Nuevas lecturas sobre lo judío en el Milagro XVI de los Milagros de Nuestra Señora de Berceo

Integran este número de la revista ponencias presentadas en Studia Hispanica Medievalia VIII: Actas de las IX Jornadas Internacionales de Literatura Española Medieval, 2008, y de Homenaje al Quinto Centenario de Amadis de Gaula.

A estranha nação de Moacyr Scliar: a ficcionalização de lugares, identidades e imaginários judaicos e brasileiros

Esta tese trata da ficcionalização das questões de identidades, lugares e imaginários judaicos e brasileiros nos romances contos e novelas de temática judaica escritos pelo gaúcho Moacyr Scliar. Na introdução, apresento os objetivos e pressupostos gerais do trabalho, bem como proponho uma divisão da obra em questão em duas fases. No primeiro capítulo, analiso os romances A Guerra no Bom Fim (1972) e O Exército de um Homem Só (1973), sob o ponto de vista da testagem de lugares judaicos clássicos enquanto fontes de inspiração para a resolução dos dilemas que emergem na diáspora brasileira e o início de um processo de dotação de legitimidade ao viver judaico na diáspora sul-americana. No segundo capítulo, analiso o conto A Balada do Falso Messias (1976) e o romance Os Voluntários (1979), sob o ponto de vista da tematização do Messianismo, do Sionismo e do papel que Jerusalém exerce no imaginário judaico moderno e de sua adequação ou não para alimentar o imaginário judaico na contemporaneidade. No terceiro capítulo, trato da ficcionalização das construções identitárias das personagens judias da primeira fase da obra scliariana (1972 a 1980), sob o ponto de vista das noções de hibridismo, aculturação e assimilação. Neste capítulo, analiso as personagens centrais dos romances A Guerra no Bom Fim, O Exército de um Homem Só, Os Deuses de Raquel (1975), (O Ciclo das Águas) (1975), Os Voluntários e O Centauro no Jardim (1980). No quarto capítulo, analiso o romance A Estranha Nação de Rafael Mendes (1983), tentando demonstrar que esta narrativa representa um divisor de águas na obra do autor, por tematizar as raízes judaicas da cultura brasileira através dos marranos, cristãos-novos e cripto-judeus que aqui aportaram com os portugueses em 1500. No quinto e último capítulo, analiso os romances da Segunda fase scliariana: Cenas da Vida Minúscula (1991), A Majestade do Xingu (1997) e A Mulher que Escreveu a Bíblia (1999). Neste capítulo, tento demonstrar que nestas narrativas dá-se o início de uma tentativa de construção de um imaginário judaico-brasileiro próprio, formado por uma fusão de motivos tipicamente brasileiros e outros especificamente judaicos, o que seria o corolário do já mencionado processo de dotação de legitimidade e viabilidade da diáspora judaico-brasileira frente à concretude e a reificação do Israel moderno. Na conclusão, teço algumas considerações sobre o todo do trabalho e levanto algumas questões relativas à construções de imaginários coletivos nas diásporas judaicas, mais especificamente na brasileira

Tipología exegética de Jodoco Badio Ascensio. El caso de las «Sátiras» de Persio

[ES] En este trabajo, vamos a intentar explicar cuál es la tipología exegética de Jodoco Badio Ascensio a través de sus comentarios al autor satírico romano Persio Aulo Flaco. Es el propio humanista quien nos aporta los criterios que ha seguido, aunque como se verá no siempre los respeta.

El «Ión»,fundador de la hermenéutica occidental

[ES] En el «Ión» Platón funda la hermenéutica occidental, no la práctica de la exégesis. Para ello debe rechazar el liderazgo de la poesía. Y en un triple frente. Como saber, la poesía no distingue entre significante y significado, y considera la interpretación como un mero descifrado, no como un análisis de la verdad y falsedad del significado. Como discurso legitimador, es una liturgia, no una funcionalización técnica, además de que oculta el conflicto en que toda sociedad consiste. Como competencia interactiva, el poeta no es autónomo, sino alienado, y pone en juego la emotividad, no la racionalidad. Desde este breve diálogo, la filosofía y la literatura se han disociado dramáticamente en la cultura occidental.

