tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352502988483375863.post4250800686080973684..comments2023-09-20T03:43:38.279-07:00Comments on Ask Rabbi Hassan: Fasting on New Year's Dayaskrabbihassanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00060595778290508981noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2352502988483375863.post-4560723297700959762014-12-29T14:47:13.116-08:002014-12-29T14:47:13.116-08:00Rabbi, Again I return to the issue of the accuracy...Rabbi, Again I return to the issue of the accuracy of the reporting of historical events first written centuries after the supposed event. The Septuagint was written approximately in 250 BCE. When Alexander died the Greek empire was divided among his 4 generals. Ptolemy got Egypt and started his own dynasty. The Talmudic reference was written more than 400 years later. Even if based on oral histories passed down from generation to generation, 400+ years is a long telephone tree. Another problem is the lack of historical copies of the Greek version of Torah. Our Sages, as you said, had a negative reaction to the event and so it is not surprising that they had no interest in preserving the Greek. The Talmudic story did, however, result in the halachic ruling that a Torah written in Greek is entitled to the same respect as one written in Hebrew (at least according to Rambam in the Mishneh Torah). Anyway, I know you appreciated the fact that at least one person pays attention to your blogs. DavidAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18139153542800068638noreply@blogger.com