| FB-52726-06 | Research Programs: Fellowships for College Teachers and Independent Scholars | Seth R. Schwartz | Toward a History of Ancient Jewish Social Relations | 7/1/2006 - 6/30/2007 | $40,000.00 | Seth | R. | Schwartz | | | | Columbia University | New York | NY | 10027-4649 | USA | 2005 | Ancient History | Fellowships for College Teachers and Independent Scholars | Research Programs | 40000 | 0 | 40000 | 0 |
I begin with the observation that the canonical texts of the Jews reject the norms of Mediterranean culture--pervasive institutions of social reciprocity, a profound concern with honor, etc.--a disposition shared with Athenian democracy, philosophical sects, and some "mystery religions". The texts prescribe instead a society based on dependence on God and corporate solidarity. But such a vision was necessarily at odds with a life shaped by harsh economic conditions. I propose to examine three texts--Ben Sira, Josephus, Palestinian Talmud--to see what their accommodations can tell us about ancient Jewish social life. |