The Emergence of Judaism

Front Cover
Westminster John Knox Press, 2004 M01 1 - 218 pages

This introductory textbook on the history of Judaism, written by one of the foremost scholars in the field, is ideal for college freshmen and high school seniors. The book includes chapters on the Pentateuch and the definition of Israel, the Torah and the Mishnah and Judaism's way of life, the Talmud and Judaism's worldview, and the definition and nature of God in Judaism. The book concludes with a discussion of why Judaism has succeeded through centuries of competition with Christianity and Islam, and a chapter on exemplary figures in the emergence of Judaism. The book also includes a bibliography, glossary of terms, and many important primary documents, including the Mishnah, the Tosefta, the Talmud of the Land of Israel, the Talmud of Babylonia, Genesis and Genesis Rabbah, the Fathers (Abot) and the Fathers according to Rabbi Nathan.

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Contents

Preface
ix
1
9
Introduction
21
God
73
Why Judaism Succeeded in Centuries of Competition
93
Introduction
105
Simeon ben Gamaliel
139
A Pious Man from Kefar Imi
141
The Tosefta
163
The Talmud of the Land of Israel
166
The Talmud of Babylonia
170
Genesis and Genesis Rabbah
174
Exodus and Mekilta Attributed to R Ishmael
177
Leviticus and Leviticus Rabbah
180
Numbers and Sifre to Numbers
183
Deuteronomy and Sifre to Deuteronomy
187

Two Virtuous Wives
143
Judah the Patriarch
145
Yohanan and Simeon ben Laqish
147
Simeon ben Eleazar
149
Esther
151
Ruth
153
Primary Documents
155
Introduction
157
The Mishnah
158
Pesiqta de Rab Kahana
192
Ruth and Ruth Rabbah
198
Lamentations and Lamentations Rabbah
202
Song of Songs and Song of Songs Rabbah
206
Esther and Esther Rabbah I
209
The Fathers Abot and The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan
211
Glossary
215
Copyright

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About the author (2004)

Jacob Neusner is Research Professor of Religion and Theology at Bard College.

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