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From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1996 19:48:45 -0500
Subject: Psychology of Belief

I would like to briefly respond to questions #2 and #3 of Dr Schimmel's
list.

I believe that modern scholars reject Torah MiSinai because they do not
have the analytic tools by which to understand the text--since they do
not understand the text they reject it--but they are really rejecting
only an improperly translated text.

How do I deal with Biblical Scholarship Questions? In the way just
indicated: I was fortunate to have learned basic fundamental techniques
on interpreting halacha and Midrash. I think the preservation of Judaism
requires the same.  I would encourage more indepth Talmud Torah that
regards Midrash and Halachah as emanating from deep well thought out
reasons.

There are a variety of books and thoughts that deal with the above
approach: e.g
	Nechama Leibowithz on Rashi and Parshanuth
	Malbim on the grammatical treatment of Midrash Halacha
 	Rav Chayiims methods for understanding jewish Legal texts
	Rav Hirsch's symbolic methods for understanding Taamay Mitzvoth

The list could go on and include many books which defend our Torah as a
rational deep book--e.g. I could add Aviva Zornbergs recent book on
Genesis which deals with the human nature and emotional side of Biblical
characters.

I deeply believe that biblical scholars have ignored the above modern
approachs and that the only way we can preserve our identity is by
learning.

I hope others echo my belief also

Russell Jay Hendel, Phd, ASA rhendel @ mcs drexel edu