The Origins of the Synagogue
Excerpts from Book Reviews of Anders Runesson, The Origins of the Synagogue: A Socio-Historical Study. ConBNT 37. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell International, 2001.
Prof. Leonard V. Rutgers, Utrecht University:
“Alle diese Ausführungen führen letztendlich zu einer Rekonstruktion der Entstehung der antiken Synagoge (395-400), die man zwar hier und dort kritisieren kann, die aber zum Besten gehört, was bis heute zu diesem Thema geschrieben worden ist. Etwas vergleichbares gilt auch für die Analyse des Begriffes „Proseuche“ (429-36)—ein Begriff, der nicht nur auf Gebetshäuser hinweisen kann, sondern, wie sich nun herausstellt, auch als Hinweis für Tempel verwendet worden zu sein scheint. Somit kann festgestellt werden, das R. ein Buch geschrieben hat, daβ jeder, der sich für die Erforschung der antiken Synagoge interessiert, lesen sollte, und zwar nicht nur wegen des inhaltlichen, sondern auch wegen des methodologischen Wertes des Vorgeführten.“ (Biblische Zeitschrift 50:2 [2006] 294-297.)
Prof. Jean Marcel Vincent, la Faculté libre de théologie protestante de Paris:
“Une monographie de cette ampleur sur les origines de la synagogue dans la diaspora comme sur le territoire d’Israël répond aux desiderata de la recherche puisque depuis le De synagoga vetere de C. Vitringa en 1696, personne ne s’était lancé dans une telle entreprise. Il faut dire que la tâche exige des compétences en plusieurs domaines: philologie, exégèse biblique et rabbinique, histoire, sociologie et archéologie.” (Études Théologiques et Religieuses 1 [2004] 107-108.)
Prof. Maurice Sartre, Université de Tours:
Avec cette thèse suédoise, on tient un instrument de travail de première importance.”
(Revue des Études Anciennes, 106:2 [2004] 667-669.)
Dr. Heather McKay, University of Sheffield:
“I am impressed by this book with its almost 600 pages packed with detailed and exacting analyses of data, interpretations, scholarly positions and debates…it is a ‘must’ for academic libraries and for scholars in this field of biblical and Jewish studies.” (The Expository Times 114:12 [2003] 426-427.)
Dr. Carsten Claußen, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München:
“R[unesson] hat eine frische Studie auf der Höhe der gegenwärtigen Forschung verfasst. Seine ausführliche Berücksichtigung archäologischer und literarischer Quellen stellt eine kompetente Aufbereitung des Materials im Kontext der aktuellen Synagogenforschung dar.“ (Theologische Literaturzeitung 128 [2003] 1281-1283.)
Prof. Stig Norin, Uppsala University, Sweden:
“Den [dvs avhandlingen] handlar inte bara om det som titeln säger, utan vi får här också en grundlig genomgång och en nyansats när det gäller hela vår bild av Israels religion och kult från exilen och framåt, den tid vi kan säga att det som vi kallar judendom tog form… Runesson har en förmåga att bryta ner problemen i hanterbara delar som var och en sedan behandlas med en osedvanlig logisk stringens. Detta gör också att hans framställning blir pedagogisk och lätt att följa… Det socio-historiska perspektivet är nydanande och var och en som i framtiden ägnar sig åt den aktuella tidsperioden kan knappast gå förbi Runessons arbete.” (SEÅ 68 [2003] 230-233.)
For an English version of this review, click here
Prof. Stefan Reif, Cambridge University:
“[T]here is much here to be commended. It is most helpful to have so many views carefully scrutinized and such a variety of sources cited and analysed. The attribution of a central role to Torah reading and study during the Second Temple Period, the differentiation between the position in the Holy Land and that outside it, and the postulation of a continuous process of evolution over a number of centuries are highly persuasive.” (JTS 54:2 [2003] 657-660.)
Prof. J Radermakers, Institut d’Etudes Théologiques, Bruxelles:
“Quoi qu’il en soit, cette magistrale étude nous aide à mieux situer le milieu d’origine de se qui deviendra peu à peu l’institution synagogale et l’institution ecclésiale. Bref, une recherche de grand intérêt!” (Nouvelle Revue Théologique 125:3 [2003] 464-465.)
