Contradictions and Vile Utterances: The Zoroastrian Critique of Judaism in the Skand Gumanig Wizar
01 Jan 2012-
TL;DR: The Shkand Gumanig Wizar as discussed by the authors contains polemics against Islam, Christianity, and Manichaeism, as well as Judaism, and the passages on Judasim include citations of a Jewish sacred text referred to as the First Scripture.
Abstract: Author(s): Thrope, Samuel Frank | Advisor(s): Schwartz, Martin | Abstract: My dissertation examines the critique of Judaism in Chapters Thirteen and Fourteen of the Shkand Gumanig Wizar The Shkand Gumanig Wizar is a ninth century CE Zoroastrian theological work that contains polemics against Islam, Christianity, and Manichaeism, as well as Judaism The chapters on Judasim include citations of a Jewish sacred text referred to as the "First Scripture" and critiques of these citations for their contradictory and illogical portrayals of the divine This dissertation comprises two parts The first part consists of an introductory chapter, four interpretative essays, and a conclusion The second part consists of a text and new English translation of Shkand Gumanig Wizar Chapters Thirteen and FourteenMy first essay presents a new approach to the relation between the citations from the First Scripture in the Shkand Gumanig Wizar and Jewish literature Previous scholars have tried to identify a single parallel text in the Hebrew Bible or rabbinic literature as the origin for each of citation Borrowing approaches developed by scholars of the Qur'an and early Islamic literature, I argue that the Shkand Gumanig Wizar's critique draws on a more diverse and, likely, oral network of traditions about the biblical patriarchs and prophets My second essay contains a close reading of three linked passages concerning angels in Shkand Gumanig Wizar Chapter Fourteen I argue that the depiction of angels in these passages responds to a widespread Jewish belief in Metatron, an angelic co-regent whose power equals God's, This essay analyzes the these angelic passages in light of the traces of this belief that can be found in the Babylonian Talmud, Jewish mystical literature, and other texts My third essay concerns one of the longest citations in the critique of Judaism, a version of the story of the Garden of Eden from the first three chapters of the Book of Genesis This essay demonstrates that this citation is one of a motif of connected and mutually illuminating garden passages found throughout the apologetic and polemical chapters of the Shkand Gumanig Wizar I argue that gardens' prominence in the critique of Judaism, and the Shkand Gumanig Wizar as a whole, derives from gardens' symbolic role in Iranian cultureMy final essay compares the critique of Judaism in the Shkand Gumanig Wizar to a Zoroastrian anti-Jewish text from another Middle Persian work, the Denkard Whereas the earlier Denkard depicts Judaism mythically, relating the story of Judaism's creation by an evil demon, the Shkand Gumanig Wizar depicts Judaism textually, as citations from the First Scripture I argue that the lShkand Gumanig Wizar's presentation of Judaism as a text is an interpretative key for understanding the Zoroastrian work as a whole
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275 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the beginning and duration of Gentile Dominion, and the end of the Gentile dominion, including the curse of the great tree of Nebuchadnezzar and his temporary deposition.
Abstract: Click to follow Links. (Introversion) 1: 1—21. THE CAPTIVITY OF JUDAH. Historical Events Connected with its Beginning. *(Historic) 2: 1—49. THE DREAM OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR. The Beginning and Duration of Gentile Dominion. 3: 1—30. DANIEL’S COMPANIONS. The “fiery Furnace”. Angelic Deliverance. 4: 1—37. THE FIRST KING OF BABYLON. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream of The “Great Tree”, Revealing his Temporary Deposition. 5: 1—31. THE LAST KING OF BABYLON. Belshazzar’s Vision of The “Hand”, Revealing his Final Doom. 6: 1—28. DANIEL HIMSELF. The “Den Of Loins”. Angelic Deliverance. 7: 1—8: 27. THE DREAM AND VISION OF DANIEL. The End of Gentile Dominion. *(Prophetic) 9: 1—12: 13. THE DESOLATIONS OF JERUSALEM. Prophetic Announcements Connected with Their End.
105 citations
31 Dec 1994
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an introduction to the Talmud and midrash to improve the quality of life by reading a book that has a different characteristic with others, and this book can be used to improve a person's life.
Abstract: Find the secret to improve the quality of life by reading this introduction to the talmud and midrash. This is a kind of book that you need now. Besides, it can be your favorite book to read after having this book. Do you ask why? Well, this is a book that has different characteristic with others. You may not need to know who the author is, how well-known the work is. As wise word, never judge the words from who speaks, but make the words as your good value to your life.
