First published 1996, re-issue July 2000, this edition Nov. 2009 This is a book of beliefs and customs from the time of Jesus. It makes fascinating reading and the author helps us to understand the problems of translating from the Greek or the Hebrew, when there is not quite the right word to express the original meaning. The background information to Jesus’ life as a Jew so many centuries ago is written clearly and lovingly, using the author's experience of working in Israel for twelve years. There is so much described in these pages that it is a book to keep and refer to over many years of Bible study. It will help the familiar stories to come alive in a special way.