Exploring the Significance of Prayer in Ancient Judaism Through the Figure of Ben Sira

The "Song of Miriam" is one of the oldest verses in the Hebrew Bible and it's a prayer. What was the nature and role of prayer in ancient Israelite religion? And how can we trace the evolution of prayer into the New Testament period and Jesus's institution of the "Lord's Prayer"? Guest Judith Newman takes us on a fascinating exploration of the history of prayer in ancient Judaism and early Christianity.

Check out Judy's book, Before the Bible: The Liturgical Body and the Formation of Scriptures in early Judaism. 

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Theme music written and performed by Dave Roos