Description
Book SynopsisExplores the world of the Second Temple period (539 BCE-70 CE), in particular the vastly diverse stories, commentaries, and other documents written by Jews during the last three centuries of this period. Malka Z. Simkovich recounts Jewish history during this vibrant, formative era, analysing some of the period's most important works for both familiar and possible meanings.
Trade Review"Well-designed to act either as a complete summary of the Second Temple corpus or as the first step into a larger world of study,
Discovering Second Temple Literature makes its eponymous works fascinating."—Daniel Schindel,
Foreword Reviews"For those unfamiliar with the many divisions within Judaism at that time or with Jewish life in other parts of the Roman Empire, this book offers an excellent introduction to a little-studied time period. Readers of Jewish history will definitely want to add this work to their shelves."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman,
Reporter"This very informative and wonderfully accessible study by Jewish scholar Malka Simkovich, holder of the Crown-Ryan Chair in Jewish Studies at Catholic Theological Union, sheds welcome light on . . . [the Second Temple] period and the significant Jewish writings that emerged from it, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and other so-called pseudepigraphic literature and non-canonical writings. Her reflection on why these texts contribute to a modern understanding of Jewish identity will be of interest not only to Jewish readers but to Christian students of the New Testament as well."—
Bible Today"Whether reappropriating a heritage that was almost lost or discovering one readers never knew existed, this work will likely pique the interest of a broad audience."—James Wetherbee,
Library Journal“In this impressively erudite and popular volume, Simkovich reveals how audiences in the ancient world would have understood the writings of Second Temple authors that are often elusive to us. Moreover, she amply demonstrates why we should care about these works.”—Leonard Greenspoon, Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization, Creighton University
“An excellent synthesis. Simkovich’s eminently readable and well-balanced account will help readers understand the contribution of the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, and Dead Sea Scrolls to Judaism and Christianity, as well as period literature in
Outside the Bible.”—Lawrence H. Schiffman, Judge Abraham Lieberman Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, New York University, and coeditor,
Outside the Bible“A thorough and very readable introduction to the literature of Second Temple Judaism, Simkovich’s book will fascinate anyone interested in the world of Hillel, Shammai, Josephus, and Jesus.”—Steven Fine, Churgin Professor of Jewish History, Yeshiva University
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction: In Search of the Second Temple Era
Timeline
Part 1. The Modern Recovery of Second Temple Literature Chapter 1. The Cairo Genizah
Chapter 2. Manuscripts and Monasteries
Chapter 3. The Dead Sea Scrolls Part 2. Jewish Life in the Second Temple PeriodChapter 4. Jerusalem
Chapter 5. Alexandria
Chapter 6. Antioch Part 3. The Worldviews of Second Temple WritersChapter 7. The Wisdom Seekers
Chapter 8. The Sectarians
Chapter 9. Interpreters of Israelite History
Chapter 10. Josephus Flavius Part 4. The Holy Texts of Second Temple JudaismChapter 11. The Codified Bible
Chapter 12. Rewriting the Bible
Chapter 13. The Expanded Bible Conclusion
Glossary of Key Names, Places, and Books
Notes
Bibliography
General Index
Index by Passage
