[Vision2020] An admonishment to Ralph

[Chasuk]

> Hey Ralph, we do not have a Hebrew Bible.  I know that may come as news to
> you, but the "Old Testement" is not Jewish, it's a much translated group of
> Jewish writings, but its not Torah.

Phil, the term "Hebrew Bible" is actually in use by many Biblical
academics.  It isn't used as a synonym for "Torah," but as Politically
Correct replacement for  "Tanakh" or "Old Testament."  Only a small
percentage of Christians realise that the Torah and the Old Testament
are not equivalent, and fewer still know what the Tanakh is, so Ralph
wasn't necessarily being as oafish as he seemed.

Personally, I don't understand why "Hebrew Bible" has become preferred
over "Tanakh," as once the meaning of Tanakh is explained, it isn't a
difficult concept.  "Hebrew Bible," truthfully, sounds rather
condescending (though not for reasons I can explicate).

Twenty-odd years ago, I nearly converted to Judaism, and I still find
it a beautiful religion, and a powerful way of life.