Discovering Second Temple Literature: The Scriptures and Stories That Shaped Early Judaism

by Malka Z. Simkovich

Publisher:

Jewish Publication Society

, 2018

Overview

Exploring 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 takes us to Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, to the Jewish sectarians and the Roman-Jewish historian Josephus, to the Cairo genizah, and to the ancient caves that kept the secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls. As she recounts Jewish history during this vibrant, formative era, Simkovich analyzes some of the period’s most important works for both familiar and possible meanings.

This volume interweaves past and present in four parts. Part 1 tells modern stories of discovery of Second Temple literature. Part 2 describes the Jewish communities that flourished both in the land of Israel and in the Diaspora. Part 3 explores the lives, worldviews, and significant writings of Second Temple authors. Part 4 examines how authors of the time introduced novel, rewritten, and expanded versions of Bible stories in hopes of imparting messages to the people.

Simkovich’s popular style will engage readers in understanding the sometimes surprisingly creative ways Jews at this time chose to practice their religion and interpret its scriptures in light of a cultural setting so unlike that of their Israelite forefathers. Like many modern Jews today, they made an ancient religion meaningful in an ever-changing world.

Key Features

• Explores how the world of the Second Temple period emerged
• Discusses the vibrant Jewish communities of the Second Temple period
• Reviews literature written during the Second Temple period

Contents

Part 1. The Modern Recovery of Second Temple Literature

• The Cairo Genizah
• Manuscripts and Monasteries
• The Dead Sea Scrolls

Part 2. Jewish Life in the Second Temple Period

• Jerusalem
• Alexandria
• Antioch

Part 3. The Worldviews of Second Temple Writers

• The Wisdom Seekers
• The Sectarians
• Interpreters of Israelite History
• Josephus Flavius

Part 4. The Holy Texts of Second Temple Judaism

• The Codified Bible
• Rewriting the Bible
• The Expanded Bible
• Conclusion

Praise for the Print Edition

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

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

Product Details

• Title: Discovering Second Temple Literature: The Scriptures and Stories That Shaped Early Judaism
• Author: Malka Z. Simkovich
• Publisher: Jewish Publication Society
• Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 384
• Resource Type: Introduction
• Topic: Second Temple Judaism

About Malka Z. Simkovich

Malka Z. Simkovich is the Crown-Ryan Chair of Jewish Studies and director of Catholic-Jewish studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She is the author of The Making of Jewish Universalism: From Exile to Alexandria and has published widely on the topic of Early Judaism.