OnScript Malka Simkovich – Diaspora in Jewish Antiquity
May 5, 2025
Malka Simkovich, an Editor-in-Chief at the Jewish Publication Society and Visiting Professor, discusses her new book on Jewish diaspora in antiquity. She delves into Jewish identity during the Second Temple period, emphasizing the evolving narrative of diaspora communities. Malka explores the complexities of Jewish life in Hellenistic Egypt and Judea, highlighting their societal challenges and relationships. She also investigates the roots of the term 'diaspora' in Jewish literature and stresses the importance of communal relationships in preserving identity.
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Reassessing Jewish Diaspora Authenticity
- Scholarship once favored the land of Israel as the sole authentic Jewish center but shifted to highlighting diaspora texts. - Diaspora Jewish life could be as knowledgeable and authentic as that in the land of Israel.
Nuanced Jewish Identity Terms
- The terms Israelites, Judeans, and Jews have distinct historical and cultural contexts in ancient texts. - Jewish identity evolved over time and was a complex blend of ethnic, geographic, and religious elements.
Unity Amid Diaspora Differences
- Jews inside and outside the land of Israel deeply desired unity despite differing views on authority. - Judean leaders encouraged diaspora Jews to recognize the temple's central role in Jewish life.
