The Challenge of Received Tradition: Dilemmas of Interpretation in Radak's Biblical Commentaries
"In her bookThe Challenge of Received Tradition, Naomi Grunhaus examines DavidKimhi's particular approach to using midrash in his com- mentaries and compares it to that of other eleventh- and twelfth-century Jewish exegetes, Rashi in particular... Grunhaus's work is impressive for its thorough engagement with its textual sources and close reading of Kimhi's commentary and is an excellent introduction to Kimhi's work and concerns." --H-Net Reviews"[O]ffers informed, balanced, compelling assessments of central features of Radak s exegetical achievement." --Hebrew Studies"A learned and lucid work. Grunhaus brings to light Radak's interpretive methodology, highlighting the distinctive interplay betweenpeshatandderashand its importance for his exegetical program. The book is a model study of the complexities of medieval Jewish Bible interpretation. It also speaks to today's exegetes who seek to integrate midrash into their academic commentaries."--Adele Berlin, co-editor ofThe Jewish Study Bible"With meticulous research and reasoned arguments, Naomi Grunhaus sheds much new light on the Bible commentaries of the medieval rabbi David Kimhi (Radak).  Her book should be required reading for anyone interested in Jewish Bible commentaries or in the interplay of interpretive innovation and reverence for tradition."--Martin Lockshin, Professor of Humanities and Hebrew and Chair, Department of Humanities, York University"Naomi Grunhaus has produced a first-rate study of Radak's inconsistent treatment of rabbinic law and lore, rendering his dilemmas into elegant and precise English. The late Frank Talmage would undoubtedly have found her a worthy scholar of Radak's commentaries in continuing the discussions he began."--Herbert Basser, Professor of Jewish Studies, Queen's University"Grunhaus uses hundreds of examples to paint a clear and detailed picture of Radak's understanding of the Biblical text... Recommended for academic collections in Bible or Medieval Jewish culture." --Association of Jewish Libraries