Communicating Esther: The Diffusion and Reception of a Biblical Dream (1) (Routledge Research in Religion, Media and Culture)

Synopsis

This book presents a communications approach to the biblical story of Esther and the ritual that it anchors, the Jewish carnival of Purim. Esther, the second-most written about book of the Bible, is thought to be based on a tale that circulated around 400 BC, and was later transcribed and brought before the Jewish Sages with the request that it be canonized. It was, though God is not mentioned in it, with its focus instead on glamour, drinking, sex, violence, and genocidal plots. Despite the reservations of many at its inclusion in the canon, Esther formed the basis for an extremely popular Jewish ritual: the holiday of Purim.This book discusses how story and holiday combine all of the elements of a communication process – production of content, choice of medium, seal of approval, diffusion over time and space, and promotion of various forms of reception and reaction. It is a case study of "how culture works" and how the text itself is about communicating. It will appeal to all researchers of communication and religion, communication and the Bible, and communication and Judaism, and more generally to readers who are interested in communication or fascinated by culture.

Copyright:

2026

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

Book Size:

124 Pages

ISBN-13:

9781040428757

Related ISBNs:

9781032322377, 9781040428726, 9781003313519

Publisher:

Taylor & Francis

Date of Addition:

09/11/25

Copyrighted By:

Elihu Katz and Menahem Blondheim. The right of Elihu Katz and Menahem Blondheim to be identified as authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.