Text, Time, and Temple

In their different ways the essays in this collection ask, Why was Leviticus written? What is the relation of text to practice, and to the development of the idea of an Israelite society centred in its Temple through all vicissitudes of its history?

The thirteen contributors are engaged in exploring the intersection of
literary, historical and ritual approaches to Leviticus, as the central
book of the Torah and as a utopian vision of an ideal society. Leading
scholars of Leviticus and the Pentateuch, like James Watts, Israel
Knohl and Christophe Nihan, combine with others whose primary interest
is magic, reception, cultural memory and gender.

The collection begins with a chapter by Michael Hundley on the ancient Near Eastern background of the priestly code and the issue of divine fluidity. Several scholars consider the social function of the book, particularly in the Second Temple period. James Watts, for instance, thinks that it combats scepticism about the efficacy of ritual; Reinhard Muller argues that the 'I am Yhwh' formula locates the texts in a liturgical setting. Christophe Nihan discusses the manipulation of blood in sacrifice as having an indexical function, as part of the 'templization' of Israel.


Other chapters engage in analyses of particular texts. Leigh Trevaskis
advocates a symbolic interpretation of the prohibition of intercourse
with a menstruant. Deborah Rooke analyses the gender and ethnic
implications of the story of the blasphemer in Leviticus 24. Similarly,
Francis Landy compares the chapters on the Nazirite and the woman
suspected of adultery as challenges to the sacerdotal order. Jonathan
Burnside argues that the prohibition of necromancy is integral to Leviticus
20. The book concludes with a moving reflection by Jeremy
Milgrom on his father's views on the ethical implications of his work,
and particularly its relevance to Israeli-Palestinian relations.