The Dark Side of the Talmud examines some of the more difficult passages in rabbinic literature, placing them in their historical context to explain how they arose. Beginning with the Babylonian exile in 586 BCE, the book traces how periods of displacement and political subjugation shaped early Jewish law, particularly in areas governing relations with non-Jews, purity rules, and social boundaries.
Subsequent chapters cover the rabbinic period following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, exploring how Roman and later Sasanian rule influenced discussions on trade, dispute resolution, and community separation. The book also addresses views on women in Talmudic law, the institution of slavery in the amoraic period, treatment of heresy and apostasy, and mystical elements from the Zohar and later Geonic writings. Each topic is situated within the historical pressures of the era in which it developed, offering a scholarly rather than polemical treatment of contested material.
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Reader review: "A thorough and historically grounded look at passages that are often either ignored or sensationalized. The contextual approach makes it genuinely useful for understanding rabbinic literature." -- Rachel M.
This title is well suited for religious studies, ancient history, and Jewish studies sections. It appeals to readers with an academic or general interest in the history of religious law and interfaith scholarship, and fits public library and academic library collections alike.
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