Review
======
Title: Beholding the Tree of Life: A Rabbinic Approach to the Book of Mormon
Author: Bradley J. Kramer
Publisher: Greg Kofford Books, Inc. (November 12, 2014)
Genre: Nonfiction
Year Published: 2014
Number of Pages: 254
Binding: Paperback
ISBN13: 978-1589587014
Price: $19.76
Reviewed by Lynn Parsons, PhD. for the Association for Mormon Letters
Many people take a quotation-centered approach to their study of the Book of Mormon, according to the author of “Beholding the Tree of Life.” While this method is useful for talks and lessons, it reduces the Book of Mormon to a collection of scriptural sound bites while ignoring its value as a literary work, or selecting the parts over the whole. Kramer proposes that a rabbinic approach is also appropriate because the Book of Mormon is a story of Jews in exile written not only for the descendants of the Nephites and Lamanites, but also for modern Jews, who would be most familiar with rabbinic methodology.
Most students of the Book of Mormon are unfamiliar with a rabbinic approach, so the author has provided detailed information and examples of this method. He contends that study of the Book of Mormon requires sustained mental effort, attention to details, consideration of deeper levels and alternative perspectives, a connection with other works of scripture, experience with God, and the creation of a personal divine relationship with the book rather than integration of textual information.
The view of works of scripture as multi-layered texts is common, but Kramer goes further, explaining that as rabbis study Hebrew Scriptures, they work at four levels, called peshat, remez, derash, and sod. Each requires a level of devotion and gives the student a different result.
Peshat involves the hard work required to not only determine the literal meaning, but to examine details and put them in context. Peshat can be seen in Lehi’s life as he studied the plates of brass and lived his life in accord with what he learned.
Further understanding comes through remez as the reader works to comprehend allegories, and understand ideas. Nephi’s explanation of Lehi’s dream of the allegory of the tree of life is an example of remez, as he moves beyond the surface meaning to the principles and truths contained therein.
Sermons leading to a better life are found in derash. The student of the scriptures must seek for the lessons beyond the original setting through this living art form. Nephi encouraged his readers to liken the scriptures unto ourselves, which is the essence of derash.
The final level is the mystical one of sod. This is where the scriptural scholar learns of God. While this approach is different in English than with Hebrew Scriptures because of the nature of the languages, we can still take this approach with the Book of Mormon, as noted by King Benjamin as he stated that the scriptures contained the mysteries of God.
The rabbinic approach is not for the casual reader, so Kramer provides details on how to read closely. He explains the importance of considering opening sentences as they set the tone and often have deeper meaning than what we see. The importance of context is identified through the contiguity principle, which states there is no meaning in isolation. Kramer also encourages the reader to consider similarities and differences between accounts of the same events and learn from the comparisons. He states that we should strive to understand the purpose behind repetition and redundancies as well as word order.
Additional suggestions made by the author include reading with others to help improve our experience with God, and looking at the roots of the Book of Mormon. As we understand its relationship to other scriptures, we receive additional witnesses of the truth and affirm words of the prophets. In addition, we are then able to see what we believed to be academic points, such as the Nephite experiences with kings into principles such as the societal dangers of having a king. Comprehension of historical context also helps with application to modern life and the significance of events such as Moses as a type for Christ.
Many may choose to argue that guides such as Kramer’s work are not required as the Holy Ghost is the only assistance required to understand the scriptures. He argues that guides, such as prophets, have always been provided to help in our search for understanding of God’s will. Many of these prophets felt they were failures because their contemporaries rejected their messages; however they have provided much guidance for future generations and continue to be sources of prophetic hope despite historical setbacks. Kramer argues that the Holy Ghost does not eliminate the need for guides, but is a supplement to them.
The author provides a type for our scripture study within his book. He encourages us to persist and continue in a lifelong study of the scriptures although his book has ended, as he writes that his conclusion isn’t really an ending. I will be continuing to use this book as a model for my scripture study in the coming year. I found its methods, while they may seem innovative, have been proven over centuries as appropriate for a lifelong relationship with the divine.