11-29-2021, 09:04 PM
This illustrates one of the things I like most about Judaism. Through imaginative midrash and centuries of open-minded debate all manner of interpretations of the sacred text are endorsed and differences of opinion even celebrated. Characters, even Patriarchs and other foundational heros, are well-rounded with flaws and even serious failings. This is so different from fundamentalist Christian approaches to their inerrant scriptures (most of which are the same texts) that constantly constrict questioning and imagination.