Jewish Experiences with Water in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt
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Waters of the Exodus: Jewish Experiences with Water in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt by Nathalie LaCoste A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department for the Study of Religion University of Toronto © Copyright by Nathalie LaCoste 2016 Waters of the Exodus: Jewish Experiences with Water in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt Nathalie LaCoste Doctor of Philosophy Department for the Study of Religion University of Toronto 2016 Abstract This study examines how the fluvial environment shaped the writing of Jewish narratives in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt (300 BCE – 115 CE). It focuses on four texts that narrate the Exodus story and analyzes them in terms of how water in Egypt is described and how elements of the environment—such as the Nile or the Red Sea—are characterized in their retellings. I argue that the natural environment informed Jewish writings through the incorporation of new fluvial terminology, development of different conceptions of water, and the adoption of positive attitudes towards the environment. These features, found specifically in texts composed in Egypt, demonstrate the power of the environment to shape a foundational Jewish narrative. Previous studies on the Jews of Egypt have examined their lives in political, social, or economic terms, with little acknowledgement of the physical environment and its role in daily and religious life. By focusing on water, this work traces the emergence of distinct practices developed in response to the environment, such as the location of places of worship and emerging employment opportunities. Such characteristics distinguish the communities of Egypt from both other Jews and non-Jews. Additionally, the project speaks to larger trends in the field of Biblical Studies that focus on the materiality of everyday life. ii Acknowledgments This project would not have come together without the help of many individuals who have supported me and offered critical feedback along the way. My committee members, Judith Newman, Katherine Blouin, and John Marshall have been an incredible team helping me frame and re-frame my project from its earliest beginnings to its final draft. Judith encouraged and challenged me to continually refine my thinking about Judaism in Egypt and she read multiple articulations of the project. Katherine inspired me to think critically about water and its impact on ancient cultures. This project began in a course on water in Egypt taken with Katherine in the first year of my PhD and she has subsequently pushed me to think in new ways about how water figured into Jewish life in Egypt. John has always given me practical advice on balancing writing and teaching and has asked me thought-provoking questions about my project challenging me to articulate my understanding of Judaism in different ways. Various faculty and staff in the Department for the Study of Religion (DSR) have also helped me immensely in developing this project: John Kloppenborg, Jennifer Harris, Colleen Shantz, and Kyle Smith. As the chair of the DSR John has given me career advice and opportunities to be involved in the academic life of the department. I am greatly appreciative of all the help from Jennifer who gave me insights on everything from interviews to defense details. Colleen who responded to a section of my project presented at a DSR colloquium last January. Her feedback was fundamental in how I framed my research, in particular my thinking about the term ‘experience.’ Also, Kyle who helped me with framing my research to non-specialists. He gave me advice that was helpful in particular for writing my introduction and abstract. Staff members at the DSR also helped me in numourous ways. Fereshteh Hashemi regularly brought new lectures or events on the topic of water to my attention and helped schedule the defense. Marilyn Colaço has always been a friendly face and helped me navigate my teaching responsibilities while writing. Also, Irene Kao who was there to help me with financial questions as well as to to chat with me about mental and physical health. I would also like to thank my friends and colleagues for reading different sections of this project. Specifically to Amy Marie Fisher, Ian Brown, Rebecca Bartel, Youcef Soufi, and Aldea Mulhern for their feedback on the earliest articulation of my methodology in our dissertation reading group. Caroline Cormier gave me insightful comments on my introduction and critical iii feedback on the use of place theory in the project. My colleagues at NMC, John Screnock and Jonathan Vroom, who read parts of this work and helped me with articulating a hero narrative within my writing. I am grateful to Emily Springgay for reading through the entire project and raising questions and issues with clarity that were helpful for finalizing the complete draft. In addition she created the maps in the project. I would also like to acknowledge several scholars outside of the University of Toronto that have assisted me throughout this process. Hindy Najman originally encouraged me to pursue an M.A. when we met during my undergraduate degree. I am thankful for her presenting me with many opportunities to meet excellent scholars and learn the ropes of the Academy. René Bloch read an early chapter from this study and helped me situate my research more squarely in Egypt. Lastly, Rodney Werline has also been incredibly motaivational in helping me realize the value of this work and to refine my thinking about embodiment and experiences. I would also like to thank my students from RLG404 Summer 2015, a course that I taught while I was finishing my first complete draft of this project. As they were writing a 20-page paper (many for the first time) I was completing this manuscript. They consistently inspired me and kept me accountable for my goal of completing the draft before the conclusion of the course. Finally, I would like to thank my family for their constant support for the many years that I have been in school. My sister Nicole who listened and supported me throughout this process. My parents for their unconditional love and who encouraged me to keep going and to always do my best. Also, to my mother-in-law for her determined spirit who inspired me to get it done. Last but not least, to my husband and partner Dave for helping me throughout my academic career and encouraging me to always strive for excellence. I could not have done this without his constant support. iv Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................................. vii List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................................... viii Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: Judaism in Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt: A Regional Approach ................... 30 1.1 The Migration of the Jews to Egypt .............................................................................................. 30 1.2 Jewish Life within Egypt: A Regional Analysis .......................................................................... 34 1.2.1 Nile Valley ........................................................................................................................................................ 37 1.2.2 Delta .................................................................................................................................................................... 48 1.2.3 Fayum ................................................................................................................................................................ 66 1.3 Summary of Regional Analysis ...................................................................................................... 75 1.3.1 Settlement Patterns ..................................................................................................................................... 76 1.3.2 Establishing Communities ........................................................................................................................ 79 1.3.3 Water Uses ....................................................................................................................................................... 80 1.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 81 Chapter 2: Features of the Exodus Narratives of Hellenistic and Roman Egypt ........... 83 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 83 2.2 The Many Exodus Narratives of Antiquity ................................................................................. 85 2.3 The Exodus narratives from Egypt ............................................................................................... 89 2.3.1 The Focus on Experiences in Egypt ...................................................................................................... 91 2.3.2 Moses the Exemplary Leader ................................................................................................................... 97 2.3.3 Environmental Details .............................................................................................................................