Dr. Shawn Zelig Aster

Dr. Shawn Zelig Aster is an assistant professor of Bible at Yeshiva University. Dr. Aster has held teaching and research positions at Ben Gurion University, Haifa University, Hebrew University, Bar Ilan University and the University of Pennsylvania. He has also taught Jewish studies at high schools in the United Stated and Israel. Dr. Aster received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in biblical studies and Assyriology, received his MA in Jewish studies from McGill University and his BA in government studies at Harvard University. Dr. Aster has written several articles for myjewishlearning.com, including "Ezra and Nehemiah: The Return to Zion"; "The Book of Kings: Religion Meets Geo-Politics, Ancient Style"; and "Lamenting Jerusalem's Destruction." At the recent annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature/American Academy of Religion in San Diego, Dr. Aster presented two papers: "Jerusalem Replaces Babylon: The Neo-Babylonian Background to Isaiah 60" and "Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-5: The Vision of the End of Days as a Reaction to Assyrian Power."