Home / Profiles / Gregg Gardner

Gregg E. Gardner

Professor and The Diamond Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics
email gregg.gardner@ubc.ca
phone work phone 604 827 3703
launchAcademia.edu Profile
launch2022 Summer Archaeological Field School - Israel
Office Hours
T 2:00-3:00 By appointment
Area
Archaeology | Egypt and the Near East | Literature | Religion
Focus
Hebrew Bible and Judaism | Law

About

For my complete CV, please visit https://ubc.academia.edu/GreggGardner

The University of British Columbia, Department of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies

  • Associate Professor, with tenure, 2016–present
  • Assistant Professor, tenure-track, 2011–16
  • The Diamond Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics, 2011–present

Brown University, 2010–11

  • Andrew W. Mellon Foundation/American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Postdoctoral Fellow, Recent Doctoral Recipients Fellowship, Early Career Program

Harvard University, 2009-10

  • Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica, Alan M. Stroock Postdoctoral Fellowship, Center for Jewish Studies

 

Education

Ph.D. Princeton University, Religion, 2009

  • Dissertation: Giving to the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism

M.A. Princeton University, Religion, 2007

M.A. Hebrew University of Jerusalem, History of the Jewish People, 2004

  • Magna Cum Laude

B.A. Binghamton University, State University of New York, Economics and Jewish Studies, 1998

  • Magna Cum Laude and High Honors in Economics

Teaching

Research

Interests

  • Jewish Studies
  • Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras (4th century B.C.E. through 7th century C.E.)
  • Judaism in Late Antiquity
  • Classical Rabbinic literature (e.g. Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash)
  • Judaism in the Second Temple era
  • Hellenistic Jewish Literature
  • Archaeology of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine era Palestine
  • Pedagogy in Religious Studies
  • Religious ethics and law
  • Religion and material culture
  • Economic history

Projects

My current research focuses on two areas:
  • Material culture and archaeology of Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras
  • Wealth, poverty, and philanthropy in classical rabbinic literature and late antique Judaism

Publications

For my complete CV, please visit https://ubc.academia.edu/GreggGardner

Books:

Gregg E. Gardner, The Origins of Organized Charity in Rabbinic Judaism (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2015), xvi + 247 pages. Cambridge UP and Amazon

Reviewed in: Review of Biblical Literature (08/2016); Marginalia: Los Angeles Review of Books (August 16, 2016); Bryn Mawr Classical Review (2016.08.20); AJS Review 40, 2 (2016; 404–7); H-Net: Humanities and Social Sciences Online (January 2017); Journal of Jewish Ethics 3, 2 (2017; 267–29)

Gregg Gardner and Kevin L. Osterloh, eds., Antiquity in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Pasts in the Greco-Roman World (Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism 123; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008), viii + 475 pages.

Reviewed in: Bryn Mawr Classical Review (2009.09.73); Journal for the Study of Judaism (41; 2010); Journal for the Study of the Old Testament (33:5; 2009); New Testament Abstracts (53; 2009); Catholic Biblical Quarterly (72; 2010); Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae (35, 2009), Biblische Zeitschrift (54, 2010), Journal of Ancient Judaism (1, 2010), Journal of Jewish Studies (61, 2010), Salesianum (72, 2010), Revue d’histoire et de philosophie religieuses (90, 2010), Review of Biblical Literature (two reviews: 12/2010 and 02/2012), Journal of Roman Studies (100, 2010), Journal of Semitic Studies (2011), Theologische Literaturzeitung (1; 2011), European Journal of Theology (20, 2011).

Articles

“Talmud for Non-Rabbis: Teaching Graduate Students in the Academy,” in Learning to Read Talmud: What it Looks Like and How it Happens (ed. Jane L. Kanarek and Marjorie Lehman; Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2016), 117–36; peer-reviewed; 7,553 words.

 “Reading Between the Strata: Teaching Rabbinic Literature with Material Culture,” Teaching Theology & Religion 19:2 (2016), 189–209; peer-reviewed. 11,958 words.

“Pursuing Justice: Support for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Hebrew Union College Annual 2015, Vol. 86 (2016): 37–62; peer-reviewed. 13,848 words.

 “Introduction: Competition and Material Culture Through Real and Imagined Spaces,” in Religious Competition in the Greco-Roman World (ed. N. P. DesRosiers and L. C. Vuong; Writings from the Greco-Roman World Supplements 10. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2016), 11–14.

“Care for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Literature,” in Wealth and Poverty in Jewish Tradition (ed. L. Greenspoon; West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press, 2015); 13–32. 10,525 words.

“Who is Rich? The Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Jewish Quarterly Review 104:4 (2014): 515–36; peer-reviewed.

“Tractate Pe’ah: Introduction, Translation, and Annotation,” The New Oxford Mishnah (ed. S. Cohen and H. Lapin; Oxford University Press); accepted and forthcoming. 16,565 words.

“From the General to the Specific: A Genealogy of ‘Acts of Kindness’ (Gemilut Hasadim) in Rabbinic Literature,” Religious Studies and Rabbinics (ed. E. Shanks Alexander and B. Berkowitz; Routledge Jewish Studies Series); peer-reviewed; in press. 8,338 words.

“City of Lights: The Lamps of Roman and Byzantine Jerusalem,” Near Eastern Archaeology 77, 4 (2014): 284–90; peer-reviewed.

“Competitive Giving in the Third Century CE: Early Rabbinic Approaches to Greco-Roman Civic Benefaction,” in Religious Competition in the Third Century C.E.: Jews, Christians, and the Greco-Roman World (ed. J. Rosenblum, N. DesRosiers, and L. Vuong; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht); 2014, 81–92; peer-reviewed.

“Let Them Eat Fish: Food for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Journal for the Study of Judaism 45 (2014): 250–70; peer-reviewed.

“Charity Wounds: Gifts to the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” The Gift in Antiquity (ed. M. Satlow; Chichester, West Sussux, UK: Wiley-Blackwell; 2013), 173–88; peer-reviewed.

“Cornering Poverty: Mishnah Pe’ah, Tosefta Pe’ah, and the Reimagination of Society in Late Antiquity,” Envisioning Judaism: Studies in Honor of Peter Schäfer on the Occasion of his Seventieth Birthday (ed. R. Boustan, K. Herrmann, R. Leicht, A.Y. Reed, and G. Veltri; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2013; 2 vols.), vol. 1, pp. 205–16.

“Astrology in the Talmud: An Analysis of Bavli Shabbat 156,” Heresy and Identity in Late Antiquity (ed. E. Iricinschi and H. Zellentin; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008), 314–38.

“The Significance of Antiquity in Antiquity: An Introduction,” Antiquity in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Pasts in the Greco-Roman World (ed. G. Gardner and K. Osterloh; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008; co-written with K. Osterloh), 1–25.

“Jewish Leadership and Hellenistic Civic Benefaction in the Second Century B.C.E.” Journal of Biblical Literature 126, 2 (2007): 327–43; peer-reviewed.

Book Reviews

“Review of S. Fine, The Menorah: From the Bible to Modern Israel.” Reading Religion: A Publication of the American Academy of Religion (Sept. 19, 2017) http://readingreligion.org/books/menorah  (978 words)

“Review of Steven H. Werlin, Ancient Synagogues of Southern Palestine, 300–800 CE: Living on the Edge,” in  AJS Review 41 (2017): 247-49.

“Review of R. Ulmer and M. Ulmer, Righteous Giving to the Poor: Tzedakah (“Charity”) in Classical Rabbinic Judaism,” in Review of Biblical Literature, 09/2015 (2015): 4 pages (1,378 words).

“Review of S. Fraade, Legal Fictions: Studies of Law and Narrative in the Discursive Worlds of Ancient Jewish Sectarians and Sages,” in Catholic Biblical Quarterly 76 (2014): 177–78.

“Review of B.-Z. Rosenfeld and J. Menirav, Markets and Marketing in Roman Palestine,” Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Period 38, 3 (2007): 419–22.

