Baruch J. Schwartz is Professor of Biblical Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has written and lectured extensively on the composition of the Torah, on the Priestly tradition and literature and on the biblical accounts of the revelation at Sinai. He has also written on general topics concerning biblical religion and law, classical prophetic literature and medieval biblical exegesis. Schwartz has recently completed a year as Visiting Professor of Religion and Judaic Studies at Princeton University.
Tuesday, September 5, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
פּׂקֵד עֲוׂן אָבוׂת עַל־בָּנִים
“Immediate or Delayed Justice? Two Biblical Books Debate Divine
Reward and Punishment”
(Or: How The Chronicler Rewrote the Historical Account He Found in Kings)
The author of Chronicles was convinced that the description of divine justice at work in Israelite history which he found in the book of Kings, was completely unacceptable – which is why he wrote his book. What did he find so objectionable in the Kings account? How did he go about rewriting the history of Israel, and why?
Wednesday, September 6, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
בִּקְּשׁוּ חֲכָמִים לִגְנֹז אֶת־סֵפֶר יְחֶזְקֵאל
“How the Rabbis Almost Removed a Book from the Bible”
(Or: How Hananiah ben Hizkiah Saved the Book of Ezekiel from Oblivion) Biblical, Talmudic and Medieval Sources
Which is preferable: relegating a Biblical book to permanent obscurity because it contains teachings not in accord with the Torah, or preserving it – at the risk of making God Himself appear to be uncertain as to what He commanded? The legend of Hananiah ben Hizkiah provides a third option.
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