This four-part series will take place Thursdays at 10:30am Eastern (5:30pm in Israel) from January 27 to February 17
In the late Second Temple period, Egypt was home to hundreds of thousands of Jews. Many of these Jews observed Shabbat, practiced their dietary laws, and circumcised their sons. They also read their holy scriptures in synagogues and even produced biblical interpretations. These Jews drew the attention—and concern—of Jewish leaders in Judea, who wanted Jewish communities of Egypt to look to them for guidance and advice. This series will explore the little-known history of the Jews of Egypt in the Hellenistic era, and will consider why this history is crucial to our understanding of how Judaism was practiced in the pre-rabbinic period.
January 27
Introduction: The Jews of Egypt in the Hellenistic Age
February 3
The Judeans of Elephantine; The Jews of Leontopolis
February 10
The Jews of Alexandria
February 17
Relations Between Judean Jews and Egyptian Jews
Featured speakers
Syllabus64.75 KBJan 27: Introduction to the Jews of Ancient Egypt403.92 KBFeb 3: Elephantine and Leontopolis592.64 KBFeb 10: The Jews of Alexandria157.76 KBFeb 17: Judea-Diaspora Relations151.85 KB