Various cases of treatment recorded by Yagel demonstrate his synthesis of medicine with astrology and Judaism. The contemporary view ofdemonology in relation to disease is shown to include rabbinic and Cabalistic ideas. The author shows how Yagel's study of nature reaffirmed his belief in the unity of God and discusses his attitude towards prodigies of nature, contemporary scientific discovery,...

Like all scholars, Samuel Stern was profoundly influenced by his teachers and mentors. This article focuses on four scholars with whom forged especially close relationships: S.D. Goitein (1900–1985), D.H. Baneth (1893–1973), Paul Kraus (1904–1944), Richard Walzer (1900–1975). Through an analysis of their ideas about Islam, Judaism, Islamic Studies, this paper aims to situate Stern’s work in its...

Why do religious minorities respond in different ways to economic development? We develop a model of religious organizations based on a historical case study of Jewish emancipation in nineteenth century Europe. In Germany, a liberal Reform movement developed in response to emancipation, while ultra-Orthodox Judaism emerged in eastern Europe. Our explanation for this polarization contributes to ...

The major aim of the religious person is to obey God’s injunctions and follow His ways. If he or she shall do so, will attain success in this world world-to-come. Thus, Abrahamic religions have come center on precepts involving man’s relationship with God an occupation spirituality. Accordingly, central figures those who head hierarchy are rabbis (in Judaism), priests monks Christianity), Imams...

Recenzja książki: Hector M. Patmore – Josef Lössl (eds.), Demons in Early Judaism and Christianity . Characters Characteristics (Ancient 113; Leiden Boston, MA: Brill 2022). Pp. 339. € 146.28. ISBN 978-90-04-51714-1

Any student of comparative religion will notice - and seek to identify as well - the points of similarity and difference between various religions. One might even claim that the discipline of “influence studies” has its roots in these discussions of comparison and contrast. However, these discussions persistently fail to address the nuances of particular faiths. Here, I intend to shed some ligh...

As different in approach and range as they undoubtedly are, these four books all share an interest in medieval representational practices out of which complex ideas and theories concerning bodies — indeed, out of which different bodies — emerge. Katharine Park’s Secrets of Women is a wonderfully rich study of anatomy and dissection in northern Italy as it developed from the fourteenth to the si...