Questions and Answers: Intellectual Foundations of Judaism

Neusner, an innovative and astonishingly prolific Jewish scholar, has written or edited around 1,000 books, including textbooks, primers and biblical commentaries as well as translations, dictionaries and encyclopedias. He is perhaps best known for applying his impressive scholarship to the classical rabbinic writings produced from the first to the seventh century by sages who preserved and interpreted both the written and the oral Torah. Based on this vast body of literature, Neusner tries here "to clarify important traits of rabbinic Judaism that enrich the study of the New Testament." He draws upon 40 years' worth of questions that he has encountered while lecturing in non-Jewish colleges, universities and seminaries. For each question, Neusner not only offers his answer but also provides the sources in rabbinic Judaism that amplify and support his response. Neusner begins by defining rabbinic Judaism and ends by examining its relationship to Christianity. Along the way, he addresses the theology of rabbinic Judaism, which includes fascinating discussions of God, Israel, gentiles, suffering, resurrection, sin, repentance, atonement, Messiah and the hereafter. Designed for thoughtful Christians, this book will also appeal to Jews who wish to learn more about the foundations of their religion. (Jan.)