Simcha Gross
@simchagross.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Ancient Jewish History, UPenn
A 2nd article is also out today, w/Michele Scarlassara!
We present a previously unpublished Syriac incantation bowl from the Penn Museum, w/a formula paralleling several Mandaic bowls, w/intriguing social-historical implications
1st bowl published using spectral imaging!
brill.com/view/journal...
We present a previously unpublished Syriac incantation bowl from the Penn Museum, w/a formula paralleling several Mandaic bowls, w/intriguing social-historical implications
1st bowl published using spectral imaging!
brill.com/view/journal...
October 22, 2025 at 11:19 AM
A 2nd article is also out today, w/Michele Scarlassara!
We present a previously unpublished Syriac incantation bowl from the Penn Museum, w/a formula paralleling several Mandaic bowls, w/intriguing social-historical implications
1st bowl published using spectral imaging!
brill.com/view/journal...
We present a previously unpublished Syriac incantation bowl from the Penn Museum, w/a formula paralleling several Mandaic bowls, w/intriguing social-historical implications
1st bowl published using spectral imaging!
brill.com/view/journal...
My article “Does an Arrow a Day Keep Satan Away? Late Antique Magical Subtexts in Babylonian Rabbinic Narratives” is now OA in HTR!
It argues that a Talmudic story about a rabbi’s encounter with Satan adjudicates between competing incantations in late antique Iraq
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
It argues that a Talmudic story about a rabbi’s encounter with Satan adjudicates between competing incantations in late antique Iraq
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
October 22, 2025 at 11:10 AM
My article “Does an Arrow a Day Keep Satan Away? Late Antique Magical Subtexts in Babylonian Rabbinic Narratives” is now OA in HTR!
It argues that a Talmudic story about a rabbi’s encounter with Satan adjudicates between competing incantations in late antique Iraq
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
It argues that a Talmudic story about a rabbi’s encounter with Satan adjudicates between competing incantations in late antique Iraq
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Very honored to have been invited by @relicsclerics.bsky.social to present at the Warsaw Late Antique Seminar, and to be included in this incredible roster.
Join us!
Join us!
September 29, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Very honored to have been invited by @relicsclerics.bsky.social to present at the Warsaw Late Antique Seminar, and to be included in this incredible roster.
Join us!
Join us!
My new article "From Togas to Turbans: Jewish Male Head Coverings between the Roman and Sasanian Worlds" was just published by the Jewish Quarterly Review.
It is available for free download here: muse.jhu.edu/pub/56/artic...!
It is available for free download here: muse.jhu.edu/pub/56/artic...!
August 1, 2025 at 1:07 PM
My new article "From Togas to Turbans: Jewish Male Head Coverings between the Roman and Sasanian Worlds" was just published by the Jewish Quarterly Review.
It is available for free download here: muse.jhu.edu/pub/56/artic...!
It is available for free download here: muse.jhu.edu/pub/56/artic...!
These keys actually helped better understand several passages from Rabbinic Literature from roughly the same period, which mention "A knee-shaped key that was broken off at the knee, it is clean" (m. Kelim 14:8). They also mention "gamma-shaped keys" which were likewise discovered.
July 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
These keys actually helped better understand several passages from Rabbinic Literature from roughly the same period, which mention "A knee-shaped key that was broken off at the knee, it is clean" (m. Kelim 14:8). They also mention "gamma-shaped keys" which were likewise discovered.
Not an auspicious moment for this, but the paperback version of my book – about a very different chapter in the history of Jews and Iran - is now available & the discount code valid until the end of June
I hope that engaging the past frees us to imagine more hopeful futures.
I hope that engaging the past frees us to imagine more hopeful futures.
June 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Not an auspicious moment for this, but the paperback version of my book – about a very different chapter in the history of Jews and Iran - is now available & the discount code valid until the end of June
I hope that engaging the past frees us to imagine more hopeful futures.
I hope that engaging the past frees us to imagine more hopeful futures.