Prof. Peter Richardson, University of Toronto:
“Runesson has made an attractive case the origin of synagogues in both town assemblies and voluntary associations…Students of synagogues as institutions and buildings are fortunate now in having several recent studies that argue from much the same data toward different conclusions. Runesson’s study will be the center of much subsequent research.” (RBL 3/22 [2003] [http://www.bookreviews.org])
Lektor Anders klostergaard Petersen, Aarhus Universitet, Denmark:
“Det är en I alle henseender ambitiøs afhandling. Forfatterens belæsthed og fortrolighed med en række discipliner er imponerende.” (Dansk teologisk tidsskrift 65:4 [2002] 299-301.)
Prof. Lesslie Hoppe, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago:
“This is the fourth major work on synagoguesto be published the last five years… It is an important work that anyone studying the institutions of early Judaism will welcome and consult.” (CBQ 64 [2002] 776-777.)
Prof. Per Bilde, Aarhus Universitet, Denmark:
“A[nders] R[unesson]s velskrivne afhandling er et vægtigt bidrag til vor tids synagogeforskning” (STK 78:4 [2002] 188-189.)
Prof. Leonard V. Rutgers, Utrecht University:
“Alle diese Ausführungen führen letztendlich zu einer Rekonstruktion der Entstehung der antiken Synagoge (395-400), die man zwar hier und dort kritisieren kann, die aber zum Besten gehört, was bis heute zu diesem Thema geschrieben worden ist. Etwas vergleichbares gilt auch für die Analyse des Begriffes „Proseuche“ (429-36)—ein Begriff, der nicht nur auf Gebetshäuser hinweisen kann, sondern, wie sich nun herausstellt, auch als Hinweis für Tempel verwendet worden zu sein scheint. Somit kann festgestellt werden, das R. ein Buch geschrieben hat, daβ jeder, der sich für die Erforschung der antiken Synagoge interessiert, lesen sollte, und zwar nicht nur wegen des inhaltlichen, sondern auch wegen des methodologischen Wertes des Vorgeführten.“ (Biblische Zeitschrift 50:2 [2006] 294-297.)
Prof. Jean Marcel Vincent, la Faculté libre de théologie protestante de Paris:
“Une monographie de cette ampleur sur les origines de la synagogue dans la diaspora comme sur le territoire d’Israël répond aux desiderata de la recherche puisque depuis le De synagoga vetere de C. Vitringa en 1696, personne ne s’était lancé dans une telle entreprise. Il faut dire que la tâche exige des compétences en plusieurs domaines: philologie, exégèse biblique et rabbinique, histoire, sociologie et archéologie.” (Études Théologiques et Religieuses 1 [2004] 107-108.)
Prof. Maurice Sartre, Université de Tours:
Avec cette thèse suédoise, on tient un instrument de travail de première importance.”
(Revue des Études Anciennes, 106:2 [2004] 667-669.)
Dr. Heather McKay, University of Sheffield:
“I am impressed by this book with its almost 600 pages packed with detailed and exacting analyses of data, interpretations, scholarly positions and debates…it is a ‘must’ for academic libraries and for scholars in this field of biblical and Jewish studies.” (The Expository Times 114:12 [2003] 426-427.)
Dr. Carsten Claußen, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München:
“R[unesson] hat eine frische Studie auf der Höhe der gegenwärtigen Forschung verfasst. Seine ausführliche Berücksichtigung archäologischer und literarischer Quellen stellt eine kompetente Aufbereitung des Materials im Kontext der aktuellen Synagogenforschung dar.“ (Theologische Literaturzeitung 128 [2003] 1281-1283.)
Prof. Stig Norin, Uppsala University, Sweden:
“Den [dvs avhandlingen] handlar inte bara om det som titeln säger, utan vi får här också en grundlig genomgång och en nyansats när det gäller hela vår bild av Israels religion och kult från exilen och framåt, den tid vi kan säga att det som vi kallar judendom tog form… Runesson har en förmåga att bryta ner problemen i hanterbara delar som var och en sedan behandlas med en osedvanlig logisk stringens. Detta gör också att hans framställning blir pedagogisk och lätt att följa… Det socio-historiska perspektivet är nydanande och var och en som i framtiden ägnar sig åt den aktuella tidsperioden kan knappast gå förbi Runessons arbete.” (SEÅ 68 [2003] 230-233.)
