THE BEGINNINGS OF JUDAISM The Great Courses: Religion

The Teaching Company offers listeners a fascinating overview of the history of Judaism. Taught by Professor Isaiah M. Gafni, of Hebrew University of Jerusalem, one of the world's leading experts on the subject, the lectures are interesting, well paced, and thorough. As a result, the material will appeal not only to those with minimal knowledge of Judaism, but also to individuals seeking to broaden their knowledge or listen to a different perspective. Professor Gafni is a captivating lecturer. Once listeners adjust to his accent—which isn’t difficult—Gafni allows them to focus on the history of a religion that has impacted the development of a number of other religions. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]