Congratulations to James Redfield on the publication of his new book! It is available here, and use the discount code IM2025 until the end of the month!
cart.sbl-site.org/books/140375P
cart.sbl-site.org/books/140375P
June 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Congratulations to James Redfield on the publication of his new book! It is available here, and use the discount code IM2025 until the end of the month!
cart.sbl-site.org/books/140375P
cart.sbl-site.org/books/140375P
Among the fascinating discoveries from Masada was what seems to be Herod's stash of garum
Acc. to chemical analysis, it was made of anchovies & herring, two kosher fish
This resonates with Pliny (NH 31.95) who says kosher garum existed, though he flubs the details
www.academia.edu/17375034/Fis...
Acc. to chemical analysis, it was made of anchovies & herring, two kosher fish
This resonates with Pliny (NH 31.95) who says kosher garum existed, though he flubs the details
www.academia.edu/17375034/Fis...
April 26, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Among the fascinating discoveries from Masada was what seems to be Herod's stash of garum
Acc. to chemical analysis, it was made of anchovies & herring, two kosher fish
This resonates with Pliny (NH 31.95) who says kosher garum existed, though he flubs the details
www.academia.edu/17375034/Fis...
Acc. to chemical analysis, it was made of anchovies & herring, two kosher fish
This resonates with Pliny (NH 31.95) who says kosher garum existed, though he flubs the details
www.academia.edu/17375034/Fis...
Join us tonight for Cate Bonesho's talk!
April 24, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Join us tonight for Cate Bonesho's talk!
This evening! Register and join!
February 20, 2025 at 1:37 PM
This evening! Register and join!
Some article titles reach for nuance.
Others just get straight to the point.
Others just get straight to the point.
February 8, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Some article titles reach for nuance.
Others just get straight to the point.
Others just get straight to the point.
I am very honored that my book Babylonian Jews and Sasanian Imperialism in Late Antiquity won the National Jewish Book Award for Scholarship!!
Cheaper paperback version now slated to appear in just a few months, but for now the book is available here: www.cambridge.org/core/books/b...
Cheaper paperback version now slated to appear in just a few months, but for now the book is available here: www.cambridge.org/core/books/b...
January 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I am very honored that my book Babylonian Jews and Sasanian Imperialism in Late Antiquity won the National Jewish Book Award for Scholarship!!
Cheaper paperback version now slated to appear in just a few months, but for now the book is available here: www.cambridge.org/core/books/b...
Cheaper paperback version now slated to appear in just a few months, but for now the book is available here: www.cambridge.org/core/books/b...
The Hasmoneans would build their palaces with Doric capitals, frescoes & stucco of various color (at Tulul Abu al ‘Alayiq).
They built hot baths, massive tombs with artistic motifs typical of Greek style.
They enjoyed feasts & the luxuries afforded by their position & wealth.
6
They built hot baths, massive tombs with artistic motifs typical of Greek style.
They enjoyed feasts & the luxuries afforded by their position & wealth.
6
December 30, 2024 at 1:06 PM
The Hasmoneans would build their palaces with Doric capitals, frescoes & stucco of various color (at Tulul Abu al ‘Alayiq).
They built hot baths, massive tombs with artistic motifs typical of Greek style.
They enjoyed feasts & the luxuries afforded by their position & wealth.
6
They built hot baths, massive tombs with artistic motifs typical of Greek style.
They enjoyed feasts & the luxuries afforded by their position & wealth.
6
The first time a menorah appears on a coin is Antigonus Mattathias II (d. 37 BCE).
At the same time, these coins (almost) never have images of the kings, and are in Hebrew.
Like royal names, we find similarity and difference!
5
At the same time, these coins (almost) never have images of the kings, and are in Hebrew.
Like royal names, we find similarity and difference!
5
December 30, 2024 at 1:06 PM
The first time a menorah appears on a coin is Antigonus Mattathias II (d. 37 BCE).
At the same time, these coins (almost) never have images of the kings, and are in Hebrew.
Like royal names, we find similarity and difference!
5
At the same time, these coins (almost) never have images of the kings, and are in Hebrew.
Like royal names, we find similarity and difference!
5
The Hasmoneans mint coins, with the permission of the Seleucids (1 Macc. 15), and they look, well, awfully Greek!
We have cornucopia, wreaths, owls, star and diadem, palm branch, boat anchors.
