Language:
English
Year of publication:
2019
Titel der Quelle:
Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Period
Angaben zur Quelle:
50,2 (2019) 223-251
Keywords:
Pax Romana
;
Birkat Kohanim
;
Tannaim Attitudes
;
Midrash History and criticism
;
Peace Biblical teaching
;
Peace in rabbinical literature
Abstract:
Tannaitic compositions include midrashim that focus on "shalom" (peace) and its significance. Since the word shalom appears in numerous contexts in the Tanak, the sages were able to develop various ideas, depending on their preferences, from an array of biblical verses. Despite having been composed under Roman rule, these shalom midrashim make no mention of Rome. Thus, scholars who have studied these sources have given scant attention to this broader framework. However, peace played a crucial role in Roman imperial ideology, where Rome is presented bringing peace to the empire. In this article, I analyze these midrashim and other Tannaitic passages and examine their relationship with Roman notions of peace. I show that this material conveys a latent dialogue with the ideology related to "pax Romana" and how the Roman conceptualization of peace appears to have influenced rabbinic approaches to shalom.
DOI:
10.1163/15700631-12521224
URL:
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