The Cambridge History of Judaism: Volume 4, The Late Roman-Rabbinic Period

Description

This fourth volume of The Cambridge History of Judaism covers the period from 70 CE to 640 CE (the rise of Islam). It deals with the major historical, political and cultural developments in Jewish history and the history of Judaism in this crucial era during which Judaism took on its classical shape. It provides discussion and analysis of all the essential subjects pertinent to an understanding of this period, and is especially strong in its coverage of the growth and development of rabbinic Judaism and of the major classical rabbinic sources such as the Mishnah, Jerusalem Talmud, Babylonian Talmud and various Midrashic collections. In addition, it surveys the early encounter of Judaism and Christianity both from the Jewish and Christian sides and describes the rise of Jewish mystical literature, the liturgical literature of the developing synagogue, the nature of magical practices in classical Judaism and Jewish Folklore.

Steven T. Katz is Professor of Religion and Director of the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies at Boston University.

' ... there are in this volume a good number of essays that are outstandingly clear and informative, wisely constructed and well documented ... They achieve a happy medium between what is suitable for a monograph and what belongs in a short encyclopaedia.' Times Higher Education Supplement 'All credit, ... to the editor, Steven T. Katz for his successful ... task. ... An additional bouquet to Cambridge University Press for supporting the work.' Times Literary Supplement