Revision of author's thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Pennsylvania, 2004 under title: Rabbinic preachers and their audiences in the Amoraic midrashim Pesikta derav Kahana and Leviticus rabbah.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [209]-214) and indexes.

Preliminary Material / R. Anisfeld -- Chapter One. General introduction / R. Anisfeld -- Chapter Two. Methodological introduction: On the self-referential reading of Prk texts / R. Anisfeld -- Chapter Three. The forms of Prk’s preaching: Exegesis turned homiletical / R. Anisfeld -- Chapter Four. Prk’s thematic concerns: A theology of intimacy, humility and indulgence / R. Anisfeld -- Chapter Five. From exegesis to homily: Stylistic comparisons / R. Anisfeld -- Chapter Six. From honor to intimacy: Thematic comparisons / R. Anisfeld -- Chapter Seven. The social and institutional context: The changing world of late Antiquity / R. Anisfeld -- Chapter Eight. The rhetorical context: Contemporary christian homily / R. Anisfeld -- Conclusion / R. Anisfeld -- Appendix / R. Anisfeld -- Bibliography / R. Anisfeld -- Index / R. Anisfeld.

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History and literature come together in a new way in this study of the midrashic collection Pesikta deRav Kahana. The book combines the findings of rabbinic historians and early Christianity scholars with a close reading of this midrashic text on its own and in relation to the tannaitic midrashim which preceded it. The rich picture that emerges suggests that PRK, in its new homiletical and aggadic stance, develops a religious language more appealing and accessible to the masses, an outreach language meant to win rabbinic popularity. Exploring issues of power and rhetoric, the book also places PRK’s outreach language into the cultural context of the imperialism of Roman Christian homily.