Encyclopedia Entries and Short Articles

“How Tzedakah Became Charity.” The Gemara.com, July 5, 2017; http://thegemara.com/how-tzedakah-became-charity/ (3,617 words)

“Charity in Ancient Judaism: Problems and Prospects.” Ancient Jew Review, September 21, 2016; http://www.ancientjewreview.com/articles/2016/9/8/charity-in-ancient-judaism-problems-and-prospects (1,346 words)

“Hospitality in Judaism,” Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (ed. D.C. Allison, et. al.; De Gruyter; Berlin, 2016), Vol. 12, pp. 454–56.

“Almsgiving,” “Meir, Rabbi, “Mishnah,” and “Pe’ah,” in The Routledge Encyclopedia of Ancient Mediterranean Religions (ed. E. Orlin et al.; New York: Routledge, 2016), pp. 36–38, 589, 601, 703.

“Lighting the Way: Material Culture Illuminates Religious Identity,” Biblical Archaeology Review 36, 4 (July/August 2010), 30, 72..

 

Conference Presentations and Invited Scholarly Lectures

 

“Rabbis of the Lost Ark: Material Culture in Ancient Judaism,” Jews and the Material in Antiquity Conference, University of Michigan, Apr. 2018
“Materiality in Ancient Judaism: Lamps in Archaeology and Rabbinic Literature,” University of Michigan, Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, March 2018
“Money in Classical Jewish Thought,” University of Michigan, Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, Jan. 16, 2018
“Heavenly Riches and Motivations to Give to the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Jewish Ethics Annual Meeting; Jan. 2018
“Wealth in Late Antique Rabbinic Judaism,” Late Antiquity Group, University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University; Dec. 2017
“The Temple Vessels from Antiquity to Late Antiquity,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2017
“Jews and Judaism in Idumaea,” Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Horvat Midras Excavation Project (Israel), Aug. 2, 2017
“Rabbinic Literature and Material Culture,” Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Horvat Midras Excavation Project (Israel), July 27, 2017
“Navigating Community and University Relations and Debates over Anti-Semitism on Campus,” Brown University, American Academy for Jewish Research, June 2017
“The Sabbath and Archaeology,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2016
Chair for “Religious Competition in Late Antiquity,” session at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2016
“Wealth and Competitive Giving in Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2016
“Ancient Charity,” Brown University, invited guest speaker for course Jews and Money, via video, Nov. 2016.
“Charity Laws by the Rich,” Judaica Electronic Workshop, Vanderbilt University, Nov. 2016.
“Food in Late Antique Judaism and Classical Rabbinic Literature,” Food and Jewish Traditions Conference, University of San Diego, July 2016
“Introduction to Giving With Interest: Wealth and Poverty in Jewish Antiquity,” Judaica Electronic Workshop, sponsored by Vanderbilt University, April 2016
“Property and Poverty in Early Rabbinic Exegesis: Sifre Zuta Deuteronomy,” Jewish Attitudes toward Wealth and Poverty Workshop; Brown University, Nov. 2015
“Domesticating the Holy: Ancient Israelite Artefacts in Late-Antique Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2015
“Knitting the Safety Net: The Evolution of the Soup Kitchen (tamhui) in Rabbinic Judaism” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2015
“Reclaiming the Spoils of War: The Temple Vessels in Late-Antique Jewish Imagination,” Western Jewish Studies Association Conference, 2015
Chair for “In the Ancient World” session at the Western Jewish Studies Association Conference, 2015
“Experts, Relics, and Competition,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2014
“Communal Responsibility for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2014
“Teaching Talmud at a Public University: Evidence of Student Learning and Teaching,” Learning to Read Talmud: What it Looks Like and How it Happens, Brandeis University, 2014
“Introducing and Teaching Talmud in Translation at a Large Public University,” Learning to Read Talmud: What it Looks Like and How it Happens, Brandeis University, 2013
Respondent for papers by M. Balberg and C. Chin, Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2013
“Care for the Poor and the Origins of Charity in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Wealth and Poverty in the Jewish Tradition, Creighton University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of Nebraska-Omaha, 2013
Presentations on teaching and research in classical rabbinic literature at the Early Career Faculty Workshop of the American Academy for Jewish Research, New York University, 2013
“Between Religion and Ethics: ‘Acts of Kindness’ (gemilut hasadim) in Early Rabbinic Judaism” Religious Studies and Rabbinics Conference, University of Virginia, 2013
“Pursuing Justice: Support for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” University of Texas at Austin, Department of Religious Studies, 2013
“Judaism in Hellenistic Egypt,” University of British Columbia, guest lecturer for the course Being Like Gods: Divine Knowledge and Power in Roman Alexandria, 2013
“Let Them Eat Fish: Food for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2012
Respondent for two papers in the Religious Competition in the Third Century C.E. session at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2012
“Rabbis of the Lost Ark: Relics and Religion in Ancient Judaism,” University of British Columbia, 2012
Respondent for two papers in the Religious Competition in the Third Century C.E. session at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2011
“Wounding Charity: Gifts for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2011
“Who is Rich? Poverty and Identity in Rabbinic Judaism,” Brown University, Judaic Studies Faculty Seminar, 2011
“The Origins of the Jewish Concept of Charity,” Brown University, Cogut Center for the Humanities, 2011
“A Horse, a Slave, and a Pound of Meat: Gift-Giving and the Social Needs of the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Annual Meeting of the Association for Jewish Studies, 2010
“The Hebrew Bible and the Archaeology of Ancient Israel,” Smith College, guest lecturer for the course Introduction to the Bible, 2010
“Greeks, Rabbis, and the Origins of Jewish Charity in the Third Century,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2010
“Charity and Justice in Rabbinic Judaism,” Marquette University, Department of Theology, 2010
“Gifts, Charity, and Social Competition in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario, 2010
“Kind Words for the Poor: Economic Identity and Otherness in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2010
“The Poor, Otherness, and Communication in Late Antique Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2010
“The Gift in Early Judaism,” The Gift in Antiquity Conference, Brown University, 2010
“Social Justice in Early Judaism,” Harvard University, Political Theory Colloquium, 2010
“The Origins of Jewish Charity,” Harvard University, Center for the Humanities, 2010
“The Origins of Rabbinic tsedaqah (“righteousness, charity”),” Harvard University, guest lecturer for the course The Jewish Political Tradition, 2010
“Rabbinic Charity and Greco-Roman Political Culture,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2010
“Charity and Social Competition in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2009
“Engagements and Conversations with the Poor ‘Other’ in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Rabbis and Others in Conversation, Princeton University, 2009
“Creating Moral Values: gemilut hasadim (“acts of kindness”) in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2009
“Feeding the Poor: Food and Charity in Early Rabbinic Literature,” University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins, 2009
“Charity and Social Justice in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Annual Meeting of the Association for Jewish Studies, 2008
“This Little Light of Mine: The Menorah and Oil Lamps in Byzantine Jerusalem and Late Antique Jewish-Christian Discourse,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2008
“Biblical Memories, Archaeology and Texts: The Re-imagination of Ancient Israel by Ben Sira,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2008
“Memory, Archaeology, and Text: Ben Sira and the Re-imagination of Ancient Israel,” New England Regional Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature and American Schools of Oriental Research, 2008
“Light to the Nations: The Menorah and Candlestick Lamps in Byzantine Christian-Jewish Discourse,” American Schools of Oriental Research Annual Meeting, 2008
“Reading Between the Strata: Archaeology, Economy, and Early Rabbinic Judaism,” A Century after Krauss’ Talmudische Archäologie: Rabbinic Literature and the Material Culture of Roman Palestine Conference, Princeton University, 2008
“The Menorah in Byzantine Christian-Jewish Discourse,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2008
“Charity in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2007
“Friday Night Lights: The Oil Lamps of Roman Palestine,” Brown University, Brown Bag Talks, 2007
“Tunnel Vision: King Hezekiah through Ben Sira’s Eyes,” Antiquity in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Pasts in the Greco-Roman World, Princeton University, 2006
“Rabbis as the Other in Talmudic Literature: A Polemic Against Astrological Practices within Rabbinic Society (BT Shab. 156),” Making Selves and Marking Others: Heresy and Self-Definition in Late Antiquity Conference, Princeton University, 2005
“Literature, Archaeology, and Methodological Considerations for the Study of Judaism in Late Antiquity,” Apollonia Excavations, Israel, 2006
“The Roman Fort at Yotvata, Israel,” Princeton University, Program in the Ancient World Workshop, 2005
“Jews and Judaism from 63 B.C.E. to 70 C.E.,” Princeton University, guest lecturer for the course New Testament and Early Christian Origins, 2005
“Rabbinic Literature and Material Culture,” Princeton University, 2005
“Civic Benefaction in Second Century B.C.E. Judean Society,” Princeton University, Program in the Ancient World, 2004
“Non-market Economic Activity in First Century Judea, 37 BCE – 70 C.E.,” Princeton University, Program in the Ancient World, 2004

