In the Seat of Moses offers readers a unique, frank, and penetrating analysis of the rise of rabbinic Judaism in the late Roman period. Over time and through masterly rhetorical strategy, rabbinic writings in post-temple Judaism come to occupy an authoritarian place within a pluralistic tradition. Slowly, the rabbis occupy the seat of Moses, and Lightstone introduces readers to this process, to the most significant texts, to the rhetorical styles and appeals to authority, and even to how authority came to be authority. As a seasoned and honest scholar, Lightstone achieves his goal of introducing novice readers to the often obscure world of rabbinic literary conventions with astounding success. This book is an excellent contribution to the Westar Studies series focused on religious literacy.

Jack N. Lightstone is professor emeritus of history at Brock University (St. Catharines, Niagara Region), where he also served as president and vice chancellor, and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religion at Concordia University (Montreal). He has had a forty-six-year-long career that combined teaching and research in the history and the social-scientific study of religion in society with senior university administration. His most recent publication with Cascade Books is In the Seat of Moses (2020).