure american history

Doesn't get much better than this. What a blessing I have recieved from Pink's expositional approach to this great King's life.

A.W. Pink's "The Life of David" is a wonderful study in the life of the great King of Israel. The book can be used in so many ways: individual study, group study, or family/private devotional. Each chapter is short, about 6-8 pages, but Pink places rich treasures in each chapter. We read of David's faithfulness, his love for God, his triumphs, and yes, his failures and periods of unfaithfulness. What a powerful look into the life of David with tremendous application for all Christians today.

I will never look at a Christmas tree the same again. What a funny, funny recounting of life in the not so fast lane of a Christmas tree farmer and his long suffering wife Betty.

If you've had a hard day at the office and want to relax while reading about the hilarious trials and tribulations of someone else, this book is the one. This is better than cherry vanilla ice cream.

This just has to be the funniest book I have ever read. I was doing a job for the publisher Bookmice, improving the appearance and usability of the HTML versions of several books: background, headings, internal links and so on.This kind of work doesn't involve much reading from the book, but when I started on 'Santa Claus Lane', my eyes were caught by a sentence, and I got to reading, then I went to the start of the chapter to make sense of it. Before long, I gave away all pretense of working on the book, and simply read it from end to end. Even then, the content wouldn't let me alone. Many of the stories were well worth a second read, and now weeks later, they still make me chuckle. Darrel has a wicked turn of phrase: * "I was watching a football game through closed eyelids (this is something only men can do)." * "...anyone who has been owned by kittens..." * "What's that noise?" she asked. "The wall," I said. "Walls don't make noise." "They do when I bump them with my head." He describes perfectly ordinary domestic episodes in a way that'll have you laugh. I suspect this book is not for youngsters, but the more mature among us will identify with this self-effacing rogue and his ever-victorious wife Betty.

This is a wonderful book! Each story, with its descriptive narrative and absorbing detail drew me in. The interesting, and easy-to-relate-to characters and their joys, trials and discoveries helped to bring the Old Testament into a new light for me.

"THOUGHT CANDY"

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
You just can't "Evelyn Wood" this book! It is best enjoyed over a steaming cup of tea -- curled up in your favorite easy chair with lips moving over each word.

STYLE:
Each word seems to be crafted with such depth, such description and insight... it almost becomes a delectable morsel as it goes by. For those like me who love the picturesque words of authors like Max Lucado, you will love the "theater of the mind" wordcrafting of this book.

CONTENT:
Greater than the eloquent style - is the depth of understanding Julianna seems to bring to the difficult subject matter of Old Testament prophecies concerning the then "Coming Messiah" pointing in her own insightful way to Jesus as that fulfillment.

RELEVANCE:
I am easily bogged down in the Thee's Thy's Thou's & W's of Old Testament History and Literature, Minor and Major Prophets from Theology teachers such as Thiessen and Strong. However, Juliana insightfully teaches her readers with impressive depth in story form without letting you in on the fact that you just learned a heady concept such as Devine Self-limitation or Transubstantiation.

This book is short -- but refreshing in style and subject matter.

I cannot recommend it enough!

Tim Brotzman
Tribune Radio Denver

J. C. Ryle writes from the perspective of a general that is beginning to see the battle slip away. As a bishop of the Church of England in the twilight of the 19th century, Ryle sees forces of influence working within his own church which will eventually bring about its demise. He defends the so-called evangelical wing of his church against attacks by the Tractarians and Latitudinarians and the "high churchmen". These groups and others in the 19th century Church of England were calling for a rapproachment with Rome.

Ryle calls the church back to its heritage by recounting in vivid style the testimony of the Marian martyrs of the church in the 16th century. He is particularly critical of attempts by the "high churchmen" of his day to reestablish an observance of the Lord's Table more in keeping with the Roman Catholic mass. He proves, to this readers satisfaction, that the litmus test issue which condemned Hooper, Latimer, Ridley et al was the "real presence" doctrine of the Lord's Supper. By refusing to confess that the elements of the table were changed by the office of the church into the real flesh-and-blood presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Marian martyrs sealed their doom.

