Dear Friends, Yediot Aharonot and Sifre Hemed have recently published two important works of Jewish Thought, which deserve special mention.
Before doing so let us note that once again many important publications occupy and overlap several categories of Judaica or Hebrew publication. These two works could easily be viewed and categorized as modern Rabbinic works. They are that as well as serious Jewish Philosophy / Thought. 'Foundations One Hundred Concepts in Judaism,' entitled, 'Hanakhat Yesod,' in Hebrew, is significant, comprehensive and sweeping work of Philosophy, halacha, custom from Bible and Talmud, the Shema and other prayers, charity, mourning, holidays, including Holocaust rememberance, conversion, faith, Rashi, Hassidut, Mussar and much more. The work by the legendary Chief Rabbi, R' Yisrael Meir Lau, is clear, deep and moving but covers so much that it cannot go into really great depths on any one topic. Most chapters are 2-4 pages. (isbn 978-965-482-757-7) The book is highly recommended for any library collecting Jewish Philosophy as well as for any student of Jewish History or faculty and students of Israel Studies. Cat. # 68681 $36.50 Another important book, by Rabbi Adin Steinzalts, 'Haye Shana,' 'the Life of a Year,' and is published jointly, by Yediot Hemed and Ha-Machon HaYisraeli Le' Pirsumim Talmudi'im. This work is 346 pages, is scholarly, with footnotes and will undoubtedly be recognized in future years as a major work of Jewish Philosophy by a major 20th Century Talmud Scholar. (Isbn 972-965-482-827-7). Cat. #68680 $36.00 A brief tale of Cohen and Levy. Jonathan Cohen has published 'Lo Higati LaLitani,' ( I Did Not Reach the Litani), an Israeli soldier's memoire of the Second Lebanon War. The book is published by Maariv, Tel Aviv. Cat 65683 $ 24.00 At the other end of the spectrum is a recent work entitled 'Lo BaShamayim Hi.' This work is a serious comprehensive work on Jewish Oral Law. It covers from Biblical through periods of Prophets, Kings, Temple, Sanhedrin, through Mishnaic, Talmudic and onwards. The work is scholarly yet accessible. Principles of interpretation of the Oral Law as well as different methodologies, (shitot), of several different major rabbinic figures (including Maimonides / Rambam, the Rif, R' Yitzhak Alfasi and others,) are all examined. The book is recommended for any Jewish Library covering areas of Jewish Philosophy or Halacha or Education and will be a useful reference work as well. Published by 'Arachim,' the author is Aharon Levy. Cat. #68582 $42.00 These last two books are, of course, entirely unrelated. Yet they reflect the incredible reality and diversity of 21st Cen. (CE) Israeli life, thought, expression and publication. As well, we have recently seen a soft cover journal of archaeology. The author is Zvi Uri Ma'oz and is published by the Golan Research Institute and the Golan Antiquities Museum in Qazrin. It is entitled, ' Archaostyle Scientific Research Series and the first two issues, vol. 1 & 2 are dated 2006. Vol. 1 is entitled Another Sacred Mountain Tribal boundaries in Biblical Galilee (Cat. # 68908 $ 17.00) and vol. 2: Dan is Baniyas, Teldan is Abel Beth Ma'acha. (Cat. # 68909 $ 19.00) (The first issue is only 40 pages but volume 2 is 120 pages.) The works are scholarly with footnotes, biblical references, analysis of much published archeological research/articles, with (volume 2) over 34 pages of sources. The works have copious references to Greek and Arabic language and sources. Although these are dated 2006 we have only seen 'discovered' it recently. This series is scholarly and unique and will be of interest to scholars of Biblical Archaeology. Please let us know if you are interested. Sincerely, Jeff Spitzer 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: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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
