Meanings of Death in Rabbinic Judaism

David Kraemer is Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York.

'His analyses of the pertinent Rabbinic narratives as well as laws are systematic and cogent, a coherent set of questions coming to bear at each point in his presentation' - Jacob Neusner, The Jerusalem Post 18/02/00'This book contributes significantly to the growing interdisciplinary field of death studies...' - Douglas J. Davies, University of Durham, Journal of Semetic Studies'This book will be a source of enjoyment and inspiration to anyone interested in the encounter between Buddhism and Christianity and indeed in inter-religious encounter in general.' - 'Elizabeth J. Harris, Reviews in Religion and Theology'David Kraemer ... provides an interesting, yet highly critical academic insight into Jewish practices as expounded in rabbinic literature.' - Rabbi Martin van den Bergh, Mortality

• 1 The presence of death 2 Jewish death customs before the rabbis 3 Early rabbinic death-practices: The evidence of the Mishnah 4 Early expansions and commentaries: The testimony of the Tosefta and Tannaitic Midrashim 5 Jewish death-practices in reality: The catacombs at Beth Shearim 6 Jewish death-practices in early Byzantine Palestine: The Yerushalmi and Aggadic Midrashim 7 Law as commentary: The Bavli on death and burial 8 The Bavli interprets the mourner 9 Post-Talmudic developments in Jewish death-practice 10 A personal theological postscript