Handbook of Jewish Literature from Late Antiquity, 135-700 CE

From major seminal works like the Mishnah or the Palestinian and Babylonian Talmuds, to Biblical commentaries, translations of Biblical books into Aramaic or relatively little-known mystical, liturgical or apocalyptic writings, here is a complete guide to the rich tradition of Jewish literature in the second to seventh centuries of the Common Era. Each work is described in a succinct and clearly structured entry which covers its contents, dating, language and accessibility (or otherwise) in print or online. The aim throughout is to cover all of this literature and to answer the following questions. What Jewish literature, written either in Hebrew or Aramaic, has survived? What different genres of such literature are there? What printed texts, or translations into any modern language, or commentaries (either in Hebrew or a European language) are there? And, for those who want to enquire further, what are the manuscripts on which modern editions are based? This handbook will be of value to scholars and students of Jewish Studies and historians of Late Antiquity, as well as scholars in neighbouring disciplines, such as Near Eastern history or Theology. the book can be recommended to first-year students and ancient historians as a first step towards learning Hebrew, studying the texts themselves, and engaging in a more serious study of ancient Jewish history and literature. Catherine Hezser, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies1. Historical Introduction ; 2. Talmudic Texts ; 3. Midrashic Texts ; 4. Mystical (Hekhalot) and Magical Literature ; 5. Targumim ; 6. Liturgical Texts ; 7. Historiography ; 8. Apocalyptic ; 9. Contemporary Documents in Hebrew or Aramaic