Dialogues in Judaic Studies Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:31:20 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2553135 en © 2026 Dialogues in Judaic Studies yes 38f8cf74-36a8-52c3-9054-671221ab8df0 Ari Barbalat episodic false This podcast features educational, informative and intellectually compelling conversations with authors of newly-published books and recently-released monographs on Jewish history, Jewish religion, Jewish philosophy and Jewish literature. The podcast intends to reach academic specialists, members of the reading public and beginners with entry-level curiosity.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Ari Barbalat https://storage.buzzsprout.com/1trcxyppz0h5ktgze0i7ec1t13qn?.jpg Dialogues in Judaic Studies Jason Silverman, *Persian Royal-Judaean Elite Engagements in the Early Teispid and Achaemenid Empire: The King's Acolytes*. London: T&T Clark, 2020. Jason Silverman, *Persian Royal-Judaean Elite Engagements in the Early Teispid and Achaemenid Empire: The King's Acolytes*. London: T&T Clark, 2020. Jason Silverman offers a timely and essential examination that enhances our comprehension of Achaemenid ideology and Persian Period Judaism.

Although the Achaemenid Persian Empire (c. 550–330 BCE) surpassed all prior empires of the Ancient Near East in both scale and duration, the royal system that created and sustained this civilization is still only partially understood, as is the imperial and religious heritage left for future generations. To address this gap, Silverman presents a critically advanced and interdisciplinary framework for comparative studies.

As the Achaemenids reconstructed the Jerusalem temple, the Judaean literature from this era reveals conflicts regarding its Persian restoration, showcasing clashing religious viewpoints. While both First Zechariah (1–8) and Second Isaiah (40–55) are subjects of debate, the broader imperial context is seldom examined in detail; both texts directly address the temple's legitimacy, linking them closely to the kings' interactions with cults. Silverman investigates how the Achaemenid kings depicted their authority to subjugated minorities, the methods by which minority elites adapted this ideology, and the duration of this influence, as evidenced by the Judaean responses to the temple's restoration in Jerusalem.

]]> Jason Silverman offers a timely and essential examination that enhances our comprehension of Achaemenid ideology and Persian Period Judaism.

Although the Achaemenid Persian Empire (c. 550–330 BCE) surpassed all prior empires of the Ancient Near East in both scale and duration, the royal system that created and sustained this civilization is still only partially understood, as is the imperial and religious heritage left for future generations. To address this gap, Silverman presents a critically advanced and interdisciplinary framework for comparative studies.

As the Achaemenids reconstructed the Jerusalem temple, the Judaean literature from this era reveals conflicts regarding its Persian restoration, showcasing clashing religious viewpoints. While both First Zechariah (1–8) and Second Isaiah (40–55) are subjects of debate, the broader imperial context is seldom examined in detail; both texts directly address the temple's legitimacy, linking them closely to the kings' interactions with cults. Silverman investigates how the Achaemenid kings depicted their authority to subjugated minorities, the methods by which minority elites adapted this ideology, and the duration of this influence, as evidenced by the Judaean responses to the temple's restoration in Jerusalem.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-19013800 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 -0400 4350 1 27 full false Elisa Uusimäki, *Lived Wisdom in Jewish Antiquity: Studies in Exercise and Exemplarity*. London: T & T Clark, 2016. Elisa Uusimäki, *Lived Wisdom in Jewish Antiquity: Studies in Exercise and Exemplarity*. London: T & T Clark, 2016. Shifting away from the traditional view of wisdom as merely a literary genre, this book explores the lived, embodied, and formative aspects of wisdom as outlined in Jewish texts from the Persian, Hellenistic, and early Roman periods. By examining a variety of writings that extend beyond later canonical limits, the book illustrates that wisdom is not merely an abstract concept, but rather something to be enacted and practiced at both individual and community levels. The analysis particularly focuses on the characteristics of a 'wise' individual, including the emergence of the sage as a model figure. It also examines how ancestral figures and modern educators are envisioned to embody and apply wisdom, while reflecting on communal representations of a wise and virtuous existence. In this way, Elisa Uusimäki reveals that the earlier emphasis on wisdom as a literary category has obscured important inquiries concerning wisdom, behavior, and social dynamics. Furthermore, Jewish wisdom is situated within its broader ancient Mediterranean context, enhancing the book's significance for biblical scholars, classicists, religious studies experts, ancient Near Eastern scholars, and theologians.



]]> Shifting away from the traditional view of wisdom as merely a literary genre, this book explores the lived, embodied, and formative aspects of wisdom as outlined in Jewish texts from the Persian, Hellenistic, and early Roman periods. By examining a variety of writings that extend beyond later canonical limits, the book illustrates that wisdom is not merely an abstract concept, but rather something to be enacted and practiced at both individual and community levels. The analysis particularly focuses on the characteristics of a 'wise' individual, including the emergence of the sage as a model figure. It also examines how ancestral figures and modern educators are envisioned to embody and apply wisdom, while reflecting on communal representations of a wise and virtuous existence. In this way, Elisa Uusimäki reveals that the earlier emphasis on wisdom as a literary category has obscured important inquiries concerning wisdom, behavior, and social dynamics. Furthermore, Jewish wisdom is situated within its broader ancient Mediterranean context, enhancing the book's significance for biblical scholars, classicists, religious studies experts, ancient Near Eastern scholars, and theologians.



]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18933808 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400 2483 1 26 full false Carmel Cassar, *Mediterranean Jews, Crypto-Jews and the Inquisition in Early Modern Malta*. Msida, Malta: University of Malta Press, 2024. Carmel Cassar, *Mediterranean Jews, Crypto-Jews and the Inquisition in Early Modern Malta*. Msida, Malta: University of Malta Press, 2024. In the early modern era, Malta served as a transitional hub for individuals traveling between western Christendom, Islamic North Africa, and the Near East. However, it primarily functioned as a Catholic frontier society, a status that the crusading Knights of Malta were keen to uphold. The establishment of a Roman Inquisition tribunal guaranteed that Catholic inhabitants of Malta and Gozo adhered to the doctrines of the Catholic Church; a standard that was enforced upon every baptized person.

The Inquisition particularly focused on the Jewish community, as Judaism was viewed as a distorted version of the true Christian faith. Consequently, Jews were often regarded with suspicion, not solely for their beliefs, but for their rejection of Christ and their denial of Catholic teachings. These aspects were seen as the defining traits of Judaism.

During the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, the number of Jews who passed through Malta was quite limited. Most were forcibly brought to Malta and subjected to slavery. A few were able to secure their release through ransom. Among those who remained enslaved, some opted to convert to Christianity in hopes of achieving a more bearable existence. Nevertheless, it proved to be extremely challenging for converts to hide their genuine beliefs, which frequently resulted in their exposure before the Inquisition tribunal.

