Judaism and Hellenism in Antiquity: Conflict or Confluence?

by Lee I. Levine

Overview

Generations of scholars have debated the influence of Greco-Roman culture on Jewish society and the degree of its impact on Jewish material culture and religious practice in Palestine and the Diaspora of antiquity. Judaism and Hellenism in Antiquity examines this phenomenon from the aftermath of Alexander’s conquest to the Byzantine era, offering a balanced view of the literary, epigraphical, and archeological evidence attesting to the process of Hellenization in Jewish life and its impact on several aspects of Judaism as we know it today.

Lee Levine approaches this broad subject in three essays, each focusing on diverse issues in Jewish culture: Jerusalem at the end of the Second Temple period, rabbinic tradition, and the ancient synagogue. With his comprehensive and thorough knowledge of the intricate dynamics of the Jewish and Greco-Roman societies, the author demonstrates the complexities of Hellenization and its role in shaping many aspects of Jewish life—economic, social, political, cultural, and religious. He argues against oversimplification and encourages a more nuanced view, whereby the Jews of antiquity survived and prospered, despite the social and political upheavals of this era, emerging as perpetuators of their own Jewish traditions while open to change from the outside world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780295803821
Publisher:	University of Washington Press
Publication date:	03/01/2012
Series:	Samuel and Althea Stroum Lectures in Jewish Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	248
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Lee I. Levine is professor of Jewish history and archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is also the author of The Galilee in Late Antiquity and Jerusalem: Its Sanctity and Centrality to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Table of Contents

Preface

Hellenism and the Jewish World of Antiquity

Second Temple Jerusalem

Rabbinic Judaism in Its Roman-Byzantine Orbit

The Ancient Synagogue

Epilogue

Abbreviations

Bibliography

Source Index

Subject Index

Editorial Reviews

Levine (Jewish history and archaeology, Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem) depicts the extent of reciprocal influences of the Greek and Near Eastern cultures in Palestine and the diaspora. Basing his arguments on all available sources and re-examining previous and recent studies, Levine concludes that the process of Hellenization was a long and complex one, including aspects of Jewish life both spiritual and material. Despite the success of Hellenization in Jewish society, the traditional values of Judaism not only survived but were developed and enhanced, frequently on Greek models. Focusing on three topics--the city of Jerusalem in the late Second Temple period, Pharisaic-rabbinic culture, and the ancient synagogue--Levine demonstrates the interplay between foreign notions and Jewish society and explores the impact on architecture and the realm of artistic representation. The book is clearly written with a minimum of technical terms and can be recommended to academic and public libraries.--Hayim Y. Sheynin, Gratz Coll. Lib., Melrose Park, PA

Library Journal

Making a case against oversimplification and encouraging a nuanced view, Levine (Jewish history and archaeology, Hebrew U. of Jerusalem) studies the influence of Greco-Roman culture on Jewish society and its impact on Jewish material culture and religious practice in Palestine and the Diaspora of antiquity. He presents three essays, focusing on Jerusalem at the end of the Second Temple period, rabbinic tradition, and the ancient synagogue. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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