Encyclopedic Christian Work, 'The Jerusalem Bible,'
Issued by Doubleday in English From French Original

There is no doubt that there is
a growing interest in Scriptures,
as indicated by revised transla-
tions, commentaries and numerous
texts containing interpretations by
schools representing all faiths.
Biblical studies are further en-
hanced by the appearance this
week of "The Jerusalem Bible,"
edited by Father Alexander Jones
of Christ College, Liverpool, a
widely recognized biblical author-
ity, and published by Doubleday.
This immense work is based on
the very famous French Bible de
Jerusalem which was published in
Paris. by Les Editions du Cerf. It
retains the Hebrew and Greek tra-
ditional texts and is replete with
commentaries, with notes and in-
troductions to each book, and
there is fidelity in adhering to the
original texts.
This encyclopedic work de-

votes 1,547 pages to the Old
Testament books and the anno-
tations to them; 451 pages to the
New Testament, and there is an
additional section of nearly 50
pages containing maps, chrono-
logical tables, lists of biblical
themes in the notes, calendar
listings, tables of weights and
measures. Thus, the lay reader
is provided with basic data for
an easier understanding of the
themes presented, and "The
Jerusalem Bible" assumes im-
portance for preachers and lay-
men, for Christians especially,
with a definite interest for Jew-
ish students.

lem: a careful system of cross-ref- and therefore not equal to other

erence enabled this edition to in-
clude all the information from the
fascicules which could be useful to
the thoughtful reader or to the
student. This present volume is
its English equivalent. The intro-
ductions and notes are a direct
translation from the French,
though revised and brought up to
date in some places—account being
taken of the decisions and general
implications of the Second Vatican
Council."

This is sufficient explanation
of the basic values of this work
—especially intended for Chris-
tians with an aim of inspiring
interest in biblical studies. Yet
the many historical notes have
much value for students of all
faiths, and Jewish theological
students will be compensated
immensely by acquainting them-
selves with this work.

The initial drafts for this work
were made from the Hebrew and
the Greek "and simultaneously
compared with the French when
questions of variant reading or in-
terpretation arose." This is due, as
the editor explains, to the fact that
translations of biblical texts could
not be made from the French and:
"In the case of a few books the
initial draft was made from the
French and was then compared
word for word with the Hebrew or
Aramaic by the General Editor
and amended where necessary to
ensure complete conformity with
the ancient text."
Explaining basic approaches to
The editor's foreword is especial-
ly significant because it explains translations, Father Jones makes
the basis for this work. Father this interesting observation in re-
lation to the Psalter:
Jones states:
"It is in the Psalms especially
"The form and nature of this
edition of the Holy Bible have that the use of the divine name
been determined by two of the Yahweh (accented on the second
principal dangers facing the Chris- syllable) may seem unacceptable—
tian religion today. The first is the though indeed the still stranger
reduction of Christianity to the form Yak is in constant use in the
status of a relic—affectionately re- acclamation Hallelu-Yah (Praise
garded, it is true, but considered Yah !). It is not without hesitation
irrelevant to our times. The second that this accurate form has been
is its rejection as a mythology, born used, and no doubt thdse who may
and cherished in emotion with care to use this translation of the
nothing at all to say to the mind. Psalms can substitute the tradi-
What threatens the mother ional 'the Lord'. On the other
threatens her two children even hand this would be to lose much of
more seriously: I mean Chrisian- the flavor and meaning of the
ity's adopted child, which is the originals. For example, to say 'The
Old Testament, and her natural Lord is God' is surely a tautology,
child, which is the New. The as to say 'Yahweh is God' is not."
It is in the annotations and in
Christian faith, after all, has been
able without betrayal to adjust it- the introductory essays that the
self to the needs of succeeding student will find inspiration for
centuries and decades. The Bible, further study and for becoming
on the other hand, is of its nature fully aware of the sincere tasks
a written charter guaranteed (as represented in this immense, new
Christians believe) by the Spirit of Scriptural text, "The Jerusalem
God, crystalized in antiquity, never Bible."
to be changed — and what is Anchor Bible to Publish
crystallized may be thought by Books of the Apocrypha
Doubleday & Co. announces.
some to be fossilized. Now for
Christian thinking in the 20th plans to publish the Apocrypha,
Century two slogans have been also called "The Lost Books of the
wisely adopted: aggiornamento, or Bible," in six or seven volumes
keeping abreast of the times, and within the Anchor Bible, begin-
approfonclimento, or deepening of ning in 1970.
Under contract so far are:
theological thought. This double
program must be for the Bible, too. Prof. John Strugnell of Harvard
Its first part can be carried out by Divinity School for "The Wisdom
translating into the language we of Sira" or "Ecclesiasticus"; Prof.
use today, its second part by pro- Jonas Greenfield of the Near East-
viding notes which are neither sec- ern languages department at Berke-
ley for "Tobit" and "Judith"; Prof.
tarian nor superficial.
"This twofold need has long Jonathan Goldstein of the history
been appreciated, and strong ac- department at the University of
tion was taken in France when, Iowa for "I and II Maccabees."
The books of the Apocrypha
under the influence of the late
Pere Chifflot, Editions du Cerf ap- were included in the early Latin
pealed to the Dominican Biblical and Greek editions of the Bible
School in Jerusalem to meet it. but not in the Hebrew Bible or the
This led to the production of sep- canons of the Holy Scripture. The
arate fascicules with a full textual Catholics, following the decree of
critical appartus for the individual the Council of Trent in 1546, have
books of the Bible and with ex- always included them in their
tensive notes. Subsequently, in Bibles. The Protestants, especially
1956, a one-volume edition ap- the Puritans, from Luther's Bible
peared which came to be known of 1534 onwards, have not con-
popularly as La Bible de Jerusa- sidered them divinely inspired

Scriptures. In the current ecumen-
ical spirit the Protestants have
agreed to include the Apocrypha
in the Anchor Bible.
The Anchor Bible began publica-
tion two years ago. The ten vol-
umes published to date have sold
over 200,000 copies. The most re-
cently published volume, "The Gos-
pel According to John" by Ray-
mond E. Brown, has sold 16,000
copies since its publication in May,
1966.
On schedule for publication in
1967 are: "The Acts of the
Apostles" by Johannes Munck,
"Psalms II" by Mitchell Dahood,
"Isaiah II" by John L. McKenzie,
the second part of "The Gospel
According to John" and "The
Epistles of John" by Raymond E.
Brown.

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

24—Friday, October 28, 1966

Who May Receive Charity?

From the Shulhan Arukh of
Rabbi Joseph Karo (1488-1575)
One should always avoid charity
and rather roll in misery than to
depend upon the help of man.
And thus our Sages commanded,
"Rather make thy Sabbath a
week-day than be dependent on
men." And even though he be
scholarly and respectable, let him
engage in some occupation, even
an unpleasant occupation, so as
not to need the help of man.
Whosoever is not in need of
charity, but deceives the public
and takes it, will be in actual
need before his days are ended.
And whosoever is so much in need
of charity that he cannot live un-
less he receives it—as, for in-
stance, a man who is old or sick
or in constant pain—but takes none

out of pride, is guilty of blood-
shed and is responsible for his
own life; so that he has nothing
for his suffering save punishment
and sin. But, whosoever is in
need of charity and suffers pati-
ently and leads a pinched and
humble life, so as not to become
a burden to society, will live to
help others some day; and it is
with reference to such a person
that the Bible says, "Blessed is
the man that trusteth in the
Lord" (Jer. 17:7).—Article 255:1-2.

Michigan has a highly diversi-
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