By now, 1492, will mean many things to many men and women. At the time of planning the colloquium from which these studies proceed, the guiding idea was to convene Hispanists, Hebraists and Arabists of international repute, who had traditionally worked within the confines of their own fields of research and whose work spanned the areas of learning in which Jews were active, from the so-called Golden-Age of Spanish Jewry to the Expulsion and its aftermath: hence the title of this volume. This book only purports to scrape the tip of the iceberg of new investigations of circa 1492, but if it encourages further excavation in a similar spirit, then its aims have been fulfilled

Hyam Maccoby's now classic study, originally published in 1982, focuses on the major Jewish-Christian disputations of medieval Europe: those of Paris (1240), Barcelona (1263), and Tortosa (1413-14). It examines the content of these theological confrontations with a sense of present-day relevance, while also discussing the use made of scriptural proof-texts. Part I provides a general thematic consideration of the three disputations and their social and historical background. Part II is a complete translation of the account of the Barcelona Disputation written by Nahmanides, one of the greatest figures in the history of Jewish learning, who was Jewish spokesman at the disputation. Part III contains Jewish and Christian accounts of the Paris and Tortosa disputations.

A vivid picture of Italian Jewry and the rabbinate during the Renaissance that describes the development of the cultural, religious, and intellectual life of the community against the backdrop of developments within the wider Catholic environment. Focusing on the figure of the rabbi, this book provides a vivid picture of Italian Jewry during the Renaissance. The author discusses Jewish life of the period (c. 1450-1600) in its social, institutional, and cultural aspects, placing them against the backdrop of the wider Catholic environment to give an original interpretation of how Jewish cultural and religious life developed in the Renaissance context. Particular attention is given to changes in the status and functions of the rabbis and to the relations between the rabbinate and the lay leadership. Of special interest is the exploration of the cultural world of the rabbis and the broader issue of intellectual developments at the time. Essentially a translation of Part I of the Hebrew edition, which won wide acclaim for its perspective, Rabbis and Jewish Communities in Renaissance Italy has been carefully adapted for an English-speaking readership. Substantial excerpts from the appendices have been incorporated into the text so that the evidence necessary to support the arguments is easily accessible.

The majority of Jews residing in Bavaria , Germany in the 17th-19th centuries dwelt in small communities. One of these was the community of Schnaittach, in Middle Franconia. Until now, for the most part, the record books of large communities have been published, and the publication of the record book of the community of Schniattach provided in this volume, together with the historical introduction that it contains, paint a picture of the community, its internal governance, as well as its connections with the foreign environment. This book also examines the degree of influence of the major events in the history of the Jewish people in the modern period on the communal structure and the thought patterns of the local residents. Taken together, these elements provide insight into the lifeways of the Jews in southern Germany .

This book describes the special customs belonging to the way of life and the communities of Ashkenazi Jews.

The second Symposium on Aging in the Jewish World created a forum for discussing four major issues confronting Jewish communities throughout the world: Well Elderly and Early Retirees - The Frail Elderly - The Jewish Family - and intergenerational programs. This volume contains presentations by international experts, background papers by Jewish professionals, and highlights of workshops attended by representatives from Jewish communities in North and South America, Western and Eastern Europe, Australia, South Africa, and Israel. These proceedings identify the common trends and differences in the aging experiences of these communities, offering a window on a Jewish world which is aging more rapidly than any comparable Western population.

Nazarene Jewish Christianity is a comprehensive study of the heirs of the earliest Jerusalem church, their history and doctrines, and their relations with both synagogue and the growing Gentile church. The author analyzes all sources, Jewish, Christian, and pagan, which can shed light on the sect and its ultimate mysterious disappearance. He also deals with the Birkat haMinim and historicity of the flight to Pella. Sample pages A digital version of this book is available here

Through the writings of Juspa Shammash : Minhagim de K.K. (The Custom Book of Warmaisa); Ma'ase Nissim (The Book of Wonder Stories), and the Pinkas Hakehila (The Ledger of Commercial Contracts), Professor Eidelberg develops an historical overview of the Worms community of the seventeenth-century Germany. The three texts combine to offer readers the insights of Juspa, the sexton and chronicler of this community in the Rhine Valley. Professor Eidelberg relates not only history but also religious and secular legislation enacted in the ancient community. Together with explications of customs and folklore, the author cites tales of the city which portray Juspas's vibrant literary talents.