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A folkloric research project on Sefer ha-ma’asim.

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9780814342718

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"Sefer ha-Ma'asim is one of the most interesting collections of Hebrew stories that survived from the Middle Ages. In addition to being an entertaining and rich body of medieval folklore, it is one of the most revealing texts about Jewish life and spiritual world-- not of the learned elite, but of the larger segments of Jewish society in twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The present edition of the early thirteenth century manuscript is one of the most comprehensive scholarly edition of any Hebrew collection of tales known to us from the Middle Ages. It is not only a presentation and translation of texts, but an in-depth study of Jewish minority folklore in Christian Europe. --Eli Yassif ""Tel-Aviv University"" [...] the stories [of the Sefer ha-ma'asim], which we can now read in English in ""Texts in Context,"" open an entire new window into the daily lives of Ashkenazi Jewry. --Aaron Howard ""Jewish Herald Voice"" Although a selection of tales was previously published, this is the first publication of a Hebrew-English annotated edition in its entirety, revealing fresh insight. [...] The tales in Sefer ha-ma'asim will be of special value to scholars of folklore and medieval European history and literature, as well as those looking to enrich their studies and shelves. -- ""Bar-Ilan University"" Kushelevsky and her translators, Ruchie Avital and Chaya Naor, have rendered a tremendous service in making these medieval Hebrew tales accessible to a wider audience. As the tales circulate, they will be read in unanticipated and illuminating contexts. --Pinchas Roth ""Speculum"" This welcome edition of the Sefer ha-ma'asim, an anthology of sixty-nine Hebrew tales adapted, arranged, and composed in thirteenth-century France, offers readers a literary feast. --Susan L. Einbinder ""AJS Review"""

Although a selection of tales was previously published, this is the first publication of a Hebrew-English annotated edition in its entirety, revealing fresh insight. [...] The tales in Sefer ha-ma'asim will be of special value to scholars of folklore and medieval European history and literature, as well as those looking to enrich their studies and shelves.-- (07/09/2018) [...] the stories [of the Sefer ha-ma'asim], which we can now read in English in Texts in Context, open an entire new window into the daily lives of Ashkenazi Jewry.-- (01/18/2018) This important book provides Jewish Studies scholars, medievalists and students of European culture with a point of entry into the sources that both shape and reflect the complex worlds of medieval northern-French Jews. The profound literary, comparative and historical analysis, supplemented by an annotated edition and translation of the medieval tales and a facsimile edition of the beautiful Bodleian Library manuscript, turn this book into a treasure trove.-- (04/24/2017) This is an important book that makes available a unique collection of medieval Hebrew stories that the author places in their comparative literary and cultural settings.--Ivan G. Marcus Frederick P. Rose Professor of Jewish History and professor of history and religious studies at Yale University (04/24/2017) Sefer ha-Ma'asim is one of the most interesting collections of Hebrew stories that survived from the Middle Ages. In addition to being an entertaining and rich body of medieval folklore, it is one of the most revealing texts about Jewish life and spiritual world- not of the learned elite, but of the larger segments of Jewish society in twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The present edition of the early thirteenth century manuscript is one of the most comprehensive scholarly edition of any Hebrew collection of tales known to us from the Middle Ages. It is not only a presentation and translation of texts, but an in-depth study of Jewish minority folklore in Christian Europe.-- (04/24/2017) In Tales in Context, Rella Kushelevsky presents the student and scholar of medieval folklore and Jewish life in Christian Europe with a vital resource. Moreover, her rich and insightful theses about the composition of this work from the literary, scribal and cultural perspectives, coupled with the historical epilogue by Elisheva Baumgarten, will further enlighten readers in a variety of fields.-- (04/24/2017)

