The Ancient Synagogue: The First Thousand Years, Second Edition

History

Levine, Lee I.

World

Yale University Press

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.

Judaism and Hellenism in Antiquity: Conflict or Confluence? (Samuel and Althea Stroum Lectures in Jewish Studies)

Ancient Civilizations

University of Washington Press

A masterful survey of Jewish visual culture in the Late Roman and Byzantine eras A new type of Jewish art emerged in Late Antiquity, when artists produced visual depictions that had not existed earlier within a Jewish context—figural images (including pagan motifs), biblical scenes, and religious symbols. Visual Judaism locates this phenomenon in the wider context of Late Antiquity, revealing new insights into the role of visual culture in Jewish society, in which individual communities determined what forms of artistic expression would be displayed in their synagogues. Following introductory chapters surveying Jewish art over fifteen hundred years, down to the third century CE, author Lee I. Levine focuses on the wealth of archaeological, artistic, and textual material from the third to seventh century, demonstrating how this artistic activity responded to new historical circumstances.

Visual Judaism in Late Antiquity: Historical Contexts of Jewish Art

Arts & Photography

History & Criticism

In his comprehensive history of the synagogue from the Hellenistic period through Late Antiquity, Lee Levine traces the origins and development of this dynamic and revolutionary institution. This revised paperback edition reflects the latest information in the field and includes a wealth of recently published material ranging from excavation reports and monographs to articles appearing in edited volumes and scholarly journals. Reviews of the first edition: “Will undoubtedly remain for a long time the leading work of reference in the field.”―Stefan C. Reif, Times Literary Supplement “Monumental.”―Martin S. Jaffee, Religious Studies Review “A necessary read for any serious student of Judaism or Christianity in Late Antiquity.”―Christopher Beall, Journal of Jewish Studies “A splendid and imposing achievement that crowns the career of an outstanding scholar.”―Morton I. Techer, Jerusalem Post “[In] this handsome volume . . . [Levine] has provided us with the single best survey of all relevant historical, archaeological, architectural, and institutional issues related to one of the oldest surviving institutions of the world.”―Eckhard J. Schnabel, Trinity Journal

One of the chief tasks facing the interpreter in any investigation of Second Temple Judaism involves sorting out the relationship between Judaism and Hellenism. How much influence did Greco-Roman culture exert on Diaspora Judaism? To what extent did Hellenism affect the material culture of Judaism and its social and religious practices? Hebrew University professor Lee Levine looks at literary, epigraphical, and archaeological evidence in an effort to sift through the relevant issues. His assessments argue against oversimplification and instead encourage a more nuanced and balanced view. This volume not only introduces the fundamental issues but supplies an informed reading of the sources as well. Anyone wrestling with the relationship between Judaism and Hellenism will find this essential reading.

Judaism and Hellenism in Antiquity: Conflict or Confluence?

Baker Academic

Jerusalem in the Second Temple period experienced dramatic growth as it achieved unprecedented political, religious, and spiritual prominence. Lee Levine traces the development of Jerusalem during this time—through its urban, demographic, topographical, and archaeological features, its political regimes, public institutions, and its cultural and religious life.

Jerusalem: Portrait of the City in the Second Temple Period (BCE-70 CE)

JEWISH PUBLICATON SOCIETY

One of the chief tasks facing the interpreter in any investigation of Second Temple Judaism involves sorting out the relationship between Judaism and Hellenism. How much influence did Greco-Roman culture exert on Diaspora Judaism? To what extent did Hellenism affect the material culture of Judaism and its social and religious practices? Hebrew University professor Lee Levine looks at literary, epigraphical. and archaeological evidence in an effort to sift through the relevant issues. His assessments argue against oversimplification and instead encourage a more nuanced and balanced view. This volume not only introduces the fundamental issues but supplies an informed reading of the sources as well. Anyone wrestling with the relationship between Judaism and Hellenism will find this essential reading.

Judaism and Hellenism in Antiquity: Conflict or Confluence

Literature & Fiction

Genre Fiction

Hendrickson Pub

Considered the leading book on the subject, this book is an authoritative exploration of the complete history of ancient Israel from Abraham, the first Hebrew, to the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. It offers superlative authorship from acknowledged leaders in their specialties, from a wide range of nationalities, faiths and backgrounds. The book is quite manageable in length and is packed with vivid color and black and white photographs, maps, charts, and timelines. The new edition also features student-friendly content and enhancements, including informative sidebars that delve deeper into the field's most exciting findings and debates. 41 illustrations, 17 maps and charts, 10 color plates.

Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple

Lemaire, André

Callaway, Joseph A.

Cohen, Shayne D. J.

Horn, Sigried H.

Middle East

Biblical Archaeology Society

Jewish Identities in Antiquity: Studies in Memory of Menahem Stern pays homage to one of the greatest scholars of ancient Jewish history in the twentieth century. Its theme stems from the recognition that Jewish life and society in the thousand-year period from Alexander's conquest in the fourth century BCE to the Arab conquest in the seventh century CE underwent countless changes, both sudden and gradual. As a result, numerous facets of Jewish life in antiquity were drastically altered as well as many aspects of Jewish identity. The articles in this volume encompass political, social, cultural and religious issues in both literary and archaeological sources.

Jewish Identities in Antiquity: Studies in Memory of Menahem Stern (Texte Und Studien Zum Antiken Judentum)

Religion & Spirituality

Judaism

Mohr Siebeck

Rabbinic Class of Roman Palestine in Late Antiquity

Rabbinic Class of Roman Palestine in Late Antiquity

Jewish Theological Seminary of Amer

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Levine, Lee I.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Levine, Lee I.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Levine, Lee I.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Ancient Synagogue: The First Thousand Years, Second Edition

Judaism and Hellenism in Antiquity: Conflict or Confluence? (Samuel and Althea Stroum Lectures in Jewish Studies)

Visual Judaism in Late Antiquity: Historical Contexts of Jewish Art

The Ancient Synagogue: The First Thousand Years, Second Edition

Judaism and Hellenism in Antiquity: Conflict or Confluence?

Jerusalem: Portrait of the City in the Second Temple Period (BCE-70 CE)

Judaism and Hellenism in Antiquity: Conflict or Confluence

Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Roman Destruction of the Temple

Jewish Identities in Antiquity: Studies in Memory of Menahem Stern (Texte Und Studien Zum Antiken Judentum)

Rabbinic Class of Roman Palestine in Late Antiquity