Biale Book Study Questions
One of the best books out there for studying the history and cultural development of the Jewish People is Cultures of the Jews, a New History, edited by David Biale. This is an official textbook for Maggid Students in the Maggidic Field School. Many students find that they integrate the material in the book better if they have study/ essay questions to work with for each chapter and for sections of the book as they go along. Here then are some basic questions and prod-ings to assist folks in their studies with this most excellent book.
Resources will be added for each chapter and section of the book as the weeks unfold.
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Chapter One:
“To reclaim birth in the context of slavery is a revolutionary act.”
Drawing from this quote, discuss the processes underlying the birth and maturation through adolescence of the Israelite Nation.
Chapter Two:
What notable similarities and origins of religious-ethnic-cultural practice did the ancient Israelites share with the larger Near Eastern Region, in particular, the Canaanites. And where were the lines of distinction drawn? How did the relationship of Ancient Israelites to their Near Eastern neighbors shift over time, and where does this leave us today?
Chapter Three:
What mechanisms did Jews in the Diaspora during the Greek period employ to up-shore their sense of Legitimacy as Jews living outside the Land Of Israel, and what parallels do we see in Diaspora Jewry today?
Chapter Four:
Describe the emergence of Rabbinic Judaism at the turn of the Common Era, and the conditions of Hellinization which set-up and aided this process.
Chapter Five:
1) How did the growing conflict between Christianity and Judaism affect the status and characteristics of Jewish communities in Palestine and in the Diaspora? Be Specific.
2) What characterized the development of Synagogues in this period? Characteristics, Historical Circumstances, relationships to other elements of the Jewish community, etc…
3) Describe the development of Maggidus in this period (4-6 century c.e.). (Maggidus in this context= preaching and teaching… and mystic endeavors)
4) Comment on the appearance and influence of messianic and apocalyptic fervor periodically in this time.
5) Tie all of these together.
