Perelmuter SRJEC 1989

This reader friendly composition contains priceless information with respect to the study of the relationship between Early Judaism and Early Christianity. Perelmuter attempts to discuss Rabbinic Judaism and Early Christianity during the former’s, and perhaps even the latter’s, most critical era, the years following the destruction of the Jewish temple at Jerusalem in 70 C.E. The author does not focus his greatest efforts on historical or critical analysis, but on entering into dialogue with and study of ancient rabbinic texts. The first two chapters of this book set the stage for study by providing historical information. However, the largest portion of the book, chapters 3-8, follows the development of Rabbinic Judaism from pre-Christian times through the end of the second century C.E. by spending a great deal of time discussing several of Early Judaism’s most prominent rabbis. The rabbis spoken of in the book are Simeon ben Shetah, Hillel?, Johanan ben Zakkai?, Eliezer?, Joshua?, Akiba, Meir?, and Elisha ben Abuya?. These rabbis are dealt with in basically chronological order. The book wraps up with a chapter on study of the development of the derashah, or sermon in Judaism, entitled From Prophet to Preacher. Perhaps the most helpful and interesting thing within this book is the fact that all of the main primary texts discussed in chapters 3-8 are available at the back of the book in a 70 page section entitled Rabbinic Texts from the Midrash and Talmud. This saves the reader a great deal of time and energy. Another helpful tool is a short glossary at the end of the book to help familiarize the neophyte student with many key Hebrew terms contained within the text.