In the Seat of Moses: An Introductory Guide to Early Rabbinic Legal Rhetoric and Literary Conventions (Westar Studies)

In the Seat of Moses offers readers a unique, frank, and penetrating analysis of the rise of rabbinic Judaism in the late Roman period. Over time and through masterly rhetorical strategy, rabbinic writings in post-temple Judaism come to occupy an authoritarian place within a pluralistic tradition. Slowly, the rabbis occupy the seat of Moses, and Lightstone introduces readers to this process, to the most significant texts, to the rhetorical styles and appeals to authority, and even to how authority came to be authority. As a seasoned and honest scholar, Lightstone achieves his goal of introducing novice readers to the often obscure world of rabbinic literary conventions with astounding success. This book is an excellent contribution to the Westar Studies series focused on religious literacy.

Jack N. Lightstone is a veteran of university administration, having served as the President of Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, from 2006 to 2016. Jack is also an outstanding historian of Roman history and the rise of post-temple Judaism. He is the author of The Commerce of the Sacred (1984, 2006) and The Rhetoric of the Babylonian Talmud (1994). He continues at Brock University as a Professor of History.