Scholarship is often a lonely enterprise. Much of this book was written while alone in my office, pouring over ancient and modern texts, mumbling to myself, and then typing—and quickly erasing—words on my computer. But, like drinking, scholarship is most enjoyable in the company of others. It is my pleasure to acknowledge those who helped me improve my work, both by listening to my arguments and by pointing out that, while my mind might dwell in antiquity, I live in modernity.
I begin by thanking a group of scholars and friends to whom I dedicate this book. Every year at the annual conference of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature, a group of friends from graduate school crams into a hotel suite. Some are regulars and others come only occasionally. Together, we joke, we discuss scholarship, and we drink. I wish to acknowledge the intellectual, professional, and personal debt that I owe to Debra Scoggins Ballentine, Nathaniel DesRosiers, Gregg Gardner, Steven Larson, Kevin McGinnis, Daniel Ullucci, Arthur Urbano, and Lily Vuong.
Over the course of writing this book, I benefited from the feedback of several colleagues. For references, suggestions, information, and pep talks I thank Febe Armanios, Michal Bar-Asher Siegal, Beth Berkowitz, Sarah Bond, Catherine Bonesho, Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus, Boğaç Ergene, David Freidenreich, Gregg Gardner, Jane Kanarek, Drew Kaplan, Susan Marks, Chance McMahon, Michael Naparstek, Saul Olyan, Vadim Putzu, Rachel Neis, Eric Orlin, Michael Satlow, Brian Sowers, Daniel Ullucci, Moulie Vidas, and Luke Whitmore. Technical questions related to beer were provided by Taylor Beck, an award-winning brewer.
I also benefitted from presenting my work in public. For inviting me to present my inchoate ideas, I thank Brooklyn College; Central Washington University; Indiana University; Middlebury College; Universität Erfurt; University of British Columbia; University of Minnesota; University of Puget Sound; University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Yale University.
Support for this research was provided by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with funding from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. I also gratefully acknowledge Burt Belzer (z”l), who endowed the professorship that I hold. This is the first book of mine that he will read not on earth, but in the Heavenly Academy.
For assistance with photography, I thank Dov Berger (a sofer, or scribe, available for hire!); Catherine Bonesho and Taylor Beck; and Ralph Grunewald.
This book represents the distillation of ideas presented in numerous classes taught over more than a decade at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. My students pushed me towards greater clarity, asking both simple and nuanced questions that continually required me to refine my argument. In particular, I thank the students in my Spring 2019 “Classical Rabbinic Literature in Translation” course, who allowed me to test-drive the manuscript of this book. I also thank David Freidenreich and his students at Colby College, who read and commented on a draft of this book in Spring 2019.
Numerous colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Madison deserve acknowledgement. For sharing meals, gossip, and making work meetings more enjoyable than I otherwise could expect, I thank Lonnie Berger, Michael Bernard-Donals, Thomas DuBois, Ernesto Livorni, Tony Michels, Steve Nadler, Corrie Norman, Dan Quint, Susan Ridgely, and Judith Sone.
Eric Schmidt, Andrea Torres, Gabriela Ramirez-Chavez, and the team at University of California Press have been amazing. From our first phone conversation, Eric has provided humorous and helpful guidance.
As the saying goes, “it takes a village.” I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my village. Tovah and Elias Walsh make playdates with our kids something that I look forward to as well. I thank Daniel Kapust and Eunsook Jung for great conversations (and great food). Jennifer Pruitt and Mark Hammond are amazing neighbors and friends. Rob Peyton, Michael Napartsek, and Mitch the Drummer allow me to keep my garage band dreams alive. Stanley Zipper and Ross Wolfson continue to tell inside jokes that are now three decades old. To any colleague or friend that I have forgotten to acknowledge, I owe you a drink.
For support and encouragement, I thank my family: my mother and stepfather Harold (Fess); Ian; Uncle Rom, Aunt Debby, and Avi; Dad, Rose, and Mike; Aunt Elaine; Ron and Eugenie; and Sarah, Scott, and the newest member, Maceo.
Finally, the members of my household deserve my greatest debt of gratitude. My son Josiah reminds me that, no matter how busy my day, there is always time to stop and play with LEGO. My wife, Valerie, challenges me to be a better person. I have learned so much from her, both in matters practical and academic. Indeed, the idea for this book came during a walk with Valerie while we pushed our newborn son around in a stroller. Trying to articulate what I was thinking of working on, Val asked perceptive questions. By the end of that walk, Val had pointed me in the right direction. As in all things, she is my compass.