Customer Reviews

Sketches of Jewish Social Life: Updated Edition

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If an American was writing a book meant to be read by today's Americans, he would routinely use phrases such as "they went through a drive in" or "9 to 5" without giving it a second thought. He'd be confident that every reader would know what was meant by those words and wouldn't fill his pages with lengthy explanations of every day items. The early writers of the New Testament also assumed that the readers of their writings would know what words Christ prayed over the cup at the Last Supper, why a bunch of virgins were waiting for hours outside the bridal door and what Paul would be doing sitting around on his roof when he has the vision. However, many of us in the modern world have wondered about these "curosities". Edersheim clears them up with his extensive research and thorough examination of the Jewish life in the time of Christ. This is the world the New Testament was originally written for and Edersheim fills in the gaps the early writers left in the "common knowledge" of the day. The book, while rich in theology, is easy and entertaining to read. It sheds light on the Bible and brings to life the scriptures. It will enlighten and enrich every Christian from the oldest scholar to the newest convert.

If you're looking for a good introduction to the period of time surrounding Jesus Christ, this book will do nicely. It gives enough detail so as not to leave the reader hanging, but does not overwhelm the reader with complex issues, which is why it is referred to as sketches in the title. However, if you're looking for an in depth study of this period, there are other resources that would provide much more detail although not necessarily in one text. This author does a nice job of pulling together various mainstream resources for his work like the Mishnah and the Talmud, although the Talumud was compliled much later. The most important teaching I could see was the exposition on the various sects and political forces that exerted influence during this quasi-theocratic state regardless of their tributary status under the Romans. Considering the time of writing, late 19th century, I doubt you can find anything better geared toward a Christian audience. For most Christians, this book will help fill a void that exists and continues to hinder a proper understanding of the contextual issues surrounding New Testament studies.

SKETCHES OF JEWISH SOCIAL LIFE and other classic works by Alfred Edersheim have gone out of copyright and are available for free online if you can't afford to buy here.

Edersheim's book on Jewish social life was just what I needed for many of the questions that arose while I was writing "Maccabee." Whenever I needed to give a description of clothing, housing, sleeping arrangements, food, or anything else related to daily lifestyle, this book and William L. Coleman's "Today's Handbook of Bible Times & Customs" were my two best sources of information. This book is a vital addition to any Bible student's personal library.

Chapter 2, Jews and Gentiles in the Land, was very helpful for my Ph.D. dissertation against modern tithing. I quoted this book more than any other because of its conciseness (pages 15-17, 118 [education], 169 [crafts], 172, 173 [trades/guilds].

Anything written by Alfred Edersheim is worth reading. He may be wordy at times but keep reading & you will glean what will be helpful in better understanding the customs of the Jews & their times. This will aid in appreciating the study of God's Word.

I would have definitely given this book more starts if it were available. The language is easy, the information is excellent.

If you need to know how the land of Israel was divided, governed and how people would travel, interact, their perception on neighboring cities, then this is the book you need to read.

Edersheim pulls references from different resources: the Bible (OT and NT), the Mishnah, the Talmud, Josephus, and other biblical scholars like Meier, Lightfoot, ..

The information gives you in depth look at the minds of the people Jesus dealt with; Gentiles and Jews alike.

I will give you a brief example of how this book helped me. More than few biblical scholars say that Jesus met Matthew at the seashore while he was collecting customs. Edersheim sheds light on Capernaum, the city where Matthew lived, and explains the word "road" in that event as a major highway at that time where the tax collectors used to sit to inspect the goods and collect customs. He also goes in the details of the story to show that Matthew definitely was not at the seashore when Jesus met him.

I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to further his/her knowledge and understanding of the New Testament.

The book assumes knowledge of the New Testament major events. If you are not familiar with the New Testament, then this book will not be of help to you.

If you want to know what it was like during the times of Jesus, you must research this book. It is easy reading and enlighting.

I teach "Manners and Customs of the Bible" at a branch of International Bible University and use this book as my text. It is very readable, and gives great insight into Jewish life in Israel during the times recorded in the Bible.
Dale Peterson, M.D., Author of Building Health by Design, Adding Life to Your Years and Years to Your Life. Building Health by Design (Paperback) Building Health by Design: Adding Life to your Years and Years to your Life (Kindle)

Yet another beautifully bound surprise. And at yet another incredible price. And yet another gorgeous and well-used reference in my library. Thank you so much!