This newly revised all-encompassing textbook is a guide to the history, beliefs and practice of Judaism. Beginning with the ancient Near Eastern background, it covers early Israelite history, the emergence of classical rabbinic literature and the rise of medieval Judaism in Islamic and Christian lands. It also includes the early modern period and the development of Jewry in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Extracts from primary sources are used throughout to enliven the narrative and provide concrete examples of the rich variety of Jewish civilization.

In all three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, marriage is part of God's plan for humanity, as illustrated in the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and the Koran as well as the religious literature of these three traditions. It is viewed as a sacred bond as well as a means to personal fulfilment. It is more than a legal contract, rather an institution with cosmic significance, legitimized through divine authority. In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, the purpose of marriage is to build a home, create a family and thereby perpetuate society. Yet, despite the similarity of perception in the great monotheistic faiths, there are important differences. In this book three scholars outline sex law, betrothal and marriage, family life and the understanding of divorce in these traditions and discuss the differences between them in a student-friendly and accessible way. -- Publisher

This textbook aims to provide, in accessible form, a full history of Jewish religion and tradition. Within a broad outline of the history and religion of the Jewish people, this volume highlights cultural and spiritual developments which have shaped Jewish self-consciousness through the centuries. Beginning with an account of the history and religion of the ancient Near East, the book focuses on the influence of ancient Near Eastern civilization on the Hebrew scriptures. This discussion is followed by an outline of ancient Israelite history, emphasizing the role of the patriarchs, the exodus from Egypt, the rise of monarchy and the emergence of prophecy. The book then examines later biblical history, the development of Judaism in Hellenistic times, and the emergence of classical Rabbinic literature and theology. The Medieval period in Islamic and Christian lands is also investigated, giving special attention to the rise of Jewish philosophy, theology and mysticism. Turning to the modern period, the rise of Hasidism is examined as is the emergence of religious reform. Finally, the study concentrates on the development of Jewry in the 19th and 20th centuries, and concludes with a discussion of the future of Judaism as a living faith. Through this overview of the Jewish heritage, the reader is asked to approach Judaism in an appreciative spirit - to examine sympathetically its beliefs, doctrines and ideals in an historic context. The book aims to provide both factual information about the development of the Jewish tradition and a survey of a range of Jewish issues through the centuries to the present day.