Читать книгу The Wisdom of Alfred Edersheim - David Mishkin - Страница 7

The following works are the sources for the quotes which follow. The more popular books are quoted from updated editions so that readers may easily find them if they wish to examine their contexts. As more research is done, it is hoped that additional articles by Alfred Edersheim will be discovered.

1847, Jubilee Rhythm of St Bernard

J. Nisbet and Co., London. In this collection, Edersheim translated hymns and poems of St. Bernard (12th century) from the original Latin into English. There is no commentary on the material, only a brief explanation. He wrote, “I have endeavored not only to be literal, but as much as possible to preserve the form of the original. This may perhaps, in part, be pled in excuse of harshness in the rendering. But I venture to lay it down a s a principle, that, while in translating prose writings, considerable latitude as to style and form may be allowed, often with very great advantage to the reader – in poetical writings, where so much depends on the form in which the thought is presented, on the words in which it is expressed, on the precise succession of lines, and occasionally even on the metre and the rhyme, every effort should be made to follow the original as closely as possible.” Edition cited: British Library shelf number: W91.5326.

1851, Whose is Thine Heart?

Partridge and Oakley, Paternoster Row. This was an address given at the Foreign Conference and Evangelization Committee in London. It is subtitled, An Affectionate Address to Young People, and it is based on Proverbs 23:26. The entire address appears here in Appendix A. Edition cited: British Library Shelf Number: 4406.b.82.(2)

1856, History of the Jewish Nation from the Destruction of Jerusalem to the Establishment of Christianity in the Roman Empire

(“Nation”) T. and T. Clark Publishing. This book focuses on the important years after the destruction of the Temple in the year 70 AD. Topics include the origin of Talmudic Judaism, as well as Jewish interaction with both the Romans and the Jewish Christians of the day. Unlike some of his later works, the style is more factual, with fewer descriptive comments along the way. Still, it is extremely valuable for the student of this period of history. Chapters from this book which have also been published separately, include: The Hebrew Commonwealth; The History of the Synagogue from the Destruction of Jerusalem to the Jewish War of Liberation; The Political and Religious State of the Jews After the Destruction of Jerusalem; The progress of Arts and Sciences Among the Hebrews; Edition quoted: The History of the Jewish Nation After the Destruction of Jerusalem Under Titus, (Montana, Kessinger Publishing’s Rare Reprints, 2004)

1856, Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the Days of Christ

(“Sketches”) This popular book covers everything from the geography, educational systems, family structures, trades, religious life and philosophy of the first century in Galilee, Jerusalem and elsewhere. It is a wealth of information regarding the social background at the time of Jesus. Edition quoted: (Peabody, Hendrickson, 1994)

1856 – 1861, The Athenaeum (book reviews)

The Athenaeum was a prestigious 19th century British periodical which contained articles about various literary and scholarly subjects. Book reviews were published anonymously. However, City University of London holds the original collection and has been able to identify the respective authors. Other reviewers in the Athenaeum over the years included the likes of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Thomas Hardy. And, to get a perspective on the historical period, one of Edersheim’s reviews is immediately followed by another scholar’s review of Charles Dickens’ latest work, Little Dorrit. A list of the books reviewed by Edersheim is found in Appendix C.

1858, Bohemian Reformers and German Politicians: A Contribution to the History of Protestantism

(“Reformers”)Thomas Constable & Co. This 60 page article comes from the book, Essays by Ministers of the Free Church of Scotland, edited by William Hanna. Edition cited: British Library Shelf Number: 12273.d.4. This piece focuses on the period of Church history prior to the Protestant Reformation in both Bohemia (modern day Czech Republic) and Germany. Although it is quite detailed, Ederseim said, “The reader is requested to remember that the foregoing professes to be a “Historical Essay” – not a detailed history.”

