The question leading this study is whether or not the contents of Hezekiah‘s storehouses and treasuries (2 Ki 20:13, 2 Chr 32:25-28 and Is 39:2) defy or reflect the reality of the Judaean domestic economy in the late 8th – early 7th century BCE. I have adopted a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, considering the literary, political, economic, religious, and socio-cultural dimensions of Hezekiah‘s reign. The study concludes that revenue from agriculture could not have been Hezekiah‘s only source of income. Local goods and taxes were insufficient in volume and value to account for the extent of Hezekiah‘s wealth. While the religious reforms and cult centralisation introduced by Hezekiah would have generated considerable income, alternative sources must have been available to the king. Tolls, taxes, and customs imposed on the international trade traversing the Levant contributed significantly. Examination of the available archaeological evidence reflects a prosperous economy, one that favoured a powerful minority. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M. A. (Biblical Archaeology)

The chief aims of this study are to determine what, if any, accounting processes were employed during the first millennium BC (1000-332 BC) in Palestine, to determine whether these were the result of the socio-economic requirements of the various centralised polities operative in Palestine during this period, how these processes developed over the course of the first millennium and whether they conform to the definition of accounting provided in Chapter One. I have adopted an archaeological, epigraphic and qualitative approach taking into consideration the historical and socio-economic backgrounds of the different political administrations in control during the period under discussion. The evidence demonstrates that the adopted processes can be regarded as accounting processes since they conform to at least three of the four components of the definition of accounting and that these processes developed over the course of time depending on the particular requirements of the ruling authority. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M.A. (Biblical Archaeology)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:19:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silas Cardoso2.pdf: 1303036 bytes, checksum: 6bfbab99f1aee463f9c257e694559274 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-05-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The research aims the Torah as an aniconic cultic object in the postexilic, revealing its ritualistic face in the Ancient Israel worship. It is proposed that the centralization of Torah in the Second Temple Period will be an ideological and macrostructural construction i.e., an invented tradition of the post-exilic priesthood that aims to unify the nation that rebuild itself. For that analysis, three cuts related to the question are persecuted: (1) the cult materiality in its continuities and ruptures with the pre-exilic Israelite religion, from the material culture and biblical analysis of four central cultic objects presented in the Deuteronomistic History, bamah, massebah, Asherah and Ark; (2) the redactional practices that defend the Torah centralization that inspires in the other cults of Ancient Israel, especially observed in the exegetical analysis of Ps 19, one of the major Torah Psalms of the Hebrew salter; (3) the canonical texts editing that was legitimator retroprojected visions of the posterior and centralized vision of Torah, from the creation of a text materiality typology, from the exegetical analysis of the texts. With that environment we propose a model of four instances of construction of post-exilic aniconism, centralized on Torah and reaching the different layers from judahite religion. / A pesquisa trabalha a Torá como objeto de culto anicônico no pósexílio, apresentando sua face ritualística no culto do Israel Antigo. É proposto que a centralização da Torá no período do Segundo Templo seria uma construção ideológica macroestrutural i.e., uma tradição inventada do grupo sacerdotal pós-exílico em vista de unificar a nação que se reconstruía e reconfigurava. Para tal análise, observam- se três recortes distintos ligados à questão: (1) a materialidade do culto em suas continuidades e rupturas com a religião israelita pré-exílica, a partir da análise da cultura material e da análise da literatura bíblica de quatro objetos cúlticos centrais da OHD, bamah, massebah, Asherá e arca; (2) as práticas redacionais que advogavam a centralização da Torá com inspiração nos demais cultos e concepções do divino no Antigo Israel, especialmente observada na análise exegética do Sl 19, como um dos principais Salmos da Torá que teriam sido produzidos no período para promulgar a nova prática; e (3) a editoração dos diversos textos canônicos que teriam sido retroprojeções legitimadores da visão posterior centralizadora da Torá, através da criação de uma tipologia da materialidade dos textos e da Torá advinda da análise exegética de diversos textos. Com tal panorama, sob pesquisa exegética de orientação histórico-crítica, é proposto um modelo de quatro instâncias de construção do aniconismo pós-exílico, centralizado na Torá e atingindo as diferentes camadas da religião judaíta.

