One of the premier scholars of the Dead Sea Scrolls is Dr. Lawrence H. Schiffman of New York University. In fact, he remains the premier American scholar on the Dead Sea Scrolls to my knowledge. He taught as Yeshiva University and also served as provost there. One of the first books I read by Dr. Schiffman, was his work on Jewish Identity titled, Who Was a Jew?: Rabbinic and Halakhic Perspectives on the Jewish Christian Schism. I used it extensively during my thesis at the Siegal College of Judaic Studies.
Its a relatively short work, but provides an excellent introduction to those interested in the halakhic issues that ultimately separated emerging rabbinic Judaism from early Christianity. While most studies focus in on the theological issues that separate the two faiths, Dr. Schiffman provides the Jewish legal basis for the eventual exclusion of Christians from the boundaries of the Jewish community.
I highly recommend it and have it my personal collection. The following are further details from Amazon for those who are interested. In recent years the issue of ”Who is a Jew?” has become predominant in the Jewish community both in America and Israel. This book masterfully explains the relationship between halakhah and the issue of ”Who Was a Jew,” showing that the Jewish Christian schism was a result of the halakhic definition of Jewish identity. Using Talmudic sources, Professor Schiffman examines the halakhot governing the Jew by birth, conversion, heretics and apostates, and the Rabbinic reaction to the early Christians, and discusses the narratives illustrating Rabbinic contact with Jewish Christians.I highly recommend it and have it my personal collection. The following are further details from Amazon for those who are interested. In recent years the issue of ”Who is a Jew?” has become predominant in the Jewish community both in America and Israel. This book masterfully explains the relationship between halakhah and the issue of ”Who Was a Jew,” showing that the Jewish Christian schism was a result of the halakhic definition of Jewish identity. Using Talmudic sources, Professor Schiffman examines the halakhot governing the Jew by birth, conversion, heretics and apostates, and the Rabbinic reaction to the early Christians, and discusses the narratives illustrating Rabbinic contact with Jewish Christians.
He concludes that the Christians were regarded initially by the Rabbis as minim, Jews who had heretical beliefs. With the ascendancy of Gentile Christianity, the Rabbis could no longer regard the Christians as Jewish, since they lacked the legal requirements for Jewish status. Therefore, in the early second century the Rabbis began to regard them as members of another religious community.
This book is required reading for both historians of Judaism and Christianity and those who would seek to formulate educated views about the issue of Jewish status in contemporary times. If you are interested in Jewish identity, Who Was a Jew?: Rabbinic and Halakhic Perspectives on the Jewish Christian Schism should be part of your reading.
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