1866, The Golden Diary of Heart-Converse with Jesus in the Book of Psalms

(“Golden”) Nisbet and Co., London. This is a devotional commentary on the book of Psalms. Fittingly, Edersheim is here at his most poetic in his descriptions of Biblical truth. Edition quoted: (Jerusalem, Keren Ahava Meshihit, 2000)

1868 – 1870, The Scattered Nation

This Hebrew Christian periodical was edited in London by Dr. Charles Schwartz. Contributors included Franz Delitzch, Adolph Saphir and A. Bernstein. Edersheim contributed a short series in 1868 called Jewish Notes on the New Testament, which focused on the Apostle James and the community of Jewish believers in Jesus in Jerusalem during the early years of the Church. In 1869 and 1870, Edersheim serialized a novel called From Grey to Dawn: A Tale of Jewish Life in the Time of Christ. It features a young man (Marcos) who travels from Alexandria, Egypt to Jerusalem for the Passover in approximately the year 30 AD. He meets several people who tell him of a Prophet from Nazareth who has been doing amazing things and gaining quite a following. The narrative is rife with descriptions of first century places and practices in typical Edersheim fashion. However, as a work of fiction, we also read first-person accounts of the events (for longer quotes, see Appendix B). For some reason, the story ends abruptly after chapter nineteen. The publication continued but this story did not. Copies of The Scattered Nation periodical are available at the National Library of Israel, and in a special collection at the Caspari Center for Biblical and Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.

1869, On Certain Peculiarities of the Jewish Race

(“Peculiar”) The title of this article is a good example of 19th century language. Today, the same piece would probably be called, “The Uniqueness of the Jewish People.” There is a mention of it in one of Edersheim’s books (OT, p. 231 – where it is incorrectly cited as “On Certain Physical Peculiarities of the Jewish Race”) and it appeared in the periodical called Sunday Magazine. It offers facts and statistics about the Jewish communities of the world at the time. Edition Cited: Sunday Magazine, 1869, edited by Thomas Guthrie.

1871, Robbie and His Mother

(“Robbie”) Religious Tract Society, London. This is a short novel. It is less complex than his later fiction, and to the modern reader it may appear trite. At the start, the reader learns that a young boy (Robbie) and his (unnamed) mother are in a poor house, presumably in London. Robbie’s sister had died and his father’s whereabouts were unknown. One day a woman gives a tract to Robbie that was titled simply, “God Loves You” and included the verse John 3:16. His mother had been a woman of faith prior to entering the poor house. Robbie wondered if God loved them less now that they were poor. He realizes that God still loves them very much and he and his mother renewed their faith in God. Later, Robbie’s father comes into the picture, having been in Australia working and subsequently gaining wealth. The family is now complete: the father has returned, they all have faith and their financial troubles are ended. Edition cited: British Library Shelf number: 4413.q.16.

1872, The Home and Synagogue of the Modern Jew

(“Modern”)Religious Tract Society, London. One source on the internet (http://chi.gospelcom.net/DAILYF/2003/03/daily-03-16-2003.shtml) attributed this book to Alfred Edersheim, and I was able to find an original version in a used book store. In the book, no author is listed by name, although all the other factors seem to indicate that Edersheim wrote (or possibly co-wrote) this book. The subtitle is: Sketches of Modern Jewish Life and Ceremonies. It is written for Christians to better understand some of the Jewish customs – particularly the feasts – as they are observed in various places around the globe (specifically in Europe and the Middle East). The anonymous author is described in the Preface as one who has “peculiarly favorable opportunities for becoming accurately acquainted with the customs and ritual of the Jewish Church [meaning the synagogue] of the present day. These customs he has related in the style of an eye-witness; though for several of the facts now laid before the reader, he has been indebted to the observation of others.”

