The Spirit within Me: Self and Agency in Ancient Israel and Second Temple Judaism

The study explores the assumptions that govern ancient Israelite views of the self and its moral agency before the fall of Judah and during the Second Temple period, demonstrating how the collective trauma of the destruction of the Temple catalyzed changes in the experience of the self in Israelite literature. It also examines novel forms of spirituality and sectarian texts, revealing how introspection in Second Temple Judaism parallels and differs from forms of introspective selfhood in Greco-Roman cultures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 07 January 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

The study of the evolution of self and agency in ancient Israelite anthropology has garnered significant attention in recent years, with scholars contending that the introspective self of the modern West is a unique phenomenon that cannot be projected back onto the cultures of antiquity. While recognizing these differences is essential, it can lead to an inaccurate flattening of the ancient self. In her comprehensive exploration, Carol A. Newsom delves into the assumptions governing ancient Israelite views of the self and its moral agency before the fall of Judah, as well as remarkable developments during the Second Temple period. Through a meticulous examination of Israelite literature, including first-person-singular prayers, notions of self-alienation, and emerging understandings of a defective heart and will, Newsom demonstrates how the collective trauma of the destruction of the Temple catalyzed profound changes in the experience of the self in Israelite culture. Moreover, she explores novel forms of spirituality and sectarian texts, tracing the evolving inward gaze in ancient Israelite literature, highlighting both parallels and distinctions with forms of introspective selfhood in Greco-Roman cultures. This study offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex and evolving nature of self and agency in ancient Israelite society, shedding light on the profound impact of historical events and cultural developments on the development of human consciousness.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300208689