[Avodah] Our Prophets Speak to Us

[Yitzchok Levine]

The following is from Rav Dr. Breuer's essay Our 
Prophets Speak to Us that appears beginning on 
page 80 of the new book A Unique 
Perspective:  Rav Breuer's Essays 1914 - 1973, published by Feldheim.

This article originally appeared in Jüdische 
Monatshefte, Vol. 8, 1921, and again in the 
Mitteilungen, Vol. 28, December 1966/January 1967.

IMO one excellent sefer on one of the books of 
Tenach is Rav Schwab on Yeshayahu, published last 
year by Artscroll last year.   YL

Our Prophets Speak to Us

The following essay on the role of the study of our
Nevi’im appears warranted in view of the incredible
neglect of this vital study area by most of our higher
Yeshiva institutions. This is a phenomenon that probably
has its roots in our recent history. At the time when the
so-called “Haskalah,” spreading its vicious propaganda,
tried to expel Talmud study from the educational program
and replace it with the study of Tanach and Hebrew
language, a negative attitude of the Yeshivos towards
the role of Tanach study was understandable. In
our time there is no reason for this attitude. The present
trend towards almost exclusive occupation with the Talmud
leaves the study of Tanach to the individual talmid,
on whose private interest it depends whether he wishes
to broaden his knowledge and understanding of Tanach
beyond that which he acquired in grade school. The
study of Tanach, no less than the study of Talmud,
requires the mature guidance of those who are able to
provide it for our mature youth.

It is the purpose of this essay to demonstrate in brief
strokes the approach to the Books of our Prophets and
the vital significance of this research.

Our Prophets must be read in a spirit of sanctity, for they meet
us as Divinely-inspired leaders, commissioned by God to assist us
in comprehending the enigma of life. 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.aishdas.org/pipermail/avodah-aishdas.org/attachments/20100410/7da61f61/attachment-0001.htm>