Over the past few years, I have become very taken with Marilynne Robinson’s trilogy of novels, entitled, Gilead (2004), Home (2008) and Lila (2014). The figure that ties these novels together is John Ames, an elderly preacher in the fictitious town of Gilead, Iowa in the 1950’s. In addition to Robinson’s sensitive and empathic portrayal of various characters undergoing a wide variety of human trials and tribulations, I am drawn to Mr. Ames’ references from the bible in the snatches of his sermons that appear in the books. At one point he tells his congregation, “Be kind and offer hospitality to those who come your way, for you never know if they might in fact be angels,” a direct reference to and evocative application of the story at the beginning of Parashat VaYera (Beraishit 18).
Marilynne Robinson and “Chumash”
13 Tuesday Oct 2015
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