Browsing by Author "Reisenberger, Azila Talit"

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    The book of all books
    (2012) Reisenberger, Azila Talit
    Lecture series presented by Dr Azila Talit Reisenberger, Head of Hebrew, School of Languages and Literature, University of Cape Town. The Bible is one of the most widely-read and influential pieces of literature in the world, but many people are surprisingly unaware of the long history of the component books that make up the central text of both Judaism and Christianity. These audio lectures will be of interest to anyone who wishes to learn more about the history of the Bible and the vast cultural and religious meanings of this collection of books.
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    The concept of fatherhood in traditional Jewish sources and its impact on current views of fatherhood
    (2014) Levitz, Ephraim; Reisenberger, Azila Talit
    This thesis proposes that Jewish children brought up in observant families have advantage over children who grow up in secular households. The thesis shows that it is not necessarily due to the religious scriptures, to which they are exposed, nor to the commandments, which the families adhere to; rather to the fact that observant men who follow the traditional way of life are more available to their children, and their presence and familial responsibilities bring about stability that helps the children to flourish. The research is a cross section between ancient religious text and Modern Hebrew literature. Through the prism of the traditional Jewish perspective of fathering, it examines all depictions of fatherhood in the works of the prizewinning Israeli author, Haim Sabato. As a leading member of the observant Orthodox community and an accomplished contemporary writer, Sabato's works serve as a great testament of life within traditional communities. The role of the father in society has changed dramatically in the last few decades. In many countries, the numbers of births per year have consistently dropped. The percentages of children being raised in fatherless homes has risen steadily. Statistics point to a myriad of challenges amongst the children in these families. Despite the trends in the broader society, the observant Jewish community has displayed a strong commitment to the institution of marriage, as set down in the tradition. Men marry at an earlier age and the number of children remains above the average. The incidence of divorce is lower, and child abandonment is rare. The research provides an understanding of the Jewish way of life. The focus of the research centers on the behaviors of the father towards the son. Through close reading and analysis, this research shows the impact of the tradition on the Jewish male's attitude towards fathering, and highlights those aspects of the tradition that have helped maintain the availability of the "traditional" father and its impact on the stability of the home.
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    The concept of motherhood in the Bible = Ha-Imahut ba-Mikra
    (1989) Reisenberger, Azila Talit
    Following the canonization of the Hebrew Bible, a new process of interpreting this text was initiated. Despite the vast amount of biblical research generated in the two thousand years since the canonization, relatively little has been written on the subject of "Womanhood" in the Bible. With the change in the status of women in modern times, a growing interest has emerged in their counterpart, namely, the women in Ancient Israel. The concept of "Motherhood", which was seen as the imperative of woman's existence has, like other aspects of the woman's life, been researched from legal, medical, social and other points of view. The ensuing work investigates the influence that motherliness and the concept of Motherhood as a whole has had on the culture recorded in the Hebrew Bible. Three main areas are explored in this study, namely: 1. Literary Conventions 2. Rhetorical Strategies, and 3. Linguistic Developments. Each of these respectively constitutes a sub-section of the study. The first section is composed of two chapters. Chapter one traces those biblical stories which follow the theme of the barren woman who gives birth to a hero. Chapter two in turn deals with the theme of women who bear children easily, and the consequent fate that awaits them. The second section investigates the rhetorical strategies employed in two respective Biblical themes, which were used to foretell, in a pseudo-prophetic manner, and thereby to excuse and justify certain events which were to follow in the course of history. The first chapter deals with the narrative which depicts a woman who takes an unusual initiative in her attempts to fulfil her desire to become a mother. The second chapter examines the initial reactions of mothers to their new born offspring and how this in turn influences their later status in the family. Analysis of the rhetorical strategies employed in both cases, sheds light on the views on "Motherhood" held by the biblical author, and his approval or disapproval of national leaders, at the time of their birth. The third section is comprised of two chapters. In the first chapter a correlation is drawn between language and cultural development. In the second chapter all words, new roots and idioms which have evolved out of the various aspects of "Motherhood" are categorised. The author concludes that a vast impact of the concept of Motherhood is evident in the biblical language, the rhetorical techniques and the literary conventions which form the context within which religious beliefs are formed and historical events are recorded. It is the author's contention that an understanding of this influence will lead to a greater comprehension of the Hebrew Bible and the message carried within it, and will facilitate a theological study of the influence of "Motherhood", on the development and understanding of the abstract concept of monotheism. The Language employed in the investigation is Hebrew
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    Extremist religious philosophy : the religious doctrines of Satmar Rebbe
    (2011) Kadosh, Refael; Reisenberger, Azila Talit
    Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, The Satmar Rebbe, (1886-1978) was a well known Hassidic rabbinical leader of the 20th century. He was born into a rabbinical 'dynasty' and was ordained as a rabbi, Rosh Yeshiva and Rebbe in Hungary at a young age. It was in Hungary that his anti-Zionist views were developed. Notwithstanding the annihilation of Eastern European Jewry during the Holocaust, these views became more extreme with the passing years, and in some of his writings he explained the Shoa as a punishment from G-d for the "Zionist sin". The dissertation investigates the Rebbe's writings, which include: his biblical commentary, letters, speeches and sermons, hallachic responsa and philosophical contemplations; with special attention to his most famous book: "Vayoel Moshe".