]]> In the early modern era, Malta served as a transitional hub for individuals traveling between western Christendom, Islamic North Africa, and the Near East. However, it primarily functioned as a Catholic frontier society, a status that the crusading Knights of Malta were keen to uphold. The establishment of a Roman Inquisition tribunal guaranteed that Catholic inhabitants of Malta and Gozo adhered to the doctrines of the Catholic Church; a standard that was enforced upon every baptized person.

The Inquisition particularly focused on the Jewish community, as Judaism was viewed as a distorted version of the true Christian faith. Consequently, Jews were often regarded with suspicion, not solely for their beliefs, but for their rejection of Christ and their denial of Catholic teachings. These aspects were seen as the defining traits of Judaism.

During the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, the number of Jews who passed through Malta was quite limited. Most were forcibly brought to Malta and subjected to slavery. A few were able to secure their release through ransom. Among those who remained enslaved, some opted to convert to Christianity in hopes of achieving a more bearable existence. Nevertheless, it proved to be extremely challenging for converts to hide their genuine beliefs, which frequently resulted in their exposure before the Inquisition tribunal.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18933450 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0400 8059 1 25 full false Stephen Wunrow, *Passing Through the Heavens: Heavenly Space in Hebrews and its Jewish and Christian Environment*. London: T&T Clark (Bloomsbury Publishers), 2025. Stephen Wunrow, *Passing Through the Heavens: Heavenly Space in Hebrews and its Jewish and Christian Environment*. London: T&T Clark (Bloomsbury Publishers), 2025. In this study, Stephen Wunrow examines the important question of what the author of Hebrews meant when he described heaven. He believes that the author wanted people to see his references to heavenly space as real descriptions of an actual place. Wunrow argues that the language used about heaven is not just a metaphor or a description of a place outside of creation. He looks at other early Jewish and Christian texts that tell stories of people going up to heaven. Based on how heavenly space is described in these texts, Wunrow conjectures that it is likely that the authors meant for their descriptions of heaven to be taken as real.

Wunrow examines texts like 1 and 2 Enoch, 4 Ezra, 2 and 3 Baruch, the Apocalypse of Abraham, the Testament of Levi, the Testament of Abraham, the Ascension of Isaiah, and Revelation. He investigates how other authors from around the same time described heavenly space and considers that the goals of most of these authors would not work unless their readers understood their descriptions of heaven as realistic. Then, when looking at Hebrews, Wunrow suggests that even though the letter has some unique features and goals, it also fits well with other early Jewish and Christian texts that talk about people going to heaven in a realistic way. He ends with thoughts on how this conclusion helps to explain other topics in Hebrews, like atonement and eschatology.

]]> In this study, Stephen Wunrow examines the important question of what the author of Hebrews meant when he described heaven. He believes that the author wanted people to see his references to heavenly space as real descriptions of an actual place. Wunrow argues that the language used about heaven is not just a metaphor or a description of a place outside of creation. He looks at other early Jewish and Christian texts that tell stories of people going up to heaven. Based on how heavenly space is described in these texts, Wunrow conjectures that it is likely that the authors meant for their descriptions of heaven to be taken as real.

Wunrow examines texts like 1 and 2 Enoch, 4 Ezra, 2 and 3 Baruch, the Apocalypse of Abraham, the Testament of Levi, the Testament of Abraham, the Ascension of Isaiah, and Revelation. He investigates how other authors from around the same time described heavenly space and considers that the goals of most of these authors would not work unless their readers understood their descriptions of heaven as realistic. Then, when looking at Hebrews, Wunrow suggests that even though the letter has some unique features and goals, it also fits well with other early Jewish and Christian texts that talk about people going to heaven in a realistic way. He ends with thoughts on how this conclusion helps to explain other topics in Hebrews, like atonement and eschatology.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18925039 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400 5260 1 24 full false Josiah Peeler, *Punning in Odd Or Elegant Constructions in Jeremiah: The Convergence of Linguistics, Rhetoric, and Textuality in the Hebrew Text of Jeremiah*. Tubingen, Germany: Mohr Siebeck, 2025. Josiah Peeler, *Punning in Odd Or Elegant Constructions in Jeremiah: The Convergence of Linguistics, Rhetoric, and Textuality in the Hebrew Text of Jeremiah*. Tubingen, Germany: Mohr Siebeck, 2025. From Egypt to Mesopotamia, ancient Near Eastern scribes, including the Israelite scribes of the Hebrew Bible, created both infelicitous and symmetric elements in their textual works. These elements, through their form, convey messages that go beyond the textual and semantic levels, serving rhetorical and literary purposes. The idea of 'meta-textual semantics' was a common scribal tool in the ancient world, appreciated by ancient audiences and exegetes—like rabbinic scholars, medieval Jewish and Christian interpreters, and the Masoretes. However, it is often overlooked in modern interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. In this monograph, Josiah D. Peeler delves into elements in the Hebrew text of Jeremiah that are usually seen as secondary due to their odd or well-formed characteristics, demonstrating that they exemplify a contextual theme.

]]> From Egypt to Mesopotamia, ancient Near Eastern scribes, including the Israelite scribes of the Hebrew Bible, created both infelicitous and symmetric elements in their textual works. These elements, through their form, convey messages that go beyond the textual and semantic levels, serving rhetorical and literary purposes. The idea of 'meta-textual semantics' was a common scribal tool in the ancient world, appreciated by ancient audiences and exegetes—like rabbinic scholars, medieval Jewish and Christian interpreters, and the Masoretes. However, it is often overlooked in modern interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. In this monograph, Josiah D. Peeler delves into elements in the Hebrew text of Jeremiah that are usually seen as secondary due to their odd or well-formed characteristics, demonstrating that they exemplify a contextual theme.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18923660 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 23:00:00 -0400 5351 full false Matthew Suriano, *A History of Death in the Hebrew Bible*. New York: Oxford University Press, 2018. Matthew Suriano, *A History of Death in the Hebrew Bible*. New York: Oxford University Press, 2018. In the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament, a good death was defined by burial within the family tomb, allowing one to join their ancestors in the afterlife. This afterlife, as described in biblical literature, was not about individual judgment or the concepts of heaven and hell; it was a shared experience. The Hebrew scriptures grounded the notion of postmortem existence in burial practices, conceptualizing the dead as embodied beings. Yet, this vision of the afterlife was not one of hopelessness or fatalism, relegated to the somberness of the tomb. The deceased were valued and remembered, their remains were treated with respect, and their names persisted as ancestors. This book investigates the idea of the afterlife in the Hebrew Bible by analyzing the treatment of the dead, as shown in both biblical texts and the archaeological findings from the southern Levant. The research begins with the Iron Age mortuary culture of Judah, contrasting the practice of collective burial in Judahite rock-cut bench tombs with biblical traditions of family tombs and the reunion with ancestors in death. This archaeological study, which also considers funerary inscriptions, will provide crucial insights into biblical literature on matters such as the formation of the soul in death, the nature of corpse impurity, and the concept of Sheol. Death was a transition orchestrated through ritual actions. The connections established through these actions, such as honoring ancestors, were socially significant for the living and ensured a degree of immortality for the deceased.