This important book provides Jewish Studies scholars, medievalists and students of European culture with a point of entry into the sources that both shape and reflect the complex worlds of medieval northern-French Jews. The profound literary, comparative and historical analysis, supplemented by an annotated edition and translation of the medieval tales and a facsimile edition of the beautiful Bodleian Library manuscript, turn this book into a treasure trove.-- (04/24/2017) This is an important book that makes available a unique collection of medieval Hebrew stories that the author places in their comparative literary and cultural settings.--Ivan G. Marcus Frederick P. Rose Professor of Jewish History and professor of history and religious studies at Yale University (04/24/2017) Although a selection of tales was previously published, this is the first publication of a Hebrew-English annotated edition in its entirety, revealing fresh insight. [...] The tales in Sefer ha-ma'asim will be of special value to scholars of folklore and medieval European history and literature, as well as those looking to enrich their studies and shelves.-- (07/09/2018) [...] the stories [of the Sefer ha-ma'asim], which we can now read in English in Texts in Context, open an entire new window into the daily lives of Ashkenazi Jewry.-- (01/18/2018) Sefer ha-Ma'asim is one of the most interesting collections of Hebrew stories that survived from the Middle Ages. In addition to being an entertaining and rich body of medieval folklore, it is one of the most revealing texts about Jewish life and spiritual world- not of the learned elite, but of the larger segments of Jewish society in twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The present edition of the early thirteenth century manuscript is one of the most comprehensive scholarly edition of any Hebrew collection of tales known to us from the Middle Ages. It is not only a presentation and translation of texts, but an in-depth study of Jewish minority folklore in Christian Europe.-- (04/24/2017) In Tales in Context, Rella Kushelevsky presents the student and scholar of medieval folklore and Jewish life in Christian Europe with a vital resource. Moreover, her rich and insightful theses about the composition of this work from the literary, scribal and cultural perspectives, coupled with the historical epilogue by Elisheva Baumgarten, will further enlighten readers in a variety of fields.-- (04/24/2017)

[...] the stories [of the Sefer ha-ma'asim], which we can now read in English in Texts in Context, open an entire new window into the daily lives of Ashkenazi Jewry.-- (01/18/2018) Although a selection of tales was previously published, this is the first publication of a Hebrew-English annotated edition in its entirety, revealing fresh insight. [...] The tales in Sefer ha-ma'asim will be of special value to scholars of folklore and medieval European history and literature, as well as those looking to enrich their studies and shelves.-- (07/09/2018) This important book provides Jewish Studies scholars, medievalists and students of European culture with a point of entry into the sources that both shape and reflect the complex worlds of medieval northern-French Jews. The profound literary, comparative and historical analysis, supplemented by an annotated edition and translation of the medieval tales and a facsimile edition of the beautiful Bodleian Library manuscript, turn this book into a treasure trove.-- (04/24/2017) This is an important book that makes available a unique collection of medieval Hebrew stories that the author places in their comparative literary and cultural settings.--Ivan G. Marcus Frederick P. Rose Professor of Jewish History and professor of history and religious studies at Yale University (04/24/2017) In Tales in Context, Rella Kushelevsky presents the student and scholar of medieval folklore and Jewish life in Christian Europe with a vital resource. Moreover, her rich and insightful theses about the composition of this work from the literary, scribal and cultural perspectives, coupled with the historical epilogue by Elisheva Baumgarten, will further enlighten readers in a variety of fields.-- (04/24/2017) Sefer ha-Ma'asim is one of the most interesting collections of Hebrew stories that survived from the Middle Ages. In addition to being an entertaining and rich body of medieval folklore, it is one of the most revealing texts about Jewish life and spiritual world- not of the learned elite, but of the larger segments of Jewish society in twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The present edition of the early thirteenth century manuscript is one of the most comprehensive scholarly edition of any Hebrew collection of tales known to us from the Middle Ages. It is not only a presentation and translation of texts, but an in-depth study of Jewish minority folklore in Christian Europe.-- (04/24/2017)

Author Information

Rella Kushelevsky is a distinguished professor of medieval and rabbinic studies at Bar-Ilan University. She is also the author of Moses and the Angel of Death and Penalty and Temptation: Hebrew Tales in Ashkenaz.

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