This concise yet comprehensive volume provides a lucid introduction to the genesis and development of Rabbinic Judaism.

Preface 1. The Pentateuchal Stage 2. From Scripture to the Mishnah 3. The Mishnah on its own: The Initial Statement 4. The Mishnah in Pentateuchal Context: Continuity and Change 5. The Talmuds: The Conclusive Statement 6. The Talmuds in Pentateuchal Context: Israel in History Acknowledgements and Bibliography Index

Jacob Neusner is Distinguished Research Professor of Religious Studies at the University of South Florida and Professor of Religion at Bard College, New York. He is the author of numerous publications, the most recent being The Intellectual Foundations of Christian and Jewish Discourse.