Judaism in the First Three Centuries of the Christian Era [Hardcover]

George Foot Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

Serious students of Judaism in the early centuries of the Common Era consider these three volumes indispensable for studying the Jewish world of the New Testament period. Besides looking at the historical issues surrounding Judaism, Moore examines Judaism's theology, its religious observances, views toward morality and piety, and Jewish reflections on the hereafter. His thoroughgoing familiarity with the primary sources—Talmud, Mishnah, Midrash, and other writings from Judaism of the Common Era—puts Moore in a class by himself. A comprehensive index and a volume of notes make this a prize, especially since it has not been available in its full form for more than twenty-five years. (Three volumes in two hardcovers.)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George Foot Moore (1851-1931), was ordained in the Presbyterian ministry in 1878. He was professor of Hebrew at Andover Theological Seminary from 1883-1902. In 1902 he became Professor of Theology at Harvard, and from 1904-1928 was Professor of Religious History there. An eminent Asian scholar and a noted teacher, he wrote a number of books, including The Literature of the Old Testament (1913), and History of Religions (Vol. I, 1913; Vol. II, 1919).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1296 pages
• Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565632869
• ISBN-13: 978-1565632868
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 3.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,632,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #36 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Hasidism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on Judaism I have ever read, January 13, 1999

By 

Andrew Samuel ([e-mail]) (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Judaism in the First Three Centuries of the Christian Era (Hardcover)

This is a scholarly work by an author of immense erudition who never reveals his own beliefs but gives an elaborate and clear account of the religion known as Judaism as it developed during its normative period.

The index of passages cited in the work is enough alone to humble all but the most profound of scholars of the Hebrew and Aramaic and classical sources.

Anyone seriously interested in Judaism as a religion should read this book.

Many years ago the late Professor Leon Roth (a former Rector of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem) said to me that he regarded the book as the best book in the English language on Judaism and possibly the best book in any language on Judaism. Having read it I agreed with him and in the intervening years I have never encountered anything to change my view.

Highly recommended.