From Mesopotamia to Modernity

by Visotzky, Burton L.; Fishman, David E.

• ISBN13: 9780813367163
• ISBN10: 0813367166
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-07-01
• Publisher: Westview Pr

Summary

From Mesopotamia to Modernityis a one volume introduction to both Jewish history and literature from its earliest times up to the present. Leading experts in each field of Jewish history and literature contribute original and comprehensive essays introducing their subjects. Beginning readers will learn the rudiments for further study, and scholars will be refreshed by the balanced, yet challenging treatments found here.These introductory essays cover most major aspects of Jewish studies from the Bible and its time up to modern Judaism. The work is designed to serve undergraduate and graduate courses in Judaism as well as Church and Synagogue adult study courses. Ideal for reading groups, this work will lead readers to further study of the varied subjects considered. Each essay covers the basic field, be it in a given era of Jewish history or in a defined area of Jewish literature. Suggestions for further reading will assist the reader in moving beyond this volume to explore a given area in further detail. The introductions range from encyclopedic detail through elegiac essay and enthusiastic appreciation of the field considered. The authors hold positions in major academic institutions throughout the United States and Israel.

Author Biography

Burton L. Visotzky holds the Nathan and Janet Appleman Chair in Midrash and Interreligious Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is also Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York. David E. Fishman is associate professor of Jewish history at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City and senior research associate at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(8)
Burton L. Visotzky
David E. Fishman
The Hebrew Bible	9	(28)
Ora Horn Prouser
Jewish History and Culture in the Hellenistic Period	37	(20)
Albert I. Baumgarten
Judaism Under Roman Domination: From the Hasmoneans Through the Destruction of the Second Temple	57	(14)
Shaye J. D. Cohen
The Literature of the Rabbis	71	(32)
Burton L. Visotzky
The History of Medieval Jewry	103	(24)
Robert Chazan
Medieval Jewish Literature	127	(40)
Raymond P. Scheindlin
Medieval Jewish Philosophy	167	(14)
Warren Zev Harvey
Modern Jewish History	181	(26)
David E. Fishman
History of Soviet Jewry	207	(26)
Zvi Gitelman
Modern Jewish Literature	233	(22)
David G. Roskies
About the Editors and Contributors	255	(2)
Index	257