From Mesopotamia to Modernity is a one volume introduction to both Jewish history and literature from its earliest times up to the present. Leading experts in each field of Jewish history and literature contribute original and comprehensive essays introducing their subjects. Beginning readers will learn the rudiments for further study, and scholars will be refreshed by the balanced, yet challenging treatments found here.These introductory essays cover most major aspects of Jewish studies from the Bible and its time up to modern Judaism. The work is designed to serve undergraduate and graduate courses in Judaism as well as Church and Synagogue adult study courses. Ideal for reading groups, this work will lead readers to further study of the varied subjects considered. Each essay covers the basic field, be it in a given era of Jewish history or in a defined area of Jewish literature. Suggestions for further reading will assist the reader in moving beyond this volume to explore a given area in further detail. The introductions range from encyclopedic detail through elegiac essay and enthusiastic appreciation of the field considered. The authors hold positions in major academic institutions throughout the United States and Israel.

Burton L. Visotzky holds the Nathan and Janet Appleman Chair in Midrash and Interreligious Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He has served as the Associate and Acting Dean of the Graduate School (1991–96), as the founding Rabbi of the egalitarian worship service of the Seminary Synagogue and as the director of the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies at JTS. Professor Visotzky has been a visiting scholar at Oxford University and a visiting fellow and life member of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge as well as a visiting faculty member at Princeton Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College and at the Russian State University of the Humanities. Dr. Visotzky also is Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary, New York.David Fishman teaches at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. Burton L. Visotzky holds the Nathan and Janet Appleman Chair in Midrash and Interreligious Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He has served as the Associate and Acting Dean of the Graduate School (1991–96), as the founding Rabbi of the egalitarian worship service of the Seminary Synagogue and as the director of the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies at JTS. Professor Visotzky has been a visiting scholar at Oxford University and a visiting fellow and life member of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge as well as a visiting faculty member at Princeton Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College and at the Russian State University of the Humanities. Dr. Visotzky also is Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary, New York.David Fishman teaches at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.