“When did Judaism begin?” is not a naive question. Every answer to this question would require presenting an acceptable definition of Judaism. Not an easy task. There are many definitions. Most (or all) of them are the subjects of fierce and never ending debates.
Prof Yonatan Adler of the Ariel University, face this challenge in his new book, The Origins of Judaism, which has already attracted much attention. In his study, he deals bravely with the definition of Judaism and then determines the time and place of its emergence.
On this talk with Alex, Prof Adler presents the methodology of his study, explains his analysis and shares his surprising conclusion: Judaism was probably widely adopted in the times of the Hasmonean dynasty throughout the second century BCE.
Now, is this early or late?
Yonatan Adler is associate professor in the department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel. He is a member of the State of Israel’s Council for Archaeology since 2018.