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Food and Identity in Early Rabbinic Judaism

Food and Identity in Early Rabbinic Judaism

by JordanD.Rosenblum (Author)

  • New

    Hardcover 2010

    $103.16
Synopsis

Food often defines societies and even civilizations. Through particular commensality restrictions, groups form distinct identities: those with whom 'we' eat ('us') and those with whom 'we' cannot eat ('them'). This identity is enacted daily, turning the biological need to eat into a culturally significant activity. In this book, Jordan D. Rosenblum explores how food regulations and practices helped to construct the identity of early rabbinic Judaism. Bringing together the scholarship of rabbinics with that of food studies, this volume first examines the historical reality of food production and consumption in Roman-era Palestine. It then explores how early rabbinic food regulations created a distinct Jewish, male, and rabbinic identity. Rosenblum's work demonstrates how rabbinic food practices constructed an edible identity.

$103.16

Quantity

20+ in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 238
 Edition: 1
 Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 17 May 2010
ISBN 10: 0521195985
ISBN 13: 9780521195980
Book Overview: Jordan D. Rosenblum explores how food regulations and practices helped to construct the identity of early rabbinic Judaism.

Media Reviews
'Food and Identity in Early Rabbinic Judaism, the first comprehensive treatment of this subject, makes a significant contribution to the fields of Jewish studies, food studies, and the study of identity formation. Rosenblum's deft treatment of both realia and rhetoric is exemplary. This work, sophisticated enough to please experts, is written in a clear and engaging manner accessible to a general audience. I look forward to using this outstanding book both in my undergraduate classroom and in my own research.' David M. Freidenreich, Colby College
'In this original and important study, Jordan Rosenblum carefully analyzes texts from the earliest stratum of rabbinic literature to understand how they treat eating practices and food. He meticulously and convincingly argues that the early rabbinic movement constructs identity by regulating what, with whom, and how one eats. Rosenblum judiciously draws on ideas from anthropology to tease out fresh insights from the ancient texts. Written in lucid and engaging prose, this outstanding book is essential reading for those interested in Jewish studies and the ancient world.' Gregg E. Gardner, Harvard University
'A veritable feast for scholars and students drawn to food studies, as well as readers interested in better understanding the cultural significance of the rabbinic table.' Religion
Rosenblum presents a rich, usable survey of all that relates to foodways for tannaitic Judaism. Rosenblum offers an excellent synthesis that helps correct explorations of rabbinic identity that neglected either a sufficiently theoretical view of foodways or, alternately, recognition of the textual nature of evidence for food practices. By making important connections between disparate fields and studies, this book makes a strong contribution to the study of Jewish identity. --H-Judaic (May 2011)
...there is much to learn from Rosenblum's analyses, and students of early rabbinic Judaism and of foodways in general will be richer for considering his contribution. --Journal of Religion
Author Bio
Jordan D. Rosenblum is Belzer Assistant Professor of Classical Judaism at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has contributed to the Journal for the Study of Judaism, the Jewish Quarterly Review, and the Journal of Jewish Studies.