[ha-Safran]: Rosh HaShana Newsletter from Jerusalem Books
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
[ha-Safran]: Rosh Hashana Newsletter from Jerusalem Books
Dear Friends,
Before I start, I just want to remind you that our recent catalog is
available as a word document by email or as a hardcopy for those who
prefer. Please be in touch with Wendy.
I am pleased to announce that another, the third, volume of the
Talmud Ha-Iggud has been published by the Society for the
Interpretation of the Talmud.
This volume: Babylonian Talmud Eruvin tractate is on Eruvin chapter
10, 'Ha-Motze Tefillin,' with the analysis and commentary by Aviad
Stollman. In this volume over 40 'sugiyot,' issues are examined. The
text is based on the Oxford Manuscript (366) and compared to seven
other manuscripts. Some facsimiles of these texts are included as
well as copious, serious footnotes and inclusion, discussion of
tosefta, midrash and many centuries of rabbinic commentaries.
This is a very successful, important new series that employs the
scholarly critical analysis and comparative approach that has been
the hallmark of a major 20th century (CE) movement and school with
scholars from Professors Saul Lieberman, David (Weiss) Halivny,
Golinken, Wald and Shama Friedman, namely the Conservative / Masorti
/ JTS and Schechter Institute worlds. I apologize in advance if I
have inaccurately labeled or grouped any scholar or institution, but
the incontrovertible fact is that the critical scientific approach to
Jewish Studies and particularly the study of Talmud has been
perfected, championed and disseminated by these scholars and institutions.
The work includes an English abstract of almost 30 pages and comes
with our highest recommendation as an asset for any Jewish Studies
library or scholar.
ISBN 97896574420209. Cat. #68491 $30.00
In a conscious effort to keep our newsletters short, I will report
two items in almost telegraph fashion. First, there was a strike at
our ports earlier this month. Ships were not unloaded and many turned
away to other nearby ports when port employees defied a Labor Court
order to return to work. Ultimately, the work slowdown was called off
and we hope that this will have only limited effect on shipping times.
Second, I must mention that Merkaz Shazar published a two volume work
on the Rambam by Aviezer Ravitzky. Isbn 978-965-227-245-4. There
could be so much to say, but, ('Res Ipsa Loquitor,'), the matter
speaks for itself.
Cat. #68665 $64.50
For those who may have been away we are including our most recent
newsletter which we posted in Aug. 2008. * please see that there was
a typo when this originally went out Sperber's Life Cycle is
$65.00 (and not $162.50) . Our apologies to those who have seen this
part before:
The Hecht Museum of the University of Haifa has published the Great
Revolt in the Galilee. A bilingual book (Ha-Mered Ha-Gadol Ba-Galil)
by Ofra Guri-Rimon, editor and curator. The book is 122 in Hebrew
and 17 pages in English and has articles on the archaeology of
Zipori, comparison between Judea and Galilee at the time of the
revolt against the Romans, which took place between 66-70 CE, and
scholarly analysis of/from Jesephus to Vespian.
This is a scholarly yet accessible and enlightening, softcover museum
catalog that I highly recommend for libraries from research and
reference and all levels of Jewish education. Cat.no. 67179, $39.00
In Hebrew literature we must mention David Grossman's Isha Borahat
me-Besorah (his translation Until the End of the Land). It's had
7 printings since its appearance earlier this year. Cat.no. 66910 $36.00
Sami Michael's new title - Ayida will also likely be a modern
Hebrew classic. This title should not be confused with Verdi's
opera. Cat.no. 67437 $29.00
In English we have a number of good picks
Daniel Sperber's Jewish Life Cycle - this new book from Bar Ilan is
dual published with Oxford Univ. Press. Although it is printed in
Israel. If you have not heard about this book yet, please google
it. The isbn is 978-965-226-334-6 Cat.no. 67970 Price - $65.00
Gedalyah Nigal, Emiritus Professor of Jewish Literature, Bar Ilan
University, has had his monumental work, 'the Hassidic Tale,'
published by the Littman Library, isbn 978-1-904113-07-2, Portland
Oregon, 2008.
This is the translation of the work previously published in Hebrew,
which was highly acclaimed. (Cat. #66968) The work would be
worthwhile even if only for it's introduction which describes the
development of Hassidic literature from storytelling, through, beyond
and beside parables, from the 18th until the early 20th
Cent. (CE). The largest portion of the introduction includes a
summary of significant Rabbinic texts which incorporate the many
Hassidic tales. This section charts from the 'Shivhei HaBesht,'
through the many important titles, by many Hassidic Rabbis, published
in Lemberg. The later portions list and summarize works of R' Simha
Bunim Michelson, R' Israel Berger, Kleinman, Yudel Rosenberg,
including works published in the early 20th Cent.
