The Halakhah at Qumran by Lawrence H. SchiffmanReview by: Dennis PardeeJournal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 98, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep., 1978), p. 310Published by: American Oriental SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/598720 .

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Journal of the American Oriental Society 98.3 (1978) Journal of the American Oriental Society 98.3 (1978) Journal of the American Oriental Society 98.3 (1978) Journal of the American Oriental Society 98.3 (1978) Journal of the American Oriental Society 98.3 (1978)

some of his fundamental theoretical positions do not. Beidelman makes these points effortlessly and elegantly. This book is no hagiography, it is pertinent reading.

NORMAN YOFFEE THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

The Synagogue: Studies in Origins, Archaeology and Architecture. Selected with a Prolegomenon by JOSEPH GUTMANN. Pp. xxi + 359, Many plates in text. New York: KTAV PUBLISHING HOUSE. 1975.

Joseph Guttmann, who has previously given us an

anthology of articles on the Dura-Europos synagogue, has here undertaken a more venturesome task in dealing with some of the basic questions of synagogue origins. The book is divided into three parts, matching the title. In Part I: 'Origins' various views, often conflicting, are

presented in the articles by L. Finkelstein, S. Zeitlin, M. Hengel, and S. B. Hoenig. The editor's article on the current state of research provides good orientation. The articles in Part II 'Archaeology' are a bit more diversified and deal not only with recently excavated

synagogues (G. Foerster, M. Avi-Yonah, A. Seager), with problems of art and symbolism (J. M. Baumgarten, M. Smith, J. Gutmann) but also with inscriptions (M. Hengel), the seat of Moses (I. Renov) and orientation

(F. Landsberger). It may be noted that recent archaeo-

logical work has not simplified the task of the scholar and some of the discoveries have made the picture more complex. The last section, 'Architecture', veers from interest in the ancient toward the medieval and the modern with articles on various aspects of synagogue architecture in Germany and the Unites States (Wisch- nitzer, H. Rosenau, A. Werner). The reviewer would add a simple remark about the problem of 'origins' -synagogue or not, it is difficult for him to believe that Jews in the diaspora, from the earliest period, did not have an assembly place for prayer.

J. C. GREENFIELD HEBREW UNIVERSITY, JERUSALEM

Jews of Elephantine and Arameans of Syene: Aramaic Texts with Translation. Edited and Newly Translated

by BEZALEL PORTEN in collaboration with JONAS C. GREENFIELD. Pp. vii + 165. [The Hebrew

University, Department of the History of the Jewish People: Texts and Studies for Students] Jerusalem: ACADEMON. 1974. 16.25 I.L.(= Israeli pounds).

some of his fundamental theoretical positions do not. Beidelman makes these points effortlessly and elegantly. This book is no hagiography, it is pertinent reading.

NORMAN YOFFEE THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

The Synagogue: Studies in Origins, Archaeology and Architecture. Selected with a Prolegomenon by JOSEPH GUTMANN. Pp. xxi + 359, Many plates in text. New York: KTAV PUBLISHING HOUSE. 1975.

Joseph Guttmann, who has previously given us an

anthology of articles on the Dura-Europos synagogue, has here undertaken a more venturesome task in dealing with some of the basic questions of synagogue origins. The book is divided into three parts, matching the title. In Part I: 'Origins' various views, often conflicting, are

presented in the articles by L. Finkelstein, S. Zeitlin, M. Hengel, and S. B. Hoenig. The editor's article on the current state of research provides good orientation. The articles in Part II 'Archaeology' are a bit more diversified and deal not only with recently excavated

synagogues (G. Foerster, M. Avi-Yonah, A. Seager), with problems of art and symbolism (J. M. Baumgarten, M. Smith, J. Gutmann) but also with inscriptions (M. Hengel), the seat of Moses (I. Renov) and orientation

(F. Landsberger). It may be noted that recent archaeo-

logical work has not simplified the task of the scholar and some of the discoveries have made the picture more complex. The last section, 'Architecture', veers from interest in the ancient toward the medieval and the modern with articles on various aspects of synagogue architecture in Germany and the Unites States (Wisch- nitzer, H. Rosenau, A. Werner). The reviewer would add a simple remark about the problem of 'origins' -synagogue or not, it is difficult for him to believe that Jews in the diaspora, from the earliest period, did not have an assembly place for prayer.