1872 Miriam Rosenbaum, A Story of a Jewish Life

(“Rosenbaum”) Religious Tract Society, London. This is a novel about the family reactions towards a Jewish person who comes to faith in Jesus. It takes place in Austria, but could just as well have been set in Victorian London. The plot: Mrs. Rosenbaum lives with her son, Levi, and his son, Anshel. The reader learns that they had relocated there several years earlier because Mrs. Rosenbaum’s late husband had been thrown out of the synagogue in their previous city. The reasons for this are at first hidden, but it seems to have something to do with a book he had in his possession. Mrs. Rosenbaum also has a daughter named Miriam. Although she lived in the same town, Miriam had been shut out of their lives because she had embraced the Christian faith and married a man who became the local minister. The story is rife with accounts of the bigotry – on both sides – which exist in this ancient conflict.

As the story unfolds, both Mrs. Rosenbaum and Levi are challenged to consider the person and message of Jesus. There is the intense struggle between one’s belief and one’s people. Also, Miriam’s young son, also named Levi, is dying from an undisclosed disease. There is family reconciliation. Before young Levi dies, he becomes one of the main instruments to share the love of Jesus with his grandmother. At the end, Mrs. Rosenbaum and her son both come to know the Saviour. The reason for Miriam’s father’s banishment is eventually discovered. He had become a follower of Jesus, as learned by a final letter of his that was opened and read by the family. In the afterward, we read that even young Anshel accepted the faith and desired to be a missionary to his own Jewish people.

The preface lists three questions this book seeks to address: “What are the real thoughts of the more enlightened Jews in our days concerning Christ and Christianity? And why, when Jews are so tolerant and generous towards their Christian neighbours, so kind, and so warm in their affections, do they follow with such rancorous hatred those of their own number who have professed faith in Christ, imputing to them, almost uniformly, only the lowest and vilest motives? To these a third question may be added, as to the manner in which the truth of the gospel will sometimes at first present itself to the educated Jewish intellect.”

1873, True to the End

(“True”) This novel chronicles the life of a brother and sister who are orphaned in Scotland. Their Christian faith is tested and stretched as they face various trials. With dialogue often written in Scottish slang, some character names include Euphemia Bockins, Mr. Puggins, Baillie Rummelhead and Miss Caroline MacMouseland. The story has nothing to do with Jewish people or the Jewishness of Jesus. Yet, Edersheim – being who he was – used several illustrations which alluded to Jewish topics. For example: “Whether or not, like many other traits in Scottish everyday life, it forms one of those strange coincidences between the Scottish and the Jewish character, which so forcibly strike the observer, certain it is that, among at least one class of the population, the female is [favored] as compared with the male portion of a family,” p. 21. Speaking of the Scottish interest in learning and their love of books, he says it is “another of those national characteristics by which the Scottish and the Jewish mind seem so closely assimilated,” p. 93. Referring to the joy of a quiet Saturday night in a typical Scottish home, he says, “in this also almost imitating the Jews.” (p. 321). Edition quoted: (London, John F. Shaw and Co.)

1873, What is Her Name?

(“Name”) Religious Tract Society, London. This is a shorter novel about a young Christian girl (Mary) who is adopted by an elderly Jewish man (Abraham Lazarus) in London. Along with some plot twists, she learns that her Savior is King of the Jews. He discovers that her Savior is also the long awaited Jewish Messiah. Edition quoted: (Waverly, P.A., Lamplighter Publishing, 2002)

1874, The Temple, its Ministry and Services

(“Temple”) Religious Tract Society, London. This classic book remains a valuable tool to help understand the rituals and history of the priesthood, the festivals, and the entire sacrificial system of ancient Israel. Edition quoted: (Peabody, Hendrickson, 1994)

1887, Israel’s Watchman

(“Watchman”) Edersheim was the editor of this Hebrew Christian periodical for at least most of 1887 and possibly longer. Each monthly publication contained approximately thirty pages. Typical articles ranged from Messianic prophecies, eschatology, testimonies of Jews who came to faith in Jesus, updates on the Jewish community around the world, and the land of Palestine. British Library Shelf number: P.P.954.cc

