Astren, “Goitein, Medieval Jews, and the ‘New Mediterranean Studies’,” Jewish Quarterly Review 102:4 (2012), 513–531. (original) (raw)

The paper explores the contributions of S.D. Goitein to the field of Jewish studies, particularly concerning his understanding of the Mediterranean as a socio-historical context rather than a broad analytical category. It contrasts Goitein's individual-focused methodology, which emphasizes human activity and social history, with Fernand Braudel's long-term geographical perspective, showcasing differing approaches to historical analysis and the significance of the Jewish involvement in Mediterranean and Indian trade during the Middle Ages.