Letters from Home: The Creation of Diaspora in Jewish Antiquity

As Simkovich’s (Catholic-Jewish studies, Catholic Theological Union; Discovering Second Temple Literature) book shows, Hellenistic Judaism was far from monolithic. A plethora of groups and perspectives jostled to define and redefine Jewish culture and identity in a time of political and social instability. Among the contested concepts was the theological meaning of the Jewish diaspora, the Jewish communities living outside of the land of Israel. Simkovich carefully interprets the texts produced, translated, and passed between Jewish communities in Judea and Egypt. She reveals a complex and nuanced conversation in which both sides employed literary devices and voices from historical figures and the religious tradition to persuade their readers of the primacy of their position. Judean communities created and circulated texts that emphasized the centrality of the temple in Jerusalem and life inside the boundaries of Israel. Meanwhile, the Egyptian texts, while maintaining a connection with communities in Judea, made moves to legitimize their experiences and religious expressions.