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#410578 in Books Visotzky Burton L 2016-09-13 2016-09-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.44 x .92 x 6.44l; .0 #File Name: 1250085764256 pagesAphrodite and the Rabbis How the Jews Adapted Roman Culture to Create Judaism as We Know It
Review
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful. Alike and different in many ways-the Jews of AntiquityBy Jerome A. HoffmanThe book captures many Talmudic aggadah describing interaction between the Classic Rabbies and Hellenistic/Roman civilization in late antiquity. An added bonus are the photographs of excavated synagogues; including the Dura synagogue in Syria. The writing style is almost folksy at times. In some ways that is the books strength and its weakness. The thesis; namely that the Jewish population of Roman antiquity was assimilated in many ways including language; custom and art and; i believe in the author's view is similar to the current situation of Jews in Israel and the Diaspora.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Great Book That Needs Follow-up InterpretationsBy james loweryAlthough this book is apparent in it's biases; the author states them with clarity while sticking to the facts that literature and archaeology provides. I enjoyed reading this book although the author remained hesitant and apologetic in several of his interpretations; even though; as I have already said; he laid his biases before the readers. Overall this was a good read definitely meant for the lay individual.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. FascinatingBy Ike RosenA wonderful examination of the evolution of modern Judaism from biblical Judaism through classic Roman culture.