For an English version of this review, click here
Prof. Stefan Reif, Cambridge University:
“[T]here is much here to be commended. It is most helpful to have so many views carefully scrutinized and such a variety of sources cited and analysed. The attribution of a central role to Torah reading and study during the Second Temple Period, the differentiation between the position in the Holy Land and that outside it, and the postulation of a continuous process of evolution over a number of centuries are highly persuasive.” (JTS 54:2 [2003] 657-660.)
Prof. J Radermakers, Institut d’Etudes Théologiques, Bruxelles:
“Quoi qu’il en soit, cette magistrale étude nous aide à mieux situer le milieu d’origine de se qui deviendra peu à peu l’institution synagogale et l’institution ecclésiale. Bref, une recherche de grand intérêt!” (Nouvelle Revue Théologique 125:3 [2003] 464-465.)
Prof. Peter Richardson, University of Toronto:
“Runesson has made an attractive case the origin of synagogues in both town assemblies and voluntary associations…Students of synagogues as institutions and buildings are fortunate now in having several recent studies that argue from much the same data toward different conclusions. Runesson’s study will be the center of much subsequent research.” (RBL 3/22 [2003] [http://www.bookreviews.org])
Lektor Anders klostergaard Petersen, Aarhus Universitet, Denmark:
“Det är en I alle henseender ambitiøs afhandling. Forfatterens belæsthed og fortrolighed med en række discipliner er imponerende.” (Dansk teologisk tidsskrift 65:4 [2002] 299-301.)
Prof. Lesslie Hoppe, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago:
“This is the fourth major work on synagoguesto be published the last five years… It is an important work that anyone studying the institutions of early Judaism will welcome and consult.” (CBQ 64 [2002] 776-777.)
Prof. Per Bilde, Aarhus Universitet, Denmark:
“A[nders] R[unesson]s velskrivne afhandling er et vægtigt bidrag til vor tids synagogeforskning” (STK 78:4 [2002] 188-189.)
The Synagogue at Ostia
Excerpts from Book Reviews of Anders Runesson, “The Synagogue at Ancient Ostia: The Building and its History from the First to the Fifth Century,” in Birger Olsson, Dieter Mitternacht and Olof Brandt, (eds.), The Synagogue of Ancient Ostia and the Jews of Rome: Interdisciplinary Studies, (Stockholm: ActaRom-4o, 57, 2001) 29-99.
Prof. Eric M. Meyers, Duke University:
“By far and away the most significant essay in this book is Anders Runesson’s “The Synagogue at Ancient Ostia: The Building and its History from the First to the Fifth Century” (pp. 29-100)… In every instance he is thorough, exacting, and full of fresh insights into the history of the synagogue building and its internal furnishings.” (BASOR 328 [2002] 97-99.)
Dr. David Noy, University of Wales:
“The longest and by far the most significant article is Anders Runesson “The Synagogue at Ancient Ostia: The Building and its History from the First to the Fifth Century.” This represents the most thorough synthesis so far of all the published material on the synagogue, together with R.’s own observations from the site… R.’s [study] will remain the definitive work for the foreseeable future.” (The Classical Review (2003) 428-429)
Prof. Massimiliano Ghilardi, Università degli Studi di Roma:
“Il ricco e accuratissimo saggio di Runesson — accompagnato da ben 422 note —, autore nel volume anche di un secondo importante articolo riguardante lo studio e le problematiche legate ai rituali della religione ebraica connessi all’elemento acquatico ad Ostia e nelle altre sinagoghe della Diaspora, dopo un sintetico quadro sulla storia degli studi della sinagoga ostiense, con particolare riferimento alle proposte interpretative di Maria Floriani Squarciapino, Fausto Zevi, Alf Thomas Kraabel e L. Michael White, affronta con grande lucidità e profondità analitica le questioni ancora oggi irrisolti legate all’architettura del monumento ed alle sue distinte e controverse fasi cronologiche.” (“La sinagoga di Ostia Antica e gli ebrei di Roma: riflessioni in margine ad un recente libro,” Mediterraneo antico. Economie società culture, VI:1 [2003] 311-324)
Dr. Susan Sorek, University of Wales:
“This article is extremely well illustrated, the maps and plans of the Ostia synagogue being especially welcome.” (Journal of Roman Studies 93 [2003] 331)
Prof. Eric M. Meyers, Duke University:
“By far and away the most significant essay in this book is Anders Runesson’s “The Synagogue at Ancient Ostia: The Building and its History from the First to the Fifth Century” (pp. 29-100)… In every instance he is thorough, exacting, and full of fresh insights into the history of the synagogue building and its internal furnishings.” (BASOR 328 [2002] 97-99.)
