Preface

Abstract

Free AccessPrefaceMaxine Grossman, Armin LangeMaxine GrossmanSearch for more papers by this author, Armin LangeSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:Apr 2020https://doi.org/10.13109/jaju.2010.1.1.1SectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail AboutPrefaceThe exile to Babylon in 597 and 587 B.C.E., and the accompanying destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the city of Jerusalem, led to a fundamental transformation of Jewish culture and religion. Under the rule of the neo-Babylonian empire, Jews both in Mesopotamia and in the land of Israel laid the groundwork for a monotheistic Judaism with Torah observance at its center. Some 1200 years later, Jews in Mesopotamia codified the Babylonian Talmud. In the intervening centuries, a variety of political crises, cultural transformations, and religious conflicts contributed to the formation of a diverse Judaism (some would go so far as to say “Judaisms”) that varied widely in its relationship to language, law, sacred texts, and religious and social identity. Between the Babylonian exile and the Babylonian Talmud the canon of the TaNaKH developed and was closed. Jewish mysticism and Jewish philosophy were born. The destruction of the Jerusalem Temple led to the rise of rabbinic Judaism. The oral law was conceived and codified. Although this lengthy time period traditionally is divided into the fields of biblical, Second Temple, and rabbinic studies, these artificial boundaries of scholarly disciplines often hide more than they reveal. The Journal of Ancient Judaism (JAJ) has the goal of addressing the history, texts, and religious formations that make up the rich cultural trace extending from the Babylonian Exile through the Babylonian Talmud.JAJ invites the submission of articles that address all aspects of Jewish literature, culture, religion, and history from the Babylonian exile through the formation of the classical rabbinic corpus. Articles may be written in English, German, or French, although the majority of the published articles will be written in English. As an inter-disciplinary journal, JAJ is especially interested in contributions that cover wide-ranging topics through detailed, closely- worked arguments. Consequently, the submission of extensive articles, up to 80 pages in length, is encouraged. Article submissions are subject to peer review by an advisory board whose members will anonymously review submissions.JAJ will appear 3 times per year; each issue of up to 144 pages will comprise an article section of up to 120 pages and a review section of 20–30 pages. One issue each year will be devoted to a particular theme, addressing questions, texts, or problems that are at the cutting edge of Jewish studies. The review section aims at comprehensiveness and will review more than 200 books each year. Each review will provide a brief summary of a quarter to a third of a printed page, highlighting the book’s most important achievements. In exceptional cases, especially important books will be discussed in extensive review articles of up to 10 pages.At the outset of this cross-disciplinary endeavor, we welcome participation from readers and colleagues across the field of Jewish studies, and we encourage the submission of articles or ideas for theme issues dedicated to a full range of questions on Jewish history, culture, religion, and literature from the Babylonian Exile through the Babylonian Talmud. We are grateful for the support of our advisory board and wish also to thank the staff of Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht and in particular editorial director Jörg Persch, for the enthusiasm and effort that has gone into starting this new journal.Maxine Grossman and Armin LangeCollege Park, Maryland, and Vienna, December 16th 2009 Previous article Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Download book coverVolume 1Issue 1May 2010 ISSN: 1869-3296eISSN: 2196-7954HistoryPublished online:April 2020 PDF download