This exploration delves into how the rabbis of late antiquity used time to shape Jewish identity. Beginning with the question of "when?", it reveals the intricate relationship between people, God, and time. The work examines the rhythms of time that defined the rabbinic world, highlighting how rabbis conceptualized time to create distinctions from imperial Rome, between Jews and Christians, men and women, and the divine. Each chapter addresses a distinct aspect of rabbinic discourse on time. The author demonstrates how ancient texts subverted Roman imperialism by proposing a rabbinic time that contrasts with Roman time. The analysis includes the significance of the Sabbath, illustrating how this weekly rest day differentiated Jewish time from Christian time. Additionally, the discussion on gendered daily rituals shows how rabbis established separate temporal experiences for men and women through mandated practices. The writings also reflect on God's engagement with time and its implications for human beings, intertwining divine and human temporalities. Lastly, the study traces the enduring legacies of these rabbinic constructions of time into the medieval and modern eras, illuminating the pivotal role time played in shaping Jewish identity, subjectivity, and theology during this transformative historical period.
