The Routledge Handbook of Jews and Judaism in Late Antiquity, edited by Catherine Hezser, is an impressive and comprehensive resource for scholars and students. The volume focuses on the period between the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and the Muslim conquest in the seventh century CE, exploring the social, religious, and cultural dynamics of Jewish communities during this transformative era. Bringing together leading scholars - historians of ancient Judaism, scholars of rabbinic literature, Byzantinists, archaeologists, epigraphers, and art historians - it offers an interdisciplinary approach to a period marked by fragmentation and diversity within Judaism.

With the exception of Parts I and VI, which each contain four contributions, all other sections of the book include five. The book is organized thematically, with contributions divided into key areas: Part I focuses on "Jews in the Byzantine Empire," while Part II explores "Judaism and Christianity." Both sections examine the impact of Christianity's rise on Jewish religious practices and daily life, as well as its effects on socio-political dynamics, demographics, and organizational structures. Parts III ("Rabbis, Jurists, Philosophers, and Holy Men") and IV ("The Creation of Rabbinic Literature") focus on Rabbis, rabbinic literature, and on "rabbinization," engaging with recent scholarly debates on these topics. Part V, titled "The Development of a Visual Culture," explores tensions between Jewish law and practice, particularly regarding aniconism and the archaeological evidence of synagogue mosaic decorations. It also examines the emergence of local Jewish communities around synagogues as religious spaces. The final sections, Part VI ("Rabbinic Culture in Sasanian Persia") and Part VII ("The Expansion of the Jewish Diaspora"), focus on Jewish diaspora communities across eastern and western regions, including Sasanian Persia, Roman Italy, Egypt, Syria and Arabia, North Africa, and Asia Minor. Together, these sections provide a thorough analysis of the conditions, cultural dynamics, and lived experiences of Jews during this period.

These sections collectively present the religious landscape, social and cultural history, material culture, and intellectual developments of Jews and Judaism in Late Antiquity. Topics such as legal traditions, liturgical practices, and the evolving dynamics of the Jewish diaspora and its interactions with the Greco-Roman and early Christian worlds are explored in depth. The roles of women, economic structures, and the geographic spread of Jewish communities further showcase the breadth and depth of the subject matter.

Several chapters stand out as particularly insightful. For instance, the treatment of rabbinic literature and its formation provides valuable context for how the rabbis' legal and interpretive traditions responded to broader socio-political changes. Additionally, the discussion on Jewish-Christian relations highlights the complex dynamics of coexistence, competition, and separation between Jews and early Christians. By weaving together textual and material evidence, the contributors offer a nuanced picture of interreligious interactions, challenging older, simplistic narratives of conflict and divergence.

This may be the biased opinion of a scholar of the Jewish diaspora, but one of the standout features of this volume is its last section (Parts VI and VII). These sections include exceptional contributions on the diverse Jewish communities of the late antique diaspora, highlighting regions that are often overlooked by scholars, such as the Jewish communities of Syria and the Arabian Peninsula (see Chapter 32). These areas are frequently overshadowed by more prominent centers like Egypt, Rome, or Babylonia, making their inclusion here especially valuable.

As a reference work, the handbook provides a detailed overview of major themes and debates in the study of Jews and Judaism in Late Antiquity. The editor, Catherine Hezser, has curated contributions from an international roster of scholars, ensuring a diversity of voices and perspectives. The extensive bibliographies accompanying each chapter are particularly valuable, pointing readers toward key primary sources as well as the most relevant secondary literature. This makes the volume not only a rich academic resource but also a springboard for further research.

However, despite its many strengths, the volume occasionally feels less like a cohesive "handbook" and more like a collection of specialized articles, particularly in sections focused on rabbinic literature (such as Part III). The volume is undeniably rabbino-centric, which is perhaps unsurprising given the research interests of the editor and the fact that much of what we know about Jews and Judaism from this period is derived from rabbinic texts.

Despite the largely successful effort to cover almost every aspect of Jewish life and Judaism in Late Antiquity, certain notable omissions remain. There are no dedicated entries on Jewish mystical literature (particularly Hekhalot literature) or Jewish magic, which were nonetheless integral aspects of Jewish life in Late Antiquity, and could have significantly enriched the work's scope. Additionally, the volume would have benefited from more detailed maps, especially in the sections addressing the diaspora - the only ones included are in the third chapter and focus solely on Palestine - and a comprehensive chronological overview of major historical events from the period. These additions would have enhanced its utility as a reference tool.

Overall, The Routledge Handbook of Jews and Judaism in Late Antiquity is an essential and highly valuable contribution to the study of this formative period in Jewish history. Its authoritative and interdisciplinary approach underscores the richness and complexity of Jewish life in Late Antiquity, making it an indispensable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in Judaism and Jewish history.

Meron-Martin Piotrkowski