bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
'These Young Men Show No Respect for Local Customs'—Globalisation and Islamic Revival in Zanzibar
Authors: Turner Simon 
Published: August 2009

AbstractLike elsewhere in Africa, local forms of Islam are being challenged by a number of new reformist and revivalist forms of Islam, influenced to some degree by a global Islamic revival but shaped by particular local histories and politics. This has caused some friction, especially as the regime in place seeks to manipulate these tensions for political benefit. Central to this struggle are the young men who have studied Islam abroad and who challenge the established truths of the traditional religious authorities; these authorities in turn accuse 'the youth' of bringing foreign, 'Arab' ideas and politics to Zanzibar. However, the kind of Islamic revival taking place in Zanzibar is far from radical or violent, and it is not appropriate to pose the present situation in terms of global Salafism versus local Sufism. In fact, Islamic revivalists often coin their critique of the state in terms of human rights and good governance and provide an alternative modernity that simultaneously challenges and articulates secular, liberal forms of modernity. Islamic revival critiques what is perceived as society's moral disorder and the state's inability to deal with new global challenges. Hence the present paper explores how global trends in Islam—but also global discourses on human rights and good governance—influence the current modes of Islamic revival in Zanzibar. With a heavily restricted political field, Islam can be a means of critiquing society without getting involved in politics. However, the government and the traditional religious authorities perceive this revivalism as a threat to the status quo and attempt therefore to politicise the struggle, accusing Islamic movements of fundamentalism and terrorism. It is within this political environment that Islamic revival must navigate.
The Alpine Limits of Jewish Thought: Leo Strauss, National Socialism, and Judentum ohne Gott
Authors: Altman William 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWriting in 1935 as "Hugo Fiala," Karl Löwith not only connected Martin Heidegger and Carl Schmitt to an apparently contentless "decisionism" but drew attention to the fact that his correspondent Leo Strauss (1899–1973) had attacked Schmitt—like Heidegger an open Nazi since 1933—from the Right in 1932. In opposition to the views of Peter Eli Gordon, Heidegger's bellicose stance at the Davos Hochschule of 1929 is presented as "political" in Schmitt's sense of the term while Strauss's embrace of Heidegger, never regretted, showed that he ceased to be Nietzsche's "Good European" in his thirtieth year. A more significant "change of orientation" is revealed in Strauss's 1932 version of the "second cave," a pseudo-Platonic image of Verjudung. Revelation had disrupted a nihilistic "natural ignorance" that could only be reversed by an elite's secret decision for a self-contradictory content: only an atheistic religion provides a post-liberal solution to "the theological-political problem."
Kabbalah in a Literary Key: Mystical Motifs in Zechariah Aldāhirī's Sefer hamusar
Authors: Tanenbaum Adena 
Published: August 2009

AbstractZechariah Aldāhirī's maqāma collection, Sefer hamusar (Yemen, c. 1580), is a literary work modeled on the Arabic Maqāmāt of al-Harīrī and the Hebrew Tahkemoni of Alharizi. Although largely fictional in nature, the work offers intriguing evidence of the transmission of kabbalistic thought to Yemen in the sixteenth century. This paper argues that Aldāhirī exploited the text's lighthearted belletristic framework to bring kabbalistic theosophy, literature, and liturgical customs to the attention of a largely uninitiated public in Yemen. But Aldāhirī also conveys an ambivalence towards his project when he parodies the new taste for kabbalistic learning by embedding mystical ideas in complex narratives.
On the Matter of Language: The Creation of the World from Letters and Jacques Lacan's Perception of Letters as Real
Authors: Weiss Tzahi 
Published: August 2009

AbstractJewish texts from Late Antiquity, as well as culturally affiliated sources, contain three different traditions about the creation of the world from alphabetic letters. This observation, which contradicts the common assumption that the myth of creation from letters stems from the holiness of the Jewish language, calls for comparative study. A structural approach to the letter as a founding ontological element is corroborated by the ancient Greek word stoicheion (στoιχειoν), which refers to both physical foundations and alphabetic letters. To analyze this attitude to the letter in the ancient world, I draw on the psychoanalytic theory of Jacques Lacan, which addresses the question of the letter in the framework of human discourse. I use Lacan's concepts to describe and illuminate the inherent connection between letters and the very foundations of the world.
