When A Lie Is Not A Sin
The Hebrew Bible's Frameowrk for Deciding
-
- $23.99
-
- $23.99
Publisher Description
The difference between truth and falsehood is often clear and simple. But when life gets complicated, the Hebrew Bible can help. The Hebrew Bible is true and wants us to tell the truth, even as biblical characters behave in less than truthful ways. What's more, where some of the lies people tell in the Hebrew Bible stories are punished, others are ignored and still others are rewarded. The Hebrew Bible's mixed-message of 'Do as I say, not as they do' shows that lieslittle and big, whether told to protect or advance oneself or when intended to preserve the peaceoften occur under involved circumstances and demand careful consideration. By viewing an array of situations in light of the Hebrew Biblefrom the routine but delicate to the once-in-a-lifetime dilemmathis book will make a difference in how you think and live. This candid look at religion and truthfulness is ideal for anyone interested in exploring the religious basis for personal decision making, conscience and morality, including Jews of all denominations personally or in Torah study groups, Christians and social justice activists.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Unlike the classic book of ethics that inspired Rabbi Ross (Sissela Bok's Lying: Moral Choice in Public and Private Life), this volume does not do justice to a complex subject. Instead of insightful and cogent analysis of how and why biblical figures lied and whether their prevarications can be justified on an ethical basis, Ross offers a meandering look at serious questions, with diversions and asides that come across as part of a Sabbath sermon aimed at maintaining the attention of a congregation. Colloquial (and not always logical) lines such as "I don't think it is at all disrespectful to say that ancient Torah study was the late-night entertainment of its day" will turn off some readers. The Hebrew Bible offers a wealth of opportunities to examine untruths from Cain claiming not to know his brother's whereabouts to Jacob's deception of his father but those opportunities are largely unrealized. Given the book's brevity, the pages of scientific explanations for the 10 plagues feel excessive, and Ross never makes the case for his position that "the Hebrew Bible is true there's truth in each and every word."