Invited Public Talks

 

“Jews and Judaism through the Ages,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, invited for Jan. 2018
“Searching for King David in Archaeology and the Bible,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, invited for May 2017
“Reward and Punishment in the Midrash,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2017
“Recent Archaeological Discoveries in Israel,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2016
“Jewish Studies at the University of British Columbia,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015
“Noah in Rabbinic Literature,” Temple Sholom, Vancouver, 2015
“Lost Cities of the Ancient World: Jerusalem in the Hellenistic Era,” UBC Continuing Studies, Vancouver, 2015
“Ancient Judaism and Hellenism,” Pharos: The Canadian-Hellenic Cultural Society, Vancouver, 2015
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part IV: Legend of Shimon bar Yochai,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015
“Intersections: The Archaeology of the Maccabees,” The Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“Talmud Study: Charity in the Talmud,” Canadian Conference of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Vancouver, 2014
“Purity and Authority in the Talmud,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2014
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part III: Rabbinic Authority,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“The Late Bronze Age and the Mediterranean’s Path to Power: Bronze Age Palestine,” University of British Columbia, Continuing Studies, 2014; with Dr. Lynn Welton.
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part II: Origins of the Rabbinic Movement,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part I: Legends of Jerusalem,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“Forgetting Jerusalem: Memories of the Temple in the Talmud,” Limmud Vancouver (a day of public learning), 2014
“Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies at the University of British Columbia,” King David High School, Vancouver, 2014
“Archaeology and the Bible,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2014
“Sacred Places of the Ancient Mediterranean: Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem,” Brock House Society Senior Centre, Vancouver, 2013
“The Temple Mount of Herod the Great,” University of British Columbia, Continuing Studies, 2013
“Food and Jewish Identity,” Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, 2013
“Selling Sacred Relics: The Oil Lamps of Late Antique Palestine,” Archaeological Institute of America, Vancouver Chapter, 2013
“Cashing In: Is Jewish Charity Altruistic?” Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia, Vancouver 2012
“Biblical Archaeology,” Vancouver Hillel, University of British Columbia, 2012
“The Origins of tsedaqah in Judaism,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2011
Panel discussant on the Vancouver riots, Congregation Beth Israel, Vancouver, 2011
Scholar in residence, Monmouth Reform Temple Synagogue, NJ, 2011
“Biblical Archaeology and Jewish Symbols,” Temple Isaiah Synagogue, MA, 2011
“The Origins of Jewish Charity” and discussion of Herod’s Lost Tomb; Temple Isaiah Synagogue, MA, 2010
Scholar in residence, Temple Isaiah Synagogue, MA, 2007
“Astrology in the Talmud,” Congregation Kol Hakfar, NY, 2005
“Jewish Art and Archaeology,” Congregation Hadar, NY, 2004
“Jewish Art in Late Antiquity,” Congregation Kol Hakfar, NY, 2004
“The Origins of the Ancient Synagogue,” Congregation Shaare Zedek, NY, 2003

 

Awards

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), 2017–2022
Insight Grant

Leadership Seminar Scholar, American Academy for Jewish Research, 2017

Killam Trusts, Killam Faculty Research Fellowship, Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund for Advanced Studies of the University of British Columbia, 2016

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), 2015–2017
Insight Development Grant

Hampton Fund Research Grant, University of British Columbia, 2014–2016

Top Instructor, University of British Columbia, 2014

Mandel Fellow, Mandel Center for Jewish Education, Brandeis University, 2013–14

Early Career Faculty Fellow, The American Academy for Jewish Research, 2012–13

Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, University of British Columbia, 2012–13
Early Career Start-Up Research Award and Faculty Associate

Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation, 2008-09
Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship

Graduate Supervision

I am interested in supervising students who wish to explore religions of law antiquity including, but not limited to, early Judaism and classical rabbinic literature. I also welcome the opportunity to work with students interested in the intersection of religion and material culture, as well as the material culture and archaeology of ancient Palestine. I have recently served on the committees of M.A. and Ph.D. students who have focused on the New Testament, classical archaeology, and early rabbinic literature.

On this page
About
Teaching
Research
Publications
Awards
Graduate Supervision

Gregg E. Gardner

Professor and The Diamond Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics
email gregg.gardner@ubc.ca
phone work phone 604 827 3703
launchAcademia.edu Profile
launch2022 Summer Archaeological Field School - Israel
Office Hours
T 2:00-3:00 By appointment
Area
Archaeology | Egypt and the Near East | Literature | Religion
Focus
Hebrew Bible and Judaism | Law

About

For my complete CV, please visit https://ubc.academia.edu/GreggGardner

The University of British Columbia, Department of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies

  • Associate Professor, with tenure, 2016–present
  • Assistant Professor, tenure-track, 2011–16
  • The Diamond Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics, 2011–present

Brown University, 2010–11

  • Andrew W. Mellon Foundation/American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Postdoctoral Fellow, Recent Doctoral Recipients Fellowship, Early Career Program

Harvard University, 2009-10

  • Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica, Alan M. Stroock Postdoctoral Fellowship, Center for Jewish Studies

 

Education

Ph.D. Princeton University, Religion, 2009

  • Dissertation: Giving to the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism

M.A. Princeton University, Religion, 2007

M.A. Hebrew University of Jerusalem, History of the Jewish People, 2004

  • Magna Cum Laude

B.A. Binghamton University, State University of New York, Economics and Jewish Studies, 1998

  • Magna Cum Laude and High Honors in Economics

Teaching

Research

Interests

  • Jewish Studies
  • Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras (4th century B.C.E. through 7th century C.E.)
  • Judaism in Late Antiquity
  • Classical Rabbinic literature (e.g. Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash)
  • Judaism in the Second Temple era
  • Hellenistic Jewish Literature
  • Archaeology of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine era Palestine
  • Pedagogy in Religious Studies
  • Religious ethics and law
  • Religion and material culture
  • Economic history

Projects

My current research focuses on two areas:
  • Material culture and archaeology of Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras
  • Wealth, poverty, and philanthropy in classical rabbinic literature and late antique Judaism

Publications

For my complete CV, please visit https://ubc.academia.edu/GreggGardner

Books:

Gregg E. Gardner, The Origins of Organized Charity in Rabbinic Judaism (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2015), xvi + 247 pages. Cambridge UP and Amazon

Reviewed in: Review of Biblical Literature (08/2016); Marginalia: Los Angeles Review of Books (August 16, 2016); Bryn Mawr Classical Review (2016.08.20); AJS Review 40, 2 (2016; 404–7); H-Net: Humanities and Social Sciences Online (January 2017); Journal of Jewish Ethics 3, 2 (2017; 267–29)

Gregg Gardner and Kevin L. Osterloh, eds., Antiquity in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Pasts in the Greco-Roman World (Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism 123; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008), viii + 475 pages.

