The Origins of the Seder - by Baruch M Bokser

Book Synopsis

The Origins of the Seder: The Passover Rite and Early Rabbinic Judaism delves into the transformation of the Passover celebration from its biblical roots to the structured Seder ritual we recognize today. Focusing on Mishnah Pesahim 10, this study examines how rabbinic Judaism redefined the festival in response to the destruction of the Temple, shifting religious life from centralized worship to home-based practices and synagogue-centered communities. By analyzing the Mishnah's editorial approach alongside related sources like the Tosefta, the book uncovers how earlier traditions were adapted and reimagined to create a meaningful, symbolic ritual that emphasized continuity while addressing new realities.

Situating the Seder within its historical and cultural contexts, the book explores parallels with Greco-Roman banquet traditions while highlighting the Seder's uniquely Jewish identity. It provides fresh insights into how rabbinic authorities crafted rituals that preserved core elements of Jewish tradition while responding to the challenges of their time. With a focus on the interplay of tradition, innovation, and cultural influence, this work offers an invaluable perspective for those studying Jewish history, religious transformation, and the enduring significance of the Seder in Jewish life.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1984.