Power, Ethics, and Ecology in Jewish Late Antiquity

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Focusing on the Babylonian Talmud's tractate on fasts, this work explores how Bavli Ta¿anit confronts the idea that virtue guarantees prosperity. It critiques the notion that misfortune is solely divine punishment, revealing a self-reflective theological discourse. The author, Julia Watts Belser, analyzes the narratives to highlight the ethical shortcomings of rabbis and their preoccupation with status while celebrating the transformative potential of interpretation during crises, suggesting a path to blessings through insightful understanding.