Rabbis and Classical Rhetoric
Sophistic Education and Oratory in the Talmud and Midrash

'Richard Hidary's examination of the nature and origin of the Talmud's unceasing and inimitable dialogue is a carefully wrought and balanced presentation of the case for seeking the origin of the unique character of both the Babylonian Talmud, and its counterpart in Roman Palestine, in the rhetorical structure of the building block of both talmuds: the sugya, which is essentially an essay in dialogue form, made up of a concatenation of arguments and counter-arguments, which, in the case of the Babylonian Talmud, often culminates in a culmination but not a resolution. Building on previous work on the Graeco-Roman sources of the Talmud's structure and nature, Hidary's monograph nevertheless breaks new ground and provides many fresh insights even for those - like myself - who have studied it since childhood.' Yaakov Elman, Herbert S. and Naomi Denenberg Professor of Talmudic Studies, Yeshiva University, New York

'This is a very important book that not too many scholars are capable of writing. Hidary brings wide and deep talmudic erudition together with an impressive command of classical sources to advance our understanding of rabbinic literature in the context of Graeco-Roman learning and culture.' Daniel Boyarin, University of California, Berkeley

'In his erudite and fascinating exposition of the breadth of the presence of Greco-Roman schools of rhetoric in Midrashic and Talmudic texts, Hidary made a wonderful contribution to our understanding of the relationship between the Rabbinic world and Hellenistic culture. In avoiding simplistic forms of parallelism, Hidary's meticulous philological and historical study illuminates brilliantly the deepest questions of revelation, truth and interpretation that were at stake in this momentous cultural encounter.' Moshe Halbertal, New York University

'… a piece of fine scholarship. ' Eric Ottenheijm, Journal for the Study of Judaism