J. C. GREENFIELD HEBREW UNIVERSITY, JERUSALEM

Jews of Elephantine and Arameans of Syene: Aramaic Texts with Translation. Edited and Newly Translated

by BEZALEL PORTEN in collaboration with JONAS C. GREENFIELD. Pp. vii + 165. [The Hebrew

University, Department of the History of the Jewish People: Texts and Studies for Students] Jerusalem: ACADEMON. 1974. 16.25 I.L.(= Israeli pounds).

some of his fundamental theoretical positions do not. Beidelman makes these points effortlessly and elegantly. This book is no hagiography, it is pertinent reading.

NORMAN YOFFEE THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

The Synagogue: Studies in Origins, Archaeology and Architecture. Selected with a Prolegomenon by JOSEPH GUTMANN. Pp. xxi + 359, Many plates in text. New York: KTAV PUBLISHING HOUSE. 1975.

Joseph Guttmann, who has previously given us an

anthology of articles on the Dura-Europos synagogue, has here undertaken a more venturesome task in dealing with some of the basic questions of synagogue origins. The book is divided into three parts, matching the title. In Part I: 'Origins' various views, often conflicting, are

presented in the articles by L. Finkelstein, S. Zeitlin, M. Hengel, and S. B. Hoenig. The editor's article on the current state of research provides good orientation. The articles in Part II 'Archaeology' are a bit more diversified and deal not only with recently excavated

synagogues (G. Foerster, M. Avi-Yonah, A. Seager), with problems of art and symbolism (J. M. Baumgarten, M. Smith, J. Gutmann) but also with inscriptions (M. Hengel), the seat of Moses (I. Renov) and orientation

(F. Landsberger). It may be noted that recent archaeo-

logical work has not simplified the task of the scholar and some of the discoveries have made the picture more complex. The last section, 'Architecture', veers from interest in the ancient toward the medieval and the modern with articles on various aspects of synagogue architecture in Germany and the Unites States (Wisch- nitzer, H. Rosenau, A. Werner). The reviewer would add a simple remark about the problem of 'origins' -synagogue or not, it is difficult for him to believe that Jews in the diaspora, from the earliest period, did not have an assembly place for prayer.

J. C. GREENFIELD HEBREW UNIVERSITY, JERUSALEM

Jews of Elephantine and Arameans of Syene: Aramaic Texts with Translation. Edited and Newly Translated

by BEZALEL PORTEN in collaboration with JONAS C. GREENFIELD. Pp. vii + 165. [The Hebrew

University, Department of the History of the Jewish People: Texts and Studies for Students] Jerusalem: ACADEMON. 1974. 16.25 I.L.(= Israeli pounds).

some of his fundamental theoretical positions do not. Beidelman makes these points effortlessly and elegantly. This book is no hagiography, it is pertinent reading.

NORMAN YOFFEE THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

The Synagogue: Studies in Origins, Archaeology and Architecture. Selected with a Prolegomenon by JOSEPH GUTMANN. Pp. xxi + 359, Many plates in text. New York: KTAV PUBLISHING HOUSE. 1975.

