An Introduction to Judaic Thought and Rabbinic Literature (Google eBook)
Many people have heard the term "Talmud" but have little or no idea what it is, what it contains, and why it was written; moreover, few have ever actually looked into one of its works, and even fewer would make any sense of it if they did. Here, Sicker provides readers with insight into the nature and history of Judaic thought and its literature through illustrative examples and clear explanations. Rabbinic literature is important, even to those who are not religiously inclined, because it alone represents the embodiment of the intellectual legacy that has contributed enormously to the survival and continuity of the Jewish people. Through two thousand years of dispersion, rabbinic literature was their primary link to the past and provided hope for the future. It was, in effect, the intellectual homeland of the people scattered throughout the world. Even if a reader has never read any Judaic literature, he or she will have some notion of what it is after reading this book. This book is written for the vast majority of adults who either attend synagogues or have a general interest in Judaism, whether Jewish or not. It provides insight into the meaning of terms that are bandied about in sermons, lectures, and articles, such as "Torah," "halakhah," "midrash," "Talmud," "Jewish law," all of which are component elements of rabbinic literature, which many people have heard and hear without really understanding what is being referenced. Sicker explains the meaning of these and other terms, the bodies of literature they refer to, and the historical linkage between them in an easy, accessible manner. In a sense, this book is not only a guide to the literature but also an intellectual history of Judaic thought and culture that should be of interest to anyone even slightly curious about how Judaism managed to survive for millennia without central institutions or clerical hierarchy.
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An introduction to Judaic thought and rabbinic literatureUser Review - Book Verdict
The title of this ambitious, short book is a bit deceptive. Although Sicker, a prolific writer of books on Jewish history and biblical studies, seeks to introduce the reader to traditional Judaic thought through an explanation of rabbinic literature and the various books and tractates comprising Judaic literature, this is hardly an "introductory-level" text. After a detailed discussion of the Hebrew Bible (the Tanakh), the remaining seven chapters deal with complex topics such as biblical exegesis; the codification of applied law and practice; the evolution, similarities, and differences between the Babylonian Talmud and the Jerusalem Talmud; the meanings of biblical writings as collected in the Midrash; and a discussion of the state of Judaic thought in our new century. What Sicker makes eminently clear is that rabbinic writing and Judaic thought are not meant for casual consumption but for concentrated study. The highly complex and rich literature that has emerged from the original books of Moses now has a highly complex and rich companion guide in Sicker's study. Recommended for libraries with scholarly collections of Judaic studies.-Herbert E. Shapiro, Empire State Coll. of SUNY at Rochester
Review: An Introduction to Judaic Thought and Rabbinic LiteratureUser Review - Itai - Goodreads
This is a well-written, informative-in-an-academic-textbook sort of way introduction to the basic books of Jewish learning. At 172 pp. including notes, bibliography and index, it is a quick, useful ... Read full review