Reviewed in: Bryn Mawr Classical Review (2009.09.73); Journal for the Study of Judaism (41; 2010); Journal for the Study of the Old Testament (33:5; 2009); New Testament Abstracts (53; 2009); Catholic Biblical Quarterly (72; 2010); Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae (35, 2009), Biblische Zeitschrift (54, 2010), Journal of Ancient Judaism (1, 2010), Journal of Jewish Studies (61, 2010), Salesianum (72, 2010), Revue d’histoire et de philosophie religieuses (90, 2010), Review of Biblical Literature (two reviews: 12/2010 and 02/2012), Journal of Roman Studies (100, 2010), Journal of Semitic Studies (2011), Theologische Literaturzeitung (1; 2011), European Journal of Theology (20, 2011).

Articles

“Talmud for Non-Rabbis: Teaching Graduate Students in the Academy,” in Learning to Read Talmud: What it Looks Like and How it Happens (ed. Jane L. Kanarek and Marjorie Lehman; Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2016), 117–36; peer-reviewed; 7,553 words.

 “Reading Between the Strata: Teaching Rabbinic Literature with Material Culture,” Teaching Theology & Religion 19:2 (2016), 189–209; peer-reviewed. 11,958 words.

“Pursuing Justice: Support for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Hebrew Union College Annual 2015, Vol. 86 (2016): 37–62; peer-reviewed. 13,848 words.

 “Introduction: Competition and Material Culture Through Real and Imagined Spaces,” in Religious Competition in the Greco-Roman World (ed. N. P. DesRosiers and L. C. Vuong; Writings from the Greco-Roman World Supplements 10. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2016), 11–14.

“Care for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Literature,” in Wealth and Poverty in Jewish Tradition (ed. L. Greenspoon; West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press, 2015); 13–32. 10,525 words.

“Who is Rich? The Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Jewish Quarterly Review 104:4 (2014): 515–36; peer-reviewed.

“Tractate Pe’ah: Introduction, Translation, and Annotation,” The New Oxford Mishnah (ed. S. Cohen and H. Lapin; Oxford University Press); accepted and forthcoming. 16,565 words.

“From the General to the Specific: A Genealogy of ‘Acts of Kindness’ (Gemilut Hasadim) in Rabbinic Literature,” Religious Studies and Rabbinics (ed. E. Shanks Alexander and B. Berkowitz; Routledge Jewish Studies Series); peer-reviewed; in press. 8,338 words.

“City of Lights: The Lamps of Roman and Byzantine Jerusalem,” Near Eastern Archaeology 77, 4 (2014): 284–90; peer-reviewed.

“Competitive Giving in the Third Century CE: Early Rabbinic Approaches to Greco-Roman Civic Benefaction,” in Religious Competition in the Third Century C.E.: Jews, Christians, and the Greco-Roman World (ed. J. Rosenblum, N. DesRosiers, and L. Vuong; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht); 2014, 81–92; peer-reviewed.

“Let Them Eat Fish: Food for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Journal for the Study of Judaism 45 (2014): 250–70; peer-reviewed.

“Charity Wounds: Gifts to the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” The Gift in Antiquity (ed. M. Satlow; Chichester, West Sussux, UK: Wiley-Blackwell; 2013), 173–88; peer-reviewed.

“Cornering Poverty: Mishnah Pe’ah, Tosefta Pe’ah, and the Reimagination of Society in Late Antiquity,” Envisioning Judaism: Studies in Honor of Peter Schäfer on the Occasion of his Seventieth Birthday (ed. R. Boustan, K. Herrmann, R. Leicht, A.Y. Reed, and G. Veltri; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2013; 2 vols.), vol. 1, pp. 205–16.

“Astrology in the Talmud: An Analysis of Bavli Shabbat 156,” Heresy and Identity in Late Antiquity (ed. E. Iricinschi and H. Zellentin; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008), 314–38.

“The Significance of Antiquity in Antiquity: An Introduction,” Antiquity in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Pasts in the Greco-Roman World (ed. G. Gardner and K. Osterloh; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008; co-written with K. Osterloh), 1–25.

“Jewish Leadership and Hellenistic Civic Benefaction in the Second Century B.C.E.” Journal of Biblical Literature 126, 2 (2007): 327–43; peer-reviewed.

Book Reviews

“Review of S. Fine, The Menorah: From the Bible to Modern Israel.” Reading Religion: A Publication of the American Academy of Religion (Sept. 19, 2017) http://readingreligion.org/books/menorah  (978 words)

“Review of Steven H. Werlin, Ancient Synagogues of Southern Palestine, 300–800 CE: Living on the Edge,” in  AJS Review 41 (2017): 247-49.

“Review of R. Ulmer and M. Ulmer, Righteous Giving to the Poor: Tzedakah (“Charity”) in Classical Rabbinic Judaism,” in Review of Biblical Literature, 09/2015 (2015): 4 pages (1,378 words).

“Review of S. Fraade, Legal Fictions: Studies of Law and Narrative in the Discursive Worlds of Ancient Jewish Sectarians and Sages,” in Catholic Biblical Quarterly 76 (2014): 177–78.

“Review of B.-Z. Rosenfeld and J. Menirav, Markets and Marketing in Roman Palestine,” Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Period 38, 3 (2007): 419–22.

Encyclopedia Entries and Short Articles

“How Tzedakah Became Charity.” The Gemara.com, July 5, 2017; http://thegemara.com/how-tzedakah-became-charity/ (3,617 words)

“Charity in Ancient Judaism: Problems and Prospects.” Ancient Jew Review, September 21, 2016; http://www.ancientjewreview.com/articles/2016/9/8/charity-in-ancient-judaism-problems-and-prospects (1,346 words)

“Hospitality in Judaism,” Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (ed. D.C. Allison, et. al.; De Gruyter; Berlin, 2016), Vol. 12, pp. 454–56.

“Almsgiving,” “Meir, Rabbi, “Mishnah,” and “Pe’ah,” in The Routledge Encyclopedia of Ancient Mediterranean Religions (ed. E. Orlin et al.; New York: Routledge, 2016), pp. 36–38, 589, 601, 703.

“Lighting the Way: Material Culture Illuminates Religious Identity,” Biblical Archaeology Review 36, 4 (July/August 2010), 30, 72..

 

Conference Presentations and Invited Scholarly Lectures

 

