An Introduction to Judaic Thought and Rabbinic Literature

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Martin Sicker

Book Code: C9465

ISBN: 0-275-99465-1

ISBN-13: 978-0-275-99465-5

DOI:

184 pages

Praeger Publishers

Publication: 4/30/2007

List Price: $49.95 (UK Sterling Price: £27.95)

Availability: In Stock

Media Type: Hardcover

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

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Reviews:

What Sicker makes eminently clear is that rabbinic writing and Judaic thought are not meant for casual consumption but for concentrated study. The highly complex and rich literature that has emerged from the original Books of Moses now has a highly complex and rich companion guide in Sicker's study. Recommended for libraries with scholarly studies of Judaic studies.
—Library Journal August 2007
This introduction to the Talmudic literature covers writings produced by the rabbinic movement, beginning in the period of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE, and continuing beyond the completion of the Babylonian Talmud to the latest rabbinic, Midrashic texts (9th and 10th centuries). Beginning with an introduction to the Hebrew Bible, foundational to all rabbinic writing, the volume covers Midrash Halakhah (that is, rabbinic exegetical works that treat biblical law), the Mishnah, the Talmuds of the Land of Israel and Babylonia, and Midrash Aggadah (that is, homiletical interpretation of the Bible's narrative passages)....Appropriate to individuals with no background in the rabbinic literature....General readers.
—Choice November 2007
This volume is a good beginning for those who wish to study Mishnah, midrash aggadah, and/or law codes and related literature. The book is clearly written and the index, footnotes and list of references assist the student in taking the next step. Recommended for academic libraries and synagogues where there are serious students of Talmud.
—Association of Jewish Libraries February/March 2008

Description: Many people have heard the term "Talmud" but have little or no idea what it is, what it contains, and why it was written; moreover, few have ever actually looked into one of its works, and even fewer would make any sense of it if they did. Here, Sicker provides readers with insight into the nature and history of Judaic thought and its literature through illustrative examples and clear explanations. Rabbinic literature is important, even to those who are not religiously inclined, because it alone represents the embodiment of the intellectual legacy that has contributed enormously to the survival and continuity of the Jewish people. Through two thousand years of dispersion, rabbinic literature was the primary link to the past and provided hope for the future. It was, in effect, the intellectual homeland of a people scattered throughout the world. Even if one has never read any Judaic literature, he or she will have some notion of what it is after reading this book. This book is written for the vast majority of adults who either attend synagogue or have a general interest in Judaism, whether Jewish or not. It provides insight into the meaning of terms that are used in sermons, lectures, and articles, such as "Torah," "halakhah," "midrash," "Talmud," and "Jewish law," all of which are component elements of rabbinic literature. Sicker explains the meaning of these and other terms, the bodies of literature they refer to, and the historical linkage between them in an easy, accessible manner. In a sense, this book is not only a guide to the literature, but also an intellectual history of Judaic thought and culture that should be of interest to anyone even slightly curious about how Judaism managed to survive for millennia without central institutions or clerical hierarchy.

LC Card Number: 2006038819

LCC Class: BM496

Dewey Class: 296

PDF Catalogs:
Praeger Religion Catalog 2008.pdf	Praeger Public Library Spring 2008.pdf


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