Dear Friends,
For many years I have tried to highlight and focus on developments in Israeli, Hebrew publishing secular and rabbinic. So this newsletter is looking at interesting titles of in rabbinic works. To begin, I would like to mention Tevunot publishers of Herzog College publications. 'Ha-Adam be' n Yezur le-Yozer,' 'Man Between Creature and Creator,' by Gad Eldad, a Bible lecturer at the Bet Midrash Larabanim in Rome authors this scholarly work on free will vs. obedience to God. Needless to say, the book has serious indices and footnotes. (softcover). Isbn 978-965-7086-48-3. Cat. # 74673 $22.00 Simultaneously, the same Tevunot of Herzog College has published, 'Lahavat EshKodesh,' 'the Flame of the Holy Fire..' by Dr Ron Wacks. (Yes that's how they spell it in the book!) The important work is on the life and teachings of Rabbi Kalonymous KalmishShapiro of Piaczena and his spirtual philosophy for Jewish, Hassidic revival. Cat. 74674 $25.00 Treasures from the Chabad library, has been published in Brooklyn, NY. Although it is not an Israeli publication, it should be mentioned for its historical value. There are many many books published annually on Talmud. I would like to mention a new volume, ' Mesekhet Pe'ah,' with Rambam, Maimonides commentary. It is by Dror Fixlerand it is a critical, scholarly edition, published by Ma'aliyot, Ma'ale Edumin, 2010. Cat.#74675 $20.00 Feldheim has just published 'Sefer Ma'amare Emuna..'of the Rashba, RabenuShlomo Ben Aderet. Edited by M. Leib Katsnelenbogen. This work of Classic 14th century CE Spanish-Jewish Philosophy is from manuscript with footnotes. Cat. # 74943 $19.50 Also a recently published Feldheim - a three (3) volume Tanakh al ha-Daf. This is an English Hebrew title for reference. It contains bible references to each section (tractate) of Talmud and also Talmud commentators. It is definitely a worthwhile addition to your library. Cat. # 74677 $59.00 I would like to mention briefly the recent book by R' Yitzhak Ginzburg a rightfullycontrovercial figure, a leader of the nationalist, mystical, messianic elements in Israel. His new book entitled, 'Shlosha Ketarim,' ('Three Crowns,') about relations between Judges, Kings and High Priests. The book deals with many topics of historic and halakhicsignificance (like the role of Sanhedrin and the Cohen Gadol) and ultimately the contribution and legitimacy of these various pillars of power within the Jewish people. The book includes a chapter on Dina De-Malkhuta Dina, which is the author's view of national (state / secular law vis-a-vis divine law). The book is published by Gal Einai Institute, isbn978-965-7146-39-2. Cat. # 74823 $26.50 Rabbi Benjamin Lau, the son of the former Chief Rabbi, and an important figure in his own right has authored a book entitled, 'Yermi'yahu, Goralo shel Hoze', (Jeremiah, The Fate of a Prophet). The important work, which examines issues of national revival, identity, existence is significant for Bible scholars, those interested in Philosophy and those students of Israel and Israel Studies. The author represents to my mind, a strain of educated, elite orthodox Judaism in Israel whish is more progressive and enlightened and in contrast to the more fundamentalist fringe that also exists and must get attention. This book is published by Yediot Hemed, isbn 978-965-545-126-9. Cat. #74822 $33.50 Another important reference title is 'Otzar Leshonot Yerushalmi'im,' 'a Concordance ofAmoraic Terms, Expressions and Phrases in theYerushalmi.' This work by Moshe Assis is a scholarly, must have research tool for Judaica scholars in almud, Jewish Thought, Exegesis, Jewish Law and Hebrew Language and linguistic analysis. It is 3 volumes and technically a dual publication from JTS, NY and Jerusalem, with the Bet MidrashL'Rabanim be-Amerikah, isbn 978-965-456-056-6 Cat. # 74926 $ 185.00. R' Daniel Biton, the editor of Machon HaMaor has published a nice 6 volume set, 'KitveOr Hahayim, the writings of R' Hayim ben Atar. The six volumes are really three and three on Talmud and (3) on Shulkhan Arukh. This is a new edition of Classic works of R' IbnAttar also known as the Or Hahayim commentary on Bible as well as Talmud, Kabbala andHalacha. He was a Sage of Morocco. The set is worth having but you may have these works published in earlier editions. Cat. # 74942 $ 146.00 Sefer Takanot Hakhme Mekenes, vol. 2, has been published by Maury (mordechai) Amar, Or Meir publishers, Paris, (printed in Jerusalem). The large, important work is on Halakha and Jewish Law. It is on the decrees / edicts of the Sages of Moroccan Jewry in Mekenes and also Fez. The decrees are on Civil Law from divorce to selling wine. The book includes Bio's of leading rabbinic figures over seven hundred years, particular previously unpublished decrees primarily from the 17th Cent -19th Cent CE. The work has references to the history of the Mekenes Moroccan Jewish community from the 12th Cent. CE onward. The earlier volume was published in 1995/6 about 14 years ago! In my opinion this book is a 'must have,' for libraries of Jewish scholarship and research. I believe that it is worth having even if your library doesn't have the earlier volume and especially if it does have it. Cat. # 74944 $ 98.00 Wishing all of you a Happy, Successful and Healthy New Year from all of us at Jerusalem Books ltd. Sincerely, Jeff, Wendy and Ayelet Wendy Weiss Simon Jerusalem Books Ltd. POB 26190 Jerusalem, 91261, Israel (Tel) 972-2-642-6653/6576 (Fax) 972-2-643-3580 www.jerusalembooks.co.il --- Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: hasaf...@osu.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org