The Jews of Egypt: From Ramses II to Emperor Hadrian [Hardcover]

Joseph Meleze Modrzejewski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 1995

This is the story of the adventures and misadventures of the Jewish people in the land of Egypt. The author uses the clear light of scientific analysis and archaeological research to illuminate the reality underlying the images from the Biblical accounts and Jewish and pagan literary texts, through the great “love affair” between Jews and Hellenic culture. It ends with the brief but crucial episode when budding Christianity and the Alexandrian Jews parted company.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Urbane, intelligent, and well-researched . . . more than ample for a well-rounded view of Jewish history in ancient Egypt. -- Library Journal --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: The Jewish Publication Society; 1st English ed edition (September 29, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827605226
• ISBN-13: 978-0827605220
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,206,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an overlooked classic in the making, July 26, 2008

By 

Wes Howard-Brook (Issaquah, WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Jews of Egypt (Paperback)

Modrzejewski has written what is likely to be "the" guide to the Jews in Egypt in the Second Temple period. While this may seem to some an obscure undertaking, it is actually essential learning for anyone seeking to understand the matrix of Judaism and Christianity at the turn of the common era. Alexandria was a key locale as events unfolded, but it wasn't the only historically relevant Egyptian place where Jews lived in the Diaspora. Modrzejewski explores Leontopolis, Elephantine and other places where Jews dealt with life in Hellenistic Egypt.

Modrzejewski presents a series of fascinating episodes, some in perhaps more detail than some readers need, such as marriage contracts and other documents that support his theses. But this is simply good scholarship: taking the evidence that is available and making the most of it, without overreaching his conclusions. A "must read" for anyone seeking to understand how and why Christianity abandoned its Jewish roots.