Beginnings of Judaism

by Isaiah M. Gafni

CD audiobook, 2008

Status

Available

Call number

296.09

Series

The Great Courses (6457)

The Great Courses: Religion and Theology (6457)

Collection

Wishlist_GC

Publication

The Great Courses (2008), 12 hours, 24 lectures, 147 pages

Description

How did Judaism develop from its biblical roots to the highly developed system we know today? What has changed and what has remained constant? The answers to these questions are relevant to all faiths, as well as to anyone seeking to broaden their understanding of ancient history - a past that is inexorably linked to the present. The roots of Judaism reach back to the Hebrew Bible - also known as the Old Testament by Christians. For thousands of years, Jews have looked to these scriptures for their origins, and have located in them the tenets of their faith. The Bible provides Jews reasons for sadness and joy, wisdom, and most of all, a profound belief in what God expects of them and has promised to them. Though Jews of every generation have recognized and cherished the Bible as the ultimate source of all Jewish existence, much of what is recognized today as Judaism does not appear in the Bible. For example, worshipping in places other than the single, original Temple in Jerusalem is expressly forbidden by the Bible. Nevertheless, Jews today worship in synagogues wherever there might be a Jewish community. Similarly, the Rabbinic model, for centuries the most visible example of religious and communal leadership among Jews, is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member GlennBell

This is a series of 24 lectures about the development of Judiasm. The lecturer is knowlegeable but the content is somewhat boring. I learned some about Judiasm although the beginning lectures covered much of what is written in the Bible. Since most people have read the Bible this is not highly

informative. I did find it interesting that Judiasm has evolved over time to adapt to the lack of a temple. New concepts such as rabbis and synagogues are not in the Bible.

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Language

English

Original language

English

Physical description

147 p.; 8.2 inches

ISBN

1598033972 / 9781598033977

Local notes

[1] The beginnings of Judaism: Biblical roots [2] New challenges in the late biblical period [3] Jews under Persian rule: The return to Zion [4] The challenge of Hellenism [5] The Maccabees: From rebels to kings [6] The canonization of the Hebrew Bible [7] Translating the Bible: The Septuagint [8] Adding to the Bible: The Apocrypha [9] Tobit: A new path of righteousness [10] Retelling the Bible: The book of Jubilees [11] Revealing the unknown [12] "Judaism" or "Judaisms"? [13] Sectarianism: Pharisees and Sadducees [14] Out of the caves: Discovery at Qumran [15] The End of Days: Messianic eschatology [16] Other lands, other Jews: The Diaspora [17] Judaism in the Hellenistic world [18] Changing God's address: Temple to synagogue [19] Rome arrives in Jerusalem [20] Parting with the temple [21] From Jerusalem to Yavne: Rabbinic Judaism [22] The shaping of Rabbinic Judaism [23] A violent epilogue: Bar Kokhba [24] From "Roots" to "Tree."