Praying by the Book: The Scripturalization of Prayer in Second Temple Judaism (review)

Hebrew Studies 45 (2004) 358 Reviews Munich: Ch. Kaiser Verlag, 1974], pp. 11–30 [p. 16]). With such conclusions, Hengel unmistakably reveals the theological presuppositions underlying this book. Readers may question, however, whether the historical evidence presented here supports Hengel’s theological motives. An outstanding feature of the book is the addition of a dense introductory essay by the Göttingen septuagintalist R. Hanhart, who argues that “Hellenistic Judaism had a relatively well defined canon of ‘Holy Scripture’ already in the second century BC” (p. 2). The value of this contribution to the book lies in the strikingly different perspective on problems of Septuagint and canon represented, though the full significance of the essay becomes apparent only after digesting the contents of the book proper. Indeed, the difference between the two masters brilliantly encapsulates the problems that inhere in most recent discussions of topics such as “canon,” “the Septuagint,” “the Greek Bible,” or “Christian scripture.” The jarring contrast effected here by the combination of both perspectives provides a compelling illustration of the need for terminological clarity and consistency. Meaningful dialogue about issues as broad and debated as these cannot occur without such delimitation. An explicit discussion of these matters would considerably sharpen Hengel’s argument and clarify the issues at stake. Though many readers will not accept Hengel’s theological presuppositions or conclusions, the appearance of this useful work in English will surely stimulate further reflection on a problem of vital historical and theological import and is thus a most welcome contribution. D. Andrew Teeter The University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 46556 dteeter@nd.edu PRAYING BY THE BOOK: THE SCRIPTURALIZATION OF PRAYER IN SECOND TEMPLE JUDAISM. By Judith H. Newman. Pp. 283. Atlanta, Ga.: Scholars Press, 1999. Cloth, $49.95. Anyone who reads this study of the uses of Scripture in Jewish prayers found in texts which emerged during the Second Temple period, will quickly recognize the total commitment of the author to her subject and its importance . Near the conclusion of the book, Judith Newman quotes Sigmund Mowinckel on the Psalms which, “far from becoming worn out and petrified with use” have been “able somehow to store the religious experience of generations ” (p. 201). Like the Psalms, scripturalized prayers which incorporate traditional interpretations of Scripture, revealing how the authors of those Hebrew Studies 45 (2004) 359 Reviews prayers understood and interpreted scripture, are an important expression of Judaism in a significant period of its development, storing the religious experience of generations while, at the same time, reflecting various cultural contexts. More than once, Dr. Newman reminds the reader that her book is far from an exhaustive delineation or a complete taxonomy of scripturalized prayer of the Second Temple period, but rather a step toward their categorization . It is an endeavor, however, considerably more extensive than that found in prior scholarship. It begins with a consideration of scripturalization in prayers of pre-exilic times and proceeding, step-by-step through the first century C.E. It includes prayers from books such as Judith and 3 Maccabbees to which she gives intensive, caring, and scrupulously meticulous attention. One of this scholar’s prime qualities is to provide definitions of the terms she is using (Scripture, prayer, scripturalization), as well as to delineate clearly the premises and assumptions of her research. For example, she sets forth her justification of the choice of Second Temple period texts by explaining that the volume of scripturalized prayers decisively increased in texts of that period. An additional factor involves the scholarly neglect of certain genres and sectors of Jewish literature of that time and especially of non-canonical texts. She also explains why she has excluded from her research such texts as those from Qumran as well as Bracha-form prayers. Newman also demonstrates that she is conscious of underlying issues which touch upon her research such as recent critiques from various positions of historical criticism of Bible texts, particularly source-criticism. In this respect , she reviews the issues and then discloses her own methodological assumptions ; in the case of historical-critical scholarship, she accepts that there was a Jahwist source. Though quite aware of recent scholarship on this issue, from her point...