Essays on ancient and modern Judaism

Book Description

This remarkable collection brings together twenty-six essays by renowned historian Arnaldo Momigliano, offering readers a unique window into the profound relationship between Jewish thought and scholarly inquiry. Momigliano himself acknowledged that Judaism served as the fundamental wellspring of his intellectual work, and these writings reveal how deeply the ethical traditions of Hebrew culture shaped his broader understanding of history and human experience.

The first section explores ancient and medieval Jewish themes, examining the dynamic interactions between Hellenistic and Jewish cultures, the complex figure of Flavius Josephus, and pivotal moments in Maccabean history. These essays demonstrate how pagan and Hebraic traditions converged to create rich historical narratives that continue to inform our understanding of the past.

The second portion focuses on modern Jewish intellectual life, presenting thoughtful portraits of influential Jewish scholars and thinkers including Leo Strauss, Gershom Scholem, and Walter Benjamin. Momigliano weaves together biographical insights with broader reflections on Italian Jewish experience and contemporary interpretations of Jewish thought.

What makes this volume particularly compelling is Momigliano's personal meditation on his own Jewish identity and family heritage, included in his preface. Readers seeking to understand how spiritual and cultural traditions can inform scholarly work will find these essays both intellectually stimulating and personally meaningful. The collection offers valuable perspectives on how ancient wisdom continues to illuminate modern questions about identity, ethics, and the search for meaning.