No one has written the way Isaiah does. The royal style, the majesty of the language. He is called the prince of the prophets. No one has written like that. I've studied ancient literature, Homer, for example, but it's not the same thing.

I say to myself, if the text was good enough for my father and grandfather, it must be good enough for me. I admit, that is a rather personal way of approaching the text - or a prayer.

I have to be self-conscious of what I'm trying to do with my life.

[ Rabbi Shlomo ben Isaac] was the greatest commentator [of the Bible] we ever had.

I really don't teach the way Professor [Frank Moore] Cross does. I don't teach the text the same way he does. I teach Biblical themes, Biblical events.

Will you join me in hearing the case for keeping weapons from those who preach death to Israel and America?

My students are very special. They are my source of pride, my source of joy, my source of hope. I am terribly fond of my students.