The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, Volume 2: Emerging Judaism, 332 Bce-600 CE

An extensive collection of Jewish texts and visual artifacts, representing the memory, identity, and culture of ancient Jewish life over nearly a thousand years

Volume 2 of the Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization covers Jewish life as it evolved in the first several centuries following the biblical period. Jewish identity grew from its Israelite background and took on new dimensions, shaped by cultural exchanges and interactions with surrounding civilizations, including the Greek, Roman, Sasanian, and Parthian Empires. Shifts in Jewish culture during this long period include the rise of sectarianism, the expansion of the concept of Torah, the shift from Temple to synagogue, the disappearance of the priesthood and the emergence of rabbis, and the development of new forms of liturgy.

These years laid the groundwork for the rich tapestry of Jewish identity that would continue to evolve throughout history. Providing a robust collection of written and visual primary resources, Volume 2 affords an unmatched opportunity to discover the forms and movements of ancient Judaism and the institutions around which Jews centered their lives.

Carol Bakhos is Robert E. Archer Chair in the Study of Religion at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is the author of Ishmael on the Border: Rabbinic Portrayals of the First Arab and The Family of Abraham: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Interpretations.