What is the Nature of the Crime of the Delinquent Daughter in Deuteronomy 22:13-21? A Rejoinder to J. Fleishman's Suggestion
Authors: Malul Meir 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe exact nature of the girl's crime in the law of the delinquent daughter in Deut 22:13-21 is examined, starting by a detailed critique of J. Fleishman's previous suggestion in this journal (vol. 58, pp. 191-210) to construe it in the light of the law of cursing the parents in Exod 21:17 and understand it as an innovation and restriction of the latter law. In his view, the girl's sin is tantamount to cursing her parents, which, like the sin of the glatton and drunkard son according to Deut 21: 18-21, meant the undermining of the parents' authority and status, for which both boy and girl deserved the death penalty. In the following critique, it is underlined that the girl's sin is, first, not one of omission but of commission, and, second, it is not against her parents but against her husband, who is also the one to initiate the legal proceedings. A new interpretation is suggested, according to which the girl's crime, defined in v. 21 as an act of and a deed of, consisted not only in concealing her previous loss of virginity from her husband, thus deceiving him and her parents, but also in duping her husband into committing a sin comparable to that of lying with a menstruating, and thus desolate, woman. Being deprived of virginity, and thus of the socially recognized status of a virgin, she became, like Tamar (2 Sam 13:20), “desolate, forlorn”, an unenviable state from which only her seducer/ravisher could redeem her (thus are the sense and goal of the laws of the seduced virgin in Exod 22:15-16 and Deut 22:28-29). Trying to dupe her husband into steping in and performing what custom and law dictated the other man—the seducer/ravisher—should have done, and thus to arrogate to herself a social status she did not deserve, was then tantamount to undermining social structure and striking at the fibers that constituted the essence and integrity of the social community (cf. Prov 30:21-23).
A Linguistic Analysis of the Biblical Hebrew Particle nā': A Test Case
Authors: Christiansen Bent 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe potential for advancing our understanding of biblical Hebrew by a more rigorous application of the principals of linguistics is illustrated by the particle nā', which has been translated in widely divergent ways. The research of Shulman (1999) forms the basis for the proposal that this so-called “particle of entreaty” actually represents a previously unidentified syntactical element in biblical Hebrew—the “propositive” particle—whereby a speaker indicates an intention to pursue a particular course of action. Interpreting nā' as a “propositive/exhortative” more convincingly explains its biblical usage. Evidence of the propositive mood includes the felicity of nā' as a sentence-initial compound element, reduplication of nā' within Hebrew clauses, the linguistic vacuum of alternative polite circumlocution, and the need for cogent interpretation of nā' when used with deliberative cohortative verb forms.
A Note on w∂yiqtol and Volitive Sequences
Authors: Joosten Jan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractJoel Baden has recently argued that, in Biblical Hebrew, w∂ + yiqtol long form expresses a distinct function. This proposal is criticized in the present note, on both morphological and syntactic grounds. Ostensible cases of w∂yiqtol are to be regarded as instances of w∂ + jussive, in which the jussive form has been replaced by yiqtol due to natural evolution of the language or to modernizing by later scribes.
A Fresh Look at Amos 4:1-3 and Its Imagery
Authors: Nwaoru Emmanuel 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFor a couple of decades, if not centuries, the textual, syntactical, and semantic problems of Amos 4:1-3 have so engaged the attention of commentators to the detriment of a straightforward interpretation of the oracle. is article sets out to examine afresh some of those thorny literary issues. Its findings show that the apparent illogical grammar and imagery of the oracle serve prophetic needs. For it is on such a figurative language that the prophet sets the polarity between YHWH's indictment and judgment of the upper rich class of Israelite society and, consequently, his message.
