Michael Stone is the Gail Levin de Nur Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies and Professor Emeritus of Armenian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author or editor of nearly 60 books, including Adamgirk`: The Adam book of Arak`el of Siwnik` (Oxford University Press, 2007).

• PrefaceChapter 1. Secret Societies in Ancient JudaismChapter 2. "Esoteric," Mysteries, and Secrecy 2.1 Esoteric 2.2 Secrecy 2.3 Religious Experience and the Claim of AuthorityChapter 3. Esoteric as a Social Category 3.1 Knowledge and Control of Knowledge 3.2. Oral or WrittenChapter 4. The Social Organization of Secrecy 4.1 Mysteries and Secrecy in Hellenistic-Roman Society 4.2 Secret Societies and Ancient Judaism 4.3 Essenes and Therapeutae in Secret GroupsChapter 5. Initiation and Graded Revelation 5.1 Initiation 5.2 Hierarchical StructureChapter 6. Other Secret Jewish Groups and Traditions 6.1 Indications of Other Secret Groups 6.2. Status and the Pseudo-EsotericChapter 7. The Social Setting of Esoteric Tradition 7.1 Socio-Religious Groups 7.2 Teachings known to have existed that may have been secret 7.3 Narrative Frameworks and Secret Transmission"Circles Behind" and Final ThoughtsBibliography

Stone's study provides a different model through which to conceptualize the various groups of ancient Judaism:social organizations concerned with the preservation of important teachings. Scholars will find the book insightful, for it presents an opportunity to reconsider the structure and role of ancient Jewish groups.

Michael Stone is the Gail Levin de Nur Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies and Professor Emeritus of Armenian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author or editor of nearly 60 books, including Adamgirk`: The Adam book of Arak`el of Siwnik` (Oxford University Press, 2007).

• PrefaceChapter 1. Secret Societies in Ancient JudaismChapter 2. "Esoteric," Mysteries, and Secrecy 2.1 Esoteric 2.2 Secrecy 2.3 Religious Experience and the Claim of AuthorityChapter 3. Esoteric as a Social Category 3.1 Knowledge and Control of Knowledge 3.2. Oral or WrittenChapter 4. The Social Organization of Secrecy 4.1 Mysteries and Secrecy in Hellenistic-Roman Society 4.2 Secret Societies and Ancient Judaism 4.3 Essenes and Therapeutae in Secret GroupsChapter 5. Initiation and Graded Revelation 5.1 Initiation 5.2 Hierarchical StructureChapter 6. Other Secret Jewish Groups and Traditions 6.1 Indications of Other Secret Groups 6.2. Status and the Pseudo-EsotericChapter 7. The Social Setting of Esoteric Tradition 7.1 Socio-Religious Groups 7.2 Teachings known to have existed that may have been secret 7.3 Narrative Frameworks and Secret Transmission"Circles Behind" and Final ThoughtsBibliography

Stone's study provides a different model through which to conceptualize the various groups of ancient Judaism:social organizations concerned with the preservation of important teachings. Scholars will find the book insightful, for it presents an opportunity to reconsider the structure and role of ancient Jewish groups.

Michael Stone is the Gail Levin de Nur Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies and Professor Emeritus of Armenian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author or editor of nearly 60 books, including Adamgirk`: The Adam book of Arak`el of Siwnik` (Oxford University Press, 2007).

• PrefaceChapter 1. Secret Societies in Ancient JudaismChapter 2. "Esoteric," Mysteries, and Secrecy 2.1 Esoteric 2.2 Secrecy 2.3 Religious Experience and the Claim of AuthorityChapter 3. Esoteric as a Social Category 3.1 Knowledge and Control of Knowledge 3.2. Oral or WrittenChapter 4. The Social Organization of Secrecy 4.1 Mysteries and Secrecy in Hellenistic-Roman Society 4.2 Secret Societies and Ancient Judaism 4.3 Essenes and Therapeutae in Secret GroupsChapter 5. Initiation and Graded Revelation 5.1 Initiation 5.2 Hierarchical StructureChapter 6. Other Secret Jewish Groups and Traditions 6.1 Indications of Other Secret Groups 6.2. Status and the Pseudo-EsotericChapter 7. The Social Setting of Esoteric Tradition 7.1 Socio-Religious Groups 7.2 Teachings known to have existed that may have been secret 7.3 Narrative Frameworks and Secret Transmission"Circles Behind" and Final ThoughtsBibliography

Stone's study provides a different model through which to conceptualize the various groups of ancient Judaism:social organizations concerned with the preservation of important teachings. Scholars will find the book insightful, for it presents an opportunity to reconsider the structure and role of ancient Jewish groups.