This thesis will contribute to the scholarly understanding of Jewish religious responses to the Holocaust in four ways. First, it will provide a constructive critique of Zachary Braiterman's analysis of Holocaust theology and his concept of antitheodicy in particular. It will expand his analysis by examining some Holocaust theologians he did not engage with in his original study. It will also narrow down his definition of antitheodicy in order to avoid the charge that it is too wide-ranging for effective use. Second, this thesis will introduce and define the concept of 'atheodicy'. A form of response centred upon divine mystery/inscrutability and consolatory ideas of divine co-suffering and recovery, 'atheodicy' will be identified as a significant religious response to suffering prominent within the context of Holocaust theology, especially within the thought of Kalonymous Shapira, Emil Fackenheim, Arthur Cohen and Melissa Raphael where it becomes a major element of their studies. Thirdly, this study will show that the Jewish mystical tradition of the Kabbalah, particularly in its theosophical-theurgic manifestation, has been a significant resource for Holocaust theologians in their efforts to respond meaningfully to the Holocaust - again particularly in the thought of Shapira, Fackenheim, Cohen and Raphael. Fourthly, the thesis will explore the relationship between antitheodicy, atheodicy and Jewish mysticism in the work of these four theologians. It will be argued that the presence of antitheodicy in these four thinkers often results in their adoption of atheodic approaches to the problem of suffering. It will also be argued that the recognition of atheodicy as a response provides one powerful (though certainly not the sole) reason for the presence of Jewish mysticism in Holocaust theology. This, it will be argued, is because the atheodic elements of the responses are often expressed via Kabbalistic concepts which, at least in isolation, provide Jewish symbols which encapsulate and express the atheodic approaches identified in the responses of Shapira, Fackenheim, Cohen and Raphael. Finally, the prospects for 'atheodic theology' will be briefly evaluated by providing a short critical appraisal of this theological mode. The discussion will develop a particular focus on notions of divine mystery and the limits of rational theology.

No description available.

This thesis presents an analysis of Psalm 63, its imagery and theology in the context of the Psalter. Psalm 63 is one of the most captivating poems in the Hebrew Bible. The longing for the presence of God is a dominant theme of this psalm, which the psalmist visualises by the extensive usage of figurative language. The study undertakes an analysis of the difficult and complex metaphors and images contained in the poetical language of Psalm 63. Part One addresses issues about the nature of poetry, its definition, elements, and the role which imagery played in the ancient Near East, biblical and modern poetry. It includes an analysis of the nature of metaphor. Part Two constitutes the central part of this study, as it focuses on the examination of the figurative language and theology in Psalm 63. The author analyses the imagery of the initial verse and shows the theological meaning of this verse in the context of the whole psalm. This is followed by an analysis of other metaphors and images found throughout the psalm, and is presented with associated theological interpretations. In Part Three, other biblical texts containing metaphorical language similar to that found in Psalm 63 are analysed. The role and significance of the imagery and theology of Psalm 63 in the context of the Psalter and other books of the Hebrew Bible, are addressed in Part Three. The main aim of the study is an attempt to address and provide a new and original contribution to the theology of Psalm 63 and to the development and understanding of imagery in Hebrew poetry.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.