This newly revised all-encompassing textbook is a guide to the history, beliefs and practice of Judaism. Beginning with the ancient Near Eastern background, it covers early Israelite history, the emergence of classical rabbinic literature and the rise of medieval Judaism in Islamic and Christian lands. It also includes the early modern period and the development of Jewry in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Extracts from primary sources are used throughout to enliven the narrative and provide concrete examples of the rich variety of Jewish civilization.
Specially designed to assist learning, Judaism:
• Introduces texts and commentaries, including the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic texts, mystical literature, Jewish philosophy and Jewish theology
• Provides the skills necessary to understand these step-by-step with the help of a companion website
• Explains how to interpret the major events in nearly four thousand years of Jewish history
• Supports study with discussion questions on the central historical and religious issues, and includes key reading for each chapter, an extensive glossary and index
• Illustrates the development of Judaism, its concepts, observances and culture, with maps, photos, paintings and engravings
• Links each chapter to a free companion website at www.routledge.com/cw/cohnsherbok which provides things to think about, things to do and tips for teachers as well as other online resources
List of maps
List of figures
Preface
Tips for students
Sources
Acknowledgements
Part I: History
1 Ancient Mesopotamian Civilization
2 The Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Civilization
3 Israelite Monotheism and Law
4 The Patriarchs
5 Exodus
6 Conquest and Settlement
7 The Rise of Monarchy
8 Solomon and the Divided Monarchy
9 Kings of Israel and Judah
10 Jeroboam II to the Fall of the Northern Kingdom
11 Ahaz and Hezekiah
12 From Manasseh to Babylonian Captivity 68
13 Aftermath of the Fall of Judah
14 Return and Restoration
15 The Rise of Hellenism
16 Judaism under Hellenism
17 The Kingship of Herod
18 Rebellion against Rome
19 The Rise of Christianity
20 Roman Jewish War and Aftermath
21 Jews in the Roman Empire
22 Jews in Babylonia
23 Rabbinic Scriptural Interpretation
24 Rabbinic Theology
25 Judaism under Islamic Rule
26 Karaism
27 Jews in Muslim Spain and other Islamic Lands
28 Jewry in Christian Europe in the Middle Ages
29 The Jews in Christian Spain
30 Dispersion of the Marranos
31 Early Medieval Thought
32 The Philosophy of Maimonides
33 Jewish Philosophy after Maimonides
34 Rabbinic Mysticism
35 The Hasidei Ashkenaz
36 The Emergence of Kabbalah
37 Jews in the Ottoman Empire
38 The Shabbatean Movement
39 Jewry in Eastern and Western Europe
40 The Rise of the Hasidic Movement
41 The Status of Jewry in Europe
42 Jews in Eastern Europe
43 The Emergence of Jewish Thought in the Enlightenment
44 The Origins of Reform
45 The Rise of Anti-Semitism
46 The Zionist Movement
47 Jews in the United States, Palestine, Africa and Asia
48 The Nazi Regime
49 The Death Camps
50 Jewry after the Holocaust
51 The State of Israel
52 The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict
53 The Ongoing Struggle
54 Women in Modern Judaism
55 Jews and Culture
56 Jews in Medicine and Science
57 The Future of Judaism
Part II: Belief and Practice
BELIEF
58 The Unity of God
59 Divine Transcendence and Immanence
60 Eternity
61 Omnipotence and Omniscience
62 Creation
63 Providence
64 Divine Goodness
65 Revelation
66 Torah and Mitzvot
67 Commandments
68 Sin and Repentance
69 The Chosen People
70 The Promised Land
71 Prayer
72 Love and Fear of God
73 Messiah
74 The Afterlife
PRACTICE
75 Community Life
76 Jewish Education
77 The Jewish Calendar
78 Places of Worship
79 Worship
80 The Sabbath
81 Special Sabbaths
82 Pilgrim Festivals
83 New Year and Day of Atonement
84 The Days of Joy
85 Fasts
86 Life Cycle Events
87 Marriage
88 Divorce
89 The Home
90 Dietary Laws
91 Death and Mourning
92 Jewish Ethics
93 Conversion
Glossary
Reference Bibliography
Judaism on the Internet
Index
Biography
Dan Cohn-Sherbok is an American-born rabbi and Professor Emeritus of Judaism at the University of Wales, Honorary Professor at Aberystwth University, and Visiting Professor at St Mary's University, London and York St John's University, UK.
Already an indispensable resource, this second edition of Judaism: History, Belief and Practice, with its outstanding clarity and comprehensive range, has a yet stronger claim to the status of core text for any student or general reader new to the serious study of Judaism. Melissa Raphael, University of Gloucestershire and Leo Baeck College, London.
This Second and revised edition of Judaism: History, Belief and Practice is to be welcomed not only by those of us who teach survey courses in Judaism where this is the text for our students, but colleagues who now have at hand a ready and complete encyclopedic reference in one volume. Steve Jacobs, The University of Alabama, USA
