My discussion of David has been recurrent in the sabbatical posts (principally connected to my research). For some reason the allure of monarchical power is something I’ve not managed to escape from when I sit down to do research – and it’s not just that there’s never enough time to Read more…
After a brilliant meeting with my supervisor in Cambridge I’ve had some additional texts on which I’ve been focussing. Notably, developing the connections between the representation of King David with the shock troops in the Babylonian Talmud which I previously mentioned and the midrashic figure of Esau. It’s work in progress Read more…
This is what I wrote for December 2014’s newsletter to the community of the LJS (hence starting with Chanukkah): We all know the story of Chanukkah…don’t we? It’s a standard teaching strategy to take apart the story we all think we know. It’s then we discover that the miracle of Read more…
I am currently at the beginning of a three month sabbatical from the LJS. I had mentioned to members that I would be writing regularly some kind of update about my sabbatical – research and learning during the period, so here’s my first post. This week I read a fascinating Read more…