Reading Jewish History in the Renaissance: Christians, Jews, and the Hebrew Sefer Josippon

Using the Hebrew Book of Josippon as a prism, this study analyzes the dialogue surrounding Jewish history among Renaissance humanists. Notwithstanding its focus on the Renaissance, the author’s analysis extends to the consumption of Josippon in the High Middle Ages and into interpretations by sixteenth- and seventeenth-century humanists. With a focus on both Christian and Jewish discourse, the author examines the mythical and historical narratives that developed from Josippon.

Nadia Zeldes is senior research fellow at the Center for the Study of Conversion and Inter-Religious Encounters at Ben Gurion University of the Negev.