Judaism and its Social Metaphors
Israel in the History of Jewish Thought

Jacob Neusner examines the crucial role of the definition of Israel in the history of Judaic thought.

Jacob Neusner (Author)

9780521354714, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 February 1989

274 pages
23.6 x 15.8 x 2.4 cm, 0.525 kg

The crisis in Palestine is a manifestation of Israel's historical significance to the Jewish people. Jacob Neusner examines the crucial role of the definition of Israel in the history of Judaic thought. He argues that Judaic sages have constructed various metaphoric images of Israel - as family, as chosen people, as a nation - in order to express changing theological concerns as the religion evolved. The history of the definition of Israel is revealed as the reflection of the history of Judaism itself. This is a bold and original interpretation of the way in which Jews, as well as other peoples, define themselves.

Preface
List of abbreviations
Introduction
1. Imagining society, re-visioning 'Israel'
Part I. 'Israel' in the First Statement of Judaism, 70–300 CE: 2. 'Israel' in relationship to heaven
3. 'Israel' in relationship to 'non-Israel'
4. 'Israel' in the Mishnah, the Tosefta, and Tractate Abot: a probe
5. The first phase of the Judaism of the dual Torah and its social metaphors
Part II. 'Israel' in the Second Statement of Judaism, 300–600 CE: 6. 'Israel' on its own terms
7. 'Israel' as family
8. 'Israel' as family and also singular nation
9. 'Israel' as sui generis
10. The second phase of the Judaism of the dual Torah and its social metaphors
Part III. Some Metaphors, Other Systems: 11. Other Judaisms and their social metaphors
12. Society and system
General index
Index to biblical and Talmudic references.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ]