The Jewish Book of Why

The Jewish Book of Why PDF Author: Alfred J. Kolatch
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0142196193
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
Why do Jews eat gefilte fish? Why is a glass broken at the end of a Jewish wedding ceremony? Why must the chapter of curses in the Torah be read quickly in a low voice? Why are shrimp and lobster not kosher? Why do Jews fast on Yom Kippur? Why are some Matzot square while others are round? If you've ever asked or been asked any of these questions, The Jewish Book of Why has all the answers. In this complete, concise, fascinating, and thoroughly informative guide to Jewish life and tradition, Rabbi Alfred J. Kolatch clearly explains both the significance and the origin of nearly every symbol, custom, and practice known to Jewish culture-from Afikomon to Yarmulkes, and from Passover to Purim. Kolatch also dispels many of the prevalent misconceptions and misunderstandings that surround Jewish observance and provides a full and unfettered look at the biblical, historical, and sometimes superstitious reasons and rituals that helped develop Jewish law and custom and make Judaism not just a religion, but a way of life. L'chaim!

The Jewish Book of Why

The Jewish Book of Why PDF Author: Alfred J. Kolatch
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0142196193
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
Why do Jews eat gefilte fish? Why is a glass broken at the end of a Jewish wedding ceremony? Why must the chapter of curses in the Torah be read quickly in a low voice? Why are shrimp and lobster not kosher? Why do Jews fast on Yom Kippur? Why are some Matzot square while others are round? If you've ever asked or been asked any of these questions, The Jewish Book of Why has all the answers. In this complete, concise, fascinating, and thoroughly informative guide to Jewish life and tradition, Rabbi Alfred J. Kolatch clearly explains both the significance and the origin of nearly every symbol, custom, and practice known to Jewish culture-from Afikomon to Yarmulkes, and from Passover to Purim. Kolatch also dispels many of the prevalent misconceptions and misunderstandings that surround Jewish observance and provides a full and unfettered look at the biblical, historical, and sometimes superstitious reasons and rituals that helped develop Jewish law and custom and make Judaism not just a religion, but a way of life. L'chaim!

Chapters on Jewish Literature

Chapters on Jewish Literature PDF Author: Israel Abrahams
Publisher: DigiCat
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 108

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Book Description
DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Chapters on Jewish Literature" by Israel Abrahams. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

The Book of Jewish Books

The Book of Jewish Books PDF Author: Ruth S. Frank
Publisher: Harpercollins
ISBN: 9780060630096
Category : Jews
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
Provides an annotated list of children's books, prayer books, Jewish literature, and books about Israel, zionism, the arts, and Jewish history, life, and traditions

The Anthology in Jewish Literature

The Anthology in Jewish Literature PDF Author: David Stern
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0195350243
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 361

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Book Description
The anthology is a ubiquitous presence in Jewish literature--arguably its oldest literary genre, going back to the Bible itself, and including nearly all the canonical texts of Judaism: the Mishnah, the Talmud, classical midrash, and the prayerbook. In the Middle Ages, the anthology became the primary medium in Jewish culture for recording stories, poems, and interpretations of classical texts. In modernity, the genre is transformed into a decisive instrument for cultural retrieval and re-creation, especially in works of the Zionist project and in modern Yiddish and Hebrew literature. No less importantly, the anthology has played an indispensable role in the creation of significant fields of research in Jewish studies, including Hebrew poetry, folklore, and popular culture. This volume is the first book to bring together scholarly and critical essays that investigate the anthological character of these works and what might be called the "anthological habit" in Jewish literary culture--the tendency and proclivity for gathering together discrete, sometimes conflicting traditions and stories, and preserving them side by side as though there were no difference, conflict, or ambiguity between them. Indeed, The Anthology in Jewish Literature is the first book to recognize this habit and genre as one of the formative categories in Jewish literature and to investigate its manifold roles. The seventeen essays, each of which focuses on a specific literary work, many of them the great classics of Jewish tradition, consider such questions as: What are the many types of anthologies? How have anthologists, editors, even printers of anthologies been creative shapers of Jewish tradition and culture? What can we learn from their editorial practices? How have politics, gender, and class figured into the making of anthologies? What determinative role has the anthology played in creating the Jewish canon? How has the anthology served, especially in the modern period, to create and recreate Jewish culture. This landmark volume will interest educated laypersons as well as scholars in all areas of Jewish literature and culture, as well as students of world literature and cultural studies.

