With the publication of this volume, the Anchor Bible Reference Library achieves a landmark in the history of rabbinic literature and religion. In Introduction to Rabbinic Literature, legendary author Jacob Neusner collects the essence of a lifetime of scholarship.

In short, this book explores the formative age of rabbinic literature, and tells in a simple, straightforward way what these documents are, where to find them, how to read them, and why their contents matter - and it does this all within the confines of one volume.

With the hands of a master scholar, Neusner weaves together the rich tapestry of documents that make up the literature of the rabbis, and shows why they are often called "The Other Half of the Torah" - the oral Torah, for they contain the commentary of the great rabbis on ancient scripture. It's all discussed here - the Mishnah, the Tosefta, the Talmuds of the Land of Israel and of Babylonia, the Midrash compilations, and much more.

In addition, Neusner pays special attention to the literature of the rabbis as it pertains to the Old Testament and Christianity.

In reading this text, it is clear how and why the writings of the great rabbis have taken their place at the summit of humanity's intellectual achievement and heritage. And in the writing of this text, Jacob Neusner has created the definitive and indispensable guide for all those interested in the intriguing world of the rabbis during the centuries immediately following the emergence of Christianity.