Saturday, January 25, 2020

Review of van der Toorn, Becoming Diaspora Jews

THE BIBLICAL REVIEW BLOG: Review: “Becoming Diaspora Jews: Behind the Story of Elephantine” by Karel van der Toorn (William Brown).
Karel van der Toorn. 2019. Becoming Diaspora Jews: Behind the Story of Elephantine. Yale: Yale University Press.
Excerpt:
In conclusion, van der Toorn’s Becoming Diaspora Jews: Behind the Story of Elephantine is an excellent and needed historical re-construction of the Jewish Elephantine community. More importantly, he draws into the conversation Papyrus Amherst 63, providing innovative and important insights to the Jews at Elephantine prior to their being in Egypt. Frankly, Becoming Diaspora Jews is a must-read for students and scholars of Jewish studies (broadly construed) and Egyptian history.
Cross-file under New Book and Aramaic Watch.

I have noted Professor van der Toorn's recent edition of Papyrus Amherst 63 here and links. For many other PaleoJudaica posts on Elephantine Island in Egypt and on the Elephantine Aramaic papyri, start here and follow the links.

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