Author Description
Drawing upon their rich religious and cultural heritage--a heritage that stretches back to Biblical times and passes through many varied epochs and environments--Jewish sages, artists, writers, and storytellers have continually created imaginative and evocative formulations of Jewish philosophy, literature, art, law, liturgy, ritual, and especially new forms of folklore.Miriam's Tambourine presents fifty classic Jewish folktales that come from virtually every corner of the globe and every historical period. Readers of all ages will delight in the Jewish versions of the Snow White, Rapunsel, and Sinbad stories, which in some cases were the original sources of these popular folktales. Howard Schwartz has also selected and retold those tales which have retained their uniquely Jewish character and have become part of the heritage of the Jewish people, including the Golem, the tales of Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav and of the Ba'al Shem Tov, tales of Elijah the Prophet, Miriam and her mystical well, Rabbi Adam, and even of the Sambotyon, the legendary river that raged six days of the week and rested on the Sabbath.Recast in a form accessible to readers both young and old, yet true to their provenances, these tales continue to enthrall and capture the imagination as they illustrate the power of man to overcome evil; the longing of the Jewish people to return to their homeland; and the universal prayer for a world at peace. Providing careful annotation of sources and a brilliant analysis of meanings and symbolisms, Miriam's Tambourine represents a landmark in Jewish folk literature and in American-Jewish culture.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
This collection gathers fifty distinct Jewish folktales from diverse global traditions to preserve the imaginative breadth of a historical culture. Each narrative functions as a vessel for philosophical, ethical, or mystical inquiry, often featuring protagonists who navigate supernatural encounters or moral dilemmas. The stories operate within a framework of oral tradition, adapted here into written form while maintaining the specific cultural markers of their origins. The collection spans various epochs, presenting a world where the mundane and the miraculous frequently intersect.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Inclusion of Jewish variants of globally recognized archetypal tales like Snow White and Rapunzel
- Focus on mystical figures such as the Golem and Elijah the Prophet
- Integration of Hasidic storytelling traditions from Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav
- Exploration of legendary geography like the Sambotyon river
- Detailed annotations providing historical and cultural context for each entry
- Analysis of symbolic meanings embedded within the narratives
- Representation of diverse geographical origins ranging from the Middle East to Europe
- Thematic focus on resilience, longing for homeland, and the pursuit of peace
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently note the balance between the accessibility of the prose and the scholarly depth provided by the annotations. Discussion often centers on the collection's ability to showcase the evolution of folklore as it traveled through different environments and historical periods. Many highlight the effectiveness of the author's retellings in maintaining the original character of the stories while making them readable for a contemporary audience. The work is often cited for its contribution to the preservation of Jewish cultural heritage and its utility as a resource for those interested in comparative mythology.
Page Count:
428
Publication Date:
1988-09-29
ISBN-10:
0192821369
ISBN-13:
9780192821362
Religion
JEWISH LEGENDS
Folklore
Short Stories
Jews
Mythology
Cultural History
Hasidism
Jewish Studies