Description

This book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the innovative strategies employed by Second Temple Jews to bridge the gap between their uncertain, unredeemed present and the illustrious national history of their forebears. This scholarly work conducts a comprehensive analysis, with a particular focus on two pivotal texts: the Wisdom of Ben Sira and the book of Jubilees.

These case studies unveil a profound shift in perspective, as these texts situated the origins of Jewish history not solely in covenant-making but in the divine act of creation itself. This departure from conventional covenant-centric narratives allowed them to craft a narrative thread that stretched from the very beginning of time to their own contemporary era. By doing so, they skillfully wove themselves into the fabric of covenantal history.

Through meticulous examination, the authors of these texts demonstrated that the ruptures in the covenant-such as the broken covenants, exile, and the loss of self-governance-did not signify a definitive break in the relationship between God and the Israelites. Instead, they underscored the notion that God's primordial intentions for Israel had not yet reached their fulfillment.