Roots of Rabbinic Judaism
Gabriele Boccaccini

In a bold challenge to the long-held scholarly notion that Rabbinic Judaism was already an established presence during the Second Temple period, Gabriele Boccaccini here argues that Rabbinic Judaism was actually a daring reform movement that developed following the destruction of the Jerusalem temple and that only took shape in the first centuries of the common era.

Through careful analysis of Second Templesources, Boccaccini explores the earliest roots of the Rabbinic system of thought in the period from the Babylonian exile to the Maccabean revolt, or from Ezekiel to Daniel. He argues convincingly that a line of thought links Rabbinic Judaism back to Zadokite Judaism through the mediation of the Pharisaic movement. Roots of Rabbinic Judaism is sure to be widely debated by all interested in the origins and development of modern Judaism

“This is a textbook for courses on Early Judaism, designed to provide the historical and literary background needed for NT study. The book’s eleven chapters deal with the following subjects: Israel before the Second Temple period; the Restoration; Hellenism and the Maccabees; apocalypticism; scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Sanhedrin; the Romans; Roman rule; Jesus the Jew; Israel in revolt; Jewish foundations of NT views of Christ. Each chapter is accompanied by a bibliography. Glossary and an index will serve the student well, as does the text itself.”
—International Review of Biblical Studies

“Most Christians know very little about Judaism from the period after the Exile until the time of Christ. This is unfortunate because that is the period that probably most influenced Jesus and his disciples. Murphy addresses this gap. The present book is a completely revised edition of an earlier work ( The Religious World of Jesus: An Introduction to Second Temple Palestinian Judaism, 1991). The approach is both literary and historical. Religious texts are examined in order to discover their theological import. This serves to trace the outlines of the history of the religion, its institutions and religious trends. The nine-page glossary of terms is very helpful. Although the book is intended as a textbook, the information that it provides makes it a fine resource for anyone interested in this very significant period.”
—The Bible Today

“We have here a competently written textbook for beginners that explains in jargon-free language the accepted wisdom of mainline scholarship taken from many disparate historical sciences on the issues in question. Although experts may quibble about the significance of numerous points, the overall portrait of early Judaism is presented here with sympathy and depth.”
—Religious Studies Review

 

A fascinating survey of Jewish history—from Persia to Masada.

James C. VanderKam, one of today’s most respected scholars of biblical history and the Dead Sea Scrolls, here offers a superb new introduction to early Judaism. Based on the best, most recent archaeological research, this illustrated volume explores the history of Judaism during the Second Temple period (516 B.C.E.–70 C.E.), describing the body of Jewish literature written during these centuries and the most important groups, institutions, and practices of the time. Particularly interesting are VanderKam’s depictions of events associated with Masada and the Kokhba revolt, and his commentary on texts unearthed in places like Elephantine, Egypt, and Qumran. Scholarly yet written in the same accessible style as VanderKam’s widely praised Dead Sea Scrolls Today, this volume is the finest introduction to early Judaism available.

"This book is most suited for people with a background in Rabbinic Judaism or for those pursuing serious study of the period. Appropriate for academic libraries where there is interest in the period and where Neusner's works are collected."
—Library Journal

“Anyone interested in learning more about the development of rabbinic Judaism will come away from [Neusner’s] work with a greater understanding of how the Jewish religious was able to survive.”
—The Reporter

This book is a needed introduction to media transformations in the history of Judaism. Neusner's discussion of the differences between the Mishnah and the other textual systems is clear and helpful. Most enlightening is an approach that understands Judaism and Christianity in structural-oppositional terms while not reducing them to Judeo-Christianity. The last chapter draws out some significant issues for the modern West. Though Neusner does not pursue it, he suggests that a reason for the growing number of new Jewish movements beginning with Hasidism at the dawn of the modern age is a series of new crises that have forced the transformation of the rabbinic system."
—Review of Biblical Literature