Power, Ethics, and Ecology in Jewish Late Antiquity: Rabbinic Responses to Drought and Disaster

ISBN-13: 9781107533929 / Angielski / Miękka / 2020 / 251 str.

Julia Watts Belser

Opis

This book analyzes rabbinic responses to drought and disaster, revealing how the Talmudi grapples with problems of power, ethics, and ecology in Jewish late antiquity.

Recenzje

'This excellent study of Bavli tractate Ta'anit investigates the nexus of meaning that links Jewish conceptions of ecology, theology, and ethics … The carefully orchestrated sequence of chapters leads from a focus on droughts and rain as signs to the inherent ambiguity of natural signs, the protective power of merit in view of disasters, charisma and ritual fasting, the limits of human charismatic power, and the critique of surface appearances. An introduction that outlines the main themes and a short conclusion entitled 'Power and Perception' in Bavli Ta'anit frame the analytic chapters … I can highly recommend the book to students and scholars of ancient Judaism, rabbinic literature, ancient Christianity, Graeco-Roman and Persian culture. It constitutes an important contribution not only to studies of the Babylonian Talmud but also to the wider study of holy (wo)men in late antique society.' Catherine Hezsec , Theologische Literaturzeitung

Spis treści

Introduction; Encountering the Bavli: an introduction for readers new to the Babylonian Talmud; 1. Covenantal ecology and the discourse of natural signs; 2. Reading the natural world: interpretation and meaning in Bavli Taʿanit; 3. Merit in the midst of danger: falling walls, faltering houses, and the power of performative perception; 4. Charisma and ritual fasting for the sake of rain: parrhesia, penitence, and the construction of intimacy before God; 5. Confusing the fathers: charisma and the limits of human power; 6. Hiddenness and holiness: gender, class, concealment, and the critique of rabbinic status-seeking; Conclusion.