Origins of Judaism - An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal

Groundbreaking research that utilizes archaeological discoveries and ancient texts to revolutionize our understanding of the beginnings of Judaism
 
“A bravura study.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
 
Throughout much of history, the Jewish way of life has been characterized by strict adherence to the practices and prohibitions legislated by the Torah: dietary laws, ritual purity, circumcision, Sabbath regulations, holidays, and more. But precisely when did this unique way of life first emerge, and why specifically at that time?
 
In this revolutionary new study, Yonatan Adler methodically engages ancient texts and archaeological discoveries to reveal the earliest evidence of Torah observance among ordinary Judeans. He examines the species of animal bones in ancient rubbish heaps, the prevalence of purification pools and chalk vessels in Judean settlements, the dating of figural representations in decorative and functional arts, evidence of such practices as tefillin and mezuzot, and much more to reconstruct when ancient Judean society first adopted the Torah as authoritative law.
 
Focusing on the lived experience of the earliest Torah observers, this investigative study transforms much of what we thought we knew about the genesis and early development of Judaism.

About the author

Yonatan Adler

Product details

• Authors: Yonatan Adler
• Publisher: Yale University Press Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.04.2024
• EAN: 9780300276657
• ISBN: 978-0-300-27665-7
• No. of pages: 384
• Series: The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Judaism; Israel, RELIGION / Judaism / General, HISTORY / Ancient / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, HISTORY / Jewish, RELIGION / Judaism / History, HISTORY / Middle East / Israel & Palestine, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography, History of Religion, Jewish Studies, Judaism, Ancient World, Social and cultural history, Social and cultural anthropology, Middle Eastern history, Ancient History, Ancient history: to c 500 CE, Relating to Jewish people and groups