Ah, so you've passed your bar mitzvah. I didn't say I was an 'expert.' I said I was versed. We were talking rather about what 'contradictions' you were certainly not 'versed' in (not your Hebrew instruction). Well, unless you had an very progressive Rabbi? From what I understand, the exception and rare. ... -Lon
It is rather curious that you have jumped to all sorts of conclusions about my personal knowledge, background, beliefs and practices, based on the fact that I disagree with you. You are plain wrong about me.
I started studying Hebrew in first grade. That was 54 years ago. I've been studying the classic Jewish texts ever since. I'll admit that my Talmudic Aramaic is rusty, but I am a far cry from the ignorant progressive Jew you imagine. There are those who know and doubt and question and still stick to our traditions. Perhaps it doesn't fit in with your concept of "I'm right, anybody who disagrees with me is ignorant", but so it goes. You owe me an apology for mislabeling me.
"For the most part, you can EITHER look for resolution OR doubt. " no. one can doubt and look at the same time.
I don't blindly follow the 'classic' German Bible criticism. I haven't even read much of it. I am just quite aware of what the text actually says- something which your prefer to ignore.
There are differing views among traditional Jews as to who wrote the Bible, or which parts were written by who. The Ibn Ezra comes to mind, as well as some discussions in the Talmud. But of course, as an expert you are aware of that. What isn't in question is that they are authoritative.
I chose the Noah and the birds issue as an example because it is one of the first ones in the Bible, and because numbers are clear-cut. One can claim that there is a difference between clean and unclean birds, and 'resolve' the issue, but then one has to say that something is missing from the text.
There are many other examples of these types of textual difficulties. If one is willing to consider that the text was written by inspired humans, and that it isn't Gods Literal Word, these are of no concern. And there is no theological need for it to be God's Word. Not for me, at least.