The Ethics of Genesis

The Ethics of Genesis raises ethical questions that emerge from the stories of the first Biblical book. Many people learn these stories when they are too young to ask about their ethical implications. When we revisit these questions in adulthood, we often find the conventional answers are insufficient or require elaboration. Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg presents original answers, based on traditional and modern sources, to some of the troubling ethical questions raised in Genesis, including: • Did innocent people drown in the flood? • Did Abraham sacrifice Sarah’s honor to save his own life? • Would Abraham slaughter his own son after lecturing against child-sacrifice? • Was Jacob devious with Esau, Laban and even his own father Isaac? • How could the brothers behave so brutally toward Joseph? • Was Joseph’s behavior as vindictive as it appears to be? • Why are only two women among the seventy who entered Egypt? • Did the brothers and Joseph ever really reconcile? The author also presents in-depth discussions of ethical issues such as: • The role of repentance in the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brothers. • The Biblical work ethic as reflected in Jacob's behavior. • The religious attitude toward physical beauty. • Decision making based on utility, benevolence, and justice. • When one is permitted to lie. • The Biblical attitude toward hunting.