Asceticism, Eschatology, Opposition to Philosophy : The Arabic Translation and Commentary of Salmon Ben Yeroham on Qohelet (Ecclesiastes). Karaite Texts and Studies Volume 5

This book presents a critical edition and translation of Salmon b. Yeroham's Judaeo-Arabic commentary on Qohelet. The introduction situates the work in the history of Qohelet exegesis and discusses the primary themes: asceticism, eschatology, opposition to philosophy. "Salmon b. Yeroham (fl. 930-960) - foundational figure in the Jerusalem school of Karaite exegesis - produced a substantial and influential corpus of polemical writing and biblical interpretation, including commentaries on Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Qohelet, Esther, Ruth, and Daniel. Asceticism, Eschatology, Opposition to Philosophy: The Arabic Translation and Commentary of Salmon ben Yeroham on Qohelet (Ecclesiastes) presents a first critical edition of the Judaeo-Arabic Qohelet commentary together with an annotated English translation. The introduction situates Salmon's work in the history of Jewish Qohelet exegesis, explains Salmon's method of translating Qohelet into Arabic, identifies his sources and discusses his method of interpretation. The main themes Salmon finds in "Solomon's" book of wisdom - central themes in the early Karaite movement in general - will be explored at length, especially asceticism, eschatology, and an uncompromising opposition to reading "foreign books""--Provided by publisher