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Recent decades have witnessed numerous studies of the role of purity in early Judaism, from ancient Israel to the rabbinic period, covering a variety of topics and approaches. The essays in this volume address three less-studied areas of this broader field: the connection, if any, between purity and the synagogue; Jesus' observance of purity laws; and, women's relationships with purity in the first century. By providing a new perspective on the role of purity in first-century Judaism, this stimulating and refreshing collection illuminates ancient practice and informs our understanding of the role of purity in the contemporary world. Paperback edition to this title is available from the Society of Biblical Literature.
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“THEY SHALL PURIFY THEMSELVES”
Society of Biblical Literature
Early Judaism and Its Literature Judith Newman, Series Editor
Number 24
“THEY SHALL PURIFY THEMSELVES” Essays on Purity in Early Judaism
“THEY SHALL PURIFY THEMSELVES” Essays on Purity in Early Judaism
Susan Haber edited by Adele Reinhartz
Society of Biblical Literature Atlanta
“THEY SHALL PURIFY THEMSELVES” Essays on Purity in Early Judaism Copyright © 2008 by the Society of Biblical Literature All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by means of any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to the Rights and Permissions Office, Society of Biblical Literature, 825 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30333-0399, USA. “Living and Dying for the Law: The Mother-Martyrs of 2 Maccabees,” first published in Women in Judaism: A Multidisciplinary Journal Volume 4, Number 1. Reprinted with permission from the publisher. Reproduced with permission from Susan Haber’s estate, “A Woman’s Touch: Feminist Encounters with the Hemorrhaging Woman in Mark 5.24–34,” JSNT 26/2 (2003): 171–192, © JSNT 2003, by permission of Sage Publications Ltd. Reproduced with permission from Susan Haber’s estate, “From Priestly Torah to Christ Cultus: The Re-Vision of Cult in Hebrews,” JSNT 28/1 (2005): 105–24, © JSNT 2005, by permission of Sage Publications Ltd. “Common Judaism, Common Synagogue? Purity, Holiness and Sacred Space at the Turn of the Common Era,” from Common Judaism, edited by Wayne McCready and Adele Reinhartz, copyright © 2008 Fortress Press. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Haber, Susan, 1957–2006. They shall purify themselves : essays on purity in early Judaism / essays by Susan Haber; edited by Adele Reinhartz. p. cm. — (Early Judaism and its literature ; v. 24) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-58983-355-5 (paper binding : alk. paper) 1. Purity, Ritual—Judaism—History of doctrines. I. Reinhartz, Adele, 1953– II. Title. BM702.H33 2008 296.4´9—dc22 2008022474
15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 5 4 3 2 1 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free, recycled paper conforming to ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (R1997) and ISO 9706:1994 standards for paper permanence.
In memory of Susan Haber August 7, 1957–July 3, 2006 Strength and dignity are her clothing . . . She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:25–26)
Contents Abbreviations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix Introduction and Acknowledgments Adele Reinhartz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 I. Bibliographic Studies 1. Ritual and Moral Purity and Impurity in the Hebrew Bi