Jerusalem Books Newsletter -c- Feb 2013
For a change let's start with a bit of lighter stuff. Soon the book on Master Shef, the Israeli TV cooking competition will come out. Also not to be missed is 'Heder-Okhel,' isbn 978-965-91864-1-9, by Asi Hayim and Ofer Vardi, published by 'Lunch Box.' The book casts light on the Kibbutz lunchroom and its Israeli cuisine. (BTW the title is one word.) Cat 80517 $ 37.00 In the realm of Hebrew Literature from Israel it is our pleasure to announce the publication of Yoram Kaniuk's latest, 'Ba be-Yamim,' An Old Man, published by Miskal, Yediot Hemed. It is a novel about an aging painter, which is said to mix autobiographical and fictional material in a story of failure, success and facing life's challenges. Isbn 978-965-545-644-8, Cat 81172 $26.00 Under Israel and Zionism and Israel Studies I would like to mention, first, the long awaited English title, out of Ben Gurion University press, 'the Politicization of Israel Studies,' by Miriam Shenkar. Isbn 978-965-536-101-8, Cat. 81146 $20.00 Hagay Huberman has written a biography of Hanan Porat, of the same title. The book focuses on the earlier years of this important Israeli figure of religious Zionism, from youth, torah scholarship and leadership in the Mafdal, National Religious party. He served in the Knesset and as a leader of the early, post 1967, Gush Enunim, settler movement. Published by Miskal, Yediot, isbn 978 965 545 688 2 Cat. 81177 $29.00 Ha'aretz published an article about two books on the history of the founder of 'Chabad,' the Lubavich Hassidic movement, Rabbi Shne'or Zalman. The books Ha-Ma'asar ha-rishon Cat. # 79590, $38.00 and Ha-Ma'asa ha-aharon, chronicle, the rebbe's struggles against anti-semitism in Czarist Russia and enmity from 'mitnagdim.' These important books highlight a few interesting points. Within rabbinic works often there are important elements of history and historical documentation as well as philosophical and theological matters with much wider implications. Also, although these books authored by Yehoshua Mondschein are written about in the secular Israeli press now in 2013, the books and others like them have been published by Chabad here in Israel in the past and those who have been collecting rabbinics - sifre kodesh got them a while ago. Recently, we have had 'Yagia'ah Kapekha,' by Yehoshua Hager - Lau. The book is published out of Or Etsion, on the value of work in the land of Israel. It is an important historical, scholarly work coming out of the national(ist) religious movement, or camp. The book analyzes the transition from pious, religious life in galut /exile, versus the need, even obligation, to engage in labor in Israel. This entails physical labor, farming, education (for) and choices of occupation that did not exist for centuries as a religious minority in gentile lands. The book is easily missed by narrow profiles limiting 'rabbinics - sifre kodesh,' and preferring academic treatments. Cat. 81152, $22.00 'Sefer ha-Kavanot (yashan),' with the glosses of the Remez, R' Moshe Zucato, is a classic work of genuine kabbala on prayer and meditation. (Remez, late 17th - early 18th Cent CE) This is an example of a 'non-scholarly' publication which might escape the grasp even of libraries that are interested in collecting Kabbala. What is kabbala? Not some 'popular' self help title or a new religion popular among celebrities. For those who are interested it is still more than the Zohar, it is the Ets Hayim, the schools of Zefat, the Ramhal, Rashash, etc. Cat. 81195 $ 37.00 Lastly, I would like to mention two books distributed by the Schechter Institute, Jerusalem. The first, is another important English title, The Status of Women in Jewish Law. The topic is of great importance not only because of the ongoing struggle for equality and opportunity faced in the US, Israel, and the 'west,' but also as these issues are relevant to struggles taking place in the Arab, Moslem worlds as well. Equally important is the fact that there are modern voices and viewpoints being expressed (at Schechter Institute and elsewhere) which offer Jewish responses to these issues which are halakhic and progressive. Isbn 978 965 7105 69 6, Cat.81136 $28.00 The second is volume 2 of Sefer Malki Bakodesh, by Rabbi Hayyim Hirshensohn, an annotated edition edited by David Zohar. This is responsa of Rabbi Hirshensohn and can be dryly characterized as halakha. However, this book is much more. The book deals with the changes facing Jews, Jewish thought, Law and society in the modern age. the philosophy of Zionism and the future of Jews and Judaism integrating the challenges of state and people building with Jewish values. The original work was published in 1921. The most important technical question is what about volume one? Volume one was published in 2006 and some copies are still available. (with 31 page English abstract.) The book is published by the Shalom Hartman Institute and Schechter, 978 965 7105 65 8, Cat. 81192 $ 29.00 Thanks for all your interest and patronage. We are proud of it and are grateful for your support. All of us at Jerusalem Books wish all of you a Happy Purim. Sincerely, Jeff Spitzer, Jerusalem Books ltd. Jerusalem Books LTD. P.O.B 26190 Jerusalem 91261 Israel
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