Christianity - Comparative Studies, Scriptures & Rabbinical Literature - Judaism, Ancient Era - History of Judaism, Jewish History - Ancient, Judaism - Comparative Studies

Transformations in Ancient Judaism: Textual Evidence for Creative Responses to Crisis

Name: Transformations in Ancient Judaism: Textual Evidence for Creative Responses to Crisis
Author: Neusner, Jacob
ISBN: 9780801047343

by Neusner, Jacob

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Overview

When faced with acute and catastrophic events, the Rabbinic sages explored anew the received paradigms and truth of their faith and discovered in them truth that is both continuous with the past and responsive to the contemporary unanticipated crisis. Neusner offers a broad thesis, theological at its core: when defeat turns to despair, Judaism comes to a turning point. And with the response to despair, in an act of stubborn affirmation, Judaism is transformed.

Synopsis

The Judaism that is defined by its canonical writings (the Hebrew Bible, Mishnah, Talmuds, and Midrash) tells the story of how hope overcomes despair. Neusner explores the way rabbinic Judaism has responded to social, cultural, and political crises by rethinking historical, received paradigms of piety and practice--and finding in them relevant, useful truth for the current situation.

When faced with acute and catastrophic events, the Rabbinic sages explored anew the received paradigms and truth of their faith and discovered in them truth that is both continuous with the past and responsive to the contemporary unanticipated crisis. Neusner offers a broad thesis, theological at its core: when defeat turns to despair, Judaism comes to a turning point. And with the response to despair, in an act of stubborn affirmation, Judaism is transformed.

About the Author, Neusner, Jacob

Jacob Neusner is research professor of religion and theology at Bard College and senior fellow of the Institute of Advanced Theology at Bard College. He has published more than eight hundred books and innumerable articles, and he is editor of The Dictionary of Judaism in the Biblical Period and the three-volume Encyclopaedia of Judaism. He has also served as president of the American Academy of Religion and was appointed as a member of the National Council on the Humanities and the National Council on the Arts.