Peter Schäfer

Peter Schäfer, born in 1943, is a distinguished German scholar specializing in ancient religious studies, with a particular focus on ancient Judaism and early Christianity. His academic career includes professorships at Freie Universität Berlin and Princeton University. Schäfer's scholarly contributions are extensive, encompassing numerous books, co-edited volumes, and articles, notably his synoptic editions of ancient texts. His research interests span Jewish history in late antiquity, Rabbinic Judaism, Jewish mysticism, and the academic study of Judaism (Wissenschaft des Judentums).

Beyond his academic achievements, Schäfer also served as the director of the Jewish Museum of Berlin until his resignation in June 2019. His departure followed controversy surrounding a museum tweet critical of a Bundestag resolution on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. Despite the criticism, he received substantial support from colleagues and scholars worldwide. Schäfer is recognized for his significant contributions to understanding Jewish history, religion, and mysticism, and is a member of prestigious academic societies.

Peter Schäfer is a prolific scholar whose work has significantly advanced the study of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. He is particularly noted for his innovative use of synoptic editions, which present multiple ancient manuscripts side-by-side for detailed comparison. This method has been instrumental in the study of esoteric and mystical traditions within early Judaism. His research interests are broad, encompassing Jewish history in late antiquity, the intricacies of Rabbinic Judaism, the development of Jewish mysticism, and the intellectual history of Jewish scholarship in the 19th and 20th centuries, known as Wissenschaft des Judentums. Schäfer's publications, including influential monographs and meticulously prepared editions of primary sources, have made complex ancient texts more accessible to scholars and students.

Schäfer's extensive bibliography includes foundational works that explore the historical and religious connections between Judaism and Christianity, as well as the evolution of Jewish thought. Books such as 'Judeophobia: Attitudes toward the Jews in the Ancient World' and 'The Origins of Jewish Mysticism' have been highly influential. He has also explored specific theological concepts in works like 'Mirror of His Beauty: Feminine Images of God From the Bible to the Early Kabbalah' and 'Two Gods in Heaven: Jewish Concepts of God in Antiquity'. A distinctive aspect of his scholarly output is his dedication to producing landmark synoptic editions of crucial esoteric texts, including the Hekhalot literature, the Jerusalem Talmud, Sefer Ha-Razim, and Toledot Yeshu. These editions are vital resources for researchers in Jewish mysticism and early Jewish literature.

In addition to his academic career, Peter Schäfer served as the director of the Jewish Museum of Berlin until June 2019. His tenure concluded amidst controversy related to a museum spokesperson's tweet criticizing a German parliamentary resolution that characterized the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement as antisemitic. Schäfer resigned to shield the museum from further repercussions, stating that accusations of antisemitism can be weaponized for political purposes. This event drew significant attention, with Schäfer receiving widespread support from numerous museum directors, curators, and scholars in Jewish studies and Talmudic studies, highlighting the complex intersection of academic scholarship, cultural institutions, and political discourse.

“The accusation of antisemitism is a club that allows one to deal a very rapid death blow, and political elements who have an interest in this used and are using it, without a doubt”