The Classics of Judaism: A Textbook and ReaderIn order to understand the faith of Judaism, according to Jacob Neusner, one must look at the very foundation of that faith: the Torah. To believers, this act of studying the Torah provides a direct and immediate link to the living God and forms the very basis of a faithful Jewish life. In this book, Jacob Neusner introduces the reader to selections from all the documents of the Torah, in addition to Scripture, that define the canon of Judaism in its formative age. The Classics of Judaism is, however, more than a collection of writings. It is also a primer for learning how to approach and read any book of Judaism. |
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Contents
How to Read a Book of Judaism | 1 |
The Hebrew Scriptures | 11 |
The Mishnah ca 200 c e | 25 |
Reading from the Mishnah | 39 |
Tractate Abot ca 250 c e | 71 |
Reading from Tractate Abot | 77 |
PART THREE | 91 |
Reading from the Mekhilta Attributed to R Ishmael | 107 |
Pesiqta deRab Kahana | 256 |
Reading from Pesiqta deRab Kahana And a Recapitulation of the Traits of the Later Midrash Compilations | 263 |
PART Six THE SECOND TALMUD THE TALMUD OF BABYLONIA ca 600 C E | 281 |
The Talmud of Babylonia | 283 |
Why the Bavli Won | 291 |
The Bavli and the Integrity of Truth | 310 |
Lamentations Rabbati | 327 |
Reading from Lamentations Rabbati | 335 |
Sifra to Leviticus | 119 |
Reading from Sifra | 127 |
Sifré to Numbers | 137 |
Reading from Sifré to Numbers | 144 |
Sifré to Deuteronomy | 150 |
Reading from Sifré to Deuteronomy | 163 |
PART FOUR THE FIRST TALMUD THE TALMUD OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL ca 400 C E | 173 |
What is a Talmud? An Example of a Talmud | 175 |
Defining the Two Talmuds | 192 |
Reading from the Talmud of the Land of Israel | 204 |
PART FIVE THE LATER MIDRASH COMPILATIONS ca 450 C E | 211 |
Genesis Rabbah | 213 |
Reading from Genesis Rabbah | 223 |
Leviticus Rabbah | 231 |
Reading from Leviticus Rabbah | 243 |
Ruth Rabbah | 346 |
Reading from Ruth Rabbah | 357 |
Esther Rabbah I | 367 |
Reading from Esther Rabbah I | 373 |
Song of Songs Rabbah | 383 |
Reading from Song of Songs Rabbah | 392 |
PART EIGHT | 403 |
Prayers for the Sabbath and Festivals | 429 |
Circumcision the Marriage Rite | 436 |
Singing the Torah | 447 |
Letter to the Teacher | 455 |
Suggestions for further Reading | 475 |
481 | |
Common terms and phrases
Abraham accord answer argument authority Bavli bears begin blessed bring brought called chapter claim classics comes compilations composition concerning course covenant Deut discourse document exegesis expression fact father follows formal give given God's hand hold holy important interpretation Israel Israelites issue Judaism judges king land language living logic Lord matter meaning Midrash Mishnah Moses oath offering oral particular passage person prayer present priest principles produce proposition question Rabbah Rabbi reason received refers relationship religion religious rule sages Scripture sense serve Sifra Simeon simple Sinai single Song speaks stand statement Talmud teachings tell Temple things thought tion topic Torah Tosefta tractate traits truth turn verse whole writ writing written