“Rabbis of the Lost Ark: Material Culture in Ancient Judaism,” Jews and the Material in Antiquity Conference, University of Michigan, Apr. 2018
“Materiality in Ancient Judaism: Lamps in Archaeology and Rabbinic Literature,” University of Michigan, Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, March 2018
“Money in Classical Jewish Thought,” University of Michigan, Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, Jan. 16, 2018
“Heavenly Riches and Motivations to Give to the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Jewish Ethics Annual Meeting; Jan. 2018
“Wealth in Late Antique Rabbinic Judaism,” Late Antiquity Group, University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University; Dec. 2017
“The Temple Vessels from Antiquity to Late Antiquity,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2017
“Jews and Judaism in Idumaea,” Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Horvat Midras Excavation Project (Israel), Aug. 2, 2017
“Rabbinic Literature and Material Culture,” Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Horvat Midras Excavation Project (Israel), July 27, 2017
“Navigating Community and University Relations and Debates over Anti-Semitism on Campus,” Brown University, American Academy for Jewish Research, June 2017
“The Sabbath and Archaeology,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2016
Chair for “Religious Competition in Late Antiquity,” session at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2016
“Wealth and Competitive Giving in Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2016
“Ancient Charity,” Brown University, invited guest speaker for course Jews and Money, via video, Nov. 2016.
“Charity Laws by the Rich,” Judaica Electronic Workshop, Vanderbilt University, Nov. 2016.
“Food in Late Antique Judaism and Classical Rabbinic Literature,” Food and Jewish Traditions Conference, University of San Diego, July 2016
“Introduction to Giving With Interest: Wealth and Poverty in Jewish Antiquity,” Judaica Electronic Workshop, sponsored by Vanderbilt University, April 2016
“Property and Poverty in Early Rabbinic Exegesis: Sifre Zuta Deuteronomy,” Jewish Attitudes toward Wealth and Poverty Workshop; Brown University, Nov. 2015
“Domesticating the Holy: Ancient Israelite Artefacts in Late-Antique Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2015
“Knitting the Safety Net: The Evolution of the Soup Kitchen (tamhui) in Rabbinic Judaism” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2015
“Reclaiming the Spoils of War: The Temple Vessels in Late-Antique Jewish Imagination,” Western Jewish Studies Association Conference, 2015
Chair for “In the Ancient World” session at the Western Jewish Studies Association Conference, 2015
“Experts, Relics, and Competition,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2014
“Communal Responsibility for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2014
“Teaching Talmud at a Public University: Evidence of Student Learning and Teaching,” Learning to Read Talmud: What it Looks Like and How it Happens, Brandeis University, 2014
“Introducing and Teaching Talmud in Translation at a Large Public University,” Learning to Read Talmud: What it Looks Like and How it Happens, Brandeis University, 2013
Respondent for papers by M. Balberg and C. Chin, Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2013
“Care for the Poor and the Origins of Charity in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Wealth and Poverty in the Jewish Tradition, Creighton University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of Nebraska-Omaha, 2013
Presentations on teaching and research in classical rabbinic literature at the Early Career Faculty Workshop of the American Academy for Jewish Research, New York University, 2013
“Between Religion and Ethics: ‘Acts of Kindness’ (gemilut hasadim) in Early Rabbinic Judaism” Religious Studies and Rabbinics Conference, University of Virginia, 2013
“Pursuing Justice: Support for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” University of Texas at Austin, Department of Religious Studies, 2013
“Judaism in Hellenistic Egypt,” University of British Columbia, guest lecturer for the course Being Like Gods: Divine Knowledge and Power in Roman Alexandria, 2013
“Let Them Eat Fish: Food for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2012
Respondent for two papers in the Religious Competition in the Third Century C.E. session at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2012
“Rabbis of the Lost Ark: Relics and Religion in Ancient Judaism,” University of British Columbia, 2012
Respondent for two papers in the Religious Competition in the Third Century C.E. session at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2011
“Wounding Charity: Gifts for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2011
“Who is Rich? Poverty and Identity in Rabbinic Judaism,” Brown University, Judaic Studies Faculty Seminar, 2011
“The Origins of the Jewish Concept of Charity,” Brown University, Cogut Center for the Humanities, 2011
“A Horse, a Slave, and a Pound of Meat: Gift-Giving and the Social Needs of the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Annual Meeting of the Association for Jewish Studies, 2010
“The Hebrew Bible and the Archaeology of Ancient Israel,” Smith College, guest lecturer for the course Introduction to the Bible, 2010
“Greeks, Rabbis, and the Origins of Jewish Charity in the Third Century,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2010
“Charity and Justice in Rabbinic Judaism,” Marquette University, Department of Theology, 2010
“Gifts, Charity, and Social Competition in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario, 2010
“Kind Words for the Poor: Economic Identity and Otherness in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2010
“The Poor, Otherness, and Communication in Late Antique Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2010
“The Gift in Early Judaism,” The Gift in Antiquity Conference, Brown University, 2010
“Social Justice in Early Judaism,” Harvard University, Political Theory Colloquium, 2010
“The Origins of Jewish Charity,” Harvard University, Center for the Humanities, 2010
“The Origins of Rabbinic tsedaqah (“righteousness, charity”),” Harvard University, guest lecturer for the course The Jewish Political Tradition, 2010
“Rabbinic Charity and Greco-Roman Political Culture,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2010
“Charity and Social Competition in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2009
“Engagements and Conversations with the Poor ‘Other’ in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Rabbis and Others in Conversation, Princeton University, 2009
“Creating Moral Values: gemilut hasadim (“acts of kindness”) in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2009
“Feeding the Poor: Food and Charity in Early Rabbinic Literature,” University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins, 2009
“Charity and Social Justice in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Annual Meeting of the Association for Jewish Studies, 2008
“This Little Light of Mine: The Menorah and Oil Lamps in Byzantine Jerusalem and Late Antique Jewish-Christian Discourse,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2008
“Biblical Memories, Archaeology and Texts: The Re-imagination of Ancient Israel by Ben Sira,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2008
“Memory, Archaeology, and Text: Ben Sira and the Re-imagination of Ancient Israel,” New England Regional Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature and American Schools of Oriental Research, 2008
“Light to the Nations: The Menorah and Candlestick Lamps in Byzantine Christian-Jewish Discourse,” American Schools of Oriental Research Annual Meeting, 2008
“Reading Between the Strata: Archaeology, Economy, and Early Rabbinic Judaism,” A Century after Krauss’ Talmudische Archäologie: Rabbinic Literature and the Material Culture of Roman Palestine Conference, Princeton University, 2008
“The Menorah in Byzantine Christian-Jewish Discourse,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2008
“Charity in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2007
“Friday Night Lights: The Oil Lamps of Roman Palestine,” Brown University, Brown Bag Talks, 2007
“Tunnel Vision: King Hezekiah through Ben Sira’s Eyes,” Antiquity in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Pasts in the Greco-Roman World, Princeton University, 2006
“Rabbis as the Other in Talmudic Literature: A Polemic Against Astrological Practices within Rabbinic Society (BT Shab. 156),” Making Selves and Marking Others: Heresy and Self-Definition in Late Antiquity Conference, Princeton University, 2005
“Literature, Archaeology, and Methodological Considerations for the Study of Judaism in Late Antiquity,” Apollonia Excavations, Israel, 2006
“The Roman Fort at Yotvata, Israel,” Princeton University, Program in the Ancient World Workshop, 2005
“Jews and Judaism from 63 B.C.E. to 70 C.E.,” Princeton University, guest lecturer for the course New Testament and Early Christian Origins, 2005
“Rabbinic Literature and Material Culture,” Princeton University, 2005
“Civic Benefaction in Second Century B.C.E. Judean Society,” Princeton University, Program in the Ancient World, 2004
“Non-market Economic Activity in First Century Judea, 37 BCE – 70 C.E.,” Princeton University, Program in the Ancient World, 2004

Invited Public Talks

 

“Jews and Judaism through the Ages,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, invited for Jan. 2018
“Searching for King David in Archaeology and the Bible,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, invited for May 2017
“Reward and Punishment in the Midrash,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2017
“Recent Archaeological Discoveries in Israel,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2016
“Jewish Studies at the University of British Columbia,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015
“Noah in Rabbinic Literature,” Temple Sholom, Vancouver, 2015
“Lost Cities of the Ancient World: Jerusalem in the Hellenistic Era,” UBC Continuing Studies, Vancouver, 2015
“Ancient Judaism and Hellenism,” Pharos: The Canadian-Hellenic Cultural Society, Vancouver, 2015
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part IV: Legend of Shimon bar Yochai,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015
“Intersections: The Archaeology of the Maccabees,” The Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“Talmud Study: Charity in the Talmud,” Canadian Conference of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Vancouver, 2014
“Purity and Authority in the Talmud,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2014
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part III: Rabbinic Authority,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“The Late Bronze Age and the Mediterranean’s Path to Power: Bronze Age Palestine,” University of British Columbia, Continuing Studies, 2014; with Dr. Lynn Welton.
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part II: Origins of the Rabbinic Movement,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part I: Legends of Jerusalem,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“Forgetting Jerusalem: Memories of the Temple in the Talmud,” Limmud Vancouver (a day of public learning), 2014
“Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies at the University of British Columbia,” King David High School, Vancouver, 2014
“Archaeology and the Bible,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2014
“Sacred Places of the Ancient Mediterranean: Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem,” Brock House Society Senior Centre, Vancouver, 2013
“The Temple Mount of Herod the Great,” University of British Columbia, Continuing Studies, 2013
“Food and Jewish Identity,” Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, 2013
“Selling Sacred Relics: The Oil Lamps of Late Antique Palestine,” Archaeological Institute of America, Vancouver Chapter, 2013
“Cashing In: Is Jewish Charity Altruistic?” Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia, Vancouver 2012
“Biblical Archaeology,” Vancouver Hillel, University of British Columbia, 2012
“The Origins of tsedaqah in Judaism,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2011
Panel discussant on the Vancouver riots, Congregation Beth Israel, Vancouver, 2011
Scholar in residence, Monmouth Reform Temple Synagogue, NJ, 2011
“Biblical Archaeology and Jewish Symbols,” Temple Isaiah Synagogue, MA, 2011
“The Origins of Jewish Charity” and discussion of Herod’s Lost Tomb; Temple Isaiah Synagogue, MA, 2010
Scholar in residence, Temple Isaiah Synagogue, MA, 2007
“Astrology in the Talmud,” Congregation Kol Hakfar, NY, 2005
“Jewish Art and Archaeology,” Congregation Hadar, NY, 2004
“Jewish Art in Late Antiquity,” Congregation Kol Hakfar, NY, 2004
“The Origins of the Ancient Synagogue,” Congregation Shaare Zedek, NY, 2003