Jewish Essential Books

Jewish Essential Books PDF Author: Louis Ginzberg
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 9783

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Book Description
Jewish Essential Books is an exquisite anthology that underscores the profound depth and diversity within the sphere of Jewish thought and spirituality. This collection artfully assembles a mosaic of works ranging from medieval philosophical treatises to modern exegetical texts, encapsulating the rich tapestry of Jewish literary tradition. It navigates through varying literary styles, from the poetic musings of Judah Halevi to the intricate legalistic arguments of Moses Maimonides, thereby highlighting the profound plurality of perspectives within Judaism. The anthology not only serves as a testament to the intellectual heritage of the Jewish people but also showcases seminal pieces that have shaped Jewish thought across centuries. The contributing authors and editors, including luminaries like Louis Ginzberg and Heinrich Graetz, bring to the collection a wealth of knowledge and scholarly insight. Their backgrounds span across different epochs of Jewish history, reflecting the evolution of Jewish thought from its ancient roots to its contemporary manifestations. Each contributor has been instrumental in articulating the nuances of Jewish theology, philosophy, and law, thereby enriching the anthology's exploration of Jewish identity and spirituality. Together, their works align with key historical and cultural movements, offering readers a panoramic view of Jewish intellectual tradition. Jewish Essential Books offers readers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in the breadth and depth of Jewish literary culture. This anthology is an invaluable resource for anyone keen to explore the multifaceted nature of Jewish thought, offering insights into the complexities of faith, reason, and tradition. Whether one is a scholar, student, or lay reader, this collection invites a deeper engagement with the seminal texts that have shaped Jewish consciousness, fostering an appreciation for the dialogue between tradition and modernity within Jewish literature.

The Object of Jewish Literature

The Object of Jewish Literature PDF Author: Barbara E. Mann
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300234112
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
A history of modern Jewish literature that explores our enduring attachment to the book as an object With the rise of digital media, the "death of the book” has been widely discussed. But the physical object of the book persists. Here, through the lens of materiality and objects, Barbara E. Mann tells a history of modern Jewish literature, from novels and poetry to graphic novels and artists’ books. Bringing contemporary work on secularism and design in conversation with literary history, she offers a new and distinctive frame for understanding how literary genres emerge. The long twentieth century, a period of tremendous physical upheaval and geographic movement, witnessed the production of a multilingual canon of writing by Jewish authors. Literature’s objecthood is felt not only in the physical qualities of books—bindings, covers, typography, illustrations—but also through the ways in which materiality itself became a practical foundation for literary expression.

Jewish American Literature

Jewish American Literature PDF Author: Jules Chametzky
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 9780393048094
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 1264

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Book Description
A collection of Jewish-American literature written by various authors between 1656 and 1990.

The Jewish Encyclopedia

The Jewish Encyclopedia PDF Author: Isidore Singer
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Jews
Languages : en
Pages : 712

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Book Description


The Jewish Study Bible

The Jewish Study Bible PDF Author: Adele Berlin
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0195297512
Category : Bible
Languages : en
Pages : 2226

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Book Description
The Jewish Study Bible is a one-volume resource tailored especially for the needs of students of the Hebrew Bible. Nearly forty scholars worldwide contributed to the translation and interpretation of the Jewish Study Bible, representing the best of Jewish biblical scholarship available today. A committee of highly-respected biblical scholars and rabbis from the Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism movements produced this modern translation. No knowledge of Hebrew is required for one to make use of this unique volume. The Jewish Study Bible uses The Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation. Since its publication, the Jewish Study Bible has become one of the most popular volumes in Oxford's celebrated line of bibles. The quality of scholarship, easy-to-navigate format, and vibrant supplementary features bring the ancient text to life. * Informative essays that address a wide variety of topics relating to Judaism's use and interpretation of the Bible through the ages. * In-text tables, maps, and charts. * Tables of weights and measures. * Verse and chapter differences. * Table of Scriptural Readings. * Glossary of technical terms. * An index to all the study materials. * Full color New Oxford Bible Maps, with index.

Johannes Reuchlin and the Campaign to Destroy Jewish Books

Johannes Reuchlin and the Campaign to Destroy Jewish Books PDF Author: David Price
Publisher: OUP USA
ISBN: 0195394216
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 368

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Book Description
The early sixteenth century saw a major crisis in Christian-Jewish relations: the attempt to confiscate and destroy every Jewish book in Germany. This unprecedented effort to end the practice of Judaism throughout the empire was challenged by Jewish communities, and, unexpectedly, by Johannes Reuchlin (1455-1522), the founder of Christian Hebrew studies. In 1510, Reuchlin wrote an extensive, impassioned, and ultimately successful defense of Jewish writings and legal rights, a stunning intervention later acknowledged by a Jewish leader as a ''miracle within a miracle.''The fury that greeted Reuchlin's defense of Judaism resulted in a protracted heresy trial that polarized Europe. The decade-long controversy promoted acceptance of humanist culture in northern Europe and, in several key settings, created an environment that was receptive to the nascent Reformation movement. The legal and theological battles over charges that Reuchlin's positions were "impermissibly favorable to Jews," a conflict that elicited intervention on both sides from the most powerful political and intellectual leaders in Renaissance Europe, formed a new context for Christian reflection on Judaism.David H. Price offers insight into important Christian discourses on Judaism and anti-Semitism that emerged from the clash of Renaissance humanism with this potent anti-Jewish campaign, as well as an innovative analysis of Luther's virulent anti-Semitism in the context and aftermath of the Reuchlin Affair. This book is a valuable contribution to study of an important and complex development in European history: Christians acquiring accurate knowledge of Judaism and its history.