A tutela extrapatrimonial do nascituro no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro

Propõe-se estudo teórico com o objetivo de examinar a extensão e os limites da proteção jurídica concedida aos nascituros no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro. Há décadas a doutrina nacional se debruça acerca da exegese mais adequada do art. 4 do Código Civil de 1916, que, atualmente, corresponde ao art. 2 do Código Civil, com pequenas modificações textuais, mas sem alterar substancialmente o dispositivo. O Código Civil aparentemente optou pela atribuição da personalidade civil somente após o nascimento com vida, assegurando, contudo, os direitos do nascituro desde a concepção. O próprio Código Civil prevê expressamente direitos ao nascituro, como o direito a se beneficiar de doação e herança, o direito ao reconhecimento de paternidade e o direito à curatela. Nas últimas décadas outras leis infraconstitucionais reforçaram a proteção do nascituro, para resguardar direitos próprios do nascituro, entre eles o direito à assistência pré-natal, o direito à saúde e à integridade física e o direito aos alimentos. Não obstante, é costumeira a consciência de que o reconhecimento desses direitos pressupõe a concessão da personalidade civil desde a concepção, visto que a titularidade deles dependeria do gozo pleno da personalidade. Embora, pelo perfil do interesse, não haja óbice ao reconhecimento de situações patrimoniais, existenciais e dúplices, que podem ser titularizadas pelo nascituro, a preocupação do legislador nacional sempre se centrou nos aspectos patrimoniais. Diante da existência de situações jurídicas subjetivas merecedoras de proteção por parte do ordenamento jurídico titularizáveis pelos nascituros, pretende-se identificar e revelar os direitos extrapatrimoniais do ente por nascer como merecedores de tutela no direito brasileiro. Mediante pesquisa bibliográfica, observada a metodologia do direito civil constitucional, serão examinados os conceitos de nascituro, bem como as teorias existentes sobre os direitos que lhe são assegurados, com vista à possibilidade de proteção de seus direitos existenciais

The Jews in the Modern World : A History Since 1750

Rubinstein, William, et al., The Jews in the Modern World: A History Since 1750 (London: Hodder and Arnold, 2002), pp.xiv+449 RAE2008

Żydzi i judaizm w zwierciadle sztuki antycznej.

Wydział Historyczny: Instytut Historii Sztuki

Filozofia antyczna wobec problemu interpretacji. Rozwój alegorezy od przedsokratyków do Arystotelesa

