Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #393905 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 167 pages

Synopsis
Summary in form and popular in presentation, this book provides a masterly exposition of the Documentary Hypothesis and subjects its exegetical methods and conclusions to a critical probe. Cassuto challenges the widely held theory that the Pentateuch is an amalgam of fragments excised from various source documents of different authorship, date, style and outlook.

Customer Reviews

The death of the "documentary hypothesis"
This series of lectures was originally published as "Torath HaTeudoth" by Magnes Press (The Hebrew University, Jerusalem) in 1941. The first English edition, a translation by Israel Abraham, was published in 1961. This edition, published 2006, is a reissue of the first English translation by Israel Abraham (1961), together with a new introduction by Joshua Berman.
These lectures, delivered by Rabbi Umberto Cassuto (1883-1951), summarize his indepth research, spanning no less than 25 years, into the Graf-Wellhausen "documentary hypothesis". Unfortunately, Cassuto died before he could see all his major commentaries through to completion and publication. The unfinished nature of Cassuto's work makes this makes the present series of lectures all the more crucial in understanding his thinking.
According to the "documentary hypothesis", the 5 Books of Moses were compiled from 5 independent source documents, each independently presenting its own version of the entire history of Israel from the Creation to Moses. This hypothesis suggests that each document was characterized by its own theology, politics, language, and style.
The "documentary hypothesis" rests on 5 pillars:

1. the use of different names for the Deity;
2. variations of language and style;
3. contradictions and divergences of view;
4. duplications and repetitions;
5. signs of composite structure in the sections. (p.17)

In these lectures, Cassuto systematically and with precision demolished these five pillars. For this reason, it is hard to see why scholars cited in the media still trot out the alleged findings of those holding to this unscientific and disproved "hypothesis".

A gentle but potent act of demolition
A short series of lectures to teachers, given over 50 years ago, the book crystallises Cassuto's scholarly work on Genesis.

Mildly and politely he butchers the documentary hypothesis. His exposure of parallel historical developments in studies on Homer is telling, the simple but potent critiques of overreading Hebrew idiom are especially revealing, given that the lectures were themselves given in Hebrew, and he displays the hollow unravelling of 'composite passages' by showing the nonsensical narratives that result from a strict dissection by 'author'.

Critics and teachers who think the hypothesis retains any credibility who haven't read at least this popular introduction should take their heads out of the sand.

Yet it would be a mistake to consider this a critical or negative book. Whilst he doesn't here formulate an alternative, his affection for the warmth and captivating charm of Genesis is infectious. Despite his mistrust in a Mosaic authorship, his awe for its majesty and distinctive characteristics from contemporary literature is also evident.

A highly recommended and surprisingly easy read.