University of California Press Rabbinic Drinking: What Beverages Teach Us About Rabbinic Literature

Though ancient rabbinic texts are fundamental to analyzing the history of Judaism, they are also daunting for the novice to read. Rabbinic literature presumes tremendous prior knowledge, and its fascinating twists and turns in logic can be disorienting. Rabbinic Drinking helps learners at every level navigate this brilliant but mystifying terrain by focusing on rabbinic conversations about beverages, such as beer and wine, water, and even breast milk. By studying the contents of a drinking vessel—including the contexts and practices in which they are imbibed—Rabbinic Drinking surveys key themes in rabbinic literature to introduce readers to the main contours of this extensive body of historical documents. Features and Benefits: Contains a broad array of rabbinic passages, accompanied by didactic and rich explanations and contextual discussions, both literary and historical Thematic chapters are organized into sections that include significant and original translations of rabbinic texts Each chapter includes in-text references and concludes with a list of both referenced works and suggested additional readings Review "[Rosenblum] writes in very engaging manner, mixing erudite terms with a personal, and lighthearted, voice. . . . Hopefully, this initial sip will leave a lasting aftertaste."-- "Religion" "Can be quite useful for the popularization of Talmudic research among American undergraduates. . . . Rosenblum's clear voice and deft presentation will serve students."-- "Journal for the Study of Judaism" "Rosenblum offers entertaining examples and writes so clearly that even those who have no knowledge of rabbinic literature should be able to understand the material."-- "The Reporter" From the Inside Flap "What an excellent introduction to rabbinic thinking! Rosenblum takes us from our own preoccupations with drinking, eating, sex, and other bodily functions to the distinctive ways in which rabbis categorized, interpreted, and generally thought about them. The book is engaging, the author&;s contemporary analogies are apt, and he&;s funny. Something for both students and scholars."&;Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus, Professor of Religion, Wheaton College "Drawing on his expertise on food, meals, and the rabbis, Rosenblum offers a rich treatment of beverages as a way to introduce undergraduates to the complexities of rabbinic literature. His clear voice and deft presentation of ancient texts, new research, and citations will serve scholars and students alike." &;Susan Marks, Klingenstein Professor of Judaic Studies, New College of Florida From the Back Cover "What an excellent introduction to rabbinic thinking! Rosenblum takes us from our own preoccupations with drinking, eating, sex, and other bodily functions to the distinctive ways in which rabbis categorized, interpreted, and generally thought about them. The book is engaging, the author's contemporary analogies are apt, and he's funny. Something for both students and scholars."--Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus, Professor of Religion, Wheaton College "Drawing on his expertise on food, meals, and the rabbis, Rosenblum offers a rich treatment of beverages as a way to introduce undergraduates to the complexities of rabbinic literature. His clear voice and deft presentation of ancient texts, new research, and citations will serve scholars and students alike." --Susan Marks, Klingenstein Professor of Judaic Studies, New College of Florida About the Author Jordan D. Rosenblum is Belzer Professor of Classical Judaism and Max and Frieda Weinstein-Bascom Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the author of Food and Identity in Early Rabbinic Judaism and The Jewish Dietary Laws in the Ancient World and the coeditor of Feasting and Fasting: The History and Ethics of Jewish Food.