The Investiture of Joshua (Numbers 27:12-23) and the Dispute on the Form of the Leadership in Yehud
Authors: Kislev Itamar 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA careful analysis of the account of the investiture of Joshua in Num. 27:12-23 reveals that there are some interpolations. The reviser made this account correspond to the account in Deuteronomy, and emphasized the need for divine guidance. He also placed Eleazar the priest in a position of leadership alongside Joshua and gave him the higher status of the two. This pericope and its revision reflect controversy surrounding the question of the appropriate form of government that took place in the Persian period.
'Dynamic Analogies' in the Book of Esther
Authors: Grossman Jonathan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn an important methodological article, Paul Noble argues that the constancy of analogy between two narratives should be regarded as one of the indicators for establishing the probability of the analogy. Noble's argument makes sense, but we must take into consideration those instances where the changeover of characters in an analogy has a literary purpose. Even if the molding of the analogy generally allows for the structuring of a fixed parallel, in some cases the analogy between narratives encourages the presentation of a certain character from one narrative as paralleling more than one character in the other, such that the reader has difficulty tracing a continuous and consistent analogy. This phenomenon, assuming that it is intentional, may be called “dynamic analogy”. In this article, several “dynamic analogies” are examined from the book of Esther. It seems that in light of the multiplicity of instances in which this occurs in the book of Esther, it should be regarded as an intentional literary phenomenon which does indeed present an obstacle to the reader in maintaining a steady reading of the analogies between the narratives. The “dynamic analogy” in the book of Esther is a device that causes the reader to feel unequipped to assess fully the situations that he reads about and the characters that he encounters, and thus contributes to the sense of capriciousness and instability that the author is trying to convey.
Irenaeus and the Text of 1 Samuel
Authors: Kauhanen Tuukka 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIrenaeus' Against Heresies is a very important early witness for the text of the LXX. Irenaeus' quotations from 1 Samuel have survived only in Latin and Armenian translations of this work. In the Latin version, the biblical quotations are translated in the same word-for-word manner as the rest of the text, which makes it a reliable witness for Irenaeus' LXX text. The so-called Lucianic MS group (L) agrees with Irenaeus' quotations in several significant readings, which makes Irenaeus an important witness to the Proto-Lucianic text. This is illustrated by a close analysis of a textual problem in 1 Sam 12:4, where it seems that Irenaeus and L alone have preserved the original form of the text.
P in Deuteronomium 34
Authors: Schmidt Ludwig 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn earlier research Dtn 34:1a*, 7-9 are mostly regarded as fragments of the priestly report of Moses' death. Since 1988 this has often been denied; however, the present article argues for the traditional position. The absence of a priestly notice on Moses' death ist no proof against P, since the pentateuchal redaction had only used fragments of the priestly report for the birth of Esau and Jacob (Gen 25:19, 20, 26b) as well. Further it is demonstrated that Aaron's death (Num 20:22bff.*), Num 22:1, the announcement of Moses' death and the appointment of Joshua (Num 27:12ff.) belong to P and prepare for the death of Moses. The age of Moses in Ex 7:7 (P) confirms that P knew the oldest deuteronomistic layer in Dtn 3:23ff.*; 31:1-8* and 34:1-6*.
The Motif of Beauty in the Books of Samuel and Kings
Authors: Avioz Michael 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIt is well-known that there are no detailed descriptions of the physical beauty of specific characters in the Bible. Despite this “disclaimer”, we seek to treat descriptions of such beauty in the books of Samuel and Kings in this article as they are manifested in stories of male (Saul, Eliab, David, Absalom, and Adonijah) and female figures (Abigail, Bathsheba, Tamar, and Abishag the Shunammite). We shall attempt to answer the following questions: What are the opinions of the authors of Samuel and Kings on physical appearance? Is a distinction drawn between masculine and feminine beauty? What are the purposes of pointing out a specific character's physical beauty? An analysis of the Biblical convocations is conducted according to the literary approach. The article focuses on methods used to cast the characters and on analogies between the various stories, and tries to draw conclusions regarding trends in the books of Samuel and Kings, as well as on the homogeneity of Deuteronomistic history.
