Strata: Milestone: Jacob Neusner (1932-2016)

Soon after his death on October 8, 2016, at age 84, obituaries of Jacob Neusner appeared in the international press, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Tablet, Tikkun and the Times of Israel. These obituaries outline his life, highlighting the scholarly productivity that made him the most published author in any language (with more than a thousand books), his devotion to his accomplished wife, children and their families, and—of course—his profound impact on the study of Judaism.

All of that is on the mark and yet does not address the substance of his contribution; still less does it explain why adjectives such as “controversial,” “irascible” and “pugnacious” appear in the usually anodyne genre of obituary.

Inquirers have asked me in the past, “Which one of Jacob Neusner’s books should I read to understand him?” My reply has depended on the interests of the colleague who asks. But if the question is posed to me now, I will have to answer by referring to three books. Other works might be equally appropriate, but by keeping the range of his research in mind, the substance of Neusner’s work comes into focus.¹ Some of the passions he has provoked appear less a matter of temperament and more a function of provocative scholarship.