The History of Jews and Judaism

A 2026 RUSA Outstanding Reference Source



What are some of the most enduring and pernicious historical misconceptions about Jews and the practice and history of their faith?



Examining many of the most widely held forms of anti-Semitic thinking, this addition to the Historical Facts and Fictions series addresses false beliefs about Jews and Judaism, among them that Jews in ancient Israel practiced Judaism, that Judaism opposes Christianity, that Jews are a race, and that Judaism thrived under Islam.



Readers will gain an understanding of why a particular misconception rose and spread and the influence of the political, social, and economic contexts of the time. Finally, an exploration of the most plausible accounts of what really happened provides readers with an informed understanding of historical facts.