A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities (22 vols.)

by Jacob Neusner

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2006–2007

Overview

In this comprehensive 22-volume collection, renowned Judaic scholar Jacob Neusner discusses the Jewish purity laws, arguing that they insight into the origins and early history of Talmudic Judaism. Neusner claims that a disproportionately large part of Mishnah-Tosefta deals with purity. In addition, a strikingly large segment of sayings assigned to the masters of Yavneh also concerns purity. He asserts that if the themes of any legal materials in Mishnah-Tosefta go back to the Pharisees of the period before 70, they are those of purity laws. Purity laws, moreover, assuredly belong to the Pharisaic sect and express part of what is unique to this group.

Key Features

• Gives a chapter-by-chapter analysis of each of the Mishnaic Law of Purities
• Gathers a wealth of research using primary sources
• Offers a general index and an extensive bibliography

Product Details

• Title: A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities
• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Volumes: 22
• Pages: 6,361
• Resource Type: Monographs
• Topic: Judaica

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 1: Kelim: Chapters One Through Eleven

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2006
• Pages: 306

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Kelim (literally “vessels”) is the first tractate in the Order of Tohorot in the Mishnah. It contains 30 chapters, making it the longest tractate in the entire Mishnah. It discusses the laws of ritual purity and impurity pertaining to all types of vessels. This first volume deals with the first 11 chapters of the Kelim.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 2: Kelim: Chapters Twelve Through Thirty

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2006
• Pages: 350

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

This second volume deals with the last 19 chapters of the Kelim, which cover laws pertaining to all vessels and the various types of vessels, including earthenware, metal, wood, leather, bone, and glass.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 3: Kelim: Literary and Historical Problems

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2006
• Pages: 431

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner continues his discussion of the Kelim, describing the relationship between the Mishnah and the Tosefta and how both relate to the Kelim. He also discusses how specific individuals from the rabbinic cities of Yavneh and Usha weaved the law into existence.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 4: Ohalot: Commentary

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 366

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The purposes and methods of this volume continue those of the previous three volumes on the Kelim. Here, Jacob Neusner’s primary goal is to formulate his studies in the Ohalot. He gives a clear account of all 18 chapters of the Ohalot in order to understand its literary and historical aspects.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 5: Ohalot: Literary and Historical Problems

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 298

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In order to describe the literary and historical problems of the Ohalot, Jacob Neusner examines how it relates to the overarching contexts of the Mishnah-Tosefta. He considers the forms and formulary patterns of the Ohalot and how it became law. He also outlines the formation of the Ohalot, its scriptural foundations, and its exegetical traditions.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 6: Negaim: Mishnah-Tosefta

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 302

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In part six of this series, Jacob Neusner examines the Negaim, the Mishnah-tractate that deals with leprosy and how to purify those who have leprosy. Neusner outlines the Negaim chapter-by-chapter and interprets it from both the context of the Mishnah and Scripture.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 7: Negaim. Sifra

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 247

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner continues his discussion of the Mishnah-tractate Negaim, describing its literary and historical problems. He compares the differences between the materials on leprosy and plagues found in the Sifra (the Torah study of Leviticus) with the Mishnah.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 8: Negaim: Literary and Historical Problems

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 310

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Part eight completes Jacob Neusner ’s discussion of the Mishnah-Tosefta Negaim and Sifra Negaim-Mesora. Here, Neusner examines how the Negaim relates to the overarching contexts of the Mishnah-Tosefta and the Sifra. He considers the forms and formulary patterns of the Negaim and how it became law.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 9: Parah: Commentary

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 288

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner examines the Parah, the Mishnah-tractate that deals with the laws regarding the sacrifice of red cows. Neusner outlines the Parah chapter-by-chapter and interprets it alongside other themes and ideas found in the Mishnah.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 10: Parah: Literary and Historical Problems

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 276

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner delves deeper into his study of the Parah by examining how it relates to the Mishna and Tosefta. He considers the forms and formulary patterns of the laws, then goes on to outline the Parah in relation to Midrash Halakhak, a method of studying the Torah.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 11: Tohorot: Commentary

