Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 11/19/2006

Question
I wonder if the bible is really an inspired work , any more than other great poetry or philosophy. jAlso , why does the Quoran recieve so much criticisism for condoning violence, when God supposedly tells "HIS PEOPLE" to kill the Ammorites, etc. etc.

Sincerely,
A very curious agnostic


Answer
Dear Brad,

On re-reading my answer and your question, I see that I neglected the first part. For myself, the Hebrew Scriptures do reflect a higher level of inspiration, almost unique in world literature, law, philosophy, social theory, and human psychology.

It reflects a perspective of human history which is positive and assumes that with the right choices, humanity can create a better society, a world which is more just and humane, a world in which injustice and oppression can be reduced if not eliminated, where war and conflict can be reduced if not eliminated, where differences of opinion can be resolved peacefully. It is not for no reason that the American authors of the Bill of Rights, the Constitution built into their legal structure the sensitivities of the Hebrew Scriptures.

When one studies as I have the world of law and practices that surrounded the Jews/Israelites at the time that the Bible came into existence, you cannot help but be impressed by the striking differences in respect for human life and rights without regard to social class, unlike for example the code of Hammurabi. For these and many more reasons I would affirm that the ebrew Scriptures reflect a constant progress and evolution well ahead of the laws, practices and perceptions of the "civilizations" in which Jews lived for the time frame in which the Bible was edited, affirmed and canonized, to be followed in turn by an equally brilliant and sensitive literature known as Midrash, Mishna and Talmud.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov

Dear Brad,

Thank you for writing.

Regarding the Bible, it is only part of the Jewish tradition. As a Conservative Jew, I regard the Bible as a text reaching back into antiquity and which evolved into the current text in Hebrew - in addition to all of the translations.

The early Hebrew Bible does depict God as condoning violence, against Jewish "sinners" and against "others" who do not accept God as we do.

HOWEVER in the Rabbinic literature many of the Sages debate whether the Israelites could even have fulfilled the commands against the others, for example the Ammoritesor the Amalekites who have been absorbed by the peoples of that area.

Moreover there is a real objection to any form of destruction or genocide.

Lastly, you should review the history of the Jewish people from the time of the Rabbis, from the close of the Hebrew Scriptures through the present. Judaism has constantly maintained that our religion is for those who want to accept it, that we oppose missionizing and certainly would never force another person to accept Judaism and that tolerance and respect are the funadmental principles of our religion - from then until to now.

For those resons perhaps the Koran has been criticized for its current applications and interpretations, Islamic law courts regarding non-muslims and the present jihadist activities.

Thank your for writing

Rabbi Dov