Messengers of God | Elie Wiesel | Classic Midrash in the Modern Age

Messengers of God | Elie Wiesel | Biblical figures as real people

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Messengers of God

	Messengers of God Elie Wiesel Simon & Schuster, 1985 - 237 pages average customer review:based on 4 reviews view larger image
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Classic Midrash in the Modern Age

Elie Wiesel is one of the most important thinkers of the modern era. His insights into the human condition are possibly the most profound to come from the Holocaust

In Messengers of G-d, Wiesel takes classic characters using classic midrash and make them utterly modern. This book might be a surprise to those familiar with Wiesel only through his Holocaust texts, but it should also be a pleasant surprise. From Adam to Yitchak to Job, Biblical characters are infused with a universality largely forgotten by modern commentators.

While this is essentially a Jewish book, it should be enjoyable to anyone who's wanted to study either Classic or Biblical texts.

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Biblical figures as real people

Wiesel has conceived an amazing and important set of human beings from several Biblical figures. People, strong and weak, right and wrong, very much flesh and bones, are presented from the unique perspective of a Holocaust survivor who sees human natures in the extremes of good and evil. What was it like for Job? How flawed were the Forefathers? And how did their personal relationships with the Almighty lead to inner peace? Most remarkably, a portrait of the Lord emerges as few scholars have painted. The juxtaposition of, for example, Moses and Abraham, with their individualities crisply drawn is a new level in Biblical scholarship, and most relevent for us today. When faced with the challenges of life, the people of the Bible are as human as each and all of us. This book is truely a gift to mankind.

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Some Vivid Imagery

Elie Weisel has a very descriptive style. He is able to describe the many possible interpretations of the characteristics of Adam, Cain, Abel, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob, Esau, Moses, and Job. Especially interesting is the description of how G-d created Eve. Why from the ribs as opposed to the eyes, head, neck, etc.. Interesting stuff and I won't spoil it by giving you readers the analogy. The snake's role in Eve leading Adam astray is dealt with from many interesting points of view. The punishment of Cain is quite unique according to Weisel's theory.

Anyway, the parables are a little hard to interpret and some of the stories ramble a bit without comming to a point. But there are many captivating parts and the beautiful imagery makes me rate this four stars.

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