Joseph Guttmann, who has previously given us an

anthology of articles on the Dura-Europos synagogue, has here undertaken a more venturesome task in dealing with some of the basic questions of synagogue origins. The book is divided into three parts, matching the title. In Part I: 'Origins' various views, often conflicting, are

presented in the articles by L. Finkelstein, S. Zeitlin, M. Hengel, and S. B. Hoenig. The editor's article on the current state of research provides good orientation. The articles in Part II 'Archaeology' are a bit more diversified and deal not only with recently excavated

synagogues (G. Foerster, M. Avi-Yonah, A. Seager), with problems of art and symbolism (J. M. Baumgarten, M. Smith, J. Gutmann) but also with inscriptions (M. Hengel), the seat of Moses (I. Renov) and orientation

(F. Landsberger). It may be noted that recent archaeo-

logical work has not simplified the task of the scholar and some of the discoveries have made the picture more complex. The last section, 'Architecture', veers from interest in the ancient toward the medieval and the modern with articles on various aspects of synagogue architecture in Germany and the Unites States (Wisch- nitzer, H. Rosenau, A. Werner). The reviewer would add a simple remark about the problem of 'origins' -synagogue or not, it is difficult for him to believe that Jews in the diaspora, from the earliest period, did not have an assembly place for prayer.

J. C. GREENFIELD HEBREW UNIVERSITY, JERUSALEM

Jews of Elephantine and Arameans of Syene: Aramaic Texts with Translation. Edited and Newly Translated

by BEZALEL PORTEN in collaboration with JONAS C. GREENFIELD. Pp. vii + 165. [The Hebrew

University, Department of the History of the Jewish People: Texts and Studies for Students] Jerusalem: ACADEMON. 1974. 16.25 I.L.(= Israeli pounds).

some of his fundamental theoretical positions do not. Beidelman makes these points effortlessly and elegantly. This book is no hagiography, it is pertinent reading.

NORMAN YOFFEE THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

The Synagogue: Studies in Origins, Archaeology and Architecture. Selected with a Prolegomenon by JOSEPH GUTMANN. Pp. xxi + 359, Many plates in text. New York: KTAV PUBLISHING HOUSE. 1975.

Joseph Guttmann, who has previously given us an

anthology of articles on the Dura-Europos synagogue, has here undertaken a more venturesome task in dealing with some of the basic questions of synagogue origins. The book is divided into three parts, matching the title. In Part I: 'Origins' various views, often conflicting, are

presented in the articles by L. Finkelstein, S. Zeitlin, M. Hengel, and S. B. Hoenig. The editor's article on the current state of research provides good orientation. The articles in Part II 'Archaeology' are a bit more diversified and deal not only with recently excavated

synagogues (G. Foerster, M. Avi-Yonah, A. Seager), with problems of art and symbolism (J. M. Baumgarten, M. Smith, J. Gutmann) but also with inscriptions (M. Hengel), the seat of Moses (I. Renov) and orientation

(F. Landsberger). It may be noted that recent archaeo-

logical work has not simplified the task of the scholar and some of the discoveries have made the picture more complex. The last section, 'Architecture', veers from interest in the ancient toward the medieval and the modern with articles on various aspects of synagogue architecture in Germany and the Unites States (Wisch- nitzer, H. Rosenau, A. Werner). The reviewer would add a simple remark about the problem of 'origins' -synagogue or not, it is difficult for him to believe that Jews in the diaspora, from the earliest period, did not have an assembly place for prayer.

J. C. GREENFIELD HEBREW UNIVERSITY, JERUSALEM

Jews of Elephantine and Arameans of Syene: Aramaic Texts with Translation. Edited and Newly Translated

by BEZALEL PORTEN in collaboration with JONAS C. GREENFIELD. Pp. vii + 165. [The Hebrew

University, Department of the History of the Jewish People: Texts and Studies for Students] Jerusalem: ACADEMON. 1974. 16.25 I.L.(= Israeli pounds).