Dr. David Noy, University of Wales:
“The longest and by far the most significant article is Anders Runesson “The Synagogue at Ancient Ostia: The Building and its History from the First to the Fifth Century.” This represents the most thorough synthesis so far of all the published material on the synagogue, together with R.’s own observations from the site… R.’s [study] will remain the definitive work for the foreseeable future.” (The Classical Review (2003) 428-429)
Prof. Massimiliano Ghilardi, Università degli Studi di Roma:
“Il ricco e accuratissimo saggio di Runesson — accompagnato da ben 422 note —, autore nel volume anche di un secondo importante articolo riguardante lo studio e le problematiche legate ai rituali della religione ebraica connessi all’elemento acquatico ad Ostia e nelle altre sinagoghe della Diaspora, dopo un sintetico quadro sulla storia degli studi della sinagoga ostiense, con particolare riferimento alle proposte interpretative di Maria Floriani Squarciapino, Fausto Zevi, Alf Thomas Kraabel e L. Michael White, affronta con grande lucidità e profondità analitica le questioni ancora oggi irrisolti legate all’architettura del monumento ed alle sue distinte e controverse fasi cronologiche.” (“La sinagoga di Ostia Antica e gli ebrei di Roma: riflessioni in margine ad un recente libro,” Mediterraneo antico. Economie società culture, VI:1 [2003] 311-324)
Dr. Susan Sorek, University of Wales:
“This article is extremely well illustrated, the maps and plans of the Ostia synagogue being especially welcome.” (Journal of Roman Studies 93 [2003] 331)
Jesus och de första kristna (Jesus and the First Christians)
Excerpts from Book Reviews of Mitternacht Dieter and Anders Runesson (eds.). Jesus och de första kristna: Inledning till Nya testamentet. (Jesus and the First Christians: An Introduction to the Study of the New Testament). Stockholm: Verbum, 2006. (527 pages). ISBN 97891-526-4721-9.
Debatt om Jesus och de första kristna (in Swedish): klicka här.
Docent Tord Fornberg, Uppsala University:
“Det är mycket glädjande att vi med den här anmälda boken, Jesus och de första kristna. Inledning till Nya testamentet, red. Dieter Mitternacht och Anders Runesson, har fått ett modernt och mångsidigt verk, som introducerar den nytestamentliga exegetiken i all dess brokighet.
…
Det kan tryggt konstateras, att den nya boken under överskådlig framtid kommer att fungera som det akademiska standardverket på svenska om Nya testamentet och dess uttolkning.
…
[L]äsaren erbjuds prov på skilda metoder att arbeta med nytestamentligt textmaterial (historisk textorienterad, historisk analogisk, argumentationsanalytisk, retorisk-episto-lografisk, narrativ, receptionshistorisk, hermeneutisk, feministisk och postkolonial). Här ligger den viktigaste skillnaden mellan det nu anmälda verket och dess båda föregångare med deras strikt historiskt-kritiska fokus.
…
Förutom de gedigna avsnitten av historisk karaktär vill jag peka på kapitlen 1 och 6 med deras “inbjudan” till studiet och deras exempel på hur man kan (men inte behöver) arbeta med bibeltexter. Här har författarnas egna specialiteter och synsätt fått fritt spelrum och ställts sida vid sida med varandra på ett sätt som gör mångfalden tydlig men också öppnar vägen för den relativism som är så framträdande i vår tids Västeuropa: inget synsätt är riktigare än något annat. Läsningen är oundgänglig för envar som vill förstå vad som händer i dagens teologiska värld och rekommenderas därför varmt.” (Signum 33/7 [2007]: 56-58)
Stefan Snellman, prost:
“Det finns idag ett ökat intresse för den äldsta kristna tiden. Många välkomnar därför verket ”Jesus och de första kristna” under redaktion av Dieter Mitternacht och Anders Runesson. I boken medverkar aderton ledande forskare från olika länder.
