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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Modern Translation of the Bible Completed

(Continued from Page 1)
biblical history and litera-
ture at the Jewish Theologi-
cal Seminary, who headed
the editorial committee Of
the second volume in the
series," "The Prophets,"
published by JPS in 1978.

The new Jewish Publica-
tion Society translation of
the Bible is significant in
four main ways, according
to the scholars who partici-
pated in the effort:
• It is a brand-new trans-
' .ition based on the received
asoretic (original He-
Drew) text. Most other
translations into English —
including the Jewish Publi-
cation Society's previous
version, published in 1917

— were essentially re-
visions of earlier render-
ings. These included the
Tyndale, Luther and King
James versions, based in
large part on the Vulgate of
St. Jerome 15 centuries ago.
• It is presented in
modern literary English,
retaining the imagery of
the Hebrew rather than
rendering it by English
equivalents and approx-
imations alien to the bi-
blical world.
• It uses the findings -of
contemporary
biblical
scholarship, archeology and
study of the languages and
cultures of the ancient Near
East, including the Dead
Sea scrolls.
• Representatives of the

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Friday, June 18, 1982 7

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•
. LOANS ON JEWELRY- t

main wingC„,of organized tion of both "The Torah" and
Jewish religious life in "The Prophets," in addition
America — Orthodox, Con- to Profs. Ginsberg and
servative and Reform
Orlinsky, also included the
SUITE 110-HERITAGE PLAZA
were associated in the work late Prof. Ephraim A.
24901
NORTHWESTERN HWY.
of translation.
Speiser, head of the de- .
SOUTHFIELD
The last time a committee partment of Semitic and
S UMMER HOURS:
SUMMER
of scholars representing the Oriental languages at the
M.-F. 9-5, Sat. 10-3.
Jewish community com- University of Pennsyl- *
JEWELERS
pleted a translation of the vania; and, in association,
Bible was 23 centuries ago, Rabbis Max Arzt (de-
when the Torah was trans- ceased), Bernard J. Bam-
lated into Greek in Alexan- berger (deceased) and
dria, Egypt. According to Harry Freedman. The late
legend, the task was accom- Solomon Grayzel, editor of
plished by 72 scholars in 72 JPS from 1939 to 1965,
days; hence the name Sep- served as secretary.
tuagint — 70 in Greek.
The five megillot (Song of
The new translation Songs, Ruth, Lamentations,
published by the Jewish Ecclesiastes and Esther),
Publication Society is the which form a part of "The
"direct heir" of the Sep- Writings," were translated
tuagint, according to the by this earlier committee
translators, who ob- and were published sepa-
served that the new work rately, together with the
was the first attempt Book of Jonah, by JPS in
• Installed with NO damage to
since the days of Alexan- 1969.
lawn.
dria by a group of Jewish
The Jewish Publication
• Automatic on-at-dusk off-
scholars, acting on behalf Society, since its inception
at-dawn photo-control.
of the community, to re- in 1888, has served as a
• Less $7 a year
nder the scriptures into non-profit educational in-
than
to run.
the vernacular of the day stitution devoted to Jewish
• Bright, year-round beauty
from the original He- culture. Regarded as the
for home and yard.
brew.
prime publisher of quality
• Greater SAFETY AND
In the preface to "The Jewish books in the
SECURITY for home and
Writings," the translators English-speaking world,
family.
comment:
JPS has published some 800
"The entire gamut of bi- titles, totalling nearly eight
NEW INSTALLATIONS ALSO AVAILABLE
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COLONIAL LAMPLIGHTERS
cient and modern, Jewish Jewish religion, history, lit-
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consulted, and whenever
possible the results of mod-
ern study of the languages
and cultures of the ancient
Near East have been
Al
brought to bear on the bibli-
cal word."
A special effort was made
to convey "something of the
directness, the simplicity
• p .
f
and the uniquely Israelite
expression of piety that are
r-J
\\\\
so essential to the sublimity
of the Hebrew Bible," they
note, adding:
"For many passages,
our as yet imperfect
understanding of the
language of the Bible or
what appears to be some
disorder in the Hebrew
text makes sure transla-
tion impossible. Our un-
certainty is indicated in a
note, where the Hebrew-
text permits, and alterna-
tive renderings some-_
times have been. offered.
Emendations of the text
are -not proposed, how-
ever, and notes are kept
to a minimum."
In addition to Prof. Sarna,
While strolling the campus grounds at the University of
other members of the trans-
Edinburgh, it wouldn't be unusual to hear "Shalom aleichem"
lation committee for "The
Writings" were Professors
uttered in the same breath as "Hoot, mon!" Because Hebrew was a
Moshe Greenberg and
language taught here as early as the 1600's. As a matter of fact, the
Jonas C. Greenfield, both
first
Jews who came to Scotland had been specially invited
now of the Hebrew Univer-
to Edinburgh just to teach Hebrew. Can you imaging stu-
sity of Jerusalem. Associ-
ated with them and repre-
dents in the land of King Charles celebrating graduation in
senting the three major
the language of King David?
religious branches of
You don't have to be a Hebrew major from
American Judaism were
Edinburgh to know that on such occasions a toast with
Rabbis Saul Leeman (Con-
servative, Martin Rozen-
fine scotch whisky is in order. In America, the favorite is
berg (Reform) and David
J&B
Rare Scotch. Special blending has given
a fla-
Shapiro (Orthodox). Chaim
vor.
in
a
class
by
itself.
Which
is
why
we
say
it
whispers.
Potok, novelist and former
And which is why J&B is the worthy spirit at any toast,
editor of JPS, served as sec-
retary of the committee of
whether you say, "Cheers, Laddie!" or simply, "L'Chayim!"
translators.
The committee of scholars
responsible for the transla-

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357-1056:*

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