Veda and Torah: Transcending the Textuality of Scripture

Rating:
Summary: Ian Myles Slater on: Comparative Religion with Substance
Review: In the last decade or so there have been several studies comparing Judaism and Hinduism (or some variety of each), among them the excellent collection "Between Jerusalem and Benares," but also including some rather superficial exercises in "comparing and contrasting". First-hand knowledge of at least some of the texts, and of modern scholarship, is essential if one is to go beyond the obvious. So is recognition that neither is monolithic. Barbara Holdrege's monograph on the concepts of revelation in the two ancient traditions is an outstanding example of how to do it right. We not only learn that both cultural traditions have a sacred revelation (officially oral, not scriptural, for India), and a long history of interpreting it, but how they understood the source and nature of the revelation, over a long period time. Styles and theories of interpretation are related to these concepts.

The result is a sometimes overwhelming mass of detail, arranged thematically and chronologically, setting forth views held in each of the two religions (or religious civilizations, to adapt Mordecai Kaplan's characterization of Judaism). These two sets of expositions are rewarding in themselves, and Holdrege brilliantly combines exposition of the theme with examples of different literary modes and styles of interpretation in use at various times. Particularly interesting is the Indian conception of the Vedas as a Revelation without a Revealer, a Truth heard and spoken that is prior to the Divine, and made known to the Gods, which reverses many western assumptions, from Homer to Islam.

With the issues and approaches made clear, and some idea of chronological development (clearer on the Jewish than the Indian side), Holdrege proceeds with the process of comparison, allowing a high level of detail and sophistication in her analysis. In both cases, the material examined is mainly from the "official" cultures - Brahminic and Rabbinic - because that is where the evidence is to be found.

The reader already familiar with either of the two bodies of literature will find that a fair amount of space is devoted to relatively basic exposition, but very few readers are likely to be so well acquainted with both that all of these pages can be skipped safely. I have read fairly widely in both fields (although much more and much longer on the Jewish side), on a very nonprofessional level, and was surprised at how much useful information Holdrege provided -- and also at how much the comparative enterprise transformed the emphases in her presentations. Those familiar only with Christian concepts of Scripture and hermeneutics will probably need the full explanations of classical teachings and interpretive traditions, Jewish as well as Indian, which Holdrege offers.

The density of the presentation, as well as the length of the book, mean that it is not for the casual reader. For those with a serious interest in either tradition, as well as both, it is likely to be very rewarding.

Rating:
Summary: everything PLUS the kitchen sink
Review: The enormous and profound brahmanical Hinduism and rabbinic Judaism were melt together in this book. The author clearly systematized them into three parts. Part 1: The Word in Creation (Veda and Creation, Torah and Creation, Veda and Torah in Creation), Part 2: From word to Text (Veda and Cognition, Torah and Revelation, Cognition of Veda and Revelation of Torah), Part 3: Text in Practice (Veda in Practice, Torah in Practice, Veda and Torah in Practice, and Conclusion). This book has 765 pages, besides xiii preface. 420 pages were devoted to major contents, and the rest of the pages for notes.

Rating:
Summary: Clear and Distinct Systematization of Spiritual Heritage
Review: The enormous and profound brahmanical Hinduism and rabbinic Judaism were melt together in this book. The author clearly systematized them into three parts. Part 1: The Word in Creation (Veda and Creation, Torah and Creation, Veda and Torah in Creation), Part 2: From word to Text (Veda and Cognition, Torah and Revelation, Cognition of Veda and Revelation of Torah), Part 3: Text in Practice (Veda in Practice, Torah in Practice, Veda and Torah in Practice, and Conclusion). This book has 765 pages, besides xiii preface. 420 pages were devoted to major contents, and the rest of the pages for notes.

Rating:
Summary: everything PLUS the kitchen sink
Review: this book, while sometimes interesting, seems like a warmed-over (or even EXPANDED) doctoral thesis. way too much information is put forward which tends to confuse the reader. needs editing in order to bring clarity to the material. just because someone knows something doesnt necessarily mean it has to be included in the book. surely the author will write other books. saving something for them may be a good thing.