From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Third Edition

"The term 'classic' is too often abused and overused, but in the case of Shaye J. D. Cohen's From the Maccabees to the Mishnah the term is perfectly appropriate. How many books published in the 1980s are still useful today, let alone continue to remain required reading? It is a cause for celebration that this book is now available to a new generation of readers." -Richard Kalmin, Theodore R. Racoosin Professor of Rabbinic Literature and Culture, Jewish Theological Seminary "Cohen's 1987 volume was widely acknowledged to be a superb overview of Jewish life in the pivotal era from 200 BCE to 200 CE. This extensively updated and expanded third edition is supplemented by a masterful presentation of a crucial issue that has been debated during the past few decades, namely, Judaism and Christianity's parting of ways in antiquity. The present volume guarantees that Cohen's work will remain indispensable for many years to come." -Lee Levine, Professor Emeritus of Jewish History and Archaeology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem "From the Maccabees to the Mishnah continues to be the essential introduction to ancient Judaism. Its crystalline clarity, absolute command of-and respect for-the facts, and sustained intelligence make it an accessible and important read for everyone from interested lay-people, to undergraduates, to professional scholars. The new chapter, on the separation of Christianity from Judaism, is the most sensible treatment of this controversial topic available." -Seth Schwartz, Lucius N. Littauer Professor of Classical Jewish Civilization in the Departments of History and Classics, Columbia University

Shaye J. D. Cohen is the Nathan Littauer Professor of Hebrew Literature and Philosophy in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University. One of the foremost experts on Jewish history and culture, he is the author of several books, including The Beginnings of Jewishness: Boundaries, Varieties, Uncertainties and Why Aren't Jewish Women Circumcised? Gender and Covenant in Judaism.