]]> In the Hebrew Bible and Old Testament, a good death was defined by burial within the family tomb, allowing one to join their ancestors in the afterlife. This afterlife, as described in biblical literature, was not about individual judgment or the concepts of heaven and hell; it was a shared experience. The Hebrew scriptures grounded the notion of postmortem existence in burial practices, conceptualizing the dead as embodied beings. Yet, this vision of the afterlife was not one of hopelessness or fatalism, relegated to the somberness of the tomb. The deceased were valued and remembered, their remains were treated with respect, and their names persisted as ancestors. This book investigates the idea of the afterlife in the Hebrew Bible by analyzing the treatment of the dead, as shown in both biblical texts and the archaeological findings from the southern Levant. The research begins with the Iron Age mortuary culture of Judah, contrasting the practice of collective burial in Judahite rock-cut bench tombs with biblical traditions of family tombs and the reunion with ancestors in death. This archaeological study, which also considers funerary inscriptions, will provide crucial insights into biblical literature on matters such as the formation of the soul in death, the nature of corpse impurity, and the concept of Sheol. Death was a transition orchestrated through ritual actions. The connections established through these actions, such as honoring ancestors, were socially significant for the living and ensured a degree of immortality for the deceased.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18912339 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400 5324 1 22 full false Bruno Clifton, *Family and Identity in the Book of Judges*. Leiden: Brill, 2022 Bruno Clifton, *Family and Identity in the Book of Judges*. Leiden: Brill, 2022 This research delves into the intricate family dynamics and identity politics present in Israel, as illustrated through the compelling narratives found in Judges. It utilizes an interdisciplinary approach that combines socio-anthropological insights with the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel. This monograph examines the social experiences and interactions that may have shaped the perceptions of individuals in Israel regarding their place in the world.

It analyzes various institutions such as hospitality, marriage, and community leadership, while also exploring the ethnicity, culture, social environment, family life, and literature of ancient Israel. The aim is to evaluate how the comprehension of identity influences the interpretation of the tales within the Book of Judges.

]]> This research delves into the intricate family dynamics and identity politics present in Israel, as illustrated through the compelling narratives found in Judges. It utilizes an interdisciplinary approach that combines socio-anthropological insights with the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel. This monograph examines the social experiences and interactions that may have shaped the perceptions of individuals in Israel regarding their place in the world.

It analyzes various institutions such as hospitality, marriage, and community leadership, while also exploring the ethnicity, culture, social environment, family life, and literature of ancient Israel. The aim is to evaluate how the comprehension of identity influences the interpretation of the tales within the Book of Judges.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18902417 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0400 5434 1 21 full false Yigal Levin, *The Chronicles of David and Solomon: 1 Chronicles 10-2 Chronicles 9: A New Translation and Commentary*. London: T & T Clark, 2026. Yigal Levin, *The Chronicles of David and Solomon: 1 Chronicles 10-2 Chronicles 9: A New Translation and Commentary*. London: T & T Clark, 2026. The book of Chronicles, which is the final book of the Hebrew Bible and a key historical text in the Christian Old Testament, has transformed in recent decades from being referred to as "the Cinderella of biblical studies" to becoming one of the most extensively researched books of the Bible. The author, who remains anonymous and is often referred to as "the Chronicler" by contemporary scholars, reflects on the ancient Israelite monarchy prior to the Babylonian exile, viewing it from his perspective during the early Second Temple Period after the exile. He seeks to "update" the earlier historical accounts found in Samuel and Kings to clarify their significance for the people of his era.

In The Chronicles of David and Solomon, Yigal Levin provides a similar service for today's audience. He presents a fresh translation and commentary on 1 Chronicles 10 – 2 Chronicles 9, thoroughly exploring the reigns of David and Solomon as depicted in the text.

]]> The book of Chronicles, which is the final book of the Hebrew Bible and a key historical text in the Christian Old Testament, has transformed in recent decades from being referred to as "the Cinderella of biblical studies" to becoming one of the most extensively researched books of the Bible. The author, who remains anonymous and is often referred to as "the Chronicler" by contemporary scholars, reflects on the ancient Israelite monarchy prior to the Babylonian exile, viewing it from his perspective during the early Second Temple Period after the exile. He seeks to "update" the earlier historical accounts found in Samuel and Kings to clarify their significance for the people of his era.

In The Chronicles of David and Solomon, Yigal Levin provides a similar service for today's audience. He presents a fresh translation and commentary on 1 Chronicles 10 – 2 Chronicles 9, thoroughly exploring the reigns of David and Solomon as depicted in the text.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18896506 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400 5131 1 20 full false Topias Tanskanen, *Jacob in Jubilees: Jacob, the Torah and the Abrahamic Promise*. Berlin: De Gruyter, 2025. Topias Tanskanen, *Jacob in Jubilees: Jacob, the Torah and the Abrahamic Promise*. Berlin: De Gruyter, 2025. Within the text of Jubilees, a significant early Jewish writing outside the Bible, the patriarch Jacob is presented as the main figure. This study elucidates the early reception history of the Abrahamic Promise and its strong links to Deuteronomy. It offers context for scholars of early Judaism and Christianity who are analyzing the reception of the Law and the Promise, as well as the divergence between Judaism and Christianity, where various interpretations of the patriarchal narratives played a pivotal role (for example, in Sifre Deuteronomy). This analysis delves into two key relationships established by the author of Jubilees: the connection between Jacob and the Torah, and the link between Jacob and the Abrahamic Promise (Genesis 12:1–3 and its parallels). Both of these connections are crucial to the narrative of Jubilees. Jacob is depicted as the ideal Israelite, who adheres closely to the Deuteronomic commandments (which are directed to Israel in the second person singular). He embodies the "holy seed" or "rest" of Israel, destined to inherit the Abrahamic Promise upon fulfilling the Torah, just as Jacob did. Conversely, Esau represents the archetype of the wayward Israelite, who will be excluded from the Promise.


]]> Within the text of Jubilees, a significant early Jewish writing outside the Bible, the patriarch Jacob is presented as the main figure. This study elucidates the early reception history of the Abrahamic Promise and its strong links to Deuteronomy. It offers context for scholars of early Judaism and Christianity who are analyzing the reception of the Law and the Promise, as well as the divergence between Judaism and Christianity, where various interpretations of the patriarchal narratives played a pivotal role (for example, in Sifre Deuteronomy). This analysis delves into two key relationships established by the author of Jubilees: the connection between Jacob and the Torah, and the link between Jacob and the Abrahamic Promise (Genesis 12:1–3 and its parallels). Both of these connections are crucial to the narrative of Jubilees. Jacob is depicted as the ideal Israelite, who adheres closely to the Deuteronomic commandments (which are directed to Israel in the second person singular). He embodies the "holy seed" or "rest" of Israel, destined to inherit the Abrahamic Promise upon fulfilling the Torah, just as Jacob did. Conversely, Esau represents the archetype of the wayward Israelite, who will be excluded from the Promise.


