- The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh):
- Includes the Torah (Pentateuch), Prophets (Nevi’im), and Writings (Ketuvim).
- Recommended translations: The Jewish Study Bible (Oxford), which provides extensive commentary and context.
- The Talmud:
- Mishnah: The foundational compilation of Jewish oral law.
- Gemara: Rabbinic commentary and discussions on the Mishnah.
- Recommended Edition: Steinsaltz Talmud or Soncino Babylonian Talmud.
- Midrash:
- Collections of rabbinic stories and interpretations of biblical texts.
- Recommended texts: Midrash Rabbah (on Genesis, Exodus, etc.), which explores allegorical and mystical meanings.
Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha These texts offer insights into the Second Temple period and Jewish theological developments.
- 1 Enoch (The Book of Enoch):
- Explores angelology, the fall of the Watchers, and apocalyptic visions.
- Recommended Edition: The Book of Enoch: A New Translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James C. VanderKam.
- Jubilees (The Little Genesis):
- A retelling of Genesis and Exodus with a focus on angelic mediation and sacred chronology.
- Recommended Edition: The Book of Jubilees translated by R. H. Charles.
- The Wisdom of Solomon:
- A blend of Jewish theology and Greek philosophy, emphasizing wisdom and immortality.
- Included in many editions of the Apocrypha.
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus):
- A collection of ethical teachings and practical wisdom.
- Available in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles or standalone editions.
- The Psalms of Solomon:
- A collection of psalms emphasizing divine justice and messianic hope.
- The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs:
- Ethical and eschatological teachings attributed to the twelve sons of Jacob.
- The Dead Sea Scrolls:
- Sectarian texts from the Qumran community, including:
- The Rule of the Community (Manual of Discipline).
- The War Scroll.
- Hymns of Thanksgiving.
- Recommended Edition: The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English by Geza Vermes.
Kabbalistic and Mystical Texts These texts delve into Jewish mysticism, exploring divine structure, the soul, and the nature of reality.
- The Zohar (Book of Splendor):
- The foundational text of Kabbalah, offering mystical interpretations of the Torah.
- Recommended Edition: The Zohar: Pritzker Edition by Daniel C. Matt (multi-volume, scholarly translation).
- Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Creation):
- A mystical text focusing on the creation of the universe through the Hebrew alphabet and the ten sefirot.
- Recommended Edition: The Book of Creation: Sefer Yetzirah by Aryeh Kaplan.
- Bahir (The Book of Illumination):
- An early Kabbalistic text that introduces ideas about the sefirot and divine emanations.
- Recommended Edition: The Bahir: Illumination by Aryeh Kaplan.
- The Hekhalot Literature:
- Mystical writings about ascents to the heavenly palaces and encounters with angels.
- Recommended Edition: Hekhalot Literature in Translation by James Davila.
Historical and Philosophical Texts These works provide insight into Jewish thought during key periods of history.
- Flavius Josephus:
- Antiquities of the Jews and The Jewish War: Historical accounts of Jewish history and the destruction of the Second Temple.
- Recommended Edition: The Complete Works of Josephus by William Whiston.
- Philo of Alexandria:
- A Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who synthesized Jewish theology and Greek philosophy.
- Recommended Edition: The Works of Philo translated by C. D. Yonge.
- The Letter of Aristeas:
- A text about the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek (the Septuagint) and Jewish customs.
- Recommended Edition: Included in The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha by James H. Charlesworth.
Practical Ethical and Devotional Texts
- Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers):
- A collection of ethical teachings from the Mishnah.
- Recommended Edition: Ethics of the Fathers: A New Translation by Irving M. Bunim.
- The Kuzari by Judah Halevi:
- A philosophical dialogue exploring Jewish faith, divine revelation, and the uniqueness of Israel.
- Recommended Edition: Translated by N. Daniel Korobkin.
- Duties of the Heart (Chovot HaLevavot) by Bahya ibn Pakuda:
- A classic of Jewish ethics focusing on inner piety and devotion.
- Recommended Edition: Translated by Moses Hyamson.
Esoteric and Alchemical Crossovers
- The Book of Raziel the Angel:
- A mystical text attributed to the angel Raziel, focusing on esoteric knowledge and magical practices.
- Recommended Edition: English translations are often partial but can be found in occult libraries.
- The Sefer HaChayyim (Book of Life):
- Discusses mystical and ethical dimensions of Jewish spirituality.
Collections and Compilations
- The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha (2 volumes) edited by James H. Charlesworth:
- A comprehensive collection of Jewish apocryphal and pseudepigraphal texts.
