Judaica Press Tanach with Rashi CD

[Ploni]

I noted with some diappointment that the Judaica Press Tanach with Rashi CD is only available for Windows. I think Accordance should purse this module. Rashi is regarded as the greatest ever Jewish exegete and his commentary on the Bible remains probably the finest ever written. I am sure such a module will sell well among Jews and Christians.

[Helen Brown]

We have every intention of expanding our Judaica offerings in the near future.

[Alistair]

No disrespect to Basil, but I sincerely doubt if any Christians will want to buy Rashi, fascinating though he may be. He falls too far outside the borders of Christian belief.

 

Students and practitioners of Judaism, however, would be the target audience.

 

My ha'p'orth

[jpkang]

No disrespect to Alistair, but I'm of the opinion that "it can never cease to be of moment to the real lover of Scripture what was thought of its meaning by any patient investigator in any country or in any age" (Alexander Souter).

 

Count me as a Christian who has a deep respect for the genius of the rabbinical commentators.

[Alistair]

No disrespect to JP, but my opinion is that most Christians would rather receive the fruits of the wisdom of fellow-believers, not unbelievers, no matter now learned or respected.

 

The quote from Souter is a good one at face value, but I think you'll find he was going on the assumption that such "patient investigators" approached the Bible from the pespective of Christian belief.

 

I'm only challenging the assumption that Christians generally would welcome the Rashi commentary, because my own assumption is that Christians generally would prefer to read the work of fellow-Christians. Besides, what proportion of average Christians (ie non-scholars) read Christian commentaries, let alone Jewish ones?

 

Therefore I predict the Rashi commentary will not sell well among Christians, except for a small minority of us who take a particular interst in such things.

 

That's all, opinions and assumptions notwithstanding.

[Helen Brown]

This topic is getting close to violating the Forums Guidelines. Please do not continue the discussion of whether Christians will or do read Jewish commentaries.

 

The goal of the Accordance development team is to advance the field of Biblical studies and to facilitate the study of the Bible and related texts, for any and all who are interested in doing so. We do not focus on one religion or denomination; we try to offer materials that are appropriate for those of the Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, mainstream or evangelical faith, reformed or dispensational etc. etc., and for other traditions or those of no faith.

 

Since the materials are sold a la carte, the user can pick and choose the modules he purchases and installs, and is free to remove any that he does not consider valuable. We recognize that some users will want to use tools which reflect their own theological perspective, others will be glad to broaden their studies to encompass differing points of view.

 

While it is true that OakTree has to consider market forces, and the majority of our users are Christians, we do not allow financial considerations to dictate our development policy. The factors affecting the decisions we make regarding future modules are complex. We do not try to garner preorders as a means of gauging the market potential. We do welcome suggestions on the Forums, and the feedback from those who are really interested in a new item. We also welcome (off Forum) information on the source and availability of etexts and copyright, since tracking down and negotiating the rights to new modules is a major task.

[Harry Hoffner]

I applaud the development philosophy of OakTree Software. Long live such an approach. I wish more software companies would put quality and relevance above market factors. That is one reason I am pleased to be a customer.

[Alistair]

Agreed.

Thank you.