A Short History of Judaism
Worth buying if: You want a compact survey of rabbinic Judaism and the Mishnah’s role.
Skip it if: You need a narrow textual commentary on a single Torah book or Talmudic tractate.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780800625528. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
Neusner traces Judaism from biblical origins through rabbinic formation, medieval developments, and modern transformations in roughly 235 pages, blending historical narrative with analysis of key texts and institutions.
Why this book now
For readers reexamining religion and identity, Neusner’s 1992 synthesis clarifies how Jewish legal, communal, and textual traditions shaped modern life.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You want a compact survey of rabbinic Judaism and the Mishnah’s role.
- You appreciate a scholar’s overview of biblical, medieval, and modern Jewish institutions.
- You need a narrow textual commentary on a single Torah book or Talmudic tractate.
- You expect a recent account of 21st-century Israeli society or contemporary Jewish politics.
- You need the newest edition, freshest examples, or the most current framing.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780800625528
Worth buying if: You want a compact survey of rabbinic Judaism and the Mishnah’s role.
Skip it if: You need a narrow textual commentary on a single Torah book or Talmudic tractate.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Balanced Moderate time
About 235 pages of dense but accessible prose—suitable for several focused afternoons or a week of evening reading with time for reflection on names and periods.
What stands out here
This Augsburg Fortress edition foregrounds Neusner’s panoramic synthesis and pedagogical clarity rather than original archival research or literary flourish.
Best way to approach it
Read straight through for a narrative grasp, then revisit chapters on rabbinic law and medieval developments when you want deeper reference.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780800625528
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.