Loyalty, Dependency and Status with YHWH: The Use of 'bd in the Psalms
Authors: Bridge Edward 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAn exploration of the use of 'bd in the Psalms shows that it is almost exclusively used metaphorically. As a verb, this study affirms translations such as 'to worship' in reference to deity, and 'to be subject to' in reference to human power. As a noun, it is used to describe a wide range of things or people, all in relation the YHWH. Of interest is how 'bd is used as a metaphor ('bdk/'bdyk) for the voice in a number of psalms, effectively being a substitution for 'I' or 'we'. This use is always connected with supplication and or claims of loyalty to YHWH, and shows that 'bd indicates the relationship of the voice in the psalm to YHWH is that of dependency, submission and loyalty. When used to describe others outside of the voice in the psalm, the term can indicate status, but always derived status.
The Thursdays as They Live: Christian Religious Transformation and Gender Relations in Postwar Gorongosa, Central Mozambique
Authors: Igreja Victor , Lambranca Béatrice Dias 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis paper focuses on gendered processes of socialization experienced by Christian religious groups in different Christian churches in post-civil war Gorongosa, a district in the centre of Mozambique. Discourses of radical social transformation through Christian interventions and experiences are prominent among Christians, both men and women. Yet a comprehensive and longitudinal analysis of the social world in which the Christian groups are embedded and the performances of Christian men and women demonstrates the emergence of complex processes of transformation and continuities with local cultural beliefs and practices that many non-Christians have partially or thoroughly reformed or abandoned. These changes and continuities also encompass the manifestation of fluid forms of submission and creativity, and masculinities and femininities against the ideological notion of thoroughly new and closed Christian identities. The overall analysis suggests that the tension between the practices of change and continuity are necessary in order to create and sustain the legitimacy of the various Christian groups in Gorongosa.
Mary and the Demons: Marian Devotion and Ritual Healing in Tanzania
Authors: Wilkens Katharina 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIn this paper I present the complex understanding of illness and healing in the Catholic Marian Faith Healing Ministry (MFHM) in Tanzania. The efficacy of religious healing should be understood as a social process dependent on the plausibility and attractiveness that the rituals have for the individual patients, as well as for their community. By contrasting an analysis of the publications of the leader of the group, Father Nkwera, with guided interviews among the members, I was able to develop a differentiated picture of the broad range of healing concepts within the group. While Nkwera translates local spirit beliefs into an apocalyptic worldview that associates physical healing with political critique—especially in the case of HIV/AIDS—his followers situate the healing process within a framework of personal salvation. In my study, I contextualise the MFHM within its pluralistic traditional, Muslim, Catholic, Pentecostal and biomedical environment that impact it on local and global levels.
Revolution, Modernity and (Trans)National Shi'i Islam: Rethinking Religious Conversion in Senegal
Authors: Leichtman Mara 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe establishment of a Shi'i Islamic network in Senegal is one alternative to following the country's dominant Sufi orders. I examine Senegalese conversion narratives and the central role played by the Iranian Revolution, contextualizing life stories (trans)nationally in Senegal's political economy and global networks with Iran and Lebanon. Converts localize foreign religious ideologies into a 'national' Islam through the discourse that Shi'i education can bring peace and economic development to Senegal. Senegalese Shi'a perceive that proselytizing, media technologies, and Muslim networking can lead to social, cultural and perhaps even political change through translating the Iranian Revolution into a non-violent reform movement.
Regionalizing International Criminal Law?