The present work examines the beginnings of ancient hermeneutics. More specifically, it discusses the connection between the rise of the practice of allegoresis, on the one hand, and the emergence of the first theory of figurative language, on the other. Thus, this book investigates the specific historical and cultural circumstances that enabled the ancient Greeks not only to discover the possibility of allegorical interpretation, but also to treat figurative language as a philosophical problem. By posing difficulties in understanding the enigmatic sense of various esoteric doctrines, poems, oracles and riddles, figurative language created the context for theoretical reflection on the meaning of these “messages”. Hence, ancient interpreters began to ponder over the nature and functions of figurative (“enigmatic”) language as well as over the techniques of its proper use and interpretation. Although the practice of allegorical interpretation was closely linked to the development of the whole of ancient philosophy, the present work covers only the period from the 6th to the 4th century B.C. It concentrates, then, on the philosophical and cultural consequences of allegoresis in the classical age. The main thesis advocated here has it that the ancient Greeks were in-clined to regard allegory as a cognitive problem rather than merely as a stylistic or a literary one. When searching for the hidden meanings of various esoteric doc-trines, poems, oracles and riddles, ancient interpreters of these “messages” assumed allegory to be the only tool suitable for articulating certain matters. In other words, it was their belief that the use of figurative language resulted from the necessity of expressing things that were otherwise inexpressible. The present work has been organized in the following manner. The first part contains historical and philological discussions that provide the point of departure for more philosophical considerations. This part consists of two introductory chapters. Chapter one situates the practice of allegorical interpretation at the borderline of two different traditions: the rhetorical-grammatical and the hermeneutical. In order to clearly differentiate between the two, chapter one distinguishes between allegory and allegoresis, on the one hand, and allegoresis and exegesis, on the other. While pointing to the conventionality (and even arbitrariness) of such distinctions, the chapter argues, nevertheless, for their heuristic usefulness. The remaining part of chapter one focuses on a historical and philological reconstruction of the most important conceptual tools of ancient hermeneutics. Discussing the semantics of such terms as allēgoría, hypónoia, ainigma and symbolon proves important for at least two crucial reasons. Firstly, it reveals the mutual affinity between allegoresis and divination, i.e., practices that are inherently connected with the need to discover the latent meaning of the “message” in question (whether poem or oracle). Secondly, these philological analyses bring to light the specificity of the ancient understanding of such concepts as allegory or symbol. It goes without saying that antiquity employed these terms in a manner quite disparate from modernity. Chapter one concludes with a discussion of ancient views on the cognitive value of figurative (“enigmatic”) language. Chapter two focuses on the role that allegoresis played in the process of transforming mythos into logos. It is suggested here that it was the practice of allegorical interpretation that made it possible to preserve the traditional myths as an important point of reference for the whole of ancient philosophy. Thus, chapter two argues that the existence of a clear opposition between mythos into logos in Preplatonic philosophy is highly questionable in light of the indisputable fact that the Presocratics, Sophists and Cynics were profoundly convinced about the cognitive value of mythos (this conviction was also shared by Plato and Aristotle, but their attitude towards myth was more complex). Consequently, chapter two argues that in Preplatonic philosophy, myth played a function analogous to the concepts discussed in chapter one (i.e., hidden meanings, enigmas and symbols), for in all these cases, ancient interpreters found tools for conveying issues that were otherwise difficult to convey. Chapter two concludes with a classification of various types of allegoresis. Whilst chapters one and two serve as a historical and philological introduction, the second part of this book concentrates on the close relationship between the development of allegoresis, on the one hand, and the flowering of philosophy, on the other. Thus, chapter three discusses the crucial role that allegorical interpretation came to play in Preplatonic philosophy, chapter four deals with Plato’s highly complex and ambivalent attitude to allegoresis, and chapter five has been devoted to Aristotle’s original approach to the practice of allegorical interpretation. It is evident that allegoresis was of paramount importance for the ancient thinkers, irrespective of whether they would value it positively (Preplatonic philosophers and Aristotle) or negatively (Plato). Beginning with the 6th century B.C., the ancient practice of allegorical interpretation is motivated by two distinct interests. On the one hand, the practice of allegorical interpretation reflects the more or less “conservative” attachment to the authority of the poet (whether Homer, Hesiod or Orpheus). The purpose of this apologetic allegoresis is to exonerate poetry from the charges leveled at it by the first philosophers and, though to a lesser degree, historians. Generally, these allegorists seek to save the traditional paideia that builds on the works of the poets. On the other hand, the practice of allegorical interpretation reflects also the more or less “progressive” desire to make original use of the authority of the poet (whether Homer, Hesiod or Orpheus) so as to promote a given philosophical doctrine. The objective of this instrumental allegoresis is to exculpate philosophy from the accusations brought against it by the more conservative circles. Needless to say, these allegorists significantly contribute to the process of the gradual replacing of the mythical view of the world with its more philosophical explanation. The present book suggests that it is the philosophy of Aristotle that should be regarded as a sort of acme in the development of ancient hermeneutics. The reasons for this are twofold. On the one hand, the Stagirite positively values the practice of allegoresis, rehabilitating, thus, the tradition of Preplatonic philosophy against Plato. And, on the other hand, Aristotle initiates the theoretical reflection on figurative (“enigmatic”) language. Hence, in Aristotle we encounter not only the practice of allegoresis, but also the theory of allegory (although the philosopher does not use the term allēgoría). With the situation being as it is, the significance of Aristotle’s work cannot be overestimated. First of all, the Stagirite introduces the concept of metaphor into the then philosophical considerations. From that moment onwards, the phenomenon of figurative language becomes an important philosophical issue. After Aristo-tle, the preponderance of thinkers would feel obliged to specify the rules for the appropriate use of figurative language and the techniques of its correct interpretation. Furthermore, Aristotle ascribes to metaphor (and to various other “excellent” sayings) the function of increasing and enhancing our knowledge. Thus, according to the Stagirite, figurative language is not only an ornamental device, but it can also have a significant explanatory power. Finally, Aristotle observes that figurative expressions cause words to become ambiguous. In this context, the philosopher notices that ambiguity can enrich the language of a poet, but it can also hinder a dialectical discussion. Accordingly, Aristotle is inclined to value polysemy either positively or negatively. Importantly, however, the Stagirite is perfectly aware of the fact that in natural languages ambiguity is unavoidable. This is why Aristotle initiates a syste-matic reflection on the phenomenon of ambiguity and distinguishes its various kinds. In Aristotle, ambiguity is, then, both a problem that needs to be identified and a tool that can help in elucidating intricate philosophical issues. This unique approach to ambiguity and figurative (“enigmatic”) language enabled Aristotle to formulate invaluable intuitions that still await appropriate recognition.

