University of Wisconsin-Madison

Faculty Member, Hebrew and Semitic Studies

Belzer Assistant Professor of Classical Judaism

About

My first book explored the intersection between identity construction and food regulations in early rabbinic Judaism. 

In my current project, I am interested in critiques and apologies for food regulations from the biblical period through the end of the classical rabbinic period (circa 640 CE).  While the Hebrew Bible rarely justifies the food regulations contained therein, ancient authors provide fuller detail and rationale.  At the heart of this project, therefore, is a study of biblical interpretation.  However, in the course of understanding the history of this exegesis, I will explore identity construction, inter- and intra-religious dialogue, social history, the development of Judaism in antiquity, etc.

I am also interested in a variety of other questions that relate to rabbinic literature, Jews in antiquity, the academic study of religion, food studies, etc.

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