Book Notes: Interpreting the Hebrew Bible: Essays in Honour of E. I. J. Rosenthal, J. A. Emerton and S. C. Reif (eds.)

<plain_text><page sequence="1">Book Notes Interpreting the Hebrew Bible: Essays in Honour of E. I. J. Rosenthal, (Eds.) J. A. Emerton and S. C. Reif (Cambridge University Press, 1982) 318pp. Indices. This work is published as a tribute to the Emeritus Reader in Oriental Studies at Cambridge on his 75th birthday. The esteem and affection in which Dr Rosenthal is held as scholar and man are evidenced by the number and the distinction of the contributors. In addition to Dr Reifs 'biographical appreciation' of him, there is a striking bibliography of Dr Rosenthal's output over fifty years. There are fifteen studies on the exegesis of the Hebrew Bible and related matters. All selections are invidious, but without the slightest derogation of any contributions, it may well be true that three of them will be apt to attract special interest among readers of these Transactions. Professor Loewe's paper on 'The Bible in Medieval Hebrew Poetry' is a most instructive and interesting accompaniment to his recent inaugural lecture in the Goldsmid Chair at University College, London. Dr Reifs article entitled 'A Midrashic Anthology from the Genizah', illustrates not only the author's erudition in his chosen discipline, but also the detective skills of an accomplished historian. Dr R. E. Clements' essay on 'Heinrich Graetz as Biblical Historian and Religious Apologist' raises far-reaching questions concerning the nature of Jewish history, and the techniques of its exploration and presentation. Dr Clements examines Graetz's approach to the study of the biblical period, and the character of the continuity between biblical and post-biblical Jewish history as seen by Graetz and others, including the various critical schools. IF.</page></plain_text>