Complete Legends of the Jews Vol. 1-4

by Louis Ginzberg

Book Description:

"This is a massive collation of the Haggada--the traditions which have grown up surrounding the Biblical narrative. These stories and bits of layered detail are scattered throughout the Talmud and the Midrash, and other sources, including oral. In the 19th century Ginzberg undertook the task of arranging the Haggada into chronological order, and this series of volumes was the result." (Quote from sacred-texts.com)

Table of Contents:

Publisher's Preface; From The Creation To Jacob; Preface; The Creation Of The World; Adam; The Ten Generations; Noah; Abraham; Jacob; From Joseph To The Exodus; Preface; Joseph; The Sons Of Jacob; Job; Moses In Egypt

Genres: History, Religion, Judaism, Judaica, Jewish, Reference, Mythology

1039 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Talmudist and leading figure in the Conservative Movement of Judaism of the twentieth century, professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS).

Reviews

[Zaeem Arshad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily one of the longest and most fascinating set of books I have ever read. There’s so much to unpack. As someone raised in the Islamic tradition, I was surprised by how much Islam, it’s traditions and events are inspired by Judaism and its legends. A mandatory reading for anyone who has an interest in the history of the abrahamic religions.

[RONWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing.

[Jon Corelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louis Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews: Complete Set, originally published in German in the early 20th century and translated into English by Henrietta Szold, is a huge collection of stories based on the Old Testament from oral, folk, legend, and other sources, which give fascinating new or alternative perspectives on the well known events recorded there. The whole big set is divided basically into three parts: the first four volumes give the tradition's stories about major Biblical characters from Adam and Eve to Esther, told in straightforward, clear prose, then come two volumes of extremely detailed and scholarly notes and commentary (in English with occasional quoted Hebrew, usually translated,) and a final volume with a very detailed index.

This work is a treasure trove of endlessly interesting lore which will be new to almost all readers, and is of huge and fundamental importance to anyone seriously interested in Judaism studies, folklore, Old Testament studies, or folk legend traditions.

My review is based on the complete seven volume edition published in 1966 (a reprint of the original 1937-1938 edition) by The Jewish Publication Society of America, and my five star rating is based on the work's appeal to the audience I've described. If your interest in the topics mentioned is less serious, you will still find the work interesting to read around in, though you may not want to invest in the whole set. There are various reprints and abridgements available, and even a Kindle edition, though I haven't seen any of those myself.

The original handsomely printed and bound Jewish Publication Society of America 1966 edition I've mentioned is available as a used book, and I actually managed to find a set in decent condition for a less than astronomical price. So if your interests justify getting the whole set, it's worth while looking around on the internet for the original. Otherwise, Amazon lists various other full and partial reprints, both in book and e-book form.

[Ayman Mohammed Ali Arbash · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a wonderful book give complete view of jew mentality.
I've spent most exciting hours in my reading life with book.