95 citations
01 Jan 1979
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20 Jun 2005
TL;DR: Agamben's "Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life, State of Exception" is the first book to theorize the state of exception in historical and philosophical context as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Two months after the attacks of 9/11, the Bush administration, in the midst of what it perceived to be a state of emergency, authorized the indefinite detention of noncitizens suspected of terrorist activities and their subsequent trials by a military commission. Here, distinguished Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben uses such circumstances to argue that this unusual extension of power, or "state of exception," has historically been an underexamined and powerful strategy that has the potential to transform democracies into totalitarian states. The sequel to Agamben's "Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life, State of Exception" is the first book to theorize the state of exception in historical and philosophical context. In Agamben's view, the majority of legal scholars and policymakers in Europe as well as the United States have wrongly rejected the necessity of such a theory, claiming instead that the state of exception is a pragmatic question. Agamben argues here that the state of exception, which was meant to be a provisional measure, became in the course of the twentieth century a normal paradigm of government. Writing nothing less than the history of the state of exception in its various national contexts throughout Western Europe and the United States, Agamben uses the work of Carl Schmitt as a foil for his reflections as well as that of Derrida, Benjamin, and Arendt. In this highly topical book, Agamben ultimately arrives at original ideas about the future of democracy and casts a new light on the hidden relationship that ties law to violence.
2,918 citations
Book•
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15 Jan 2004
TL;DR: Agamben's "Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life, State of Exception" is the first book to theorize the state of exception in historical and philosophical context as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Two months after the attacks of 9/11, the Bush administration, in the midst of what it perceived to be a state of emergency, authorized the indefinite detention of noncitizens suspected of terrorist activities and their subsequent trials by a military commission. Here, distinguished Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben uses such circumstances to argue that this unusual extension of power, or "state of exception," has historically been an underexamined and powerful strategy that has the potential to transform democracies into totalitarian states. The sequel to Agamben's "Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life, State of Exception" is the first book to theorize the state of exception in historical and philosophical context. In Agamben's view, the majority of legal scholars and policymakers in Europe as well as the United States have wrongly rejected the necessity of such a theory, claiming instead that the state of exception is a pragmatic question. Agamben argues here that the state of exception, which was meant to be a provisional measure, became in the course of the twentieth century a normal paradigm of government. Writing nothing less than the history of the state of exception in its various national contexts throughout Western Europe and the United States, Agamben uses the work of Carl Schmitt as a foil for his reflections as well as that of Derrida, Benjamin, and Arendt. In this highly topical book, Agamben ultimately arrives at original ideas about the future of democracy and casts a new light on the hidden relationship that ties law to violence.
1,837 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Ricoeur as discussed by the authors presents a profound and clear theory of signification, symbol, and interpretation of Freud, and the second part, "A Reading of Freud," is required reading for anyone seriously interested in psychoanalysis.
Abstract: If Paul Ricoeur is correct in seeing the various currents of contemporary philosophy all converging on the problem of a "grand philosophy of language," then the first sixty pages of this absorbing study of Freud may become the rallying point from which future work can begin.This first part of Freud and Philosophy, "Problematic," presents a profound and clear theory of signification, symbol, and interpretation. The second part, "A Reading of Freud," is required reading for anyone seriously interested in psychoanalysis. The third section interpretation of Ricoeur's own theory of symbol-particularly religious symbol-which places this study at the center of contemporary debate over the sense of myth.In this book are revealed Ricoeur the philosopher of language; Ricoeur the critic of Freud; and Ricoeur the theologian of religious symbol. The author is outstanding in all three roles, and the book that emerges is of rare profundity, enormous scope, and complete timeliness.Paul Ricoeur is professor of philosophy at the University of Paris. "Paul Ricouer...has done a study that is all too rare these days, in which one intellect comes to grips with another, in which a scholar devotes himself to a thoughtful, searching, and comprehensive study of a genius. ..The final result is a unique survey of the panorama of Freudian thought by an observer who, although starting from outside, succeeds in penetrating to its core." -American Journal of Psychiatry "Primarily an inquiry into the foundations of language and hermeneutics...[Ricoeur uses] the Freudian 'hermeneutics of suspicion' as a corrective and counter-balance for phenomenology and create a 'new phenomenology'...This important work...should have an impact upon serious thinking in philosophy, theology, psychology, and other areas which have been affected by Freud studies."-International Philosophical Quarterly "A stimulating tour de force that allows us to envisage both the psychoanalytic body of knowledge and the psychoanalytic movement in a broad perspective within the framework of its links to culture, history and the evolution of Western intellectual thought." - Psychoanalytic Quarterly Paul Ricoeur is a professor of philosophy at the University of Chicago and the University of Paris.
986 citations