Mastering the history of the origin of messianic authority is complex stuff; I sometimes wonder if mastering financial consolidation software would be simpler. But it’s interesting stuff.
The book Rabbi Akiba’s Messiah by Daniel Gruber is heady, intellectual stuff that’s not necessarily an easy read. Most history books share their general thesis statement early on, than build out from there, providing the evidence to support it.
Not so with Gruber. He spends several chapters laying the groundwork and establishing background before even venturing into the realm of what his general thesis is that he’s out to prove. The book’s structure is the exact opposite of what I’m accustomed to.
Still, it’s a great challenge and his approach, once you get used to it, makes his arguments quite powerful.