Steven Pruzansky

As someone who has an enduring interest in the roots of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as those religions deemed “pagan,” I found the subject of this book compelling. Delving into the much debated subject of whether the bible is relevant today, the author draws parallels between the issues faced in the book of Judges (or Shoftim as it is called in Judaism) and the issues we face in modern society. This book can serve as a reminder of the cycles of human experience, and how we can utilize this ancient text today.… (més)

this is a very interesting book that opens the pages of Judges in the Old Testament to amateurs like me.. Interpretations of some of the Judges are deep and worth reading. However, those unfamiliar with the Bible and or the Hebrew names of the Judges will be lost, I had to spend too much time figuring out who was being discussed. I actually had to get out the old family Bible to find my way...so I was using the Bible to understand a discussion of the Bible. Ironic, isn't it? I am not familiar with the Bible, although I am slightly litererate. I think that part of the problem may be that the author is using Hebrew names. A glossary would have been helpful. the author cits Malbim 6:7. Ever heard of it? That's the problem throughout.… (més)

I am not Jewish. Sure, I've been asked if I was, but let me set the record straight: I am not.

There, that being said, let me tell you about a book I just read. It's called "Judges for Our Time", and deals with the book of Shoftim (otherwise known as the book of Judges, as it appears in the Bible). This book takes us through several of the key judges and we gain a little insight both on what respected and knowledgeable individuals have interpreted these tales to mean as well as contemporary lessons that we can derive from them (hence the book's subtitle).

Being raised in a very religious (though non-Jewish) environment, I was already familiar with the subject material, even having had to write several exegeses on the matter (particular on Ehud). So, a lot of the information I already know. However, Pruzanky introduced texts I didn't grow up reading (or didn't immediately recognize them in their original Hebrew names), so I did learn a thing or two about the larger effects the Judges had on the world, and such.

This book would probably miss the mark for you unless you were (a) a practicing Jew, (b) interested in Judaism, or (c) interested in many different religions and their respective histories. It helps to already have some familiarity over the subject matter at hand.… (més)