Porten has restudied a number of Aramaic papyri previously published by Cowley (Aramaic Papyri of the

Porten has restudied a number of Aramaic papyri previously published by Cowley (Aramaic Papyri of the

Porten has restudied a number of Aramaic papyri previously published by Cowley (Aramaic Papyri of the

Porten has restudied a number of Aramaic papyri previously published by Cowley (Aramaic Papyri of the

Porten has restudied a number of Aramaic papyri previously published by Cowley (Aramaic Papyri of the

Fifth Century B.C.. ##1, 5-15, 18-23, 25, 27-28, 30-34, 36-38, 44, 47, 56), Kraeling (The Brooklyn Museum Aramaic Papyri, ##1-12, 14), and Bresciani-Kamil (Hermopolis West Papyri, #:1-7). The work includes a transliteration of the Aramaic text and new translations into English and Hebrew-the latter being of very limited value to all but the Israeli students for whom the collection is primarily intended. In the forward, Porten writes: "The present collection is a preliminary publica- tion of a complete Corpus of Aramaic Texts of the Persian Period which will include introduction, translation, and detailed commentary for each text." In the meantime, the present work is an inexpensive collection of selected Aramaic texts especially useful for students and non- specialists.

J. DAVID WHITEHEAD UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, ONTARIO

The Halakhah at Qumran. By LAWRENCE H. SCHIFFMAN.

Pp. xii + 170. [Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity 16]. Leiden: E. J. BRILL. 1975. Dfl. 64.

A full title for this work would be: The Halakhah at Qumran: Goals, Sources, Terminology, and a Case Study in the Sabbath Halakhot. It represents a dissertation done at Brandeis University under Professors A. A. Altman, N. M. Sarna, and B. A. Levine (the last of New York University). Schiffman's respect for a wide variety of sources of comparison reflects his training under these men. The case study in the Sabbath halakhot fills only about 60 pages of the book (including the conclusion), but it is a model of proper method in comparing halakhic (and occasionally non-halakhic) sources. Some might quarrel with the author's choice of a case study, since the main collection of halakhot on the Sabbath is con- tained in the Damascus Covenant-best known in its Cairo Geniza form. The manuscripts of this document which have shown up at Qumran fully justify, however, the choice of subject and the title of the book.

On the much disputed question of identifying the qumran sect, Schiffman feels that the Sabbath halakhot cast no new light. Rather he prefers L. Ginzberg's description: "An unknown Jewish sect."

DENNIS PARDEE

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

The Drunkenness of Noah. By H. HIRSCH COHEN. Pp. xiii + 177. (Judaic Studies IV). University, Alabama: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS. 1974. $7.95.

Fifth Century B.C.. ##1, 5-15, 18-23, 25, 27-28, 30-34, 36-38, 44, 47, 56), Kraeling (The Brooklyn Museum Aramaic Papyri, ##1-12, 14), and Bresciani-Kamil (Hermopolis West Papyri, #:1-7). The work includes a transliteration of the Aramaic text and new translations into English and Hebrew-the latter being of very limited value to all but the Israeli students for whom the collection is primarily intended. In the forward, Porten writes: "The present collection is a preliminary publica- tion of a complete Corpus of Aramaic Texts of the Persian Period which will include introduction, translation, and detailed commentary for each text." In the meantime, the present work is an inexpensive collection of selected Aramaic texts especially useful for students and non- specialists.

J. DAVID WHITEHEAD UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, ONTARIO

The Halakhah at Qumran. By LAWRENCE H. SCHIFFMAN.

Pp. xii + 170. [Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity 16]. Leiden: E. J. BRILL. 1975. Dfl. 64.

A full title for this work would be: The Halakhah at Qumran: Goals, Sources, Terminology, and a Case Study in the Sabbath Halakhot. It represents a dissertation done at Brandeis University under Professors A. A. Altman, N. M. Sarna, and B. A. Levine (the last of New York University). Schiffman's respect for a wide variety of sources of comparison reflects his training under these men. The case study in the Sabbath halakhot fills only about 60 pages of the book (including the conclusion), but it is a model of proper method in comparing halakhic (and occasionally non-halakhic) sources. Some might quarrel with the author's choice of a case study, since the main collection of halakhot on the Sabbath is con- tained in the Damascus Covenant-best known in its Cairo Geniza form. The manuscripts of this document which have shown up at Qumran fully justify, however, the choice of subject and the title of the book.

