Jacob Wright, *Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and its Origins*. New York and Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023.

Mikhl Yashinsky, ed. and trans., *The Mother of Yiddish Theatre: Memoirs of Ester-Rokhl Kaminska*. London: Bloomsbury, 2025.

This intimate self-portrait of Ester-Rokhl Kaminska (1870–1925), a pioneering Yiddish actress, first appeared in the Warsaw daily *Der Moment* (1926-7) and is now translated into English for the first time. The memoir takes us through her life, illustrating the rise of this significant artist and her art form, as we follow Kaminska's challenging journey from shtetl to city, her illegal performances in unexpected venues across the Russian Empire, and her eventual acclaim from the public. The memoirs richly convey the everyday realities faced by working Jewish women, capturing the grit and the hard-won glamour of backstage life (or, in her case, back-barn/barrack/barroom). An extensive introduction and notes by Mikhl Yashinsky provide historical context and an evaluation of Kaminska's groundbreaking talent.

Nathan French, *A Theocentric Interpretation of הדעת טוב ורע: The Knowledge of Good and Evil as the Knowledge for Administering Reward and Punishment*. Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2021.

In this scholarly inquiry, Nathan French seeks to address the question: what is the most accurate interpretation of הדעת טוב ורע, or "The Knowledge of Good and Evil," as mentioned in Gen 2:9, 17; 3:5, and 3:22? In Gen 3:5 and 3:22, this knowledge is associated with God and divine beings. This research delves into the variations of טוב ("good") and רעע ("evil/bad") found in the Hebrew Bible, primarily concentrating on Genesis and the Deuteronomistic History, particularly examining instances where God exerts influence over 'good' and 'bad/evil.' Based on the findings, Nathan French introduces a secondary discussion centered on the hermeneutical principle of divine retribution as a foundational aspect of ancient Near Eastern historiography. On a tertiary level, French explores the concepts of divine blessing and cursing, linking them to good and evil in both ancient Near Eastern literature and the Hebrew Bible. Through this focused theocentric analysis of the lexemes, combined with a broader examination of ancient Near Eastern history and culture, French proposes an answer to the central question of this study: 'The Divine Knowledge for Administering Reward and Punishment.' Thus, the Eden Narrative illustrates how humans partially achieve divinity, becoming akin to God and the divine beings (Gen 3:5; 3:22; Ps 82) by acquiring the forbidden divine knowledge that grants them ultimate power.

Ishay Rosen-Zvi, *How to Read the Mishnah and Midrash: An Introduction to Early Rabbinic Literature*. Daniel Tabak, trans. Oakland, California: University of California Press, 2026.

The early rabbinic era produced two main literary forms—the Mishnah and Midrash—which have since become fundamental pillars of Jewish textual tradition. This monograph serves as the first comprehensive introduction to these two crucial works of Jewish thought in the English language. In many ways, all later rabbinic literature can trace its roots back to the framework established by these two genres. The Mishnah established a complete legal system that operates independently of the Bible, covering a remarkably broad spectrum of legal topics—from ritual law to civil disputes, capital legislation, marital status, and beyond—woven into a coherent and self-sustaining legal corpus. The Midrash is acknowledged as the first extensive commentary on the Pentateuch, characterized by its interpretive freedom and creative engagement. This practical guide offers a deep understanding of how the two texts function and provides essential tools for thorough engagement with them. With translations, detailed readings, and analyses of hundreds of primary source materials, this book grants readers a deeper understanding of the structure, methodology, and enduring significance of the Mishnah and Midrash.

Hindy Najman, *Scriptural Vitality: Rethinking Philology and Hermeneutics*. New York: Oxford University Press, 2025.

This study contests the perspective that the Persian and Hellenistic periods signify a decline, often referred to as "late Judaism," situated between a once-vibrant Judaism and the rise of Christianity.  Conversely, Hindy Najman contends that the Second Temple period was distinguished by unrestrained creativity and poetic imagination, characterized by philosophical translation, poetic composition, and a convergence of ancient Mediterranean cultures that encouraged hermeneutic innovation. By building on Friedrich Nietzsche's critique of classical philology and exploring new interpretative methods for the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Najman initiates a radical rethinking of biblical studies.  Rather than attempting to reconstruct the original text or identify its original author or context, Najman celebrates the diversity and transformation of texts, tracing how meanings and texts proliferated within interpretive communities through innovative performances and new articulations of the past.  Engaging with thinkers such as Friedrich Schlegel and Peter Szondi, who are rarely acknowledged by biblical scholars, biblical philology is reimagined as a forward-moving study of the poetic processes through which Jewish communities re-created their past and revitalized their present.  The Second Temple period emerges as an extraordinary age of creativity, whose influences may still be observed in contemporary Judaism and Christianity.

Joseph Scales, *Galilean Spaces of Identity: Judaism and Spatiality in Hasmonean and Herodian Galilee*. Leiden: Brill, 2024.

We interpret the world surrounding us through the constructed spaces we inhabit. These spaces are formed by human activities and, in turn, shape the way people live. This book delves into an analysis of archaeological and textual evidence from the inception of Hasmonean influence in Galilee to the outbreak of the First Jewish War against Rome, exploring how Judaism was socially articulated: in bodily, communal, and regional dimensions. Within each articulation, certain elements of Jewish identity are present, including ideas of purity, communal gatherings, and Galilee's ties with the Hasmoneans, Jerusalem, and the Temple during its last days.