]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18895225 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400 6363 1 19 full false David Graizbord, ed., *Early Modern Jewish Civilization Unity and Diversity in a Diasporic Society: An Introduction*. New York: Routledge, 2024. David Graizbord, ed., *Early Modern Jewish Civilization Unity and Diversity in a Diasporic Society: An Introduction*. New York: Routledge, 2024. This compilation serves as a foundational historical overview and a selective cultural examination of the evolution, unification, and eventual decline of a diasporic civilization—the Jewish community during the early modern era (approximately 1391–1789) across Europe, the Ottoman Empire, and significant locations within the Iberian Empires in the Americas. Each chapter delves into the critical elements that influenced both unique early modern Jewish societies and a notably cohesive and expansive community-of-communities. The authors address and respond to the following inquiries: What do historians interpret as 'early modernity,' and how effectively does this concept shed light on the history and culture(s) of Jews from the conclusion of the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment? What were the overarching demographic patterns of the Jewish diaspora during this timeframe, and how did they evolve? In what ways did culture, politics, technology, economics, and gender influence diasporic Jewish communities throughout eastern and western Europe and the New World over a span of approximately 400 years? Ultimately, this work presents a depiction of coherence and diversity, continuity and discontinuity, in early modern Jewish existence within and across temporal and geographical boundaries. 

]]> This compilation serves as a foundational historical overview and a selective cultural examination of the evolution, unification, and eventual decline of a diasporic civilization—the Jewish community during the early modern era (approximately 1391–1789) across Europe, the Ottoman Empire, and significant locations within the Iberian Empires in the Americas. Each chapter delves into the critical elements that influenced both unique early modern Jewish societies and a notably cohesive and expansive community-of-communities. The authors address and respond to the following inquiries: What do historians interpret as 'early modernity,' and how effectively does this concept shed light on the history and culture(s) of Jews from the conclusion of the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment? What were the overarching demographic patterns of the Jewish diaspora during this timeframe, and how did they evolve? In what ways did culture, politics, technology, economics, and gender influence diasporic Jewish communities throughout eastern and western Europe and the New World over a span of approximately 400 years? Ultimately, this work presents a depiction of coherence and diversity, continuity and discontinuity, in early modern Jewish existence within and across temporal and geographical boundaries. 

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18865087 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:00:00 -0400 4149 1 18 full false Laura Lieber, *Staging the Sacred: Theatricality and Performance in Late Ancient Liturgical Poetry*. New York: Oxford University Press, 2023 Laura Lieber, *Staging the Sacred: Theatricality and Performance in Late Ancient Liturgical Poetry*. New York: Oxford University Press, 2023 This book investigates the liturgical poetry of Christian, Jewish, and Samaritan traditions from late antiquity, approximately during the third to fourth century CE. It examines this poetry in the context of biblical interpretation and prayer conventions, as well as through the lenses of performance, entertainment, and spectacle.

Since liturgical poets were profoundly invested in captivating their audiences, similar to orators and actors, this study regards hymnody as a performative genre akin to oratory and theater, which represent the two primary forms of public performance.

The ‘theatricality’ of liturgical poetry underscores various themes, from the adaptation of biblical narratives for the liturgical stage—reflecting the popularization of Greco-Roman works during this time—to the integration of physical techniques and material elements that enhance performers’ abilities to engage their audiences.

The specific techniques of oratory and acting from antiquity provide clear avenues to clarify the relationships between liturgical presentations and other performance forms. These include direct address and apostrophe; character creation through speech (ethopoeia); and sensory appeals to the audience, such as vivid descriptions (ekphrasis), which was a preferred technique.

A serious exploration of performance demands a challenging transition towards envisioning the world beyond the written text. Although late antique hymnody has mainly survived in written form, the written word is quite far removed from the actual experiences that these scripts represent.

]]> This book investigates the liturgical poetry of Christian, Jewish, and Samaritan traditions from late antiquity, approximately during the third to fourth century CE. It examines this poetry in the context of biblical interpretation and prayer conventions, as well as through the lenses of performance, entertainment, and spectacle.

Since liturgical poets were profoundly invested in captivating their audiences, similar to orators and actors, this study regards hymnody as a performative genre akin to oratory and theater, which represent the two primary forms of public performance.

The ‘theatricality’ of liturgical poetry underscores various themes, from the adaptation of biblical narratives for the liturgical stage—reflecting the popularization of Greco-Roman works during this time—to the integration of physical techniques and material elements that enhance performers’ abilities to engage their audiences.

The specific techniques of oratory and acting from antiquity provide clear avenues to clarify the relationships between liturgical presentations and other performance forms. These include direct address and apostrophe; character creation through speech (ethopoeia); and sensory appeals to the audience, such as vivid descriptions (ekphrasis), which was a preferred technique.

A serious exploration of performance demands a challenging transition towards envisioning the world beyond the written text. Although late antique hymnody has mainly survived in written form, the written word is quite far removed from the actual experiences that these scripts represent.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18862489 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400 5787 1 17 full false Matthew Goff, Greg Schmidt Goering and Samuel Adams, *Sirach and Its Contexts: The Pursuit of Wisdom and Human Flourishing*. Leiden: Brill, 2021. Matthew Goff, Greg Schmidt Goering and Samuel Adams, *Sirach and Its Contexts: The Pursuit of Wisdom and Human Flourishing*. Leiden: Brill, 2021. In *Sirach and Its Contexts*, a varied group of scholars who focus on the book of Sirach place this second-century BCE Jewish wisdom text within its numerous contexts: literary, historical, philosophical, textual, cultural, and political. Compiled originally by a Jewish sage around 185 BCE, this work has undergone a rich and dynamic history of reception from the Middle Ages to the present day, resulting in a diverse textual tradition as it has been written, rewritten, transmitted, and analyzed. Sirach was not conceived as a book in the modern sense but rather as a continuous stream of tradition.

Previously studied primarily in confessional contexts as part of the Deuterocanonical literature, this collection of essays takes a broadly humanistic approach, seeking to reveal what an ancient wisdom text can disclose about the pursuit of wisdom and the promotion of human flourishing.

]]> In *Sirach and Its Contexts*, a varied group of scholars who focus on the book of Sirach place this second-century BCE Jewish wisdom text within its numerous contexts: literary, historical, philosophical, textual, cultural, and political. Compiled originally by a Jewish sage around 185 BCE, this work has undergone a rich and dynamic history of reception from the Middle Ages to the present day, resulting in a diverse textual tradition as it has been written, rewritten, transmitted, and analyzed. Sirach was not conceived as a book in the modern sense but rather as a continuous stream of tradition.

Previously studied primarily in confessional contexts as part of the Deuterocanonical literature, this collection of essays takes a broadly humanistic approach, seeking to reveal what an ancient wisdom text can disclose about the pursuit of wisdom and the promotion of human flourishing.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18853752 Mon, 16 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400 4367 1 16 full false Gustavo Guzman, *Allende, Pinochet, and the Jews*. New York: Routledge, 2026. Gustavo Guzman, *Allende, Pinochet, and the Jews*. New York: Routledge, 2026. This book investigates the perspectives of Chilean President Salvador Allende and General Augusto Pinochet regarding Jews and the State of Israel.