1882, Elisha the Prophet

(“Elisha”) Religious Tract Society, London. A devotional commentary, this book focuses on issues of faith and service of the believer, based on the life of the prophet. It is as much of a discipleship guide as an exposition of the book of 2 Kings. Edition Quoted: Practical Truths from Elisha, (Grand Rapids, Kregel Publications, 1982)

1884, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

(“LTJM”) Longman’s Publishing, London. This classic work took seven years to write. It was originally published in two volumes, and a few years later there was an abridged version published in a single volume as well. It remains one of the best (if not the best) commentaries on the Life of Christ written in English. It contains nineteen appendices, including a twenty page list of Old Testament passages which the ancient Rabbis applied to the Messiah. Also in the Appendix is his translation and commentary of Sefir Yetsirah (“Book of Formation”), the earliest known Hebrew manuscripts dealing with mysticism. Edition quoted: (Peabody, Hendrickson, 1993)

1876 – 1887, Bible History, Old Testament

(“OT”) Religious Tract Society, London. This narrative description of Old Testament history was originally published as seven separate volumes: 1. The World before the Flood and the History of the Patriarchs, 2. The Exodus and the Wanderings in the Wilderness, 3. Israel in Canaan under Joshua and the Judges, 4. Israel Under Samuel, Saul, and David, to the Birth of Solomon 5. History of Judah and Israel from the Birth of Solomon to the Reign of Ahab, 6. The History of Israel and Judah from the Reign of Ahab to the Decline of the Two Kingdoms, 7. The History of Israel and Judah from the Decline of the two Kingdoms to the Assyrian and Babylonian Captivity; Edition quoted: (Peabody, Hendrickson, 1995)

1885, On a Theory of the Origin and Composition of the Synoptic Gospels by G. Wetzel

(“Synoptic”) Clarendon Press, Oxford. This essay appeared in Studia Biblica: Essays in Biblical Archaeology and Criticism and kindred subjects by Members of the University of Oxford, Edited by S. R. Driver, William Sanday and John Wordsworth.

1885, Prophecy and History in Relation to the Messiah

(“Prophecy”) Longman’s Publishing, London. This is also known as the Warburton Lectures, addresses given at the Chapel of Lincoln’s Inn between the years 1880 – 1884. The stated purpose of this series as a whole was, “to prove the truth of reveled religion in general, and of the Christian in particular, from the completion of those prophecies in the Old and New Testaments which relate to the Christian Church, especially to the apostacy of Papal Rome.” Published in the days of great liberalism and skepticism (especially from the German school of Higher Criticism), these lectures offer an apologetic in defense of the reliability of the Scriptures and the Messiahship of Jesus. Edition quoted: (Eugene, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2005.)

1887 Dictionary of Christian Biography

(“DCB”) Edited by Dr. William Smith and Henry Wace, DD. Edersheim wrote the entries for Philo and Josephus.

1888, Ecclesiasticus

(“Eccl”) This article, along with an exegetical commentary on the Apocryphal book of Ecclesiasticus appeared in: The Holy Bible According to the Authorised Version, with an Explanatory and Critical Commentary by Clergy of the Anglican Church. Apocrypha, Volume II, Edited by Henry Wace., London.

1890, Tohu-Va-Vohu

(“Tohu”) Published a year after his death, this is a collection of “fragmentary thoughts” compiled by his daughter, Ella. The title means “formless and void,” taken from Genesis 1:2. This is the best source for getting his personal opinions on a variety of subjects.

In addition to the above, he also translated and edited books by German scholars:

1854, The Historical Development of Speculative Philosophy from Kant to Hegel, by H.M. Chalybaus.

1859, Theological and Homiletical Commentary on the Gospel of St. Matthew, by Johann Peter Lange

1860, The History of the Christian Church to the Reformation, by Johann Kurtz. Along with translating this work, Edersheim added the remaining history, “From the Reformation to the Present Time.”