The Messiah Texts: Jewish Legends of Three Thousand Years

by Raphael Patai

Overview

Following a detailed introduction to the world of messianic ideology and its significance in Jewish history, The Messiah Texts traces the progress of the messianic legend from its biblical beginnings to contemporary expressions.Renowned scholar Raphael Patai has skillfully selected passages from a voluminous literature spanning three millennia. Using his own translations from Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic, Latin, and other original texts, Patai excerpts delightful folk tales, apocalyptic fantasies, and parables of prophetic power. All are central to the understanding of a magnificent heritage. patai also investigates the false messiahs who have appeared throughout Jewish history, the modern Messiah-influenced movements such as reform Judaism and Zionism, and the numerous reasons put forth by the various branches of Judaism as to why the Messiah has not yet appeared.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814341919
Publisher:	Wayne State University Press
Publication date:	07/01/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	432
File size:	32 MB
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About the Author

Raphael Patai (1911-1996) was a prominent cultural anthropologist, historian, and biblical scholar of international reputation. He was the author of more than three dozen books on Jewish and Arab culture, history, politics, psychology, and folklore.

Table of Contents

For anyone who is curious about Jewish Messianism, Raphael Patai's The Messiah Texts is absolutely indispensable. . . Valuable and provocative.
-Midstream

Editorial Reviews

For anyone who is curious about Jewish Messianism, Raphael Patai's The Messiah Texts is absolutely indispensable. . . Valuable and provocative.

Midstream

A haunting, seductive, and excellent book . . . An accessible documentation of one people's ancient and ongoing millenarian quest.

Journal of American Folklore

A haunting, seductive, and excellent book . . . An accessible documentation of one people's ancient and ongoing millenarian quest.-- "Journal of American Folklore"

For anyone who is curious about Jewish Messianism, Raphael Patai's The Messiah Texts is absolutely indispensable. . . Valuable and provocative.-- "Midstream"

From the Publisher