Throughout his political journey, Allende demonstrated solidarity with European Jews during the 1930s, advocated for the creation of a Jewish state in the 1940s, and resisted leftist critiques of Israel in the 1950s and 1960s. As president, he intervened on behalf of Jewish dissidents in the Soviet Union, denounced Arab terrorism, and upheld robust diplomatic relations with Israel. Pinochet, who overthrew him and assumed dictatorial power in 1973, extended even more gestures of goodwill despite his regime's notorious human rights violations, viewing Jewish Chileans as affluent White individuals whose economic expertise and strong connections to the United States were vital for his regime's success. Furthermore, Jerusalem emerged as a crucial strategic ally for Santiago, providing arms that Washington had withheld, and Pinochet, in return, fervently supported Israel at the United Nations. Utilizing a wide array of sources, including recently declassified documents, Guzmán delves into the broader narrative of these two figures and the repercussions of the coup on both Chilean Jews and Israel.

This work serves as a significant resource for scholars and students engaged in Jewish history, Latin American history, Cold War studies, and the study of antisemitism.



]]> This book investigates the perspectives of Chilean President Salvador Allende and General Augusto Pinochet regarding Jews and the State of Israel.

Throughout his political journey, Allende demonstrated solidarity with European Jews during the 1930s, advocated for the creation of a Jewish state in the 1940s, and resisted leftist critiques of Israel in the 1950s and 1960s. As president, he intervened on behalf of Jewish dissidents in the Soviet Union, denounced Arab terrorism, and upheld robust diplomatic relations with Israel. Pinochet, who overthrew him and assumed dictatorial power in 1973, extended even more gestures of goodwill despite his regime's notorious human rights violations, viewing Jewish Chileans as affluent White individuals whose economic expertise and strong connections to the United States were vital for his regime's success. Furthermore, Jerusalem emerged as a crucial strategic ally for Santiago, providing arms that Washington had withheld, and Pinochet, in return, fervently supported Israel at the United Nations. Utilizing a wide array of sources, including recently declassified documents, Guzmán delves into the broader narrative of these two figures and the repercussions of the coup on both Chilean Jews and Israel.

This work serves as a significant resource for scholars and students engaged in Jewish history, Latin American history, Cold War studies, and the study of antisemitism.



]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18851864 Sun, 15 Mar 2026 23:00:00 -0400 5924 1 15 full false Juan Carlos Ossandón Widow, *The Origins of the Canon of the Hebrew Bible: An Analysis of Josephus and 4 Ezra*. Leiden: Brill, 2018. Juan Carlos Ossandón Widow, *The Origins of the Canon of the Hebrew Bible: An Analysis of Josephus and 4 Ezra*. Leiden: Brill, 2018. In this monograph, Juan Carlos Ossandón Widow explores the challenging question of when, how, and why the set of twenty-four books known today as the Hebrew Bible was compiled. He thoroughly investigates the two earliest sources on this topic—Josephus’ Against Apion and 4 Ezra—and argues that, alongside the tendency to glorify the past, which results in the perception that divine revelation to Israel has ceased, a crucial reason for establishing a collection of Scriptures at the close of the first century CE was the need to protect the accepted tradition from those who embraced more texts.

]]> In this monograph, Juan Carlos Ossandón Widow explores the challenging question of when, how, and why the set of twenty-four books known today as the Hebrew Bible was compiled. He thoroughly investigates the two earliest sources on this topic—Josephus’ Against Apion and 4 Ezra—and argues that, alongside the tendency to glorify the past, which results in the perception that divine revelation to Israel has ceased, a crucial reason for establishing a collection of Scriptures at the close of the first century CE was the need to protect the accepted tradition from those who embraced more texts.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18849419 Sun, 15 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400 4146 1 14 full false Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, *Cultic Spiritualization: Religious Sacrifice in the Dead Sea Scrolls*. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2022. Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, *Cultic Spiritualization: Religious Sacrifice in the Dead Sea Scrolls*. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2022. Since the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, their material evidence and compelling content have fascinated both scholars and the general public. Regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century, the unearthed materials have shed light on and rejuvenated extensive areas of biblical scholarship. However, research into the material findings concerning religious sacrifice has been somewhat overlooked. In this analysis, Jamal-Dominique Hopkins delves into the life and archaeology of Qumran, as well as the valued perspectives on sacrifice found in the non-biblical sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls. Hopkins investigates the historical and ideological evolution of the Jewish priestly movement associated with the scrolls, primarily from the viewpoint of its later offshoot, the Qumran community. This comprehensive study of sacrifice within the Dead Sea Scrolls provides a historical reconstruction of this key community and its captivating narrative. Hopkins uncovers the evolution of a community from its pre-Qumranic to Qumranic phases, which opted to spiritualize the Jerusalem temple and its sacrificial rites. As a result of their displacement to the Qumran desert, due to the absence of the physical temple in Jerusalem, this wandering priestly group perceived itself as a 'temple.' Instead of performing actual animal sacrifices, they offered the fruits of their lips through prayer and praise as an alternative form of sacrifice. By separating from the larger community, this Qumran group transformed into an eschatological community engaged in the practice of cultic spiritualization.

]]> Since the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, their material evidence and compelling content have fascinated both scholars and the general public. Regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century, the unearthed materials have shed light on and rejuvenated extensive areas of biblical scholarship. However, research into the material findings concerning religious sacrifice has been somewhat overlooked. In this analysis, Jamal-Dominique Hopkins delves into the life and archaeology of Qumran, as well as the valued perspectives on sacrifice found in the non-biblical sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls. Hopkins investigates the historical and ideological evolution of the Jewish priestly movement associated with the scrolls, primarily from the viewpoint of its later offshoot, the Qumran community. This comprehensive study of sacrifice within the Dead Sea Scrolls provides a historical reconstruction of this key community and its captivating narrative. Hopkins uncovers the evolution of a community from its pre-Qumranic to Qumranic phases, which opted to spiritualize the Jerusalem temple and its sacrificial rites. As a result of their displacement to the Qumran desert, due to the absence of the physical temple in Jerusalem, this wandering priestly group perceived itself as a 'temple.' Instead of performing actual animal sacrifices, they offered the fruits of their lips through prayer and praise as an alternative form of sacrifice. By separating from the larger community, this Qumran group transformed into an eschatological community engaged in the practice of cultic spiritualization.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18827247 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 4800 13 full false Joseph Scales, *Galilean Spaces of Identity: Judaism and Spatiality in Hasmonean and Herodian Galilee*. Leiden: Brill, 2024. Joseph Scales, *Galilean Spaces of Identity: Judaism and Spatiality in Hasmonean and Herodian Galilee*. Leiden: Brill, 2024. We interpret the world surrounding us through the constructed spaces we inhabit. These spaces are formed by human activities and, in turn, shape the way people live. This book delves into an analysis of archaeological and textual evidence from the inception of Hasmonean influence in Galilee to the outbreak of the First Jewish War against Rome, exploring how Judaism was socially articulated: in bodily, communal, and regional dimensions. Within each articulation, certain elements of Jewish identity are present, including ideas of purity, communal gatherings, and Galilee's ties with the Hasmoneans, Jerusalem, and the Temple during its last days.