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    An inquiry into the withdrawal from writing of the modern Hebrew poet Avraham ben Yitzchak
    (1991) Dison, Naomi Judith; Reisenberger, Azila Talit
    When one reads Dr Sonne's poetry (Avraham ben Yitzchak, or ABY) from time to time, it strikes one as being the most unique in Hebrew, unlike all other classic poems of his era. Instead of writing about the nationalistic or Zionistic spirit, ABY dealt with the poems in a very personal but objective lyric way, which touches the heart. The nature description is unusual and unique, and the special aura or outlook, the philosophy, something that is not quite Jewish, was a taste of something else (the other, different) and this work contends that on examining this element of distinction, it became most obvious that here was a testimony of Chinese culture that had invested itself into a sensitive philosopher and touched his heart and made an imprint upon him.
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    King David : literary aspects of characterization
    (1993) Scher, Tal Michelle; Reisenberger, Azila Talit
    This dissertation is based on the premise that the Bible, in addition to being a work of historical and theological significance, is also a work of literary significance. As such, the aim of the dissertation is to study the biblical figure of David as a literary character. In particular, it focuses on various techniques of characterization used to present this character to the reader. The primary texts examined in this dissertation are I Sam. 16 - I Kings 2:10, and Psalms 3, 7, 18, 34, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 59, 60, 63 and 142. In addition to these biblical texts, various biblical and literary critics are consulted, and their theories and arguments applied to this investigation of David as a literary character. In investigating David as a literary character, certain aspects of characterization theory are considered: direct and indirect techniques of characterization, and primary and secondary levels of characterization. Chapter One outlines these theoretical issues of characterization, which are discussed in greater detail in the chapters that follow. Chapter Two deals with the use of contrast as a characterization technique. Chapter Three examines character interaction. Chapter Four considers the function of motif in characterization. Chapter Five relates certain psalms and poems to the narrative texts, as they, too, perform a characterizing function. Chapter Six is a chapter of conclusion. It must be emphasized that the focus of this dissertation is primarily on the techniques and strategies used to present the character David, and less on the character himself. The emphasis is on the process, rather than on the product. The dissertation is in English. All biblical quotes are given in English translation, with English transliteration of Hebrew words when necessary. Bibliography: pages 187-194.
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    A study of change during the period of the judges
    (1999) Cohen, Jennifer Ann; Reisenberger, Azila Talit
    A study of change during the period of the Judges, including: (a) Biblical historiography and method; (b) An analysis of the Biblical text itself. This is a detailed study of tensions involved in the Israelite change from Confederacy to Monarchy as reflected in the Biblical text. The texts used are the Booksof Judges and I Samuel (1-12). The study is divided into two parts, Part A looks at the methodologies and perspectives of various 20th century Biblical scholars - for example the sociological perspective of Weber and Gottwald, the religious/historical perspective of Bright and Kaufmann, the literary perspective of Polzin and the close reading approach of ESlinger.
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