I have written a short piece on how the book of Ben Sira (also known as Ecclesiasticus, which today is found in the Apocrypha) was pushed to the Jewish margins and on some recent attempts to bring it back into at least the fringes of Jewish … [Continue reading] about The Wisdom of Ben Sira: How Jewish?
The Routledge Encyclopedia of Ancient Mediterranean Religion
For the last several years I have worked as a co-editor on The Routledge Encyclopedia of Ancient Mediterranean Religion, "the first comprehensive single-volume reference work offering authoritative coverage of ancient religions in the Mediterranean … [Continue reading] about The Routledge Encyclopedia of Ancient Mediterranean Religion
Interview: How the Bible Became Holy
I recently gave an interview to "New Books in Jewish Studies." The interview (about 30 minutes) can be heard here. … [Continue reading] about Interview: How the Bible Became Holy
Wealth: Religious Perspectives
I am excited to be co-teaching a new course this semester with my colleague, Professor Susan Harvey. The course description of "Wealth: Religious Perspectives," is below: This course will survey religious approaches to the acquisition and use of … [Continue reading] about Wealth: Religious Perspectives
The Ein Gedi Scroll: What We Could Potentially, Maybe Learn
A bit over a month ago the Israel Antiquities Authority announced a stunning achievement: a burnt scroll found in excavations of the ancient synagogue of Ein Gedi in 1970 has been partially deciphered using micro-CT technology. It turns out to … [Continue reading] about The Ein Gedi Scroll: What We Could Potentially, Maybe Learn