Dr. Mira Balberg

Biography

Mira Balberg is a leading scholar in ancient Mediterranean religious history, focusing on the emergence and development of Judaism in antiquity, particularly between 200 BCE and 500 CE. Her academic interest lies in the cultural interactions of Jewish communities with their surrounding environments during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. She specializes in rabbinic Judaism in late antiquity, especially analyzing how Jewish literature from the Hellenistic and Roman eras interprets and transforms biblical institutions and values amidst the influences of Greek, Roman, and early Christian cultures. Balberg's notable works include her books, "Purity, Body, Self in Early Rabbinic Literature" and "Blood Thought: Reinvention of Sacrifice in Early Rabbinic Literature," which explore the intersections of bodily purity, sacrifice, and theological implications in Jewish thought. Her latest publication, "Fractured Tablets: Forgetfulness and Fallibility in Late Ancient Rabbinic Culture," provides insights into memory and law formation in rabbinic practice. Balberg has contributed significantly to the study of the human body and changing cultural meanings in ancient Jewish texts while addressing the receptions of rabbinic literature in modern Israeli culture. Her teaching and research continue to shape the understanding of Jewish scholarship and its historical contexts.

Research Interests