Ryles work is prophetic when one considers the compromised condition of the Church of England today. It serves as a warning to all churches who are committed to an orthodox, historic understanding of the Gospel of Christ.

J. C. Ryle did a real service for the Christian church when he first wrote "Light From Old Times". This hard copy edition from Charles Nolan Publishing makes that Ryle classic available once again to a church that needs so desperatly to remember the lessons of history.

"Light from Old Times" sheds light on a time of church history that is not as well known as it should be. Who were the English reformers? Why did they die, being burned at the stake? What was the course of Anglican church history after the reformation? In "Light from Old Times" we see the foundations laid for the so called "high church" view in contrast to the evangelical reformed view of men like Hooper, Latimer, & Ridley. Ryle could see where the "high church" movement was going to take the Anglican church, and time has proved him correct. Given the current direction of some areas of the evangelical church, the church today would be wise to take heed to Ryle's warnings.

As the subtitle notes "An inspirational gathering of thoughts on living a good old age into death" this is a book of quotes from elder on subjects from Good Old Age to The Art of Dying and Death the Great Good. I find its value is simply in talking about death in a positive and not a dreaded manner. Quotes from all walks of life and belief systems.

Helen Nearing's galaxy of quotations from the likes of Ghandi, Freidan, Woolf, Einstein, Wharton, and Lao Tzu (and scintillating many more) on the subject of aging and dying is somewhat like meditating under a summer sky's meteor shower, each new light a brilliant, breath-catcher. With this collection, this "study for eternity" (Nearing quoting Emerson), Nearing restores elements of wonder and mystery to living and dying , rescuing them (and us!) from the pervasive and monotone hellfire school of western religious tradition. Among my many dozens of favorite Nearing choices is this from Hazlitt (Table Talk, 1821) : "To die is only to be as we were before we were born".

This book is a must-have for all parents of young children. I know it will become a family favorite in your family as it has in mine. It is one of the few picture books I have kept on my shelf (I'm 14 now)because of how special it is; I could never give it up. I don't think anyone would be able to say anything bad about this book. It has amazing illustrations. They are super cute, colorful, and life-like. The story is about a teddy bear who awakens to find that his trousers have been misplaced. He goes around all day asking his friends if they have seen them. They all say the same thing- they were using them (for some very unique purposes) but when they were finished with them they let someone else use them. Finaly Little Bear catches up with his pants and it's worth the wait. If you decide to purchase this book pick up a couple more of Jane Hissey's Old Bear stories, you won't be dissapionted in any of them.

Our (hard copy) of, Little Bear's Trousers, has been read dozens of times! The illustrations are extraordinary, and the creative uses Little Bear's friends make of his trousers are inventive and practical! The story has a joyful ending wherein all the friends can celebrate not only the return of Little Bear's trousers but some time together enjoying a bit of cake. The ONLY complaint I would make about this book (and which was actually pointed out to me by my six 1/2 year old daughter) is that of the nine characters, only two are female. We, however, have rectified this situation by granting them a new sexual status virtually everytime we read this book. Both of my kids (one boy, one girl) adore this book and have for years. Highly recommeded!

A buddy of mine is a memeber of a group that works hard to study and preserve the Little Big Horn Battlefield. He let me take this tape home and listen to it. I have never heard anything like this before. They used music, actors and sound effects to make a sort of radio movie. I found this to be really cool and recommend it to everyone. My friend says that it is also very detailed and correct from a historical view.

If you love the old west, then you will love these two tapes. Little Big Horn tells the story of Custer's last stand in all of it's rousing glory. Some say Custer was a fool, but you can not question his bravery! The music and sound effects really make this piece of history zing. I really like the tune Gary Owen. The Bozeman Trail is a bonous program that tells the story of the little known Fetterman Massacre. The similarities to what happened at the Little Big Horn are erie. I highly recommend this for any history buff, or lover of the old west. Sit back with your favorite bottle of Rot gut, and let the shoot out begin.