…
[B]oken är lättläst och kan rekommenderas för alla intresserade. Den omspänner allt från judisk, grekisk-romersk religion och filosofi till postkoloniala och feministiska analyser. Den redovisar alla tänkbara källor och synsätt. Verket är mycket mycket digert” (Nya Åland; Kultur & nöje, 22/12/2007)
Professor Donald A. Hagner, Fuller Theological Seminary
"This Lehrbuch, introducing the NT to university students, replaces the venerable En bok om Nya testamentet... . Just as a barometer indicates changes in weather, the present book serves as an effective indicator of the remarkable changes currently taking place in contemporary scholarship.
---
The book is filled with an enormous amount of useful information that is bound to aid students. Particularly valuable is the attention given to interpretation... The unusual amount of space given to the rigors of interpretation again reflects the complexity of our post-modern context and the current sensitivity to the requirements of the hermeneutical enterprise" (Svensk exegetisk årsbok 75 [2010] 217-221).
Debatt om Jesus och de första kristna (in Swedish): klicka här.
Docent Tord Fornberg, Uppsala University:
“Det är mycket glädjande att vi med den här anmälda boken, Jesus och de första kristna. Inledning till Nya testamentet, red. Dieter Mitternacht och Anders Runesson, har fått ett modernt och mångsidigt verk, som introducerar den nytestamentliga exegetiken i all dess brokighet.
…
Det kan tryggt konstateras, att den nya boken under överskådlig framtid kommer att fungera som det akademiska standardverket på svenska om Nya testamentet och dess uttolkning.
…
[L]äsaren erbjuds prov på skilda metoder att arbeta med nytestamentligt textmaterial (historisk textorienterad, historisk analogisk, argumentationsanalytisk, retorisk-episto-lografisk, narrativ, receptionshistorisk, hermeneutisk, feministisk och postkolonial). Här ligger den viktigaste skillnaden mellan det nu anmälda verket och dess båda föregångare med deras strikt historiskt-kritiska fokus.
…
Förutom de gedigna avsnitten av historisk karaktär vill jag peka på kapitlen 1 och 6 med deras “inbjudan” till studiet och deras exempel på hur man kan (men inte behöver) arbeta med bibeltexter. Här har författarnas egna specialiteter och synsätt fått fritt spelrum och ställts sida vid sida med varandra på ett sätt som gör mångfalden tydlig men också öppnar vägen för den relativism som är så framträdande i vår tids Västeuropa: inget synsätt är riktigare än något annat. Läsningen är oundgänglig för envar som vill förstå vad som händer i dagens teologiska värld och rekommenderas därför varmt.” (Signum 33/7 [2007]: 56-58)
Stefan Snellman, prost:
“Det finns idag ett ökat intresse för den äldsta kristna tiden. Många välkomnar därför verket ”Jesus och de första kristna” under redaktion av Dieter Mitternacht och Anders Runesson. I boken medverkar aderton ledande forskare från olika länder.
…
[B]oken är lättläst och kan rekommenderas för alla intresserade. Den omspänner allt från judisk, grekisk-romersk religion och filosofi till postkoloniala och feministiska analyser. Den redovisar alla tänkbara källor och synsätt. Verket är mycket mycket digert” (Nya Åland; Kultur & nöje, 22/12/2007)
Professor Donald A. Hagner, Fuller Theological Seminary
"This Lehrbuch, introducing the NT to university students, replaces the venerable En bok om Nya testamentet... . Just as a barometer indicates changes in weather, the present book serves as an effective indicator of the remarkable changes currently taking place in contemporary scholarship.
---
The book is filled with an enormous amount of useful information that is bound to aid students. Particularly valuable is the attention given to interpretation... The unusual amount of space given to the rigors of interpretation again reflects the complexity of our post-modern context and the current sensitivity to the requirements of the hermeneutical enterprise" (Svensk exegetisk årsbok 75 [2010] 217-221).