On the much disputed question of identifying the qumran sect, Schiffman feels that the Sabbath halakhot cast no new light. Rather he prefers L. Ginzberg's description: "An unknown Jewish sect."

DENNIS PARDEE

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

The Drunkenness of Noah. By H. HIRSCH COHEN. Pp. xiii + 177. (Judaic Studies IV). University, Alabama: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS. 1974. $7.95.

Fifth Century B.C.. ##1, 5-15, 18-23, 25, 27-28, 30-34, 36-38, 44, 47, 56), Kraeling (The Brooklyn Museum Aramaic Papyri, ##1-12, 14), and Bresciani-Kamil (Hermopolis West Papyri, #:1-7). The work includes a transliteration of the Aramaic text and new translations into English and Hebrew-the latter being of very limited value to all but the Israeli students for whom the collection is primarily intended. In the forward, Porten writes: "The present collection is a preliminary publica- tion of a complete Corpus of Aramaic Texts of the Persian Period which will include introduction, translation, and detailed commentary for each text." In the meantime, the present work is an inexpensive collection of selected Aramaic texts especially useful for students and non- specialists.

J. DAVID WHITEHEAD UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, ONTARIO

The Halakhah at Qumran. By LAWRENCE H. SCHIFFMAN.

Pp. xii + 170. [Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity 16]. Leiden: E. J. BRILL. 1975. Dfl. 64.

A full title for this work would be: The Halakhah at Qumran: Goals, Sources, Terminology, and a Case Study in the Sabbath Halakhot. It represents a dissertation done at Brandeis University under Professors A. A. Altman, N. M. Sarna, and B. A. Levine (the last of New York University). Schiffman's respect for a wide variety of sources of comparison reflects his training under these men. The case study in the Sabbath halakhot fills only about 60 pages of the book (including the conclusion), but it is a model of proper method in comparing halakhic (and occasionally non-halakhic) sources. Some might quarrel with the author's choice of a case study, since the main collection of halakhot on the Sabbath is con- tained in the Damascus Covenant-best known in its Cairo Geniza form. The manuscripts of this document which have shown up at Qumran fully justify, however, the choice of subject and the title of the book.

On the much disputed question of identifying the qumran sect, Schiffman feels that the Sabbath halakhot cast no new light. Rather he prefers L. Ginzberg's description: "An unknown Jewish sect."

DENNIS PARDEE

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

The Drunkenness of Noah. By H. HIRSCH COHEN. Pp. xiii + 177. (Judaic Studies IV). University, Alabama: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS. 1974. $7.95.

Fifth Century B.C.. ##1, 5-15, 18-23, 25, 27-28, 30-34, 36-38, 44, 47, 56), Kraeling (The Brooklyn Museum Aramaic Papyri, ##1-12, 14), and Bresciani-Kamil (Hermopolis West Papyri, #:1-7). The work includes a transliteration of the Aramaic text and new translations into English and Hebrew-the latter being of very limited value to all but the Israeli students for whom the collection is primarily intended. In the forward, Porten writes: "The present collection is a preliminary publica- tion of a complete Corpus of Aramaic Texts of the Persian Period which will include introduction, translation, and detailed commentary for each text." In the meantime, the present work is an inexpensive collection of selected Aramaic texts especially useful for students and non- specialists.

J. DAVID WHITEHEAD UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, ONTARIO

The Halakhah at Qumran. By LAWRENCE H. SCHIFFMAN.

Pp. xii + 170. [Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity 16]. Leiden: E. J. BRILL. 1975. Dfl. 64.

