The Dead Sea Scrolls: Understanding Their Spiritual Message - Softcover

Fisdel, Steven A.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0765760231 ISBN 13: 9780765760234

Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc., 1998

Synopsis

The Dead Sea Scrolls reflect the belief and experience of generations of Jews, spanning a period of almost three centuries, from the Maccabean Revolt to the destruction of Jerusalem. Steven A. Fisdel seeks to open a window onto this critical period of time, so pivotal in the development of Judaism and in the emergence of Christianity. By presenting the historical backdrop and letting the scroll literature speak for itself, this work gives the reader a better understanding of the state and content of Jewish belief during the height of the Greco-Roman Era; an age of broad diversity in religious thought and of great spiritual richness.

About this title

From Library Journal

Rather than filling his work with arguments to support one or another view of who wrote the Dead Sea scrolls and the precise nature of the Qumran complex, Fisdel, rabbi of the Congregation Beth Israel in Chico, California, paints a portrait of a deeply spiritual community concerned with corporate and individual holiness. He takes a middle-of-the-road position regarding the identity of the authors of the Qumran writings, particularly the material unique to them (identified as "Sectarian" literature). He draws attention to the strong emphasis on spirituality and holiness in the Sectarian writings, even when the focus of a document is the Law or the Temple. Fisdel's admiration for the Qumran community results in his putting a very human face on these people; his work will elicit a greater appreciation for their place in Jewish (and even Christian) history.?Craig W. Beard, Univ. of Alabama Lib., Birmingham
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc.
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0765760231
• ISBN 13: 9780765760234
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 364