Synopses & Reviews
Rabbinic texts are often cited in New Testament and Old Testament studies, but hitherto there has been no easy way for a student to grasp the scope and variety of the relevant rabbinic writings. This book introduces the student to the full range of the early rabbinic writings, with a thorough introduction and notes, so that both a bird's eye view of the literature as well as close aquaintance with typical and important texts can be obtained. This will enable the reader to embark on further study with a clearer orientation. The book also aims to correct many mistaken views about rabbinic Judaism arising from outdated conceptions of the relation between Christianity and Judaism.
Synopsis
This book introduces the student to the full range of the early rabbinic writings with a thorough introduction and notes.
Table of Contents
Part I. The Rabbinic Literature: 1. Introduction The Oral Torah Canonicity; 2. The style of the rabbinic writings; 3. Pharisees and Sadducees 4. Pharisees and rabbis; 5. The historical background; 6. Halakah and Haggadah; 7. Haggadah and Midrash; 8. Mishnah and Midrash; 9. The Targums; 10. The Mishnah; 11. The Tosephta; 12. The liturgy; 13. The Midrashim Miscellaneous works; 14. The main rabbinic figures; 15. The main ideas of the early rabbinic literature; Part II. Selected Passages: 16. The Mishnah; 17. The Tosephta; 18. The Tannaitic Midrashim; 19. Tannaitic passages in the Talmud (baraitas); 20. The Targums; 21. Liturgy; 22. History; 22. Haggadic Midrashim; 23. Mystical literature.