]]> We interpret the world surrounding us through the constructed spaces we inhabit. These spaces are formed by human activities and, in turn, shape the way people live. This book delves into an analysis of archaeological and textual evidence from the inception of Hasmonean influence in Galilee to the outbreak of the First Jewish War against Rome, exploring how Judaism was socially articulated: in bodily, communal, and regional dimensions. Within each articulation, certain elements of Jewish identity are present, including ideas of purity, communal gatherings, and Galilee's ties with the Hasmoneans, Jerusalem, and the Temple during its last days.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18826798 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:00:00 -0400 4865 13 full false Kristine Henriksen Garroway, *The Dying Child: The Death and Personhood of Children in Ancient Israel*. New York: Oxford University Press, 2025. Kristine Henriksen Garroway, *The Dying Child: The Death and Personhood of Children in Ancient Israel*. New York: Oxford University Press, 2025. The loss of a child is one of the most painful, sorrowful, and seemingly unnatural experiences that anyone can endure. Nevertheless, it is still unclear if this sentiment was also felt by the people of ancient Israel.

Many studies have explored death in ancient societies by examining burial customs, rituals, biblical views on death and the afterlife, care for the deceased, and even death cults; however, no extensive research has specifically targeted children and death in ancient Israel.

The study of child mortality is closely tied to the challenges within a relatively new area of research concerning ancient Israel: personhood. A comprehensive exploration of the concept of personhood is crucial when reflecting on childhood death.

In her monograph, *The Dying Child*, Kristine Henriksen Garroway calls for a greater acknowledgment of children in modern archaeological debates. Numerous archaeologists hesitate to link various household artifacts to children, even though their presence is evident in ancient domestic environments.

This neglect effectively overlooks an entire segment of the population in the study of death. By acknowledging the personhood of children in burial customs and other death-related practices, Garroway highlights the emotional and personal aspects of ancient Israeli culture, thus filling a significant void in our understanding of this society.

]]> The loss of a child is one of the most painful, sorrowful, and seemingly unnatural experiences that anyone can endure. Nevertheless, it is still unclear if this sentiment was also felt by the people of ancient Israel.

Many studies have explored death in ancient societies by examining burial customs, rituals, biblical views on death and the afterlife, care for the deceased, and even death cults; however, no extensive research has specifically targeted children and death in ancient Israel.

The study of child mortality is closely tied to the challenges within a relatively new area of research concerning ancient Israel: personhood. A comprehensive exploration of the concept of personhood is crucial when reflecting on childhood death.

In her monograph, *The Dying Child*, Kristine Henriksen Garroway calls for a greater acknowledgment of children in modern archaeological debates. Numerous archaeologists hesitate to link various household artifacts to children, even though their presence is evident in ancient domestic environments.

This neglect effectively overlooks an entire segment of the population in the study of death. By acknowledging the personhood of children in burial customs and other death-related practices, Garroway highlights the emotional and personal aspects of ancient Israeli culture, thus filling a significant void in our understanding of this society.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18758821 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:00:00 -0500 4999 1 11 full false Rebecca Harris, *Religious Experience and Divinization in the Sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls: Living in the Liminal*. Leiden: Brill, 2026. Rebecca Harris, *Religious Experience and Divinization in the Sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls: Living in the Liminal*. Leiden: Brill, 2026. For those engaged in the sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls movement, membership in the group would have granted them exceptional privileges, including direct and unmediated access to otherworldly realities. This understanding of the present as a type of liminal space is profoundly rooted in the group’s interpretations of time and space. By applying theories of liminality in conjunction with anthropological research on religious consciousness, this study seeks to demonstrate how sectarian identity, along with ritual and liturgical practices, may have cultivated an experience of present communion with divine entities that was both aspirational and designed to promote the human worshiper’s lasting integration into the heavenly realm.

]]> For those engaged in the sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls movement, membership in the group would have granted them exceptional privileges, including direct and unmediated access to otherworldly realities. This understanding of the present as a type of liminal space is profoundly rooted in the group’s interpretations of time and space. By applying theories of liminality in conjunction with anthropological research on religious consciousness, this study seeks to demonstrate how sectarian identity, along with ritual and liturgical practices, may have cultivated an experience of present communion with divine entities that was both aspirational and designed to promote the human worshiper’s lasting integration into the heavenly realm.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18719656 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0500 3427 1 10 full false Rina Lapidus, *Russian Ideational Roots of Jewish Thought and Hebrew Literature*. Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2024. Rina Lapidus, *Russian Ideational Roots of Jewish Thought and Hebrew Literature*. Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2024. This book explores how the intellectual and literary movements of Russia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries affected Jewish thought and Hebrew literature.

By engaging in a comparative analysis of a diverse range of writings from key Russian and Jewish intellectuals, the book uncovers how ideas about the necessity for a national revival spread from Russian to Jewish intellectual circles.

Jewish thinkers who adopted these concepts modified them to correspond with the realities and experiences of Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe.

Similarly, the portrayals of an individual's search for the true and just God in Russian literature resonated in ideological Hebrew literature, where the protagonist endeavors to find a genuine path to achieve spiritual, social, and national prosperity for the Jewish community.

The incorporation of ideological influences is a widespread phenomenon that plays a significant role in advancement and cultural evolution, and it is acknowledged within Jewish culture as well.

]]> This book explores how the intellectual and literary movements of Russia in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries affected Jewish thought and Hebrew literature.

By engaging in a comparative analysis of a diverse range of writings from key Russian and Jewish intellectuals, the book uncovers how ideas about the necessity for a national revival spread from Russian to Jewish intellectual circles.

Jewish thinkers who adopted these concepts modified them to correspond with the realities and experiences of Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe.

Similarly, the portrayals of an individual's search for the true and just God in Russian literature resonated in ideological Hebrew literature, where the protagonist endeavors to find a genuine path to achieve spiritual, social, and national prosperity for the Jewish community.

The incorporation of ideological influences is a widespread phenomenon that plays a significant role in advancement and cultural evolution, and it is acknowledged within Jewish culture as well.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18718774 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500 5632 full false Ursula Westwood, *Moses Among the Greek Lawgivers: Reading Josephus’ Antiquities through Plutarch’s Lives*. Leiden: Brill, 2023. Ursula Westwood, *Moses Among the Greek Lawgivers: Reading Josephus’ Antiquities through Plutarch’s Lives*. Leiden: Brill, 2023. Josephus' Antiquities depicts Moses as the Jewish lawgiver, altering the biblical story for a distinct audience. Nevertheless, who made up that audience, and how did they interpret the term lawgiver? This work utilizes Plutarch's Lives as a proxy for a conceptual audience, providing a historically grounded yet flexible framework of a lawgiver, which emphasizes certain influences that may have been overlooked in understanding Josephus' choices. This methodology reveals patterns of persuasion and resistance in Josephus' engaging and vibrant representation of Moses' legislative activities.

