Jerusalem Anthology - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0827605544 ISBN 13: 9780827605541

Publisher: Jewish Publication Society, 1996

Synopsis

As Library Journal notes: This massive anthology celebrates the 3000-year anniversary of the founding of the city of Jerusalem. It describes, from a Jewish perspective, the history and sociology of the city. Lavishly illustrated, the volume contains biblical quotations, rabbinic literature, travel writings, poems, songs, and fiction excerpts, the majority dating from the last 100 years. The living city amid a world of war is a theme present throughout. In the excerpts by S.Y. Agnon and Amos Oz, we are brought close to the modern dilemma and the eternal. This anthology shows and tells us how Jerusalem has lived in the hearts of the Jewish people.

About this title

Review:

With the future of Jerusalem uppermost on the Israeli-Palestinian peace agenda, The Jerusalem Anthology provides a timely reminder of the centrality of the Holy City in the Jewish consciousness. Scholar and rabbi Reuven Hammer stresses that "[although] some political ideas are presented, this is certainly not the main focus of the work." While this is true insofar as it traverses the fields of poetry, art, travel, literature and memoirs--among much else in its 500 pages--politics as well as religion (are not the two inevitably and inextricably intertwined?) dominate the book, published originally to mark the trimillennium of King David's institution of the then tribal village as his nation's capital.

Attractively produced and profusely illustrated, this handy-sized volume offers essential reading for those seeking reasons for Jerusalem's capacity to arouse fever-pitch emotions among all involved, even peripherally, in its troubled and turbulent history. From biblical texts through Second-Temple and medieval literature to Jewish fictional and factual writings of more recent times, the anthology cannot but touch the nerve in its endeavour to explain why, perhaps more than any other city, Jerusalem is regarded as the spiritual centre of the universe, prompting the Psalmist to declare (137:5): "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its cunning." --Meir Persoff

Synopsis:

A collection of the literature, poetry, songs, and history of Jerusalem from Biblical to modern times. This book contains some of the most beautiful, stirring, and memorable pieces by our most beloved writers. Many pieces are translated for the first time.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jewish Publication Society
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0827605544
• ISBN 13: 9780827605541
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 616
• Editor: Hammer Reuven