Conflicting Attitudes to Conversion in Judaism, Past and Present
$120.00 (C)
- Author: Isaac Sassoon
- Date Published: November 2017
- availability: Available
- format: Hardback
- isbn: 9781108416306
$
120.00
(C)
Hardback
Other available formats:
eBook
Looking for an examination copy?
This title is not available for examination.
-
Evidence suggests that conversion originated during the Babylonian Exile. Around the same time, biological genealogy was gaining popularity, especially among priests whose legitimacy was becoming increasingly defined by 'pure' pedigree. When the biological, or ethnic, criterion is extended to the definition of Jewishness, as it seems to have been by Ezra, the possibility of conversion is all but precluded. The Rabbis did not reject the primacy of genealogy, yet were also heirs to a strong pro-conversion tradition. In this book, Isaac Sassoon confronts the tensions and paradoxes apparent in rabbinic discussions of conversion, and argues that they resulted from irresolution between the two conflicting traditions. He also contends that attitudes to conversion can impact not only one's conception of Judaism but also on one's faith, as seems to be demonstrated by authors cited in the book whose espousal of a narrowly ethnic view of Judaism allows for a nepotistic theology.
Read more- Analyses both biblical and rabbinic texts - some lesser known than others - that are important for understanding the divergent, and sometimes contradictory, traditions relating to Jewish conversion, empowering the English reader who often feels mystified, if not intimidated, by the subject
- Tests the assumption that Israelite priesthood is to have been determined by bloodline since the beginning
- Discusses the status conferred variably on bona fide converts within Jewish society, showing the range of paradigms scattered throughout the rabbinic corpus
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: November 2017
- format: Hardback
- isbn: 9781108416306
- length: 288 pages
- dimensions: 223 x 146 x 20 mm
- weight: 0.47kg
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Hillel and Shammai
2. Philologizing 'ger'
3. Metaphoric blood
4. Ethnicity's apotheosis
5. A hackneyed myth
6. David's sons
7. Priesthood
8. A post-exilic passover
9. Priesthoods under the microscope
10. Moses the first-born
11. Were converts a caste apart?
12. Holiness and haughtiness
13. Seed of doubt
14. Rites of passage
15. A quirky blockbuster
16. Maimonides
17. Warder Cresson
18. Canaanites redux
19. Epilogue.
Related Books
related journals
also by this author
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email [email protected]
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×