Identitatsstiftende Begegnung

Identitatsstiftende Begegnung Synopsis

Within the Torah's cultic texts, the instructions to carry out communal ritual acts are of major importance. Matthias Ederer's minute examination of these 'Tamid texts' shows that though they appear to be set out as regulations, they barely address the "how" and "what" of performance and instead develop detailed theological interpretations. All that the regular cultic acts dealt with in the Torah have in common is that they outline and commemorate - by initiating a periodical interaction between Israel and YHWH and vice versa - what Israel is, or ought to be, before YHWH. The texts are shaped as a "reservoir" of a theologically founded identity of Israel, which is presented in a regular rhythm at the centre of Israel, the Temple, and thus creates a specific time of Israel.