Born in Lisbon in an inaccurate date between 1460 and 1470, Judah Abravanel, since young, according to his biographer João Vila-Chã, devoted himself to study, contemplation and the typical teaching and learning model of the outstanding Jewish families of his time, or that is, a model marked by a substantial program of studies which included, in particular, Greek and Hebrew heritage. However, the first characteristic that differentiates his intellectual development is the condition of being the son of Isaac Abravanel (1437-1508), counselor and treasurer of D. Afonso V, whose prominence in the Portuguese court generated disagreements against the actions of the Jews. To his father, his personality is very much obliged; both in their public performance, in the synagogue and in the court, as well as in personal orientations; his father transmitted to him the initiation into the secrets of Kabbalah and the philosophical reflections of authors like Aristotle and Maimonides. Also known as the Leone Ebreo, the study of Judah Abravanel's historical-religious identity, contained in the book Dialogues of Love, proposes a perspective of wandering being-in-exile, ie experiencing the human condition in terms of passion and pain, proper of the sephardic mentality that is strengthened from that period, like dispersed Jew. The poetics present here manifests a theory of love produced with strong influence, among others, by Marsilio Ficino and Jochanan Alemanno, the latter one of the precursors Hebrew of the humanist Pico della Mirandola, and who is said to have provided a meeting between the two. Not only did his Dialogues of Love intertwines the Jewish Scriptures with the teaching of Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics and the Arabs (especially Averroes and Avicenna), but they also influenced the work of later authors such as Giordano Bruno. The Neoplatonic perspective there conceives love as a universal principle, uniting the inferior to the superior, the universe with its creator; moreover, he understands creation as an a priori given, hence "he indulges in the refutation of the Aristotelian thesis of the eternity of the world" (CALAFATE, 2000). The Neoplatonic writing of Judah Abravanel hides a structure of Kabbalah teaching, as learned from the wise Jewish theologians, who would have influenced the philosophy of Plato, as understood by Leone Ebreo. Therefore, this work has as general objective, to expose the conception of love of Judah Abravanel expressed in his Dialogues of Love, emphasizing the literary, philosophical and religious aspects that compose this work. / Nascido em Lisboa em data imprecisa entre 1460 e 1470, Judá Abravanel, desde novo, como atenta seu biógrafo João Vila-Chã, se dedicou ao estudo, à contemplação e ao típico modelo de ensino e aprendizagem das destacadas famílias judaicas de sua época, ou seja, um modelo marcado por um substancial programa de estudos em que incluíam, de modo especial, herança grega e hebraica. No entanto, a primeira característica que faz diferenciar seu desenvolvimento intelectual é a condição de ter sido filho de Isaac Abravanel (1437-1508), conselheiro e tesoureiro de D. Afonso V, cujo destaque na corte portuguesa gerou desavenças contra a atuação dos judeus. A seu pai, sua personalidade muito deve; tanto em seu desempenho público, na sinagoga e na corte, quanto em orientações pessoais; seu pai lhe transmitiu a iniciação nos segredos da Cabala e nas reflexões filosóficas de autores como Aristóteles e Maimônides. Também conhecido como Leão Hebreu, o estudo da identidade histórico-religiosa de Judá Abravanel, contida na obra Diálogos de Amor, propõe uma perspectiva de errância do ser-em-exílio, ou seja, a vivência da condição humana em termos de paixão e dor, própria da mentalidade sefardita que se fortalece a partir desse período, como judeu disperso. A poética ali presente manifesta