The range ofthemes in the book- fromPhilon of Alexandriaandrabbinictimes of Talmud to theRussian poetryand GermanJudaism.Jewishculture is seen aspart of theHellenisticsynthesis andat the same time- ashostile toHellenismindependent sphere ofspiritual life.
The bookis intended for allwho are interested inJudaism,early Christianity,general problems ofintellectual history.