ANCIENT JEW REVIEW

As I learned more about the literature and history of my tradition, I found myself drawn to another important author, Narsai, and wondered whether someday a similarly accessible and instructive volume might be written about him. This project has been both a dream and an aspiration ever since.

Indeed, these audiences in particular would benefit from Olyan’s treatment since they have adopted, at least in part, the academic tools of biblical scholarship, take the Bible seriously as a text of moral significance, and could theoretically affect social and political change in a way that is not limited to academic circles.

“I came to a realization similar to the one about composition history, though considerably more mundane: the jumble of words, numbers, and punctuation that make up a biblical reference is objectively confusing if you’re not used to it!”

The desire to construct harmonious pasts selectively highlights only those aspects of ancient identities and experiences that align with current ideals, conveniently omitting the less contemporarily palatable. This selective narrative fosters the belief that coexistence is inherent and natural, rather than a hard-fought process.

Advisory Board member Andrew Jacobs reflects upon the past 10 years of Ancient Jew Review.