uma teoria do amor produzida com forte influência, dentre outros, de Marsilo Ficino e Jochanan Alemanno, este último um dos precursores hebraicos do humanista Pico della Mirandola, e a quem se atribui ter proporcionado o encontro entre ambos. Não somente seus Diálogos de Amor entrelaçaram as Escrituras Judaicas com o ensino de Platão, Aristóteles, os estóicos e os árabes (sobretudo Averróis e Avicena), mas também influenciaram a obra de autores posteriores como Giordano Bruno. A perspectiva neoplatônica ali presente concebe o amor como princípio universal, unindo o inferior ao superior, o universo com o seu criador; aliás, ele entende a criação como dado apriorístico, por isto “ele se entrega à refutação da tese aristotélica da eternidade do mundo” (CALAFATE, 2000). A escrita neoplatônica de Judá Abravanel oculta uma estrutura de ensino da Cabala, como aprendida dos sábios teólogos judeus, os quais teriam influenciado a filosofia de Platão, assim entende Leão Hebreu. Portanto, esse trabalho tem como objetivo geral, expor a concepção de amor de Judá Abravanel expressa em seus Diálogos de Amor, ressaltando os aspectos literários, filosóficos e religiosos que compõem essa obra. / São Cristóvão, SE

Netiv haprišut. Sexualita a askeze v judaismu Kamila Špinarová Abstract Diploma thesis "Netiv haprishut. Sexuality and Asceticism in Judaism" deals with the "Path of Restraint" written by rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the MaHaRaL of Prague. The Path of Restraint is sixteenth chapter of Maharal's philosophical and ethical tractate "Netivot olam". The treatise brings in Maharal's recommendations regarding human acts in intimate sphere of life. The submitted work deals with selected texts from the Path of Restraint, especially with the prohibition of men's autoeroticism. The thesis provides coherent view on Maharal's writings and on the meaning of the term "prishut" within the framework of Maharal's writings. The author of this thesis believes, that the term "prishut" has an essential meaning for Maharal's universe. The true "restraint" has the power to emancipate the man from the destructive influence of the matter and to unify the sphere of the matter with the sphere of divinity. The author then focuses on the passage from the Sefer Zohar (1:18a). Maharal cites the passage three times in his entire work - in the Path of Restraint, in Hiddushei Aggadot and in Be'er ha-Golah. The aforementioned text of the Zohar describes the emanation of the divine creative potency through sefiroth. Latter on Maharal...

This thesis deals with the intellectual heritage of Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the Maharal of Prague and with his affiliation to the Kabbalah. The Kabbalah sprang up amongst Jewish scholars of 12th century Spain and reached its apex in the composition of the Zohar. This study shows the ways the Maharal used the Zohar and to what end. First chapter deals with the life and writings of the Maharal. The second summarises previous attempts to describe the Maharal's affinity for Jewish mysticism. The third chapter describes how the Zohar was written. It includes a textological comparison, which aims to find which edition or group of manuscripts of the Zohar the Maharal used. It also makes note of the special form of zoharic Aramaic that is present in the Maharal's writings. The fourth chapter raises the question of halakhic authority of the Zohar in the 15th and 16th centuries. Three main chapters of this thesis provide analysis and commentary of chosen zoharic texts (Zohar III,152a, Zohar III,40a, Zohar I,18a a Zohar I,33b) quoted by the Maharal in his writings and with their theological reflection. Zohar III,152a speaks about different layers of meaning implied in the text of the Torah. This chapter deals with the basic development of Jewish hermeneutics and attempts to find Maharal's place in it....

