Geza Vermes

[malcolm...@btinternet.com]

A secular bible scholar and a member of the British Liberal synagogue, has passed away.

[Giorgies E Kepipesiom]

On May 9, 11:51 am, malcolm.mcle...@btinternet.com wrote:
> A secular bible scholar and a member of the British Liberal synagogue, has passed away.

Why do we need to know this? It belongs on soc.obituaries.jewish,
unless there is some jewish culture content. Your brief death notice
provides no such content.

GEK

[cindys]

On May 9, 1:54 pm, Giorgies E Kepipesiom <kepipes...@hotmail.com>
wrote:

-----
People post obituaries on SCJM all the time. I don't see what's the
big deal.
Best regards,
---Cindy S.

[malcolm...@btinternet.com]

He devoted his life to increasing our understanding of ancient texts,
including but not limited to the Hebrew scriptures. I can hardly think
of anyone who is a more significant figure in Jewish culture.

[Giorgies E Kepipesiom]

Then you ought have said so, and given a bit about what he
contributed, beyond that he was Jewish, he was a scholar, and he died.
I, for one, have made a lifelong study of Hebrew texts, without ever
hearing of the deceased.

GEK

[henry.dot.goodman.at.virgin.net]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/religion-obituaries/10052468/Professor-Geza-Vermes.html
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/107393/dead-sea-scrolls-professor-dies

This seems to me an extreme example of an American neither knowing or caring what happens in the rest of the world.
Henry Goodman

[Giorgies E Kepipesiom]

On May 13, 10:22 am, "henry.dot.goodman.at.virgin.net"

<henry.good...@virgin.net> wrote:
>
> This seems to me an extreme example of an American neither knowing or caring what happens in the rest of the world.
>

> So you, Mr Goodman, are part of the "rest of the world" and not American. Before Malcolm posted this obituary that was a non-obituary, had YOU heard of the deceased?

GEK
whishing good yom tov to all and happu cheesecake eating for those who
eat same; Hannies, ever vigilant about my diet, allows me no cheese,
only a bit of plain youghure in honour of this festival.

[henry.dot.goodman.at.virgin.net]

On Monday, May 13, 2013 5:36:36 PM UTC+1, Giorgies E Kepipesiom wrote:
> On May 13, 10:22 am, "henry.dot.goodman.at.virgin.net"
>
> <henry.good...@virgin.net> wrote:
>
> >
>
> > This seems to me an extreme example of an American neither knowing or caring what happens in the rest of the world.
>
> >
>
> > So you, Mr Goodman, are part of the "rest of the world" and not American. Before Malcolm posted this obituary that was a non-obituary, had YOU heard of the deceased?
>
>
>

Yes.
A few years ago my wife and I were on a walk near Oxford and we came across the grave of Professor Vermes' non Jewish wife. It caught our attention because although it was in a churchyard part of the inscription was in Hebrew.
Wishing you a happy Yom Tov. Do you stay up all night?
Henry Goodman

[malcolm...@btinternet.com]

He was Professor of Jewish studies at Oxford until his retirement
in 1991, but he continued an active scholarly life right up until
his death.
He'll be remembered mainly for two things, the book "Jesus the Jew",
which sets the gospels in the context of the rabbinical writings
about the time, and argues that Jesus was a hassid, or miracle-
working holy man, of whom there were several in the first century,
and the translation into English of the Dead Sea scrolls.

He did a lot else, of course.

Naturally I don't personally agree with the argument of his first
book. But that doesn't mean that nothing in it is right, or of value,
or of interest.