ABSTRACT

As observed in the introduction of the preceding chapter, medieval Jewish authors represented their present time in strong connection not only with their past but also with the eschatological future. Speculation on the end of the historical cycle had a long, well-established tradition among Jews, earlier stages of which can be easily traced back to the Second Temple period. As is well known, the destruction of the First Temple and the loss of national independence brought forth hopes for the restoration of the House of David, and the return of Israel to God, that eventually materialized in the form of a national eschatology.1