Depuis leur expulsion de la Terre sainte après la destruction du Second Temple (70 C.E.), les Juifs ne cessèrent d'espérer y retourner. Au fil des siècles, se développèrent plusieurs mouvements d'immigration (l'ʼaliyāh) motivés souvent par des aspirations millénaires. Les plus marquants sont ceux de Tossaphistes de France et d'Angleterre durant le XIIIème siècle, et par la suite de Juifs d'Espagne qui immigrèrent en Terre sainte après l'expulsion de 1492. En 1700, Rabbi Juda ha-Ḥasid (1660-1700) organisa une ʼaliyāh collective en provenance d'Europe de l'Est, dirigée vers Jérusalem. Plus tard, à partir de 1760 se formèrent plusieurs mouvements d' ʼaliyāh tant de disciples de Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1690-1760) - les ḥasidim, que ceux de Rabbi Eliyahu- le Gaon de Vilna (1720-1797)- les pĕrūšīm. La première partie de cette étude analyse les motivations de ces mouvements, et met en lumière la doctrine rédemptrice du Gaon de Vilna à travers une recherche originale de sa biographie et de ses ouvrages novateurs. Dans sa deuxième partie, elle analyse comment les disciples du Gaon mirent en pratique en Terre sainte les enseignements de leur maître. Afin de saisir la portée de leurs actions, il est nécessaire de comprendre le contexte géopolitique de l'Empire ottoman et de la Palestine du début du XIXème siècle, ainsi que la particularité des Capitulations régissant le statut des étrangers. Cette étude montre comment les pĕrūšīm surent agir de façon efficace et très innovante face aux problèmes majeurs de l'implantation juive en Terre d’Israël, notamment en ce qui concerne les relations avec le pouvoir ottoman local et avec les représentants des Puissances et les consuls européens, le développement économique et la création d'un système scolaire nouveau. / Since their expulsion from the Holy Land after the destruction of the Second Temple (70 C.E.), the Jews did not cease to hope to return. Over the centuries, immigration movements (Aliyot) grew, often motivated by millennia aspirations. The most notable are those of the Tossafists of France and England during the 13th century, and later, the Jews of Spain who immigrated to the Holy Land after the expulsion of 1492. In 1700, Rabbi Judah ha-Hasid (1660-1700) organized a collective Aliyah from Eastern Europe to Jerusalem. Later, from 1760, several Aliyah movements emerged such as the immigration of the disciples of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1690-1760), known as the Hasidim, and of the disciples of Rabbi Eliahu, the Vilna Gaon (1720-1797), known as the Perushim. The first part of this study analyzes the motivations of these movements, and highlights the redemptive doctrine of the Vilna Gaon through original research on his biography and his innovative works. In its second part, the study analyzes how the Gaon's disciples put the teachings of their master into practice in the Holy land. To grasp the significance of their actions, it is necessary to understand the geopolitical context of the Ottoman Empire and Palestine from the early 19th century, and the particularity of the "Capitulations" governing the status of foreigners. This study shows how the Perushim knew how to act effectively and very innovatively concerning the major challenges which the Yishuv, the Jewish settlement, faced. Among the areas of activity in which the disciples of the Gaon involved themselves were the relations with the ottoman local government and with representatives of the Powers, economic development and the creation of a unique educational system.

This thesis investigates the period in Judah which took place precisely a century between the death ofHezekiah (687 BCE) and the final fall of Jerusalem (587 BCE) Seldom has a nation experienced so many dramatically sudden reversals of fortune in so relatively short a time. Throughout the first half of the seventh century BCE the Assyrian empire reigned supreme. In the second half, in rapid succession, Judah, as a vassal, experienced periods of independence and of subjection, first to Egypt, then to Babylonia, before finally destroying herself in a futile rebellion against the latter. The aim of the thesis was to set Judah in the global context and investigate the role she played. To this end the Great Powers, namely Assyria, Egypt and Babylonia were surveyed, as well as were the Small Powers, like Judah, Phoenicia and the Transjordanian states, and the relationships probed. The thesis traces the life of the wicked but extraordinarily successful King Manasseh, and his equally reprobate son, Amon, who was brutally murdered by his servants, and was avenged by 'the people of the land'. Josiah is the only monarch who fits the Deuteronomistic requirements of a good king. Religious and national reform generally go hand in hand with politics, and the cultic reform and centralization of the cult characterise his reign. · With