Lawrence Schiffman: The World of Early Judaism [Origins of Judaism 2/6]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Professor Lawrence Schiffman about Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism. Lawrence Schiffman is a professor at New York University, where he lectures on topics such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, Midrashei Halacha, and Second Temple Judasim. He joins us today to discuss the evolution from early Judaism to modern observance, as well as the outcomes of superimposing ancient Judaism onto our present day understandings. - Who is a “common Jew”? - Is Jewish disunity as modern as we think it is? - Why would one cling to modern Judaism despite its evolution over history? Tune in to hear a conversation on the development of Judaism and how faith must be the answer when history fails us. Interview begins at 23:48Lawrence Schiffman is a professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University and Director of the Global Institute for Advanced Research in Jewish Studies. Dr. Schiffman is a specialist in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Judaism in Late Antiquity, the history of halacha, and Talmud. He has served as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Professor of Judaic Studies at Yeshiva University. Dr. Schiffman was featured in the PBS Nova series documentary, Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and several other documentaries. Dr. Schiffman’s book, From Text to Tradition, is a journey through the history of the emergence of rabbinic Judaism in the Second Temple era. Dr. Schiffman joins us to talk about the world of Early Judaism. References:“The Rambam’s Introduction to the Mishna” by Maimonides Zakhor: Jewish History And Jewish Memory by Yosef Hayim YerushalmiThe Formation of the Talmud: Scholarship and Politics in Yitzhak Isaac Halevy's Dorot HaRishonim by Dr. Ari BergmannDorot HaRishonim by Rav Yitzhak Isaac Halevy“Wissenschaft Des Judentums, Historical Consciousness, and Jewish Faith: The Diverse Paths of Frankel, Auerbach, and Halevy” by David Ellenson From Text to Tradition, a History of Judaism in Second Temple and Rabbinic Times: A History of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism by Lawrence SchiffmanJosephus: The Complete Works by Flavius JosephusComparing Judaism and Christianity: Common Judaism, Paul, and the Inner and the Outer in Ancient Religion by E.P. SandersBook of JeremiahTractate YadayimPirkei Avot 1:1Book of EzraBook of NechemiaDivrei HaYamim II 35:13The Four Stages of Rabbinic Judaism by Jacob NeusnerMatthew 12, The New TestamentMiktzat Ma'ase Ha-TorahDer Babylonische Talmud by Lazarus Goldschmidt Sefer HaIkkarim by Rav Yosef AlboTexts and Traditions: A Source Reader for the Study of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism by Lawrence SchiffmanSefer HaChinuch by Anonymous