4
We have cornucopia, wreaths, owls, star and diadem, palm branch, boat anchors.
4
December 30, 2024 at 1:06 PM
The Hasmoneans mint coins, with the permission of the Seleucids (1 Macc. 15), and they look, well, awfully Greek!
We have cornucopia, wreaths, owls, star and diadem, palm branch, boat anchors.
4
We have cornucopia, wreaths, owls, star and diadem, palm branch, boat anchors.
4
It's all in the names! We have John Hyrcanus, Alexander Jannaeus, Alexandra Salome, Aristobolus III, Alexander/ra, Antigonus, Aristobulus, Antipater.
Notice how many have a Greek & Hebrew name: John Hyrcanus, Aristobolus I Judah, Alexander Jannaeus, Salome Alexandra.
2
Notice how many have a Greek & Hebrew name: John Hyrcanus, Aristobolus I Judah, Alexander Jannaeus, Salome Alexandra.
2
December 30, 2024 at 1:06 PM
It's all in the names! We have John Hyrcanus, Alexander Jannaeus, Alexandra Salome, Aristobolus III, Alexander/ra, Antigonus, Aristobulus, Antipater.
Notice how many have a Greek & Hebrew name: John Hyrcanus, Aristobolus I Judah, Alexander Jannaeus, Salome Alexandra.
2
Notice how many have a Greek & Hebrew name: John Hyrcanus, Aristobolus I Judah, Alexander Jannaeus, Salome Alexandra.
2
Saadia thought highly of the text.
He attributed it to the Hasmoneans themselves, and mentions a copy he has examined which was vocalized and apparently had cantillation marks, clearly intended for liturgical recitation.
The work became very popular; many copies are found in the Cairo Geniza.
6
He attributed it to the Hasmoneans themselves, and mentions a copy he has examined which was vocalized and apparently had cantillation marks, clearly intended for liturgical recitation.
The work became very popular; many copies are found in the Cairo Geniza.
6
December 29, 2024 at 11:57 AM
Saadia thought highly of the text.
He attributed it to the Hasmoneans themselves, and mentions a copy he has examined which was vocalized and apparently had cantillation marks, clearly intended for liturgical recitation.
The work became very popular; many copies are found in the Cairo Geniza.
6
He attributed it to the Hasmoneans themselves, and mentions a copy he has examined which was vocalized and apparently had cantillation marks, clearly intended for liturgical recitation.
The work became very popular; many copies are found in the Cairo Geniza.
6
As Tal Ilan & Vered Noam show, the rabbis knew some stories about the Maccabees, but not the full works of 1 & 2 Maccabees or Josephus.
There may have been a Jewish cult to the Maccabean martyrs in Antioch.
But we lack any Jewish running narrative of the Hasmonean revolt from late antiquity.
3
There may have been a Jewish cult to the Maccabean martyrs in Antioch.
But we lack any Jewish running narrative of the Hasmonean revolt from late antiquity.
3
December 29, 2024 at 11:57 AM
As Tal Ilan & Vered Noam show, the rabbis knew some stories about the Maccabees, but not the full works of 1 & 2 Maccabees or Josephus.
There may have been a Jewish cult to the Maccabean martyrs in Antioch.
But we lack any Jewish running narrative of the Hasmonean revolt from late antiquity.
3
There may have been a Jewish cult to the Maccabean martyrs in Antioch.
But we lack any Jewish running narrative of the Hasmonean revolt from late antiquity.
3
Famously, the rabbis are quite mum about Hanukkah.
There’s no tractate dedicated to it, though already the earlier rabbinic documents like the Mishnah mention a ritual to light candles on Hanukkah, w/o any elaboration.
See Vered Noam's recent book for the rabbinic reception of the Hasmoneans
6
There’s no tractate dedicated to it, though already the earlier rabbinic documents like the Mishnah mention a ritual to light candles on Hanukkah, w/o any elaboration.
See Vered Noam's recent book for the rabbinic reception of the Hasmoneans
6
December 27, 2024 at 10:57 AM
Famously, the rabbis are quite mum about Hanukkah.
There’s no tractate dedicated to it, though already the earlier rabbinic documents like the Mishnah mention a ritual to light candles on Hanukkah, w/o any elaboration.
