Purity and Identity in Ancient Judaism - From the Temple to the Mishnah

The religious culture of ancient Judaism was based on the concern for purity, which shaped the worldview of Jews during the Second Temple period and their daily practices and social relations. Purity and Identity in Ancient Judaism explores how different groups offered competing visions and methods for living a life of purity, which embodied a promise for personal and cosmic salvation and determined the degree of sectarian separation. It offers a comprehensive description of the world of purity among the Jews of the Second Temple period and within the tradition of the Pharisees, and new methods for integrating the New Testament, Qumran literature, and early rabbinic sources into a comprehensive history of purity laws.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: Indiana University Press

The foundation of ancient Judaism's religious culture was a deep-seated obsession with purity. Purity and Identity in Ancient Judaism delves into the intricate ways in which this concern permeated the lives of Jews during the Second Temple period, influencing their worldview, daily practices, and social interactions. It examines the diverse perspectives and approaches taken by different groups to achieve purity, which was seen as a pathway to personal and cosmic salvation. At the same time, it played a significant role in defining the boundaries between different sects within Judaism.

This comprehensive work provides a detailed exploration of the world of purity among the Jews of the Second Temple period, both in general and within the specific tradition of the Pharisees. Yair Furstenberg examines the language of purity, which served as a powerful tool for establishing legal, social, and ideological boundaries in antiquity. By studying this language, scholars gain valuable insights into the forces that shaped the various branches of Second Temple Judaism and their subsequent developments, such as Early Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism.

Purity and Identity in Ancient Judaism offers innovative approaches to integrating the New Testament, Qumran literature, and early rabbinic sources into a comprehensive history of purity laws. By carefully examining these sources, readers can trace the evolution of religious sensibilities across changing social and cultic contexts. This work provides a valuable resource for scholars seeking to understand the complex interplay between religion, society, and culture in ancient Judaism.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253067722