Early Jewish Liturgical Texts

Abstract

This is the first complete overview, in English, of what is known as having happened in Greek-speaking synagogues of pre-rabbinic times. Teaching religion and morals by interpreting a sacred text read to the public beforehand, was an innovation due to diaspora Judaism and unknown to other cults of Antiquity. And even though there was a ban on writing down prayers lest they fall in the hands of magicians, some have been found on papyrus that may be incantations (which is a reason for writing); others have been written down by Christians, be it literally, be it in a free composition, from hearing in the synagogues. The synagogue service has always been open to the public. Thus the origins of Christian worship may be studied here.