This book provides a new conceptual and methodological framework the social scientific study of Mishnah, as well as a series of case studies that apply social science perspectives to the analysis of Mishnah's evidence. The framework is one that takes full account of the historical and literary-historical issues that impinge upon the use of Mishnah for any scholarly purposes beyond philological study, including social scientific approaches to the materials. Based on the framework, each chapter undertakes, with appropriate methodological caveats, an avenue of inquiry open to the social scientist that brings to bear social scientific questions and modes of inquiry to Mishnaic evidence.

Simcha Fishbane is Professor of Jewish studies at the Touro College and University System, USA.

Calvin Goldscheider is Ungerleider Professor Emeritus of Judaic Studies and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Brown University, USA.

Jack N. Lightstone is Professor of History at Brock University and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religion at Concordia University, Canada.