This book reveals and counteracts the misuse of biblical texts and figures in political theology, in an attempt to decolonialize the reading of the Old Testament. In the framework of Critical Theory, the book questions readings that inform the State of Israel's military apparatus. It embraces Martin Buber's pacifist vision and Edward Said's perspective on Orientalism, influenced by critical authors such as Amnon Raz Krakotzkin, Ilan Pappé, Shlomo Sand, Idith Zertal, and Enrique Dussel's.

Autorentext

Silvana Rabinovich is a Full Professor at the Philological Research Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Inhalt

Preface: Obsolescence vow Prologue by Enrique Dussel IntroductionAbout this book's titleDeclared as a ManifestoRead BiblicallyThinking GenealogicallyChapter 1 - The Language: A Reservoir for ComplicityLanguage and WarShem's LanguagesTranslation Crossovers: Languages PromisesChapter 2: Dangerous Brotherhoods: Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Josephand His Brothers... That woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son,Isaac... (Genesis 21:10 New International Version)...He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away myblessing... (Genesis 27:36 English StandardVersion)... Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be uponhim; for he is our brother and our flesh. (Genesis 37:27 - KJB)The Brother, Will He Always Be the Enemy?Chapter 3 - Committing Suicide with the Enemy: the Specter of SamsonChapter 4 - Victims and Victimizers 1: The Bible and the ShoahVictims and SacrificesVictims and/or VictimizersTake now thy son, (...) and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer himthere for a burnt offeringChapter 5 - Victims and Victimizers 2: Amalek, the Canaanites and the NakbahA Land Without a People?Thou shalt not forget to erase its remembrance: the specter of AmalekAppendix: Omnipotent-Impotent: The Exiled as a Threat (Biblicalsnapshots)Chapter 6 - Organizing Pessimism (in conclusion)The Entrapped Peace: Ethics and PoliticsThe Logic of the Same and Identity: Nation and DeathThe Spectral ethics of the Other: Politics of Otherness in the Mirror ofLanguageEpilogue (2019). Arendt with Illich: Corruptio optimi quae est pessimaBibliography