the fall of Assyria, the temporary surge into prominence by Egypt and the tragic death of Josiah in 609 BCE, Judah experienced radical political fluctuations and with them alternate subjugation by, and rebellion against, each of the major powers. Inexperienced leadership and a situation of dual kings, followed Josiah's death. The rapidly changing international scene demanded of the rulers of Judah skillful manoeuvring and exceptional adaptability, and frequently confronted them with ominous political situations. Judaean leaders and the puppet King Zedekiah, propped up by false prophets, failed to grasp the shift in the balance of power, and clung to questionable Egyptian aid against the new world power, Babylonia. Highly vulnerable and left in the lurch, Jerusalem faced protracted siege and famine in Jerusalem, destruction ofthe Temple, and deportation ofthe cream ofher people. / Classics and Modern European Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Judaica)

The phenomenon of inner-biblical interpretation and inter-textual replication of scriptural material within the Old Testament is receiving significant attention in current scholarship. Two narratives which are repeated three times in the Hebrew Bible provide a particularly fruitful case study for this type of research: the Hezekiah narrative (2 Kgs 18-20; Isa 36-39; 2 Chr 29-32) and the account of the fall of Judah (2 Kgs 24-25; Jer 52; 2 Chr 36). This study extends the contributions of redaction-critical, literary-critical, and text-critical studies examining the narratives of 2 Kings 18-20//Isaiah 36-39 and 2 Kings 24:18-25:30//Jeremiah 52 and emphasizes their subsequent reception in Chronicles. In addition, this investigation advances the discussion of the Chronicler's reliance upon and method of incorporating material from the Latter Prophets. It is the conclusion of this thesis that the Chronicler was familiar with the versions of the Hezekiah narrative and the account of the fall of Judah in both 2 Kings and the Latter Prophets. His method of handling these alternative accounts reflects both direct quotation (particularly in the case of 2 Kings) and indirect allusion to themes and idioms (with regard to the Latter Prophets). The result is a re-telling of Judah's history which is infused with hope for restoration as articulated by the Latter Prophets. By portraying an idealized account of Israel's past history which corresponds to prophetic descriptions of the nation's restoration, Chronicles illustrates the accessible, utopic potential held out to every generation of faithful Israel.

This thesis investigates the period in Judah which took place precisely a century between the death ofHezekiah (687 BCE) and the final fall of Jerusalem (587 BCE) Seldom has a nation experienced so many dramatically sudden reversals of fortune in so relatively short a time. Throughout the first half of the seventh century BCE the Assyrian empire reigned supreme. In the second half, in rapid succession, Judah, as a vassal, experienced periods of independence and of subjection, first to Egypt, then to Babylonia, before finally destroying herself in a futile rebellion against the latter. The aim of the thesis was to set Judah in the global context and investigate the role she played. To this end the Great Powers, namely Assyria, Egypt and Babylonia were surveyed, as well as were the Small Powers, like Judah, Phoenicia and the Transjordanian states, and the relationships probed. The thesis traces the life of the wicked but extraordinarily successful King Manasseh, and his equally reprobate son, Amon, who was brutally murdered by his servants, and was avenged by 'the people of the land'. Josiah is the only monarch who fits the Deuteronomistic requirements of a good king. Religious and national reform generally go hand in hand with politics, and the cultic reform and centralization of the cult characterise his reign. · With the fall of Assyria, the temporary surge into prominence by Egypt and the tragic death of Josiah in 609 BCE, Judah experienced radical political fluctuations and with them alternate subjugation by, and rebellion against, each of the major powers. Inexperienced leadership and a situation of dual kings, followed Josiah's death. The rapidly changing international scene demanded of the rulers of Judah skillful manoeuvring and exceptional adaptability, and frequently confronted them with ominous political situations. Judaean leaders and the puppet King Zedekiah, propped up by false prophets, failed to grasp the shift in the balance of power, and clung to questionable Egyptian aid against the new world power, Babylonia. Highly vulnerable and left in the lurch, Jerusalem faced protracted siege and famine in Jerusalem, destruction ofthe Temple, and deportation ofthe cream ofher people. / Classics and Modern European Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Judaica)