This is not a sociological study in the technical sense. Its aim is simply to review the internal evidence of a single Old Testament book about attitudes towards what is now universally recognized as one of the most serious problems facing the world today: the unequal distribution of this world's goods. The study shows that there are some fundamental assumptions common to all sections of Proverbs: that wealth, unless acquired by dishonest or unscrupulous means, is a good rather than an evil, and that poverty as a feature of society is an evil which may to some extent be alleviated in particular cases but for which there is no universal cure.

"The Discourse of Wealth and Poverty in the Book of Proverbs" includes a discussion of "proverbs and metaphor," reviews previous studies of wealth and poverty in Proverbs, offers in-depth analyses of particular passages in Proverbs, and suggests a possible social-historical setting for the book.

Readerly questions are raised when readers are explicitly and programmatically brought into the process of interpreting texts. Traditionally, the reader and readerly interest and identities have been screened out when we have set about interpreting texts, and we have set our sights on attaining an interpretation that shouldbe as "objective " as possible. Things are rather different now. Not only is quest for objective interpretation seen as chiaera, but the rewards of unabashed "readerly" interpretations that foreground the process of reading and the context of the reader have now been shown to be very well worth seeking. That reader-response approach characterizes this collection of six essays, prefaces by an introduction to reader-response criticism. The essays for the most part read in their original form to meetings of the Society of Biblical Literature, are: "What Does Eve Do To Help? and other Irredeemably Androcentric Orienations in Genesis 1-3"; What Happens in Genesis"; "The Ancestor in Danger: But Not the Same Danger"; " The Old Testament Histories: A Reader's Guide"; "Deconstructing the Book of Job"; and "Nehemiah Memoir: The perils of Autobigraphy". ".....one of the livliest writers on the Old Testament. " What Does Eve Do To Help ?" does not disappoint and at times is hailariously funny" C S Rodd Expository Times

The Book of Proverbs, attributed to King Solomon, is a profound collection of Jewish wisdom, song, and inspiration. Yet to contemporary readers, the text can appear vague, ambiguous, and contradictory. In this refreshing and relevant commentary, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz challenges us to find modern meaning in this ancient text. Using his signature blend of social justice practice and Jewish thought from throughout history, Rabbi Yanklowitz shows how the words of Proverbs are strikingly pertinent to issues we face today. Drawing on a wide range of sources, Rabbi Yanklowitz explores such topics as income inequality, feminism, animal rights, environmentalism, and many more. The author's commentary is paired with the full text of Proverbs--in both Hebrew and an updated, gender-accurate translation--so readers can glean their own insights. Published by CCAR Press, a division of the Central Conference of American Rabbis