Synopsis
Genesis: We are led to believe that of the twins, Esau was the evil one and Jacob the good. Yet, in bible study it becomes clear the opposite is true. Jacob blackmailed his brother for the “birthright,” refusing to feed him until he relinquished. Later Jacob dressed up as Esau to fool their blind father into granting him those rights. Jacob’s history was full of evil, especially his murder of Hamor’s clan. By telling the story from Esau’s perspective, Jacob’s wickedness comes to light. Exodus: Moses fled Egypt after murdering an Egyptian. He settled in Midian where he married Zipporah and fathered two sons. He was living in contentment until God ordered him to return to Egypt to liberate his countrymen. Told from Zipporah’s perspective, the sacrifices Moses made brings the story to life. The only major changes in the original scriptures are the characters’ ages, reducing them from the Bible’s references to more realistic levels. Both stories are based as much as possible on geopolitical features, social morality, and cultural traditions of that time period. In Altered Perspectives, Philip Levin, M.D., writes a fascinating new modern Midrash on the Torah. Midrash is an ancient Jewish tradition going back to the early rabbis of filling in the gaps of the stories of the Hebrew Bible. Philip Levin, M.D., does this masterfully. -- Rabbi Donald Kunstadt of Springhill Avenue Temple, Mobile, AL
About the Author
Philip L. Levin Bio Philip Levin combines his passions for medicine, writing, and travel to create marvelous tales that explore the breadth of mankind’s motivations. His descriptive travelogues of his yearly mission trips to Africa are followed by hundreds. His photo books, “Ndovu the Elephant” of Africa, and the Chinese “Consuto and the Rain God” delight children and adults and inspire all to consider the world beyond their own backyards. Serving as president of the Gulf Coast Writers Association, Dr. Levin has promoted writers with the group’s magazine, the Magnolia Quarterly, their annual “Afternoon Tales” anthologies, monthly guest lecturers, and two regionally successful Southern Expression conferences. At over 160 members, GCWA is the largest writing association in the state. His first novel, the suspense thriller Inheritance, 2007, sold out its first printing and made the local best seller list twice. Besides the children photo books, his publications include four anthologies, a series of five audio books, dozens of stories and articles found in print, on line, and in audio edition. He also writes historical fiction, including his Bible Stories, “Altered Perspectives,” and non-fiction medical articles, as well as regular features in local magazines “Gulf Coast Women,” “See South Mississippi,” and “Parents and Kids.” Recipient of many awards, including his romance novel Andrew Comes Home, which won the 2008 NOLA RWA contest, the 2010 grand prize in the New Orleans Dixie Kane Classic contest and second place in the 2012 Florida Writing Association’s Royal Palm. His stories and poems have won first place in the Mississippi State contest and multiple other prizes. Dr. Levin has been an emergency medicine physician for thirty-five years, currently working full time at Memorial Hospital of Gulfport. He currently serves as President of the Coast Counties Medical Society, sits on the board of the Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Journal, and as delegate to the state convention. His other civic duties include the boards of the Ocean Sprints Art Association where he serves as Recording Secretary and the board of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, where he is chairman of this spring’s WAMA GALA.
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