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 264

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In part 11 of his study of Jewish purity laws, Jacob Neusner studies the Tohorot, a tractate of the Mishnah that deals with the cleanliness and consecration of food, clothing, and utensils. Neusner outlines the Tohorot chapter-by-chapter and interprets it alongside other themes and ideas found in the Mishnah.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 12: Tohorot: Literary and Historical Problems

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 244

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner continues his discussion of the Mishnah-tractate Tohorot, describing its literary and historical problems. He considers the forms and formulary patterns of the Tohorot and how it became law.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 13: Miqvaot: Commentary

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 242

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner examines the Miqvaot, the Mishnah-tractate that deals with immersion in water for the purpose of becoming pure. Neusner outlines the Miqvaot chapter-by-chapter and interprets it alongside other themes and ideas found in the Mishnah.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 14: Miqvaot: Literary and Historical Problems

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 254

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner evaluates the literary and historical problems of the Miqvaot by examining how it relates to the Mishnah and Tosefta. He considers the forms and formulary patterns of the laws, then goes on to outline the Miqvaot in the rabbinic cities of Yahneh and Usha, covering such topics as the purification of water and restoring the suitability of unfit water.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 15: Niddah: Commentary

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 202

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Mishnah-tractate Niddah is devoted to two principle themes: secretions of the body and the resulting uncleanness associated with these excretions. Most of the body fluids under discussion derive from the woman.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 16: Niddah: Literary and Historical Problems

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 248

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner evaluates the literary and historical problems of the Niddah by examining how it relates to the Mishnah and Tosefta. He considers the forms and formulary patterns of the laws, then goes on to outline the Niddah in the rabbinic cities of Yahneh and Usha, covering such topics as doubts about unclean body fluids and menstrual uncleanness.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 17: Makhshirin

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 247

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Mishnah-tractate Makhshirin deals with the cleanliness of liquids used to moisten food. In this volume, Jacob Neusner not only outlines each chapter of the Makhshirin but also explains how it relates to the Mishnah-Tosefta in the rabbinic cities of Yahneh and Usha.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 18: Zabim

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 236

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner defines and outlines the Zabim, the secondary Mishnah-tractate concerning the bodily discharges of both men and women. He explains how the Zabim relates to the overall Mishnah-Tosefta in its larger context and describes the literary and historical problems surrounding the Zabim.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 19: Tebul Yom and Yadayim

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 256

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner defines and outlines the Zabim, the secondary Mishnah-tractate concerning the bodily discharges of both men and women. He explains how the Zabim relates to the overall Mishnah-Tosefta in its larger context and describes the literary and historical problems surrounding the Zabim.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 20: Uqsin

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 270

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Like the Zabim, Tebul Yom, and Yadayim, the Uqsin is a secondary and derivative tractate, involving themes introduced in previous tractates and developing special aspects of them. The Uqsin carries forward the discussion of uncleanness of food, including sprigs and other handles.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 21: The Redaction and Formulation of the Order of Purities in Mishnah and Tosefta

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 384

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

In part 21 of his study of Jewish purity laws, Jacob Neusner provides an in-depth overview of the Mishnah. He analyzes the organization of the Mishnah tractates and examines the themes found within each division of the Mishnah. Neusner also discusses the divisions of the Tosefta and their delineation, cognitive units, and formulation.

A History of the Mishnaic Law of Purities, Part 22: The Mishnaic System of Uncleanness: Its Context and History

• Editor: Jacob Neusner
• Series: Studies in Judaism in Late Antiquity
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock
• Publication Date: 2007
• Pages: 340

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Jacob Neusner compares and contrasts various systems of purity and cleanliness, such as the Israelite and Mishnaic systems. He describes the sources of uncleanness and modes of purity throughout rabbinic history.

About Jacob Neusner

Jacob Neusner is research professor of theology and senior fellow of the Institute of Advanced Theology at Bard College.