The dedicated study of South Asia; its classical culture in all its myriad forms; including its literature and religion and not least; its art; has distinguished the entire scholarly life of Dieter Schlingloff. With his vast panoply of interests and his insatiable curiosity; well reflected by his publications; both in their impressive number and their diversity; he has enriched the field of South Asian Studies to a momentous degree. This work is a Festschrift on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
#1731063 in Books Urim Publications 2009-02-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x 1.20 x 6.80l; .0 #File Name: 9655240207446 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A comprehensive and very interesting studyBy Israel DrazinThere is a basic teaching of educational psychology that people cannot really understand a subject unless they also know how it is similar to and different than something else. There is also a basic teaching about religion that people need to recognize that God loves all people of all faiths; and people need to know about others and be sensitive to their problems. The prophet Amos pointed this out in 9:7. He quotes God as saying that He gives special attention to all nations: "Are you not like the children of the Ethiopians (blacks) to Me; O children of Israel? Have I not brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt; and the Philistines from Caphtor; and Aram from Kir?" Kenneth Chelst makes the biblical story of the Exodus clear by his very readable; comprehensive; respectful; and thought-provoking comparisons and analysis of the biblical and African-American slavery experiences; their freedom; and the after-effects that lasted for many generations.Chelst is a professor at Wayne State University with a Ph.D. and a rabbinical degree. He focuses on many of the terrible people-altering experiences of the ancient Israelites and blacks; matters that can be seen to have relevance today. Did it make any difference; for example; that the Israelites entered Egypt as a free people who were given a unique preferable status by the ruling class; while the blacks were driven to America as chained slaves in miserable slave ships during a long crowded trip where many died? How did the fact that the slavery of both people began with the sale of a brother into slavery effect the slaves? Did the retention of pre-slavery names help sustain either culture? Where both groups able to react favorably to freedom? How did they differ? Do the blacks still suffer from their ancestral experience and; if so; why?Chelst raises; investigates; and clarifies many other matters. Did either group have an expectation of freedom? How did the giving up of the blacks' pre-slavery religion and the adoption of Christianity degrade the slave's life? How was the spirit of each group systematically broken? Were the women of both enslaved? What effect did rape by slave owners have on the women and on the men? Did women have a voice among the blacks and Israelites? Did either group have leaders while enslaved? What lies did the masters develop to describe both groups and why did they do so? How did the "righteous" people among the non-slave class act? How does the manner of remembering the ancient experience help mold both groups? These are just some of the tantalizing subjects that Kenneth Chelst explores and clarifies.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Praise for Exodus and EmancipationBy Sheila GuyerExodus and Emancipation by Kenneth Chelst offers fresh and illuminating perspective on these two eras of enslavement. "Go Down Moses" the reknowned spiritual offered hope to the African-Americans. Dr. Chelst points out a wealth of other parallels and differences that not only offer the reader a compassionate understanding of bondage; but also explain the stages both peoples experienced in preparation for emancipation. I thoroughly enjoyed the quotations of first hand experiences of individual slaves and empathized with their plight. This is a must read for Civil War buffs and students of the Bible. I have already purchased copies of this book for Jewish friends to enhance their celebration of the Passover holiday.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Profound WorkBy Azriel"Dr. Kenneth Chelst; a distinguished academic; and a wide ranging and profound scholar of Jewish thought has produced a compelling and utterly original study comparing the biblical account of the enslaved Israelites with the experience of African-American slavery. Dr. Chelst; it would seem; has read and considered everything of consequence that has been written on both subjects; and Exodus and Emancipation is filled with page after page of stunning and illuminating insights."Rabbi Joseph Telushkinauthor of Jewish Literacy andA Code of Jewish Ethics: You Shall be Holy
