Beyond the Text: A Holistic Approach to Liturgy (Jewish Literature and Culture) - Hardcover

Hoffman, Lawrence A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0253311993 ISBN 13: 9780253311993

Publisher: Indiana Univ Pr, 1987

Synopsis

This unique and groundbreaking study moves "beyond the texts" of prayers to carefully study the worshipping community from an anthropological perspective. Hoffman's innovative approach opens up the world of prayer to the academy and the community at large. With the publication of this book, the study of liturgy will never again be the same.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

This book is about a household activity, if not a household word; an activity that engages us all with that very degree of regularity which breeds indifference: liturgy, or, to be more precise, worship, or, to be more precise still, the variety of rituals in which religious people, particularly, engage.

Review:

"This work is particularly significant because it is among the first to develop a dialogue between the classical interests of Jewish Studies - texts and history - and the stuff of cultural analysis - ritual, myth, and meaning." - Tikkun "I greatly enjoyed Beyond the Text. [Hoffman's] way of relating text to community is very skillfully done ... a refreshingly new approach." - Mary Douglas " ... destined not only to contribute significantly to the sum of knowledge but also to alter the way the data are perceived and the arguments framed." - Worship "This powerful and brilliant book revolutionizes the academic study of liturgy." - Religious Studies Review " ... one of the most thoughtful books on Jewish scholarship to appear ... " - Heritage Southwest Jewish Press " ... a profoundly enlightening book ... " - Theological Book Review

About this edition

• Publisher: Indiana Univ Pr
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0253311993
• ISBN 13: 9780253311993
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224