]]> Josephus' Antiquities depicts Moses as the Jewish lawgiver, altering the biblical story for a distinct audience. Nevertheless, who made up that audience, and how did they interpret the term lawgiver? This work utilizes Plutarch's Lives as a proxy for a conceptual audience, providing a historically grounded yet flexible framework of a lawgiver, which emphasizes certain influences that may have been overlooked in understanding Josephus' choices. This methodology reveals patterns of persuasion and resistance in Josephus' engaging and vibrant representation of Moses' legislative activities.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18714526 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:00:00 -0500 4483 1 10 full false Jordan Henderson, *Defeat and Deliverance: Prefigurements of the Jewish Revolt against Rome in Josephus' Depictions of Past Invasions of Jerusalem*. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2026. Jordan Henderson, *Defeat and Deliverance: Prefigurements of the Jewish Revolt against Rome in Josephus' Depictions of Past Invasions of Jerusalem*. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2026. This monograph investigates Josephus’ representations of foreign invasions of Jerusalem as detailed in his Jewish Antiquities. The invasions covered include those by Shishak, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and Pompey the Great. In analyzing these stories, the book views the Jewish Antiquities as an extended "prequel" or backstory to his earlier work, Jewish War, examining how these narratives foreshadow and create connections with his previous account of the war against Rome. Furthermore, the book looks at these narratives within the literary framework of the Jewish Antiquities as a whole and how Josephus’ perceived audience expectations might have influenced his portrayals of these events.


]]> This monograph investigates Josephus’ representations of foreign invasions of Jerusalem as detailed in his Jewish Antiquities. The invasions covered include those by Shishak, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and Pompey the Great. In analyzing these stories, the book views the Jewish Antiquities as an extended "prequel" or backstory to his earlier work, Jewish War, examining how these narratives foreshadow and create connections with his previous account of the war against Rome. Furthermore, the book looks at these narratives within the literary framework of the Jewish Antiquities as a whole and how Josephus’ perceived audience expectations might have influenced his portrayals of these events.


]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18670008 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0500 6196 1 9 full false Roni Weinstein, *Joseph Karo and the Shaping of Modern Jewish Law: The Early Modern Ottoman and Global Settings*. London: Anthem Press, 2022. Roni Weinstein, *Joseph Karo and the Shaping of Modern Jewish Law: The Early Modern Ottoman and Global Settings*. London: Anthem Press, 2022. The dual legal codes established by R. Joseph Karo during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries mark a crucial milestone in the development of Jewish Halakhah. No further legal advancements were introduced in the following generations. R. Karo maintained long-standing traditions of Jewish scholarship while simultaneously responding to the global transformations in the history of law and legality, especially in Europe and primarily within the Ottoman Empire. This signifies a thorough interpretation of Jewish Halakhah and the overall modernization of Jewish culture. In this study, Roni Weinstein situates R. Karo's legacy in the context of the concurrent history of the Ottoman Empire.

]]> The dual legal codes established by R. Joseph Karo during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries mark a crucial milestone in the development of Jewish Halakhah. No further legal advancements were introduced in the following generations. R. Karo maintained long-standing traditions of Jewish scholarship while simultaneously responding to the global transformations in the history of law and legality, especially in Europe and primarily within the Ottoman Empire. This signifies a thorough interpretation of Jewish Halakhah and the overall modernization of Jewish culture. In this study, Roni Weinstein situates R. Karo's legacy in the context of the concurrent history of the Ottoman Empire.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18634108 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 5377 1 8 full false Golan Moskowitz, *Wild Visionary: Maurice Sendak in Queer Jewish Context*. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2021. Golan Moskowitz, *Wild Visionary: Maurice Sendak in Queer Jewish Context*. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2021. *Wild Visionary* reexamines the life and work of Maurice Sendak through the lens of his identity as a Jewish gay man. Maurice (Moishe) Bernard Sendak (1928–2012) was a passionate, romantic, and surprisingly humorous seeker of truth who made significant contributions to modern literature and culture. By elevating the standards of children's literature, Sendak depicted childhood with a blend of dark realism and vibrant imagination, influenced by his own sensitive 'inner child' and the queer and Yiddish sensibilities that defined his unique voice. Golan Y. Moskowitz intricately weaves together literary biography and cultural history, tracing Sendak's journey from his parents' Brooklyn home to various creative havens—from local movie theaters to Hell's Kitchen, Greenwich Village, Fire Island, and the Connecticut country house he shared with his partner of over fifty years, Eugene Glynn. Additionally, he delves into Sendak's deep connection to the concept of the endangered child, exploring its symbolic ties to significant historical events that shaped the artist's worldview, including the Great Depression, the Holocaust, and the AIDS crisis. Through a thorough examination of Sendak's picture books, interviews, and previously unexamined personal letters, *Wild Visionary* presents a nuanced portrait of one of the most cherished and captivating picture-book artists of our era.

]]> *Wild Visionary* reexamines the life and work of Maurice Sendak through the lens of his identity as a Jewish gay man. Maurice (Moishe) Bernard Sendak (1928–2012) was a passionate, romantic, and surprisingly humorous seeker of truth who made significant contributions to modern literature and culture. By elevating the standards of children's literature, Sendak depicted childhood with a blend of dark realism and vibrant imagination, influenced by his own sensitive 'inner child' and the queer and Yiddish sensibilities that defined his unique voice. Golan Y. Moskowitz intricately weaves together literary biography and cultural history, tracing Sendak's journey from his parents' Brooklyn home to various creative havens—from local movie theaters to Hell's Kitchen, Greenwich Village, Fire Island, and the Connecticut country house he shared with his partner of over fifty years, Eugene Glynn. Additionally, he delves into Sendak's deep connection to the concept of the endangered child, exploring its symbolic ties to significant historical events that shaped the artist's worldview, including the Great Depression, the Holocaust, and the AIDS crisis. Through a thorough examination of Sendak's picture books, interviews, and previously unexamined personal letters, *Wild Visionary* presents a nuanced portrait of one of the most cherished and captivating picture-book artists of our era.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18575448 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:00:00 -0500 5401 full false Mark L. Smith, *Building and Consoling a Nation: The Yiddish Historians in their Own Words*. Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2026. Mark L. Smith, *Building and Consoling a Nation: The Yiddish Historians in their Own Words*. Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2026. In the early 1900s, as the aspiration for Jewish cultural nationalism in the Diaspora was gaining momentum among advocates for Yiddish, the prominent intellectuals of the time included the "Yiddish historians" who played a crucial role in uncovering the history of East-European Jews. Prior to the Holocaust, their goal was to research and present the foundational history of a vibrant community for an audience of educated lay leaders, utilizing Jewish sources of information whenever possible, to aid in the establishment and strengthening of a Yiddish-speaking nation. Following the Holocaust, their focus shifted to providing solace to the surviving remnants by sharing insights about their struggle to endure under German occupation. This book presents Yiddish writings from these historians in English for the first time, featuring translations by historian Mark L. Smith. Additionally, the book contains an enlightening Conversation with Series Editor Michael Berenbaum and a thought-provoking foreword by Samuel Kassow.