Lee Levine, Professor of Jewish History & Archaeology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem:
“This comprehensive compendium of literary, archaeological, epigraphical, and papyrological sources about the ancient synagogue, accompanied by insightful comments and up-to-date bibliography, is an essential tool for any student of Jewish and Christian life during the first centuries CE. Covering the Diaspora as well as Judaea, the volume is an invaluable reference book for gaining an in-depth picture of this multifaceted institution, which had a profound and lasting effect on the development of many aspects of both church and mosque as well.”
Sean Freyne, Professor of Theology emeritus, Trinity Colllege, Dublin Visiting Professor of Early Christian History and Literature, Harvard Divinity School:
“All students of early Judaism and early Christianity will find this volume an essential companion in their efforts to understand the origins and development of both religions. It is unique in that it brings together all the available evidence, both literary and archaeological from the Diaspora and the homeland, dealing with the synagogue as an institution and a building. The authors, experts in the field, introduce a vast amount of information in a user-friendly manner. Each entry, arranged in alphabetical order, has a site description, the relevant literary and inscriptional sources, provided with brief but pointed commentary, introducing the wider discussion about the various sites. A brief introductory chapter helps the reader to enter this relatively new and rapidly developing field of enquiry, as well as outlining the reasons in deciding the parameters of the volume. I can recommend it with enthusiasm.”
J.S. Kloppenborg, Professor, Trinity College, Toronto:
“A key methodological problem in constructing a picture of the development of ancient synagogues arises from the limited and perspectival nature of each of our data-sets: rabbinic rulings, other literary references, inscriptions, and archaeological remains. The Ancient Synagogue is a key resource in overcoming this problem: for the first time we have a comprehensive collection of literary, epigraphical, papyrological, and archaeological sources bearing on ancient synagogues. Each lemma comes with a brief but up-to-date bibliography and short commentary and the editors have supplied both primary texts and English translations, making this an indispensable resource for all who work on ancient synagogues. This is a splendid achievement of scholarship.”
Peter Richardson, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto:
“This source book comes at a propitious time in the study of ancient synagogues and their origins. It is an invaluable resource for everyone interested in—and not infrequently puzzled by—the organizational and architectural development of synagogues prior to 200 CE. The combination of textual and archaeological material, with judicious commentaries and some well chosen drawings, are essential features of the book’s usefulness. It will be much referred to in the coming years, and its judgements will help shape the contours of the ongoing debates.”
James F. Strange, Distinguished University Professor, the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida:
“… It has been put together by well-known scholars in the field, and their work is exhaustive and impeccable. We could not reasonably ask for more. It is simply an indispensable resource for the serious researcher and the student alike.”
Professor Stephen P. Ahearne-Kroll:
“With the advent of the source book under review, the evidence is now readily available in convenient book form. This is a monumental achievement and should change the face of synagogue studies at all levels of expertise.” (Biblical Theology Bulletin 39 [2009])
Professor Daniel M. Gurtner:
“This is an ideal resource. It is comprehensive, well written, concise, thoroughly referenced to both primary literature and the most important secondary literature, and easily used without burdening readers with less important secondary discussions. The book is an essential tool for anyone doing work that intersects with the ancient synagogue.” (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Dec 2008)
Professor Kenneth Atkinson:
“This volume by three well-known experts is a welcome addition to the burgeoning literature on the topic of the ancient synagogue.
…
For each synagogue site, text, or inscription, the authors include all relevant literary references, and a bibliography. All entries include a comment section that provides historical and literary background. The primary sources, whether Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, or Latin, are provided in the original languages followed by an English translation. The book is amply illustrated with maps, drawings, and photographs.
…
Scholars in the fields of New Testament, Classics, Archaeology, Jewish History, and biblical studies will find the present volume an important reference tool. This book is essential for research libraries, and well worth the investment for anyone interested in this fascinating topic.” (Journal for the Study of Judaism 40/1 (2009) 134-135)
Professor Justin Winger, University of Michigan:
“The Ancient Synagogue represents a remarkable contribution to what might become a renewed quest for the historical synagogue. For the first time all sources related to the synagogue prior to 200 CE – both literary and archaeological – have been collected together in one place.
