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Although the ethnic-religious tradition that became classical Judaism solidified around 100 CE, its roots are found in the ancient biblical tales of the Israelites. Stories of the descent into Egypt, the Exodus under Moses, and the eventual rise of the Israelite monarchy are essential to understanding classical rabbinic Judaism. Through the lens of modern biblical scholarship, Hayes explores the shifting cultural contexts-the Babylonian exile, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine period, the rise of Christianity-that affected Jewish thought and practice, and laid the groundwork for the Talmudic era and its modern legacy.
Thematic chapters explore the evolution of Judaism through its beginnings in biblical monotheism, the Second Temple Period in Palestine, the interaction of Hellenism and Judaism, the spread of rabbinic authority, and the essence of ethno-religious Jewish identity. Biographical sketches of key figures from patriarchs to prophets, and primary selections from the Hebrew bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Talmud, and others, allow for a greater understanding of an ancient movement, and provide a solid introduction to the origins of one of the world's most influential religions.
List of contents
Series Foreword
by Bella Vivantevii
Preface
xiii
Chronology of Events
xvii
Chapter 1. The Emergence of Judaism to 650 c.e.: A Narrative Overview
1
Chapter 2. Biblical Israel: Many Voices
15
Chapter 3. Themes of Biblical Literature
29
Chapter 4. From Biblical Israel to Second Temple Judaism
43
Chapter 5. From Second Temple Judaism to Rabbinic Judaism
57
Chapter 6. Topics in Rabbinic Judaism
71
Chapter 7. Judaism through the Ages
87
Biographies: Literary and Historical Figures
99
Primary Documents
123
Glossary
169
Annotated Bibliography
175
Index
193
Photo essay follows Chapter 7
About the author
Christine Elizabeth Hayes is Professor of Religious Studies in Classical Judaica at Yale University. She is the author of Between the Babylonian and Palestinian Talmuds (1997) and Gentile Impurities and Jewish Identities (2002).
