The Stranger in Ancient and Mediaeval Jewish Tradition

by Society of Jewish and Biblical Studies in Central Europe. International Conference

2010 · Walter de Gruyter

This volume presents selected papers read at the first meeting of the Society for Jewish and Biblical Studies in Central Europe, in Piliscsaba, Hungary, February 2009, but does not publish the proceedings of this meeting (for a clarification see here). The papers investigate various aspects of the concept "Stranger" in Jewish tradition, from the Hebrew Bible to Mediaeval Jewish thought. The bulk of the material focuses on Early Jewish literature, which mirrors an intensive interaction with the Hellenistic system of thought, and the development of concurring Jewish interpretations of traditional values. The papers of the volume provide insightful case studies about the formation of Jewish identity in diverse periods of Israelite and Jewish history, as well as the different attitudes to strangers, being either outsiders, or belonging to opposing sects of Judaism itself. The reader finds essays of historical, literary, and hermeneutical attention; of interest also to scholars of various forms of ancient and mediaeval Judaism.

Genizah Research After Ninety Years

by Society for Judaeo-Arabic Studies. Congress

1992 · Cambridge University Press

The collection of Hebrew, Arabic and Jewish manuscript material that was deposited in the Cairo Genizah as early as a thousand years ago is of major significance for our understanding of all aspects of life in the medieval Mediterranean world. This volume presents a selection of papers from the third congress of the Society for Judaeo-Arabic Studies: after introductory material by the editors, it ranges over a wide area of Judaeo-Arabic language and literature, giving the reader a clear impression of recent research in the field. Among the topics covered are the early grammarians, translators and commentators; newly discovered texts of poetry, liturgy and legend; and the religious differences between Jews, Muslims and Christians. The various activities of the Maimonides family naturally attract attention; there are studies of contemporary medicine and magic; and an explanation is offered of Jewish trilingualism. As well as presenting the most recent research in this area, the essays offer a unique insight into the medieval symbiosis of Jewish and Arabic culture. They will be of interest not only to scholars in these areas, but also to those interested in medieval history and philosophy, oriental folklore and medicine.