'With such insights as that the Hebrew Bible is a document of compromise and with such descriptions as that the early rabbinic movement was slow, informal, chaotic, and marginal, this wide-ranging introduction is a significant tour de force. In just a few carefully crafted chapters, Hayes manages astutely to convey something of the rich diversity of Judaism through the ages as well as drawing attention to key ideas, identifying its basic practices, and describing its major figures. With its multiple study resources this volume should quickly find its way onto basic reading lists for courses in the field.' George J. Brooke Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis University of Manchester, England

'A clear, balanced, and nuanced mix of background narrative and textual exegesis characterize Hayes's topical approach to major events, personalities, and trends of classical Judaism (biblical and rabbinic) and its legacy through the ages. An erudite and reader-friendly introduction to the matrix of Judaism, providing an exploration on the great cultural and religious ideas of the Jewish People. An enriching and exacting read.' Zev Garber Professor Emeritus and Chair of Jewish Studies and Philosophy Los Angeles Valley College

Putting aside the history and civilization of the Jewish people, Hayes (religious studies in classical Judaica, Yale U.) is here more concerned with the emergence and development of the religious traditions, texts, practices, and ideas of Judaism through late antiquity. She surveys the biblical sources and related extra-biblical evidence, examines the transformation of the Israelite heritage prior to the first century CE, and describes the rise of classical rabbinic Judaism and its establishment as the normative tradition of Judaism. A final chapter surveys Judaism's developments up to the modern period. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)