Re: [Heb-NACO] A question on Sacred works

[Shinohara, Jasmin via Heb-naco]

We never did (yet) get around to compiling an official list of what’s included 
in the term “sacred works”, did we? To the best of my recollection, it includes 
only Scripture, i.e., for Judaism, the Oral and Written Law. It does not 
include liturgy or other religious works. Last summer Ahava did send a list 
used at NLI, but NLI is not bound to following LC/PCC policies or US library 
standards and, as such, that list includes liturgical works.

The SHM at H1188, Sacred Works, has the following instructions:
“TYPES OF HEADINGS COVERED BY THE PATTERN : Headings for the uniform titles of 
individual sacred works or scriptures from all religions, including their 
individual parts. Also included are uniform titles for apocryphal works. 
Examples:   Book of Mormon ; Qur'an ; Talmud ; Tripitaka ; Vedas ; Bible. 
Wisdom   of Solomon ; Bible. Gospels ; Sermon on the mount ; Beatitudes ; 
Epistle of Barnabas . The category does not include headings for individual 
non-sacred liturgical or theological works, nor form headings for collections 
of sacred or religious works. For subdivisions used under the uniform titles of 
secular classics, see H 
1155.8.
(highlights added)

This is contrasted with Religious Works, which are addressed in SHM H1185, 
Religions. E.g., Siddur/Maḥzor/Haggadah all get the subject heading: Judaism 
|x Liturgy |v Texts (with added subjects to specify the liturgical work 
described).

RDA 6.30.1.1, Authorized Access Point Representing a Religious Work, 
differentiates between 3 types of works: sacred scriptures; theological 
creeds/confessions of faith, etc.; and liturgical works. It then adds, “For 
other types of religious works, construct the authorized access point by 
applying the general guidelines and instructions at 
6.27.1”, Authorized Access Point Representing a Work.

RDA 6.30.1.2 specifies that sacred scriptures include “…a work that is accepted 
as sacred scripture by a religious group.” Examples there include the Book of 
Mormon, Qur’an, and Ādi-Granth [Sikh sacred scripture].

To your question, Kabbalah texts do not fall under sacred scripture. This is 
based on the above instructions (and is not a personal opinion that requires 
deliberation by the Cataloging Committee; of course, clarifications by the 
committee are always welcome ☺). Please follow the instructions at 6.27.1 and 
do not apply subject subdivisions that are specific to sacred scriptures (i.e., 
Introductions; Criticism, interpretation, etc.; etc.).

I see that 9 LC records use Cabala—Introductions, but these are invalid per 
LCSH. I’ll send a separate email for BFM. The correct subjects are just Cabala 
and/or Cabala |x History. See examples at LCCN 2021039069 and 2004300639. The 
two works cited in the 670s for the Cabala subject heading are at LCCN 75012820 
(Kabbalah and criticism, with Cabala |x History) and at OCLC # 16426918 (An 
introduction to the study of the kabbalah, with just Cabala).

Hope this helps. Kol tuv, Jasmin

From: Heb-naco  On Behalf Of Heidi G Lerner via 
Heb-naco
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 1:30 PM
To: Gottschalk, Haim ; Hebrew Name Authority Funnel 

Subject: Re: [Heb-NACO] A question on Sacred works

Hi Haim, The definition for religious iwork" in the updated RDA Toolkit is a 
much looser definition than in the first iteration: " Religious work A work 
that is held sacred by a religion and its followers, or a work that has a direct
Hi Haim,
The definition for religious iwork" in the updated RDA Toolkit is a much looser 
definition than in the first iteration:

"
Religious work

A work that is held sacred by a religion and its followers, or a work that has 
a direct association with a sacred work.

See also:  liturgical work"



Original Toolkit



See A.17.8

Old Testament


Five Scrolls

Historical Books

Minor Prophets

etc.

My sense is that ultimately it will depend onwhich version of RDA you are 
currently utilizing. I would speculate that after the complete adoption of the 
new edition that the decision of what is included will depend on individual 
religious communities to develop best practices If we go by EJ they consider 
Kaballah as  emodying "mysticism and esoterica. "As such, I would not consider 
it a "sacred work" even under the new version of the Toolkit. But that is just 
my opinion, this should ultimate be discussed and decided up on by the AJL RAS 
Cataloging Commitee.

Thanks, Heidi














Heidi G. Lerner

Metadata Librarian for Hebraica and Judaica 

Re: [Heb-NACO] A question on Sacred works

[Heidi G Lerner via Heb-naco]

Hi Haim,
The definition for religious iwork" in the updated RDA Toolkit is a much looser 
definition than in the first iteration:

"
Religious work

A work that is held sacred by a religion and its followers, or a work that has 
a direct association with a sacred work.