…
[T]he comments provided by the authors have created a work that is much more than simply a compilation of source material
…
The Ancient Synagogue is an extremely useful compendium. The authors have achieved their goal (p.15) of providing a user-friendly compilation of all known sources related to the synagogue between the 3rd century BCE and 200 CE, and it is clear that this volume will be a required reference for all future synagogue studies.”
(http://www.enochseminar.org/henochjournal/editors/2008/RunessonEtc%20(Winger).doc)
Professor René Bloch, University of Bern:
“At a time when research on the ancient synagogue is as prolific as ever, Runesson, Binder, and Olsson provide us with a most useful source book on the earliest evidence of the ancient synagogue.
…
200 C.E. is a well chosen “terminus ante quem” because it allows the authors to include the Mishnah as an important source for the early synagogue (even if, as the authors rightly stress [p. 3 n.5], rabbinic influence on the synagogue became truly important only later). By not choosing the year 70 as a cut-off date, the editors wisely avoid “taking a stance” (p. 15) with respect to the importance of the fall of the temple in Jerusalem for the development of the ancient synagogue. What makes the book unusual and incredibly helpful is that it brings together literary and archaeological sources
…
The comments, both on archaeological sites and on literary sources, are always sound and well argued…. I recently used this source book for a seminar on the ancient synagogue and I can only recommend it highly.” (Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 9 [2009])
Dag Oredsson, Associate Professor, Uppsala University:
"För första gången har primärt källmaterial (texter och arkeologi) för de tidigaste synagogorna sammanställts i en och samma volym. Detta gör boken oundgänglig som utgångspunkt för den som vill göra jämförande studier av dessa synagogor. Den kommer att spara mycken tid och arbete i sökandet i olika publikationer och texter.
...
I bokens introduktion ges en utmärkt översikt av forskningsläget som tillsammans med den omfattande bibliografin i slutet av boken utgör en autostrada rakt in i synagogforskningen.
...
Boken avslutas, utöver redan nämnda bibliografi, av utmärkta index utifrån källor, namn- och ämnesregister, samt synagogterminologi på grekiska, hebreiska och latin. ... Många forskare och studenter i judaistik och den tidiga kristendomen kommer säkert att ha stor glädje av boken många år framöver."
“This comprehensive compendium of literary, archaeological, epigraphical, and papyrological sources about the ancient synagogue, accompanied by insightful comments and up-to-date bibliography, is an essential tool for any student of Jewish and Christian life during the first centuries CE. Covering the Diaspora as well as Judaea, the volume is an invaluable reference book for gaining an in-depth picture of this multifaceted institution, which had a profound and lasting effect on the development of many aspects of both church and mosque as well.”
Sean Freyne, Professor of Theology emeritus, Trinity Colllege, Dublin Visiting Professor of Early Christian History and Literature, Harvard Divinity School:
“All students of early Judaism and early Christianity will find this volume an essential companion in their efforts to understand the origins and development of both religions. It is unique in that it brings together all the available evidence, both literary and archaeological from the Diaspora and the homeland, dealing with the synagogue as an institution and a building. The authors, experts in the field, introduce a vast amount of information in a user-friendly manner. Each entry, arranged in alphabetical order, has a site description, the relevant literary and inscriptional sources, provided with brief but pointed commentary, introducing the wider discussion about the various sites. A brief introductory chapter helps the reader to enter this relatively new and rapidly developing field of enquiry, as well as outlining the reasons in deciding the parameters of the volume. I can recommend it with enthusiasm.”
J.S. Kloppenborg, Professor, Trinity College, Toronto:
“A key methodological problem in constructing a picture of the development of ancient synagogues arises from the limited and perspectival nature of each of our data-sets: rabbinic rulings, other literary references, inscriptions, and archaeological remains. The Ancient Synagogue is a key resource in overcoming this problem: for the first time we have a comprehensive collection of literary, epigraphical, papyrological, and archaeological sources bearing on ancient synagogues. Each lemma comes with a brief but up-to-date bibliography and short commentary and the editors have supplied both primary texts and English translations, making this an indispensable resource for all who work on ancient synagogues. This is a splendid achievement of scholarship.”
Peter Richardson, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto:
“This source book comes at a propitious time in the study of ancient synagogues and their origins. It is an invaluable resource for everyone interested in—and not infrequently puzzled by—the organizational and architectural development of synagogues prior to 200 CE. The combination of textual and archaeological material, with judicious commentaries and some well chosen drawings, are essential features of the book’s usefulness. It will be much referred to in the coming years, and its judgements will help shape the contours of the ongoing debates.”
