Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Jewish mythology

Yes, there is such a thing. Take the Tenach and look at it from a mythological point of view. There is a myriad of similarities with other mythologies. For example a wrathful, vengeful jealous and zealous god, heroes, lovers, sibling rivalry, mysticism, sacrificies, supernatural death, wars, intrigue.

Does it differ in any way? I believe it does. Most of the elements of the Torah are consistent with the overall message of ethical monotheism. We don't find Hashem chasing after women (Zeus you old skirt-chaser) or getting into trouble with his wife (horrible Hera). The only human sacrifice Hashem demands is the Akedah, which is a whole issue in itself. Other than that, human sacrifice is abhorred and obliterated. To my mind, there is a constant thread running through the Tenach relating to the perfection of man and his purpose on Earth. That is how it differs.

TRK

1 Comments:

At 4/17/2005 3:25 AM, Blogger TRK said...

WC,

I'm not sure how much the Camelot myth lives on nowadays in the heart of your average Englishmen (and I know quite a few of them). I am curious if you think that myth has an imperialist, gallant, chivalrous moral message to it.

TRK

 

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