See Vered Noam's recent book for the rabbinic reception of the Hasmoneans
6
There’s no tractate dedicated to it, though already the earlier rabbinic documents like the Mishnah mention a ritual to light candles on Hanukkah, w/o any elaboration.
See Vered Noam's recent book for the rabbinic reception of the Hasmoneans
6
According to 2 Maccabees: "carrying green palm branches and sticks decorated with ivy, they paraded around, singing grateful praises to Him who had brought about the purification of His own Temple. Everyone agreed that the Jewish nation should celebrate this festival each year."
3
3
December 27, 2024 at 10:57 AM
According to 2 Maccabees: "carrying green palm branches and sticks decorated with ivy, they paraded around, singing grateful praises to Him who had brought about the purification of His own Temple. Everyone agreed that the Jewish nation should celebrate this festival each year."
3
3
The earliest account of Hanukkah is 1 Maccabees. It's highly chronographical & sparing on miraculous details.
2 Macc. is replete with miracles, most famously the story of Heliodorus. But there’s no miracle of oil!
The book explains that the festival commemorates the rededication of the temple.
2
2 Macc. is replete with miracles, most famously the story of Heliodorus. But there’s no miracle of oil!
The book explains that the festival commemorates the rededication of the temple.
2
December 27, 2024 at 10:57 AM
The earliest account of Hanukkah is 1 Maccabees. It's highly chronographical & sparing on miraculous details.
2 Macc. is replete with miracles, most famously the story of Heliodorus. But there’s no miracle of oil!
The book explains that the festival commemorates the rededication of the temple.
2
2 Macc. is replete with miracles, most famously the story of Heliodorus. But there’s no miracle of oil!
The book explains that the festival commemorates the rededication of the temple.
2
The earliest notices of the commemoration of the revolt do not mention Greek culture or Hellenism.
They mention the rededication of the altar, the purification of the temple, & the defeat of the Seleucid armies.
Jews even celebrate the event like Greeks, waiving palm branches!
They mention the rededication of the altar, the purification of the temple, & the defeat of the Seleucid armies.
Jews even celebrate the event like Greeks, waiving palm branches!
December 26, 2024 at 11:39 AM
The earliest notices of the commemoration of the revolt do not mention Greek culture or Hellenism.
They mention the rededication of the altar, the purification of the temple, & the defeat of the Seleucid armies.
Jews even celebrate the event like Greeks, waiving palm branches!
They mention the rededication of the altar, the purification of the temple, & the defeat of the Seleucid armies.
Jews even celebrate the event like Greeks, waiving palm branches!
Similarly, before Antiochus, Seleucus famously sent Heliodorus to the Jerusalem temple to take money from the treasury (2. Macc 3).
This was at the invitation of a Jewish temple administrator who was feuding with the high priest!
When Heliodorus entered he was divinely smitten!
This was at the invitation of a Jewish temple administrator who was feuding with the high priest!
When Heliodorus entered he was divinely smitten!
December 26, 2024 at 11:39 AM
Similarly, before Antiochus, Seleucus famously sent Heliodorus to the Jerusalem temple to take money from the treasury (2. Macc 3).
This was at the invitation of a Jewish temple administrator who was feuding with the high priest!
When Heliodorus entered he was divinely smitten!
This was at the invitation of a Jewish temple administrator who was feuding with the high priest!
When Heliodorus entered he was divinely smitten!
1 Macc. offers a flattering portrayal of Hasmonean rule, leading many to see it as Hasmonean propaganda. The Hasmoneans are righteous. When problems arise, they are the fault of others.
2 Macc. is more theologically driven, & in its intro says 1 of its goals is entertainment!
3
2 Macc. is more theologically driven, & in its intro says 1 of its goals is entertainment!
3
December 26, 2024 at 11:39 AM
1 Macc. offers a flattering portrayal of Hasmonean rule, leading many to see it as Hasmonean propaganda. The Hasmoneans are righteous. When problems arise, they are the fault of others.
2 Macc. is more theologically driven, & in its intro says 1 of its goals is entertainment!
3
2 Macc. is more theologically driven, & in its intro says 1 of its goals is entertainment!
3