- The Apocrypha:
- Included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles or standalone editions (e.g., The New Oxford Annotated Apocrypha).
- Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg:
- A retelling of Jewish legends and Midrashic stories.
Several texts from Jewish tradition and the period before Jesus were not included in the canonical Old Testament but were highly influential and could have been considered for inclusion. These texts include apocryphal (hidden) and pseudepigraphal (falsely attributed) works, as well as other writings revered in certain Jewish and early Christian communities. Here are some of the most notable texts:
- The Apocrypha The term "Apocrypha" refers to a collection of Jewish writings included in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) and used by early Christians, but excluded from the Jewish Masoretic Text and the Protestant Old Testament. Examples:
- Tobit:
- A story of faith, piety, and divine intervention, focusing on a family in exile and the angel Raphael’s guidance.
- Themes: God's providence, healing, and marriage as sacred.
- Judith:
- A tale of heroism about a Jewish widow who saves her people by beheading the enemy general Holofernes.
- Themes: Courage, divine assistance, and the triumph of faith.
- 1 and 2 Maccabees:
- Historical accounts of the Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BCE) against the Seleucid Empire and the rededication of the Temple.
- Themes: Religious freedom, martyrdom, and the defense of Jewish identity.
- Wisdom of Solomon:
- A philosophical treatise blending Jewish theology and Hellenistic philosophy, attributed to King Solomon.
- Themes: Divine wisdom, immortality, and justice.
- Sirach (Ecclesiasticus):
- A collection of ethical teachings and proverbs, similar to Proverbs but with a more expansive focus.
- Themes: Practical wisdom, family life, and fear of the Lord.
- Baruch and the Letter of Jeremiah:
- Associated with the prophet Baruch, these texts focus on repentance and warnings against idolatry.
- Pseudepigrapha The Pseudepigrapha includes Jewish writings attributed to ancient patriarchs or prophets but not considered canonical. Examples:
- 1 Enoch (The Book of Enoch):
- An apocalyptic text attributed to Enoch, the seventh from Adam.
- Themes: Visions of heaven, the fall of the Watchers (angels), and the coming judgment.
- Influence: Hugely influential in early Jewish and Christian apocalyptic thought, quoted in the New Testament (Jude 14-15).
- Jubilees (The Little Genesis):
- A retelling of Genesis and Exodus with additional details and focus on angelic mediation.
- Themes: Sacred calendar, divine covenants, and moral behavior.
- Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs:
- Ethical teachings attributed to the twelve sons of Jacob.
- Themes: Morality, the coming Messiah, and eschatological hope.
- The Book of Jasher:
- Referenced in the Bible (Joshua 10:13, 2 Samuel 1:18), this text provides additional historical and narrative detail about biblical events.
- Surviving versions may not reflect the original mentioned in Scripture.
- Dead Sea Scrolls Discovered at Qumran, the Dead Sea Scrolls (circa 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE) include biblical manuscripts and sectarian writings from a Jewish community, likely the Essenes. Examples:
- Community Rule (Manual of Discipline):
- Instructions for living in the Qumran community, emphasizing purity and apocalyptic expectations.
- War Scroll:
- A description of an eschatological war between the Sons of Light and the Sons of Darkness.
- Temple Scroll:
- A detailed vision of the ideal Temple and sacrificial laws.
- Commentaries on Scripture:
- Interpretations of biblical books like Isaiah and Habakkuk, emphasizing messianic and apocalyptic themes.
- Other Notable Texts The Book of the Wars of the Lord (Numbers 21:14)
- An ancient text referenced in the Bible but no longer extant. Likely contained historical or poetic accounts of Israel’s battles. The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel and Judah
- Referred to throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, this text likely included detailed historical records not preserved in Scripture. The Psalms of Solomon
- A collection of 18 psalms reflecting on themes of divine justice, messianic hope, and moral conduct. The Life of Adam and Eve
- Expands on the Genesis story, detailing the lives of Adam and Eve after their expulsion from Eden.
- Themes: Repentance, angelic encounters, and the fall’s consequences.
——- Myths, Legends…
Sefer Ha-Aggadah, "The Book of Legends" is a classic compilation of aggadah from the Mishnah, the two Talmuds and the Midrash literature.
- Mimekor Yisrael, by Micha Josef (bin Gorion) Berdyczewski. Berdyczewski was interested in compiling the folklore and legends of the Jewish people, from the earliest times up until the dawn of the modern era. His collection included a large array of aggadot, although they were limited to those he considered within the domain of folklore.