Translated by Hillel Halkin, this is a remarkably diverse and immensely entertaining gathering of Jewish legends and the first worldwide anthology of Jewish folktales. It draws from both traditional Eastern European literary sources and the vast body of oral material from the Middle East and North Africa.
Pinchas Sadeh, also Pinhas Sadeh, (Hebrew: פנחס שדה) was a Polish-born Israeli novelist and poet.
Sadehwas born Pinhas Feldman, in Galicia (then part of Poland). His family immigrated to Mandatory Palestine in 1934, settling in Tel Aviv. He lived and studied in Kibbutz Sarid. Later, he studied in England. Sadeh worked as a shepherd at Kvutzat Kinneret. There he met Yael Sacks, whom he married in 1956 but the union lasted only three months. In 1962-1969, he was married to Yehudit. He began publishing his work in 1945.
An eclectic collection of folktales with familiar refrains across many cultures and religions, some even echoing famous fables and fairy tales. The only critique I could give is a preference for the folktales to be prefaced, rather than their origins organized at the end of the book. I'd recommend this book for anyone interested in the genre or cultural studies.
5 stars times a lifetime. Reading this book, along with the Tanakh, has lead me to, Siddur: Prayer Book: Weekday, Sabbath, and the Festival (English and Hebrew Edition). I'm very excited to fall asleep to such beauty.
The Hebrews are a very interesting band of historic understanding in kismet portions, that I have come to love. Their folktales and scriptures flower the very essence of peace "beyond all understandings". I think that must be where God is.
Jewish Folktales, unlike the Brothers Grimm, end in "happily ever after" with the hero being Wisdom.
#2)Re-read: I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Will re-read again, and again, and again....