Judaism: History, Belief and Practice

Written by an experienced university teacher, who is also a scholar and rabbi, this extensive textbook presents an unrivalled guide to the history, belief and practice of Judaism. Beginning with the ancient Near-Eastern background, it covers early Israelite history, the emergence of classical rabbinic literature and the rise of medieval Judaism in Islamic and Christian lands. It also explores the early modern period and the development of Jewry throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Extracts from primary sources are used to enliven the narrative and provide concrete examples of Jewish civilization. Judaism:

• introduces texts and commentaries, including the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic texts, mystical literature, Jewish philosophy and Jewish theology
• provides the skills necessary to understand these step-by-step
• explains how to interpret the major events in nearly 4,000 years of Jewish history
• supports study with discussion questions on the central historical and religious issues, includes key reading for each chapter and an extensive bibliography
• illustrates the development of Judaism, its concepts and observances, with nearly 200 maps and photographs.

A companion website links each chapter to other online resources, and gives guidance on activities and support for teachers.