A full title for this work would be: The Halakhah at Qumran: Goals, Sources, Terminology, and a Case Study in the Sabbath Halakhot. It represents a dissertation done at Brandeis University under Professors A. A. Altman, N. M. Sarna, and B. A. Levine (the last of New York University). Schiffman's respect for a wide variety of sources of comparison reflects his training under these men. The case study in the Sabbath halakhot fills only about 60 pages of the book (including the conclusion), but it is a model of proper method in comparing halakhic (and occasionally non-halakhic) sources. Some might quarrel with the author's choice of a case study, since the main collection of halakhot on the Sabbath is con- tained in the Damascus Covenant-best known in its Cairo Geniza form. The manuscripts of this document which have shown up at Qumran fully justify, however, the choice of subject and the title of the book.

On the much disputed question of identifying the qumran sect, Schiffman feels that the Sabbath halakhot cast no new light. Rather he prefers L. Ginzberg's description: "An unknown Jewish sect."

DENNIS PARDEE

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

The Drunkenness of Noah. By H. HIRSCH COHEN. Pp. xiii + 177. (Judaic Studies IV). University, Alabama: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS. 1974. $7.95.

Fifth Century B.C.. ##1, 5-15, 18-23, 25, 27-28, 30-34, 36-38, 44, 47, 56), Kraeling (The Brooklyn Museum Aramaic Papyri, ##1-12, 14), and Bresciani-Kamil (Hermopolis West Papyri, #:1-7). The work includes a transliteration of the Aramaic text and new translations into English and Hebrew-the latter being of very limited value to all but the Israeli students for whom the collection is primarily intended. In the forward, Porten writes: "The present collection is a preliminary publica- tion of a complete Corpus of Aramaic Texts of the Persian Period which will include introduction, translation, and detailed commentary for each text." In the meantime, the present work is an inexpensive collection of selected Aramaic texts especially useful for students and non- specialists.

J. DAVID WHITEHEAD UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, ONTARIO

The Halakhah at Qumran. By LAWRENCE H. SCHIFFMAN.

Pp. xii + 170. [Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity 16]. Leiden: E. J. BRILL. 1975. Dfl. 64.

A full title for this work would be: The Halakhah at Qumran: Goals, Sources, Terminology, and a Case Study in the Sabbath Halakhot. It represents a dissertation done at Brandeis University under Professors A. A. Altman, N. M. Sarna, and B. A. Levine (the last of New York University). Schiffman's respect for a wide variety of sources of comparison reflects his training under these men. The case study in the Sabbath halakhot fills only about 60 pages of the book (including the conclusion), but it is a model of proper method in comparing halakhic (and occasionally non-halakhic) sources. Some might quarrel with the author's choice of a case study, since the main collection of halakhot on the Sabbath is con- tained in the Damascus Covenant-best known in its Cairo Geniza form. The manuscripts of this document which have shown up at Qumran fully justify, however, the choice of subject and the title of the book.

On the much disputed question of identifying the qumran sect, Schiffman feels that the Sabbath halakhot cast no new light. Rather he prefers L. Ginzberg's description: "An unknown Jewish sect."

DENNIS PARDEE

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

The Drunkenness of Noah. By H. HIRSCH COHEN. Pp. xiii + 177. (Judaic Studies IV). University, Alabama: UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS. 1974. $7.95.

Two principal theories are propounded here: 1) Noah's drunkenness was not reprehensible, but a commendable

Two principal theories are propounded here: 1) Noah's drunkenness was not reprehensible, but a commendable

Two principal theories are propounded here: 1) Noah's drunkenness was not reprehensible, but a commendable

Two principal theories are propounded here: 1) Noah's drunkenness was not reprehensible, but a commendable

Two principal theories are propounded here: 1) Noah's drunkenness was not reprehensible, but a commendable

310 310 310 310 310

This content downloaded from 194.29.185.251 on Thu, 12 Jun 2014 20:03:50 PMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions