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Question
I want to understand the Pentateuch in light of it's historical context. Can you recommend a resource that covers the early customs in a fairly comprehensive way?
Dear Jeremy,
Thank you for writing.
However, answering your question is a challenge on several counts:
1. I would need to know more about you in terms of age, faith/religion, the formal education that tells me what kind of reference work would be helpful to you.
2. I would like to know more precisely what it is that you want to study when you say "historical context." Are you asking is the Pentateuch=Torah=Five Books of Moses to be regarded as a literal historical record, or are you asking what historically reliable information can we glean from the Biblical text? Are you approaching this from a theological/literal point of view or are you approaching this from a modern/historical/scientific point of view?
3. Do you have a solid library near you to which you can refer, including the newest edition of the Encyclopedia Judaica (2006/7)?
I look forward to trying to assist you.
Rabbi Dov
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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Expertise
Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.
Experience
I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)
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