 

Awards

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), 2017–2022
Insight Grant

Leadership Seminar Scholar, American Academy for Jewish Research, 2017

Killam Trusts, Killam Faculty Research Fellowship, Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund for Advanced Studies of the University of British Columbia, 2016

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), 2015–2017
Insight Development Grant

Hampton Fund Research Grant, University of British Columbia, 2014–2016

Top Instructor, University of British Columbia, 2014

Mandel Fellow, Mandel Center for Jewish Education, Brandeis University, 2013–14

Early Career Faculty Fellow, The American Academy for Jewish Research, 2012–13

Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, University of British Columbia, 2012–13
Early Career Start-Up Research Award and Faculty Associate

Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation, 2008-09
Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship

Graduate Supervision

I am interested in supervising students who wish to explore religions of law antiquity including, but not limited to, early Judaism and classical rabbinic literature. I also welcome the opportunity to work with students interested in the intersection of religion and material culture, as well as the material culture and archaeology of ancient Palestine. I have recently served on the committees of M.A. and Ph.D. students who have focused on the New Testament, classical archaeology, and early rabbinic literature.

Gregg E. Gardner

Professor and The Diamond Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics
email gregg.gardner@ubc.ca
phone work phone 604 827 3703
launchAcademia.edu Profile
launch2022 Summer Archaeological Field School - Israel
Office Hours
T 2:00-3:00 By appointment
Area
Archaeology | Egypt and the Near East | Literature | Religion
Focus
Hebrew Bible and Judaism | Law
About keyboard_arrow_down

For my complete CV, please visit https://ubc.academia.edu/GreggGardner

The University of British Columbia, Department of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies

  • Associate Professor, with tenure, 2016–present
  • Assistant Professor, tenure-track, 2011–16
  • The Diamond Chair in Jewish Law and Ethics, 2011–present

Brown University, 2010–11

  • Andrew W. Mellon Foundation/American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Postdoctoral Fellow, Recent Doctoral Recipients Fellowship, Early Career Program

Harvard University, 2009-10

  • Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica, Alan M. Stroock Postdoctoral Fellowship, Center for Jewish Studies

 

Education

Ph.D. Princeton University, Religion, 2009

  • Dissertation: Giving to the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism

M.A. Princeton University, Religion, 2007

M.A. Hebrew University of Jerusalem, History of the Jewish People, 2004

  • Magna Cum Laude

B.A. Binghamton University, State University of New York, Economics and Jewish Studies, 1998

  • Magna Cum Laude and High Honors in Economics
Teaching keyboard_arrow_down
Research keyboard_arrow_down

Interests

  • Jewish Studies
  • Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras (4th century B.C.E. through 7th century C.E.)
  • Judaism in Late Antiquity
  • Classical Rabbinic literature (e.g. Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash)
  • Judaism in the Second Temple era
  • Hellenistic Jewish Literature
  • Archaeology of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine era Palestine
  • Pedagogy in Religious Studies
  • Religious ethics and law
  • Religion and material culture
  • Economic history

Projects

My current research focuses on two areas:
  • Material culture and archaeology of Jews and Judaism in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras
  • Wealth, poverty, and philanthropy in classical rabbinic literature and late antique Judaism
Publications keyboard_arrow_down

For my complete CV, please visit https://ubc.academia.edu/GreggGardner

Books:

Gregg E. Gardner, The Origins of Organized Charity in Rabbinic Judaism (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2015), xvi + 247 pages. Cambridge UP and Amazon

Reviewed in: Review of Biblical Literature (08/2016); Marginalia: Los Angeles Review of Books (August 16, 2016); Bryn Mawr Classical Review (2016.08.20); AJS Review 40, 2 (2016; 404–7); H-Net: Humanities and Social Sciences Online (January 2017); Journal of Jewish Ethics 3, 2 (2017; 267–29)

Gregg Gardner and Kevin L. Osterloh, eds., Antiquity in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Pasts in the Greco-Roman World (Texts and Studies in Ancient Judaism 123; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008), viii + 475 pages.

Reviewed in: Bryn Mawr Classical Review (2009.09.73); Journal for the Study of Judaism (41; 2010); Journal for the Study of the Old Testament (33:5; 2009); New Testament Abstracts (53; 2009); Catholic Biblical Quarterly (72; 2010); Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae (35, 2009), Biblische Zeitschrift (54, 2010), Journal of Ancient Judaism (1, 2010), Journal of Jewish Studies (61, 2010), Salesianum (72, 2010), Revue d’histoire et de philosophie religieuses (90, 2010), Review of Biblical Literature (two reviews: 12/2010 and 02/2012), Journal of Roman Studies (100, 2010), Journal of Semitic Studies (2011), Theologische Literaturzeitung (1; 2011), European Journal of Theology (20, 2011).

Articles

“Talmud for Non-Rabbis: Teaching Graduate Students in the Academy,” in Learning to Read Talmud: What it Looks Like and How it Happens (ed. Jane L. Kanarek and Marjorie Lehman; Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2016), 117–36; peer-reviewed; 7,553 words.

 “Reading Between the Strata: Teaching Rabbinic Literature with Material Culture,” Teaching Theology & Religion 19:2 (2016), 189–209; peer-reviewed. 11,958 words.

“Pursuing Justice: Support for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Hebrew Union College Annual 2015, Vol. 86 (2016): 37–62; peer-reviewed. 13,848 words.

 “Introduction: Competition and Material Culture Through Real and Imagined Spaces,” in Religious Competition in the Greco-Roman World (ed. N. P. DesRosiers and L. C. Vuong; Writings from the Greco-Roman World Supplements 10. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2016), 11–14.

“Care for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Literature,” in Wealth and Poverty in Jewish Tradition (ed. L. Greenspoon; West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press, 2015); 13–32. 10,525 words.

“Who is Rich? The Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Jewish Quarterly Review 104:4 (2014): 515–36; peer-reviewed.

“Tractate Pe’ah: Introduction, Translation, and Annotation,” The New Oxford Mishnah (ed. S. Cohen and H. Lapin; Oxford University Press); accepted and forthcoming. 16,565 words.

“From the General to the Specific: A Genealogy of ‘Acts of Kindness’ (Gemilut Hasadim) in Rabbinic Literature,” Religious Studies and Rabbinics (ed. E. Shanks Alexander and B. Berkowitz; Routledge Jewish Studies Series); peer-reviewed; in press. 8,338 words.

“City of Lights: The Lamps of Roman and Byzantine Jerusalem,” Near Eastern Archaeology 77, 4 (2014): 284–90; peer-reviewed.

“Competitive Giving in the Third Century CE: Early Rabbinic Approaches to Greco-Roman Civic Benefaction,” in Religious Competition in the Third Century C.E.: Jews, Christians, and the Greco-Roman World (ed. J. Rosenblum, N. DesRosiers, and L. Vuong; Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht); 2014, 81–92; peer-reviewed.

