The Origins of Judaism (book)

For broader coverage of this topic, see origins of Judaism.
The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal
AuthorYonatan Adler
SubjectOrigins of Judaism
GenreNon-fiction
PublisherYale University Press
Publication date
15 November 2022
Media typePrint
Pages384
ISBN978-0-300-26837-9
WebsiteYale University Press listing

The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal is a 2022 book by Israeli professor of archaeology and ordained rabbi[1] Yonatan Adler of Ariel University. The book examines the archaeological and historiographical record of Jewish religious practice, concluding that widespread adoption of the Torah as a binding law code probably originated in the time of the Hasmonean dynasty, in the 2nd–1st centuries BCE. Adler's work challenges a traditional scholarly dating of the emergence of Jewish religion to the periods of major Hebrew Bible composition, such as the late Iron Age, Babylonian exile, and early Second Temple periods, centuries before the Hasmoneans.[2][3]

  1. ^ Borschel-Dan, Amanda (5 April 2023). "What Matters Now to archaeologist Prof. Yonatan Adler: The origins of Judaism". Times of Israel. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  2. ^ Lawler, Andrew (15 November 2022). "Is Judaism a Younger Religion Than Previously Thought?". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  3. ^ Simkovich, Malka Z. (23 January 2024). "Origin Stories". Jewish Review of Books. No. 56. Retrieved 26 October 2024.