Authors: Jalloh Charles Chernor 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis article examines the initially cooperative but increasingly tense relationship between the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Africa. It assesses the various legal and political reasons for the mounting criticisms of the ICC by African governments, especially within the African Union (AU), following the indictment of incumbent Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. The author situates the ICC within broader African efforts to establish more peaceful societies through the continent-wide AU. He submits that the ICC, by prosecuting architects of serious international crimes in Africa's numerous conflicts, could contribute significantly to the continent's fledgling peace and security architecture which aims to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts and to anticipate and avert crimes against humanity. On the other hand, the author suggests that the ICC also has much to gain from Africa, especially in these early years when it is seeking to become a functional court of law with global legitimacy. By undertaking independent, fair and credible prosecutions without alienating States Parties, the world criminal court is more likely to fulfill its mandate and to win over powerful hold outs, such as the United States, China, and India. This will help it co-opt the support necessary for its universal reach and future success. However, he cautions that given Africa's sensitive historical experience with foreign interventions, including the slave trade and colonialism, the international criminal justice regime anchored on the ICC may be undermined, or perhaps even falter, if it is perceived as having a biased, politicized or insensitive application to a single region of the world.
The Duality of the Proportionality Principle within Asymmetric Warfare and Ensuing Superior Criminal Responsibilities
Authors: Knoops Geert-Jan Alexander 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe proportionality concept has gained little scholarly attention when it concerns Asymmetric Warfare. Yet its relevance has become imminent during the last Gaza-conflict whereby the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were facing an asymmetric adversary. Does the application of the proportionality principle merit a different legal approach in such a context? If so, can a contextual interpretation of said principle have a dual face? And what may be the consequences thereof for the application of superior responsibilities to be imposed on military commanders under International Criminal Law? These are pertinent questions of law which the author seeks to answer in this article.
The Relationship between State Sovereignty and the Enforcement of International Criminal Law under the Rome Statute (1998): A Complex Interplay
Authors: Melandri Manuela 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis article explores the relationship between state sovereignty and the enforcement of international criminal law under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. This doing, it attempts to map out the ambivalent and sometimes contradictory roles that different typologies sovereignty play in advancing or hindering the enforcement of international criminal law. After a brief survey of the literature on the debate over 'international law vs. state sovereignty', the paper focuses on one specific aspect of the newly established ICC: the conditions for case admissibility. The analysis will show that the relationship between state sovereignty and international criminal justice is a dynamic and complex one, which needs to be understood and contextualized within the current system of international relations.
The Gravity Threshold under the ICC Statute: Gravity Back and Forth in Lubanga and Ntaganda
Authors: Stegmiller Ignaz 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe Prosecutor must exercise prosecutorial selection due to his limited capacity. Therefore, Article 53 provides a complicated corset that has to be applied in a consistent manner. One of the central themes is gravity, which has generated early case law in Lubanga and Ntaganda. In this article, the author argues that the notion of gravity entails two different layers: a legal gravity threshold and a relative (discretionary) gravity assessement, linked to Article 53(1)(b), 17(1)(d) and Article 53(1)(c) respectively. As will be shown below, neither the OTP nor the Chambers have developed a congruent gravity approach. Starting from the author's basic distinction between two gravity facets, the ICC's actors are now able to fill in the blanks: they must sort out legal and policy criteria and apply them accordingly under legal or relative gravity.
The Use of Force, Wars of National Liberation and the Right to Self-Determination in the South Ossetian Conflict
Authors: O'Reilly Kieran , Higgins Noelle 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe 2008 conflict in South Ossetia, involving both Georgian and Russian armed forces, attracted much international attention and debate. This article seeks to analyse the international legal framework regarding the use of force which should have applied to this conflict. It will first look at the history of, and circumstances surrounding, the South Ossetian conflict, and then examine the jus ad bellum regarding wars of national liberation and aggression. The concept of intervention to protect nationals abroad will also be discussed. These legal paradigms will then be applied to the events of August 2008 in the region of South Ossetia to analyse the legality of the use of force in this conflict.