“Let Them Eat Fish: Food for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Journal for the Study of Judaism 45 (2014): 250–70; peer-reviewed.

“Charity Wounds: Gifts to the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” The Gift in Antiquity (ed. M. Satlow; Chichester, West Sussux, UK: Wiley-Blackwell; 2013), 173–88; peer-reviewed.

“Cornering Poverty: Mishnah Pe’ah, Tosefta Pe’ah, and the Reimagination of Society in Late Antiquity,” Envisioning Judaism: Studies in Honor of Peter Schäfer on the Occasion of his Seventieth Birthday (ed. R. Boustan, K. Herrmann, R. Leicht, A.Y. Reed, and G. Veltri; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2013; 2 vols.), vol. 1, pp. 205–16.

“Astrology in the Talmud: An Analysis of Bavli Shabbat 156,” Heresy and Identity in Late Antiquity (ed. E. Iricinschi and H. Zellentin; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008), 314–38.

“The Significance of Antiquity in Antiquity: An Introduction,” Antiquity in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Pasts in the Greco-Roman World (ed. G. Gardner and K. Osterloh; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2008; co-written with K. Osterloh), 1–25.

“Jewish Leadership and Hellenistic Civic Benefaction in the Second Century B.C.E.” Journal of Biblical Literature 126, 2 (2007): 327–43; peer-reviewed.

Book Reviews

“Review of S. Fine, The Menorah: From the Bible to Modern Israel.” Reading Religion: A Publication of the American Academy of Religion (Sept. 19, 2017) http://readingreligion.org/books/menorah  (978 words)

“Review of Steven H. Werlin, Ancient Synagogues of Southern Palestine, 300–800 CE: Living on the Edge,” in  AJS Review 41 (2017): 247-49.

“Review of R. Ulmer and M. Ulmer, Righteous Giving to the Poor: Tzedakah (“Charity”) in Classical Rabbinic Judaism,” in Review of Biblical Literature, 09/2015 (2015): 4 pages (1,378 words).

“Review of S. Fraade, Legal Fictions: Studies of Law and Narrative in the Discursive Worlds of Ancient Jewish Sectarians and Sages,” in Catholic Biblical Quarterly 76 (2014): 177–78.

“Review of B.-Z. Rosenfeld and J. Menirav, Markets and Marketing in Roman Palestine,” Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Period 38, 3 (2007): 419–22.

Encyclopedia Entries and Short Articles

“How Tzedakah Became Charity.” The Gemara.com, July 5, 2017; http://thegemara.com/how-tzedakah-became-charity/ (3,617 words)

“Charity in Ancient Judaism: Problems and Prospects.” Ancient Jew Review, September 21, 2016; http://www.ancientjewreview.com/articles/2016/9/8/charity-in-ancient-judaism-problems-and-prospects (1,346 words)

“Hospitality in Judaism,” Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (ed. D.C. Allison, et. al.; De Gruyter; Berlin, 2016), Vol. 12, pp. 454–56.

“Almsgiving,” “Meir, Rabbi, “Mishnah,” and “Pe’ah,” in The Routledge Encyclopedia of Ancient Mediterranean Religions (ed. E. Orlin et al.; New York: Routledge, 2016), pp. 36–38, 589, 601, 703.

“Lighting the Way: Material Culture Illuminates Religious Identity,” Biblical Archaeology Review 36, 4 (July/August 2010), 30, 72..

 

Conference Presentations and Invited Scholarly Lectures

 

“Rabbis of the Lost Ark: Material Culture in Ancient Judaism,” Jews and the Material in Antiquity Conference, University of Michigan, Apr. 2018
“Materiality in Ancient Judaism: Lamps in Archaeology and Rabbinic Literature,” University of Michigan, Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, March 2018
“Money in Classical Jewish Thought,” University of Michigan, Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, Jan. 16, 2018
“Heavenly Riches and Motivations to Give to the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Jewish Ethics Annual Meeting; Jan. 2018
“Wealth in Late Antique Rabbinic Judaism,” Late Antiquity Group, University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University; Dec. 2017
“The Temple Vessels from Antiquity to Late Antiquity,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2017
“Jews and Judaism in Idumaea,” Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Horvat Midras Excavation Project (Israel), Aug. 2, 2017
“Rabbinic Literature and Material Culture,” Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Horvat Midras Excavation Project (Israel), July 27, 2017
“Navigating Community and University Relations and Debates over Anti-Semitism on Campus,” Brown University, American Academy for Jewish Research, June 2017
“The Sabbath and Archaeology,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2016
Chair for “Religious Competition in Late Antiquity,” session at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2016
“Wealth and Competitive Giving in Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2016
“Ancient Charity,” Brown University, invited guest speaker for course Jews and Money, via video, Nov. 2016.
“Charity Laws by the Rich,” Judaica Electronic Workshop, Vanderbilt University, Nov. 2016.
“Food in Late Antique Judaism and Classical Rabbinic Literature,” Food and Jewish Traditions Conference, University of San Diego, July 2016
“Introduction to Giving With Interest: Wealth and Poverty in Jewish Antiquity,” Judaica Electronic Workshop, sponsored by Vanderbilt University, April 2016
“Property and Poverty in Early Rabbinic Exegesis: Sifre Zuta Deuteronomy,” Jewish Attitudes toward Wealth and Poverty Workshop; Brown University, Nov. 2015
“Domesticating the Holy: Ancient Israelite Artefacts in Late-Antique Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2015
“Knitting the Safety Net: The Evolution of the Soup Kitchen (tamhui) in Rabbinic Judaism” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting; Nov. 2015
“Reclaiming the Spoils of War: The Temple Vessels in Late-Antique Jewish Imagination,” Western Jewish Studies Association Conference, 2015
Chair for “In the Ancient World” session at the Western Jewish Studies Association Conference, 2015
“Experts, Relics, and Competition,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2014
“Communal Responsibility for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2014
“Teaching Talmud at a Public University: Evidence of Student Learning and Teaching,” Learning to Read Talmud: What it Looks Like and How it Happens, Brandeis University, 2014
“Introducing and Teaching Talmud in Translation at a Large Public University,” Learning to Read Talmud: What it Looks Like and How it Happens, Brandeis University, 2013
Respondent for papers by M. Balberg and C. Chin, Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2013
“Care for the Poor and the Origins of Charity in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Wealth and Poverty in the Jewish Tradition, Creighton University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of Nebraska-Omaha, 2013
Presentations on teaching and research in classical rabbinic literature at the Early Career Faculty Workshop of the American Academy for Jewish Research, New York University, 2013
“Between Religion and Ethics: ‘Acts of Kindness’ (gemilut hasadim) in Early Rabbinic Judaism” Religious Studies and Rabbinics Conference, University of Virginia, 2013
“Pursuing Justice: Support for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” University of Texas at Austin, Department of Religious Studies, 2013
“Judaism in Hellenistic Egypt,” University of British Columbia, guest lecturer for the course Being Like Gods: Divine Knowledge and Power in Roman Alexandria, 2013
“Let Them Eat Fish: Food for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2012
Respondent for two papers in the Religious Competition in the Third Century C.E. session at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2012
“Rabbis of the Lost Ark: Relics and Religion in Ancient Judaism,” University of British Columbia, 2012
Respondent for two papers in the Religious Competition in the Third Century C.E. session at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2011
“Wounding Charity: Gifts for the Poor in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2011
“Who is Rich? Poverty and Identity in Rabbinic Judaism,” Brown University, Judaic Studies Faculty Seminar, 2011
“The Origins of the Jewish Concept of Charity,” Brown University, Cogut Center for the Humanities, 2011
“A Horse, a Slave, and a Pound of Meat: Gift-Giving and the Social Needs of the Poor in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Annual Meeting of the Association for Jewish Studies, 2010
“The Hebrew Bible and the Archaeology of Ancient Israel,” Smith College, guest lecturer for the course Introduction to the Bible, 2010
“Greeks, Rabbis, and the Origins of Jewish Charity in the Third Century,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2010
“Charity and Justice in Rabbinic Judaism,” Marquette University, Department of Theology, 2010
“Gifts, Charity, and Social Competition in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario, 2010
“Kind Words for the Poor: Economic Identity and Otherness in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2010
“The Poor, Otherness, and Communication in Late Antique Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2010
“The Gift in Early Judaism,” The Gift in Antiquity Conference, Brown University, 2010
“Social Justice in Early Judaism,” Harvard University, Political Theory Colloquium, 2010
“The Origins of Jewish Charity,” Harvard University, Center for the Humanities, 2010
“The Origins of Rabbinic tsedaqah (“righteousness, charity”),” Harvard University, guest lecturer for the course The Jewish Political Tradition, 2010
“Rabbinic Charity and Greco-Roman Political Culture,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2010
“Charity and Social Competition in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2009
“Engagements and Conversations with the Poor ‘Other’ in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Rabbis and Others in Conversation, Princeton University, 2009
“Creating Moral Values: gemilut hasadim (“acts of kindness”) in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2009
“Feeding the Poor: Food and Charity in Early Rabbinic Literature,” University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins, 2009
“Charity and Social Justice in Early Rabbinic Judaism,” Annual Meeting of the Association for Jewish Studies, 2008
“This Little Light of Mine: The Menorah and Oil Lamps in Byzantine Jerusalem and Late Antique Jewish-Christian Discourse,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2008
“Biblical Memories, Archaeology and Texts: The Re-imagination of Ancient Israel by Ben Sira,” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 2008
“Memory, Archaeology, and Text: Ben Sira and the Re-imagination of Ancient Israel,” New England Regional Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature and American Schools of Oriental Research, 2008
“Light to the Nations: The Menorah and Candlestick Lamps in Byzantine Christian-Jewish Discourse,” American Schools of Oriental Research Annual Meeting, 2008
“Reading Between the Strata: Archaeology, Economy, and Early Rabbinic Judaism,” A Century after Krauss’ Talmudische Archäologie: Rabbinic Literature and the Material Culture of Roman Palestine Conference, Princeton University, 2008
“The Menorah in Byzantine Christian-Jewish Discourse,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2008
“Charity in Early Rabbinic Literature,” Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, 2007
“Friday Night Lights: The Oil Lamps of Roman Palestine,” Brown University, Brown Bag Talks, 2007
“Tunnel Vision: King Hezekiah through Ben Sira’s Eyes,” Antiquity in Antiquity: Jewish and Christian Pasts in the Greco-Roman World, Princeton University, 2006
“Rabbis as the Other in Talmudic Literature: A Polemic Against Astrological Practices within Rabbinic Society (BT Shab. 156),” Making Selves and Marking Others: Heresy and Self-Definition in Late Antiquity Conference, Princeton University, 2005
“Literature, Archaeology, and Methodological Considerations for the Study of Judaism in Late Antiquity,” Apollonia Excavations, Israel, 2006
“The Roman Fort at Yotvata, Israel,” Princeton University, Program in the Ancient World Workshop, 2005
“Jews and Judaism from 63 B.C.E. to 70 C.E.,” Princeton University, guest lecturer for the course New Testament and Early Christian Origins, 2005
“Rabbinic Literature and Material Culture,” Princeton University, 2005
“Civic Benefaction in Second Century B.C.E. Judean Society,” Princeton University, Program in the Ancient World, 2004
“Non-market Economic Activity in First Century Judea, 37 BCE – 70 C.E.,” Princeton University, Program in the Ancient World, 2004