Herod Wielki i „nowa” Jerozolima

Summary: Herod the Great (73-4 B.C.E.) was a Roman client king of the small Jewish state Judaea in the last three decades before the common era. An essential aspect of Herod's reign was his role as a builder. Remarkably innovative, he created an astonishing record of architectural achievement, not only in Judaea but also throughout Greece and the Roman East. Herod’s own inclinations caused him to engage in a building program that paralleled that of his patron, Augustus. The most famous and ambitious project was the expansion of Jerusalem and rebuilding of the Second Temple. Josephus Flavius, a 1st-century Jewish historian, in his descriptions of the visual structure of Jerusalem delivers the picture of the Jewish society in the latter Second Temple Judaea, who were fundamentally antagonistic toward images. For Josephus, Roman iconography, such as Herod’s eagle from the Jerusalem Temple, represents not only political domination but also an unambiguous religious abomination. Visual conservatism in the public realm finds important verification in the excavated remains of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount and the Herodian Quarter (Upper City). Geometric patterns and forms predominate on the floor mosaic, stone furniture, in architectural detail and funerary remains. No human imagery is present in the Jewish context. However, Herodian structures in Jerusalem reflect the architectural and visual vocabulary of their time which contains popular elements of Roman domination in the ancient world.

Meanings of the Sabbath for Worship in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church

This study investigates the meanings and significance of the seventh-day Sabbath for worship in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In recent years, both the day and concept of Sabbath have attracted ecumenical attention, but the focus of scholarship has been placed on Sunday as the Lord's Day or Sabbath with little consideration given to the seventh-day Sabbath. In contrast, this project examines the seventh-day Sabbath and worship on that day from theological, liturgical, biblical and historical perspectives. Although not intended as an apology for Seventh-day Adventist practices, the work does strive to promote a critical and creative conversation with other theological and liturgical traditions in order to promote mutual, ecumenical understanding. Historical research into the origins and nature of the principal day for weekly Christian worship provides a starting point for discussion on Sabbath. Reconsideration of the relationship between Judaism and early Christianity in recent studies suggests that the influence of Judaism lasted longer than previously supposed, thereby prolonging the developmental process of Sabbath (seventh day) to Sunday. A possible coexistence of Sabbath and Sunday in early Christianity offers an alternative to perspectives that dichotomize Sabbath and Sunday from Christian antiquity onward, and thus for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, suggests biblical and historical validity for their Sabbath worship practice. Recent theological perspectives on Sabbath and Sunday are examined, particularly those of Karl Barth, Jürgen Moltmann and Pope John Paul II. While all three of these theologians stress the continuity of Sabbath and Sunday and speak mainly to a theology of Sunday, they do highlight the significance of Sabbath—which is relevant to an interpretation of seventh-day Sabbath worship. The study concludes that the seventh-day Sabbath is significant for worship in the Seventh-day Adventist Church because it symbolizes the relationship between God and human beings, reminds humanity of the creating and redeeming God who acts in history, and invites persons to rest and fellowship with God on a day sanctified by God.

Christology in the Epistle to the Hebrews: Martin Luther's Reception of John Chrysostom

Throughout the history of the Church, the Epistle to the Hebrews has been one of the most puzzling letters in the Canon, particularly regarding the implications of understanding the person of Jesus Christ. John Chrysostom, an important patristic writer, is acknowledged to have made significant contributions to the exegesis of this letter. Chrysostom's thought became the norm for traditional thinking and interpretation of this letter in the Middle Ages. Martin Luther's reception of Chrysostom's Homilies on Hebrews presents a unique interpretation that some scholars may describe as the "Reformation Discovery" on Hebrews. In tracing Luther's reception and appropriation of Chrysostom's exegesis of the letter to the Hebrews, there is a noticeable and significant shift in Christological interpretation. Whether or not these modifications were necessary is a matter of debate; however, they do reflect Luther's contextual and existential questions regarding faith, Christ and knowledge of God, which is evident in his Lectures on Hebrews.

