“Barbara Holdrege is a pioneer of responsible cross-cultural comparison in the study of religion. Taking into account recent methodological approaches in the field, in this book she demonstrates how a thoughtful analysis of Jewish and Hindu traditions, with a particular focus on scripture and food, enriches the study of either religion. Most importantly, the book makes a larger theoretical argument. It shows that, while the similarities in how Jewish and Hindu texts conceptualize their traditions as embodied, locative communities set them apart from missionizing traditions such as Buddhism, Christianity, or Islam, both Jewish and Hindu thinkers also developed hermeneutical techniques that allowed them to expand their traditions by discursively incorporating new concepts and practices. It is this dual comparative approach, which juxtaposes not only Judaism and Hinduism but also these two with other religious traditions, that makes the book so unique. Only thoughtful comparative research can produce these important insights.”