Invited Public Talks

 

“Jews and Judaism through the Ages,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, invited for Jan. 2018
“Searching for King David in Archaeology and the Bible,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, invited for May 2017
“Reward and Punishment in the Midrash,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2017
“Recent Archaeological Discoveries in Israel,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2016
“Jewish Studies at the University of British Columbia,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015
“Noah in Rabbinic Literature,” Temple Sholom, Vancouver, 2015
“Lost Cities of the Ancient World: Jerusalem in the Hellenistic Era,” UBC Continuing Studies, Vancouver, 2015
“Ancient Judaism and Hellenism,” Pharos: The Canadian-Hellenic Cultural Society, Vancouver, 2015
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part IV: Legend of Shimon bar Yochai,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2015
“Intersections: The Archaeology of the Maccabees,” The Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“Talmud Study: Charity in the Talmud,” Canadian Conference of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Vancouver, 2014
“Purity and Authority in the Talmud,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2014
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part III: Rabbinic Authority,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“The Late Bronze Age and the Mediterranean’s Path to Power: Bronze Age Palestine,” University of British Columbia, Continuing Studies, 2014; with Dr. Lynn Welton.
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part II: Origins of the Rabbinic Movement,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“Mysteries of the Talmud Part I: Legends of Jerusalem,” Hillel of British Columbia, Vancouver, 2014
“Forgetting Jerusalem: Memories of the Temple in the Talmud,” Limmud Vancouver (a day of public learning), 2014
“Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies at the University of British Columbia,” King David High School, Vancouver, 2014
“Archaeology and the Bible,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2014
“Sacred Places of the Ancient Mediterranean: Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem,” Brock House Society Senior Centre, Vancouver, 2013
“The Temple Mount of Herod the Great,” University of British Columbia, Continuing Studies, 2013
“Food and Jewish Identity,” Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, 2013
“Selling Sacred Relics: The Oil Lamps of Late Antique Palestine,” Archaeological Institute of America, Vancouver Chapter, 2013
“Cashing In: Is Jewish Charity Altruistic?” Jewish Museum and Archives of British Columbia, Vancouver 2012
“Biblical Archaeology,” Vancouver Hillel, University of British Columbia, 2012
“The Origins of tsedaqah in Judaism,” Temple Sholom Synagogue, Vancouver, 2011
Panel discussant on the Vancouver riots, Congregation Beth Israel, Vancouver, 2011
Scholar in residence, Monmouth Reform Temple Synagogue, NJ, 2011
“Biblical Archaeology and Jewish Symbols,” Temple Isaiah Synagogue, MA, 2011
“The Origins of Jewish Charity” and discussion of Herod’s Lost Tomb; Temple Isaiah Synagogue, MA, 2010
Scholar in residence, Temple Isaiah Synagogue, MA, 2007
“Astrology in the Talmud,” Congregation Kol Hakfar, NY, 2005
“Jewish Art and Archaeology,” Congregation Hadar, NY, 2004
“Jewish Art in Late Antiquity,” Congregation Kol Hakfar, NY, 2004
“The Origins of the Ancient Synagogue,” Congregation Shaare Zedek, NY, 2003

 

Awards keyboard_arrow_down

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), 2017–2022
Insight Grant

Leadership Seminar Scholar, American Academy for Jewish Research, 2017

Killam Trusts, Killam Faculty Research Fellowship, Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund for Advanced Studies of the University of British Columbia, 2016

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), 2015–2017
Insight Development Grant

Hampton Fund Research Grant, University of British Columbia, 2014–2016

Top Instructor, University of British Columbia, 2014

Mandel Fellow, Mandel Center for Jewish Education, Brandeis University, 2013–14

Early Career Faculty Fellow, The American Academy for Jewish Research, 2012–13

Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, University of British Columbia, 2012–13
Early Career Start-Up Research Award and Faculty Associate

Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation, 2008-09
Doctoral Dissertation Completion Fellowship

Graduate Supervision keyboard_arrow_down

I am interested in supervising students who wish to explore religions of law antiquity including, but not limited to, early Judaism and classical rabbinic literature. I also welcome the opportunity to work with students interested in the intersection of religion and material culture, as well as the material culture and archaeology of ancient Palestine. I have recently served on the committees of M.A. and Ph.D. students who have focused on the New Testament, classical archaeology, and early rabbinic literature.