See also: liturgical work"


Original Toolkit


See A.17.8

Old Testament

Five Scrolls

Historical Books

Minor Prophets

etc.

My sense is that ultimately it will depend onwhich version of RDA you are 
currently utilizing. I would speculate that after the complete adoption of the 
new edition that the decision of what is included will depend on individual 
religious communities to develop best practices If we go by EJ they consider 
Kaballah as  emodying "mysticism and esoterica. "As such, I would not consider 
it a "sacred work" even under the new version of the Toolkit. But that is just 
my opinion, this should ultimate be discussed and decided up on by the AJL RAS 
Cataloging Commitee.

Thanks, Heidi








Heidi G. Lerner

Metadata Librarian for Hebraica and Judaica Emerita, Stanford University 
Libraries



From: Heb-naco  on behalf of Gottschalk, Haim 
via Heb-naco 
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 6:56 AM
To: Hebrew Name Authority Funnel 
Subject: [Heb-NACO] A question on Sacred works

Hi Hevre, Does Sacred works include works about the Kabbala or Kabbalistic 
texts? The question has to do with the subdivision of Introductions. All my 
best, Haim _ Haim A. Gottschalk Hebraica and Judaica Cataloging 
Librarian

Hi Hevre,



Does Sacred works include works about the Kabbala or Kabbalistic texts? The 
question has to do with the subdivision of Introductions.



All my best,

Haim



_

Haim A. Gottschalk

Hebraica and Judaica Cataloging Librarian

Asian and Middle Eastern Division, Israel and Judaica Section

Onsite Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and alternate Fridays



The Library of Congress

101 Independence Ave, SE, LM-537

Washington, DC 20540-4222



Direct: 202-707-2498

h...@loc.gov



[cid:image001.jpg@01D4F503.AB53F460]



THIS EMAIL IS NOT CLASSIFIED

Expressing my views. Ideas & opinions in this email are not intended to 
represent those of the Library of Congress or its staff.

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail




___
Heb-naco mailing list
Heb-naco@lists.osu.edu
https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/heb-naco

Re: [Heb-NACO] [EXT] - A question on Sacred works

[Marlene Schiffman via Heb-naco]

Remember we had a meeting about this? Someone was supposed to give us a list of 
sacred works. So far, I only know of Mishnah, Talmud and Bible.

Marlene Schiffman
Metadata and Services Department
Gottesman Library
Yeshiva University
500 West 185th Street
New York, N.Y. 10033

Gottesman Library
Room 301
646 592 4276

From: Heb-naco  On Behalf Of Gottschalk, Haim 
via Heb-naco
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 9:56 AM
To: Hebrew Name Authority Funnel 
Subject: [EXT] - [Heb-NACO] A question on Sacred works

**External Email**
Hi Hevre, Does Sacred works include works about the Kabbala or Kabbalistic 
texts? The question has to do with the subdivision of Introductions. All my 
best, Haim _ Haim A. Gottschalk Hebraica and Judaica Cataloging 
Librarian
Hi Hevre,

Does Sacred works include works about the Kabbala or Kabbalistic texts? The 
question has to do with the subdivision of Introductions.

All my best,
Haim

_
Haim A. Gottschalk
Hebraica and Judaica Cataloging Librarian
Asian and Middle Eastern Division, Israel and Judaica Section
Onsite Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and alternate Fridays

The Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave, SE, LM-537
Washington, DC 20540-4222

Direct: 202-707-2498
h...@loc.gov

[cid:image001.jpg@01D925B5.B3B9B220]

THIS EMAIL IS NOT CLASSIFIED
Expressing my views. Ideas & opinions in this email are not intended to 
represent those of the Library of Congress or its staff.
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail


___
Heb-naco mailing list
Heb-naco@lists.osu.edu
https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/heb-naco

[Heb-NACO] A question on Sacred works

[Gottschalk, Haim via Heb-naco]

Hi Hevre,

Does Sacred works include works about the Kabbala or Kabbalistic texts? The 
question has to do with the subdivision of Introductions.

All my best,
Haim

_
Haim A. Gottschalk
Hebraica and Judaica Cataloging Librarian
Asian and Middle Eastern Division, Israel and Judaica Section
Onsite Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and alternate Fridays

The Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave, SE, LM-537
Washington, DC 20540-4222

Direct: 202-707-2498
h...@loc.gov

[cid:image001.jpg@01D4F503.AB53F460]

THIS EMAIL IS NOT CLASSIFIED
Expressing my views. Ideas & opinions in this email are not intended to 
represent those of the Library of Congress or its staff.
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail


___
Heb-naco mailing list
Heb-naco@lists.osu.edu
https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/heb-naco