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The Seventy Faces of Torah: The Jewish Way of Reading the Sacred Scriptures Paperback – May 2, 2005

by Stephen M. Wylen (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 10 ratings
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Judaism, Christianity and Islam all acknowledge the Hebrew Bible to be sacred Scripture. And yet these different, and often contradictory, religions each has its own way of reading the Bible, interpreting it according to its own later sacred literature. In The Seventy Faces of Torah, Rabbi Stephen Wylen has written an important book that explains in clear and simple language the Jewish art of reading and interpreting the Bible. He introduces the reader to the major texts and genres of rabbinic literature in which the Jews discover 70 profound insights in every single verse of the Bible. Many Christians mistakenly think of Judaism as the "religion of the Old Testament," and wonder why Jews persist in their ancient faith and, unlike Christians, do not find Christ in every verse of the Bible. And how can such different religions be based on the same holy book? As Rabbi Wylen explains, Jews interpret the Bible in accordance with their own sacred literature, much as Christians do with the New Testament. These written scriptures of Judaism (such as The Talmud and Mishnah) are distinct from "Torah," the divine voice which speaks anew every day whenever Jews gather to learn the sacred texts of Jewish tradition. This book will be of interest to a wide audience, from Christian clergy and seminarians, and avid lay students of the Bible, to beginning rabbinical students, Jews who want to know more about their own tradition, and to all people who wonder what the Bible has to say to contemporary humanity. Rabbi Wylen also sheds new light on the conflict between religious modernism and Fundamentalism, which will make The Seventy Faces of Torah a valuable book for Bible study groups in churches and synagogues. †
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Paulist Press
  4. Publication date
    May 2, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    6.15 x 0.74 x 9.07 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0809141795
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0809141791
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rabbi Stephen M. Wylen is the religious leader of Temple Beth Tikvah in Wayne, NJ, and writes a monthly column for The Record, Hackensack, NJ. He is also the author of Settings of Silver and The Jews in the Time of Jesus (both Paulist Press).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paulist Press (May 2, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0809141795
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0809141791
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.15 x 0.74 x 9.07 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 10 ratings

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Stephen M. Wylen

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
10 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

MarcoPolo
5.0 out of 5 stars Well Pu Together
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2021
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I order this book in order to learn more about the Torah. It has been extremely helpful in learning to understand translate the scriptures. If you want to know more about the Torah than just the basics this is a good book to have in your possession.
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Rev Patrick J Madden
5.0 out of 5 stars Rabbi Wylen discusses the Jewish tradition of interpreting scripture from ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2015
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Rabbi Wylen discusses the Jewish tradition of interpreting scripture from the first reading of the Torah by Ezra, through Rabbinic times, into the medieval period, all the way up to contemporary Jewish scripture scholarship. He writes from the perspective of a Reform Jew, but is sensitive to other Jewish traditions, and to Christian readers as well. Reading this work helped me to place many Jewish interpreters, who had previously been only "names" for me, into a historical context. I was fascinated by the similarities and differences from Christian interpretations across the ages.
Rev. Patrick J. Madden, Ph.D.
Catholic priest of the Diocese of Shreveport
Adjunct faculty, School of Ministry, University of Dallas
Adjunct faculty, Institute of Pastoral Studies, Loyola University, Chicago.
2 people found this helpful
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Happy Shopper
5.0 out of 5 stars Seventy Faces of Torah
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2013
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Seventy Faces is the second book I have read by Stephen M. Wylen [my favorite rabbi]. As a Catholic scripture teacher I appreciate the awesome insights he offers in Jewish scripture. I also greatly enjoyed his wisdom in "Jews in the time of Jesus." His in-depth treatment comes in a very readable style. I look forward to reading his other book "Settings in Silver" and introduction to Judaism as well! Highly recommended for all Christians who appreciate the Old Testament. The better we understand the Jews and their Testament the better we can appreciate Jesus and His Testament. The bible should be viewed as one book reflecting the singular unity of God Himself!

David j. Fiday
Scripture Teacher, SMI Plainfield, IL
4 people found this helpful
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Cynthia McDaneil
4.0 out of 5 stars 70 meanings of Scripture
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2011
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This reference, that there are seventy meanings of Scripture, is found in the Midrash writings of Judaism (referenced on p 63 here), in the writings of Imam Sadiq (a successor of Muhammad; found in Understanding Biblical Prophecy, p 48), and in the Baha'i Writings (Kitab-i-Iqan, p 255).

In the commentary of St. John of the Cross, (Ascent of Mount Carmel, p 175) there is a reference to more than one meaning although no number is referenced: "But, whether He declares it or no, the soul must not rely upon its own understanding; for it is impossible to understand the hidden truths of God which are in His sayings, and the multitude of their meanings."

Thus, each religion shares this idea of multiple meanings through commentary or Scripture although many refuse to accept more than one meaning, believing that there is one true meaning and all the rest are false. In the Scriptures, these verses reference this idea without numbers: Daniel 12:4; Proverbs 1:1-7; Isaiah 45:2-3, 48:2-6; Luke 10:21; 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, 4:5; Revelation 2:17; Qur'an 3.7; Gleanings of Baha'u'llah p 76-77; Promise of Universal Peace, p 459-460.

References:

But, whether He declares it or no, the soul must not rely upon its own understanding; for it is impossible to understand the hidden truths of God which are in His sayings, and the multitude of their meanings. (St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel, p. 175)
It hath been decreed by Us that the Word of God and all the potentialities thereof shall be manifested unto men in strict conformity with such conditions as have been foreordained by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. We have, moreover, ordained that its veil of concealment be none other except its own Self. Such indeed is Our Power to achieve Our Purpose. Should the Word be allowed to release suddenly all the energies latent within it, no man could sustain the weight of so mighty a Revelation. Nay, all that is in heaven and on earth would flee in consternation before it.
Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, p 76-77

All the texts and teachings of the holy Testaments have intrinsic spiritual meanings. They are not to be taken literally. I, therefore, pray in your behalf that you may be given the power of understanding these inner real meanings of the Holy Scriptures and may become informed of the mysteries deposited in the words of the Bible so that you may attain eternal life and that your hearts may be attracted to the Kingdom of God.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Promise of Universal Peace 459-460

This book explores some of those meanings as understood by Judaism and does it well.
2 people found this helpful
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nDook
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved how it traces the Jewish insert standing of "what scripture is" over its history.
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2015
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Loved how it traces the Jewish insert standing of "what scripture is" over its history.

Particularly loved the first half.
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Alicia
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2017
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Very very good book.
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Pretzel from NJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference bok for our Talmud Study course
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2009
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This is a great book for our Talmud Study class. Our Rabbi directs us to various portions to illustrate points he is making while teaching us about the Talmud, the Oral Torah.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Clifford
5.0 out of 5 stars Opens a new view of Scripture
Reviewed in Canada on March 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book does a wonderful job of showing a new way of looking at scripture, and showing how Jewish our Christian scripture are. It explores Christian way of seeing scripture and how Jewish way is different and complementary. Definitely a worthwhile read for all Christians -- exploring the issue of scripture interpretation and meaning.
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