An Irish apostle: articulating and actualising apostolicity in the early Irish church

This thesis examines the earliest extant Latin Lives of Brigit and Patrick; Cogitosus’s Vita Brigidae and Muirchú’s Vita Patricii as evidence for a seventh-century debate on Irish apostolicity. While often dismissed as mere propaganda, this thesis shows they are highly sophisticated demonstrations of the continuing connection that Kildare and Armagh had to their patron saints and their authority. It examines the importance of this connection for concepts of ecclesiastical organisation, teaching authority and episcopal succession against the backdrop of the seventh-century Easter question in the Insular Church. This will show that apostolicity was considered to be intrinsically linked with orthodoxy and universality. A textual focus brings forth general patristic themes and ideas that Irish hagiographers evoked through specific words and phrases. The thesis contextualises hagiographical material using evidence from Hiberno-Latin and early Insular exegetical commentaries, referring to major patristic exegetes such as Origen, Jerome, Augustine, and Gregory the Great as support. The introduction discusses the importance of apostolic ideology for the seventh-century Irish Church, and outlines a methodology for examining such abstract themes. The first chapter looks at how developments in apostolic ideology led to ideas of apostolic primacy seen in the Insular material. Chapters two, three, and four examine metaphors of food and feeding, the fountain and the stream, and the head and the body, as significant articulations of apostolicity. Chapter five examines how corporeal relics were understood as the visible proof of this continuity and preserved a saint’s authority for their episcopal heirs. Chapter six looks at how Muirchú engaged with Patrick’s connection to the universal Church and his self-professed lack of disciplina to reconcile his apostolicity with seventh-century norms. Chapter seven places the issues considered thus far in a thoroughly Insular context by examining how the earliest English sources present the Irish legacy in Northumbria after the synod of Whitby. Chapter eight looks at how the text of Patrick’s Confessio in the Book of Armagh relates to a wider seventh-century campaign by Armagh to rehabilitate Patrick’s apostolicity. The conclusion briefly summarizes the thesis, and suggests further avenues for researching this topic in the Insular material

Manifestations of heavenly light and fire and the construction of a saint: sanctity, mission and salvation in Adomnán's Vita Columbae

This thesis examines the late seventh-century Latin Life of Columba (Vita Columbae) in a context sympathetic to the spiritual aims and formative intellectual background of its author, Adomnán of Iona. It argues that the Vita Columbae is a sophisticated work, shaped by Adomnán’s spiritual and theological concerns. This sophistication is revealed by a forensic examination of Adomnán’s representation of Columba’s sanctity through a series of miracles, in particular, miracle stories depicting divine manifestations of fire and light. This thesis considers the form and function of these miracle stories in the context of biblical, patristic and medieval interpretations of their archetypes, towards revealing the underlying influence of scriptural, hagiographical and monastic models of sanctity. Chapter one evaluates the function of the Vita Columbae, and outlines the core themes of sanctity which pervade the work, by considering the technical terminology and literary devices found in the opening prefaces in the context of the wider monastic tradition. Chapter two examines Adomnán’s use of biblical models of sanctity to establish Columba’s sanctity, and their relationship between these models and certain miraculous episodes in the Vita Columbae. Chapter three investigates Adomnán’s description of the Holy Spirit as an illuminating fire, and its significance for his portrayal of the saint, by means of a forensic examination of biblical, exegetical and hagiographical treatments of the image. Chapter four examines the missiological, soteriological and providential elements contributing to Adomnán’s portrayal of Columba’s sanctity, as conveyed through the presence of biblical models, particularly the image of the column of fire. Chapter five establishes the influence of monastic examinations of the contemplative life on Adomnán’s portrayal of Columba’s sanctity, and shows how that sanctity is confirmed in terms of his ability to contemplate divine light.

HyperJoseph: the hypertextual organization. Epistemological considerations

HYPERJOSEPH combines hypertext, information retrieval, literary studies, Biblical scholarship, and linguistics. Dialectically, this paper contrasts hypertextual form (the extant tool) and AI-captured content (a desideratum), in the HYPERJOSEPH project. The discussion is more general and oriented to epistemology.