James F. Strange, Distinguished University Professor, the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida:
“… It has been put together by well-known scholars in the field, and their work is exhaustive and impeccable. We could not reasonably ask for more. It is simply an indispensable resource for the serious researcher and the student alike.”
Professor Stephen P. Ahearne-Kroll:
“With the advent of the source book under review, the evidence is now readily available in convenient book form. This is a monumental achievement and should change the face of synagogue studies at all levels of expertise.” (Biblical Theology Bulletin 39 [2009])
Professor Daniel M. Gurtner:
“This is an ideal resource. It is comprehensive, well written, concise, thoroughly referenced to both primary literature and the most important secondary literature, and easily used without burdening readers with less important secondary discussions. The book is an essential tool for anyone doing work that intersects with the ancient synagogue.” (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Dec 2008)
Professor Kenneth Atkinson:
“This volume by three well-known experts is a welcome addition to the burgeoning literature on the topic of the ancient synagogue.
…
For each synagogue site, text, or inscription, the authors include all relevant literary references, and a bibliography. All entries include a comment section that provides historical and literary background. The primary sources, whether Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, or Latin, are provided in the original languages followed by an English translation. The book is amply illustrated with maps, drawings, and photographs.
…
Scholars in the fields of New Testament, Classics, Archaeology, Jewish History, and biblical studies will find the present volume an important reference tool. This book is essential for research libraries, and well worth the investment for anyone interested in this fascinating topic.” (Journal for the Study of Judaism 40/1 (2009) 134-135)
Professor Justin Winger, University of Michigan:
“The Ancient Synagogue represents a remarkable contribution to what might become a renewed quest for the historical synagogue. For the first time all sources related to the synagogue prior to 200 CE – both literary and archaeological – have been collected together in one place.
…
[T]he comments provided by the authors have created a work that is much more than simply a compilation of source material
…
The Ancient Synagogue is an extremely useful compendium. The authors have achieved their goal (p.15) of providing a user-friendly compilation of all known sources related to the synagogue between the 3rd century BCE and 200 CE, and it is clear that this volume will be a required reference for all future synagogue studies.”
(http://www.enochseminar.org/henochjournal/editors/2008/RunessonEtc%20(Winger).doc)
Professor René Bloch, University of Bern:
“At a time when research on the ancient synagogue is as prolific as ever, Runesson, Binder, and Olsson provide us with a most useful source book on the earliest evidence of the ancient synagogue.
…
200 C.E. is a well chosen “terminus ante quem” because it allows the authors to include the Mishnah as an important source for the early synagogue (even if, as the authors rightly stress [p. 3 n.5], rabbinic influence on the synagogue became truly important only later). By not choosing the year 70 as a cut-off date, the editors wisely avoid “taking a stance” (p. 15) with respect to the importance of the fall of the temple in Jerusalem for the development of the ancient synagogue. What makes the book unusual and incredibly helpful is that it brings together literary and archaeological sources
…
The comments, both on archaeological sites and on literary sources, are always sound and well argued…. I recently used this source book for a seminar on the ancient synagogue and I can only recommend it highly.” (Journal of Hebrew Scriptures - Volume 9 [2009])
Dag Oredsson, Associate Professor, Uppsala University:
"För första gången har primärt källmaterial (texter och arkeologi) för de tidigaste synagogorna sammanställts i en och samma volym. Detta gör boken oundgänglig som utgångspunkt för den som vill göra jämförande studier av dessa synagogor. Den kommer att spara mycken tid och arbete i sökandet i olika publikationer och texter.
...
I bokens introduktion ges en utmärkt översikt av forskningsläget som tillsammans med den omfattande bibliografin i slutet av boken utgör en autostrada rakt in i synagogforskningen.
...
Boken avslutas, utöver redan nämnda bibliografi, av utmärkta index utifrån källor, namn- och ämnesregister, samt synagogterminologi på grekiska, hebreiska och latin. ... Många forskare och studenter i judaistik och den tidiga kristendomen kommer säkert att ha stor glädje av boken många år framöver."