]]> In the early 1900s, as the aspiration for Jewish cultural nationalism in the Diaspora was gaining momentum among advocates for Yiddish, the prominent intellectuals of the time included the "Yiddish historians" who played a crucial role in uncovering the history of East-European Jews. Prior to the Holocaust, their goal was to research and present the foundational history of a vibrant community for an audience of educated lay leaders, utilizing Jewish sources of information whenever possible, to aid in the establishment and strengthening of a Yiddish-speaking nation. Following the Holocaust, their focus shifted to providing solace to the surviving remnants by sharing insights about their struggle to endure under German occupation. This book presents Yiddish writings from these historians in English for the first time, featuring translations by historian Mark L. Smith. Additionally, the book contains an enlightening Conversation with Series Editor Michael Berenbaum and a thought-provoking foreword by Samuel Kassow.


]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18575177 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:00:00 -0500 3043 2 full false Debby Koren, *Responsa in a Historical Context: A View of Post-Expulsion Spanish-Portuguese Jewish Communities through Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century Responsa*. Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2024. Debby Koren, *Responsa in a Historical Context: A View of Post-Expulsion Spanish-Portuguese Jewish Communities through Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century Responsa*. Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2024. This book features a collection of eight annotated translations of responsa, along with the original Hebrew texts, concentrating on the Spanish-Portuguese communities that arose after the expulsion during the sixteenth to seventeenth centuries. This collection seeks to familiarize the reader with Jews who, after their expulsion, settled in the Ottoman Empire, in Palestine under Mamluk governance, in Amsterdam, and in Brazil. The expulsion of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula was a devastating period in Jewish history; nevertheless, the revitalization of the post-expulsion Spanish-Portuguese Jewish communities in new settings is a reflection of the human spirit and tenacity.

]]> This book features a collection of eight annotated translations of responsa, along with the original Hebrew texts, concentrating on the Spanish-Portuguese communities that arose after the expulsion during the sixteenth to seventeenth centuries. This collection seeks to familiarize the reader with Jews who, after their expulsion, settled in the Ottoman Empire, in Palestine under Mamluk governance, in Amsterdam, and in Brazil. The expulsion of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula was a devastating period in Jewish history; nevertheless, the revitalization of the post-expulsion Spanish-Portuguese Jewish communities in new settings is a reflection of the human spirit and tenacity.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18574747 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:00:00 -0500 4300 1 full false Josef Mendelevitch, *The Cantonists: Jewish Boys in the Russian Military, 1827-1856*. Rachelle Emanuel, trans. Boston: Academic Studies Press (in Partnership with Touro University Press in New York), 2025. Josef Mendelevitch, *The Cantonists: Jewish Boys in the Russian Military, 1827-1856*. Rachelle Emanuel, trans. Boston: Academic Studies Press (in Partnership with Touro University Press in New York), 2025. Before 1917, the Russian Tsar wielded total power over a sprawling empire, where more than 5 million Jews lived in seclusion and segregation. During the reign of Tsar Nicholas I (1825–1855), the treatment of Jews became especially brutal. Nicholas sought to obliterate Jewish identity by compelling Jews to convert to Christianity and promoting assimilation through intermarriage. One of the most heartless acts under Nicholas I was the implementation of the Cantonist system, which forcibly enlisted Jewish boys under the age of 13 into military service. These young boys were cruelly torn from their families and communities, suffering severe mistreatment, and were incessantly pressured to abandon their faith. Over a span of thirty years, approximately 75,000 Jewish boys were conscripted. In spite of the immense hardships, the majority remained resolute, with only 25% succumbing to conversion. This heartrending account underscores a grim chapter in modern history, illustrating the resilience of a people facing extreme oppression under a tyrannical regime.



]]> Before 1917, the Russian Tsar wielded total power over a sprawling empire, where more than 5 million Jews lived in seclusion and segregation. During the reign of Tsar Nicholas I (1825–1855), the treatment of Jews became especially brutal. Nicholas sought to obliterate Jewish identity by compelling Jews to convert to Christianity and promoting assimilation through intermarriage. One of the most heartless acts under Nicholas I was the implementation of the Cantonist system, which forcibly enlisted Jewish boys under the age of 13 into military service. These young boys were cruelly torn from their families and communities, suffering severe mistreatment, and were incessantly pressured to abandon their faith. Over a span of thirty years, approximately 75,000 Jewish boys were conscripted. In spite of the immense hardships, the majority remained resolute, with only 25% succumbing to conversion. This heartrending account underscores a grim chapter in modern history, illustrating the resilience of a people facing extreme oppression under a tyrannical regime.



]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18550295 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 20:00:00 -0500 5158 full false David Edwards, *In the Court of the Gentiles: Narrative, Exemplarity, and Scriptural Adaptation in the Court-Tales of Flavius Josephus*. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2023. David Edwards, *In the Court of the Gentiles: Narrative, Exemplarity, and Scriptural Adaptation in the Court-Tales of Flavius Josephus*. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2023. In this monograph, David Edwards explores how Josephus, in his work *Jewish Antiquities*, reinterprets the biblical stories of Joseph and Esther in unexpected ways, employing them as frameworks for narratives concerning more modern Jewish figures.  

He refers to this method as "subversive adaptation," situating it within the framework of Greco-Roman literary traditions.  

Moreover, he applies the concept of "discourses of exemplarity" to demonstrate how Josephus utilized the tales of historical figures to encourage moral reflection and practical decision-making among Roman elites.  

This book provides an examination of frequently overlooked narratives alongside Josephus' broader literary techniques, illustrating how ancient Jews adapted imperial historiographical practices and modes of discourse while contesting Greco-Roman claims of cultural superiority.

]]> In this monograph, David Edwards explores how Josephus, in his work *Jewish Antiquities*, reinterprets the biblical stories of Joseph and Esther in unexpected ways, employing them as frameworks for narratives concerning more modern Jewish figures.  

He refers to this method as "subversive adaptation," situating it within the framework of Greco-Roman literary traditions.  

Moreover, he applies the concept of "discourses of exemplarity" to demonstrate how Josephus utilized the tales of historical figures to encourage moral reflection and practical decision-making among Roman elites.  

This book provides an examination of frequently overlooked narratives alongside Josephus' broader literary techniques, illustrating how ancient Jews adapted imperial historiographical practices and modes of discourse while contesting Greco-Roman claims of cultural superiority.

]]> Ari Barbalat Buzzsprout-18549668 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:00:00 -0500 5894 1 1 full false