Texts and Traditions: A Source Reader for the Study of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism

by Lawrence H. Schiffman

Book Overview

In new condition This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 088125455X
• ISBN13: 9780881254556
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Ktav Publishing House
• Length: 777 Pages
• Weight: 2.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Got it for a class, liked it

For the topic it is detailed and well-constructed. I also like the inclusion of direct excerpts from primary sources and a style of writing that is impartial, focusing on the events and writings in a historical manner that is still accessible.

The most comprehensive 2nd Temple Period anthology

I have been teaching Jewish Studies at the college and high school level for ten years, and this is the most helpful primary source anthology for the 2nd Temple Period. As a primary text anthology, there is little instruction as to what the texts mean, as that is intended to be covered in Schiffman's companion book. But as a teacher, there is no book I use more to prepare lessons, and this makes a perfect (and affordable) textbook for a college level 2nd Temple Period course. We have extended excerpts from all parts of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles alongside of contemporaneous materials from Josephus, Apocraphya, wisdom literature, and sects. In addition, the excerpts from the Talmud and Mishna are invaluable: included are all of the more famous passages, such as the Hillel-Shammai debates, Achnai's Oven, and the 13 Midrashic principles, as well as more obscure and fascinating material, for example debates over canonization of Song of Songs, or the imperative that it is forbidden to write down Oral Torah (which is nevertheless written down as Mishnah and Gemara). The only drawback of the anthology is that all of the texts are in English, with no bilingual passages. But the translations are very good.This book makes an outstanding gift for Hebrew School teachers and Jewish education professionals. It is, as well, an excellent textbook for a Jewish Studies course, as long as the teacher supplements the texts with explanatory materials. I am amazed at how few rabbis and teachers are aware of this book, and treasure the copies I give them.