A work of didactic fiction somewhat in the mode of Mitch Albom¿s inspirational stories, this novel tells the story of a protagonist who suffers a tragic loss and is rapidly descending into a life of crime. One night, however, he has a fortuitous encounter with a mysterious night watchman, which sends him on a journey of self-discovery. A story about mentors and values, it confronts the reader with ethical questions and the possibility of self-transformation.
Both as a biblical prophet and a folklore hero, Elijah is one of the most popular and beloved figures in Jewish literature. In these intriguing tales, we see Elijah as the master of miracles, employing numerous disguises to fulfill his mission: to offer guidance and hope, reward goodness and punish wrongdoing, rescue Jewish communities and individuals, and signal the coming of the Messiah.
Peninnah Schram, widely regarded as one of the great Jewish storytellers of our generation, has collected and retold sixty-four delightful Jewish folktales to create Jewish Stories One Generation Tells Another. Ms. Schram, who believes that stories form "the link between the generations," helps forge that link with this book, ensuring that these stories will continue to live and breathe in the modern world. The life force animating these tales is almost tangible. The printed words seem to vibrate, as if the author possessed the voices of various tellers and lent their lilting tones and ripe inflections to the printed page. Furthermore, the laughter, sobs, and delighted cries of countless listeners also echo in these pages. Schram, who has written a thoughtful, informative introduction for each story, demonstrates on every page her belief that the stories "connect to our lives." And when the lifelike characters woven into Schram's magic tapestry suffer or enjoy the fates they most deserve, we rejoice, secure in their storybook world?a world where justice, however incomprehensible, is always done, and where we attain happiness by living in accordance with Jewish law and in harmony with the world's natural order. Jewish Stories One Generation Tells Another abounds in a gentle wisdom that presses itself upon our complex and often self-contradictory lives, infusing us with patience, tolerance, and hope. We identify with the kings and princes, fools and beggars, heroes and leaders, villains and witches of yesteryear because, though our lives are vastly different from theirs, we share their moral choices and experience their dilemmas. Schram joins Jewish storytellers throughout the ages, linking past to present and preserving an invaluable legacy for generations yet unborn.
They lived for that one chance; the chance to get home first. They waited for that one second. For that moment when they broke into the clear down the home stretch, and no one was going to catch them.Behind the glamorous exterior of horse racing lies the gritty reality of the backside. Within this fiercely competitive world of owners, trainers, vets, and jockeys something has gone terribly wrong. As opening day approaches, one racehorse is poisoned, another has her leg crushed by a lead pipe and a third mysteriously disappears. Shock and horror grip the racing community.Then it all makes sense. Greed. The extortion demands are revealed. Stables are forced to pay protection money to ensure the safety of their horses. Despite all security efforts, the brutal killings continue. For Dan Morgan it becomes personal when his precocious two-year-old filly is targeted. Dan befriends AJ Kaine, a lonely, “horse whispering†young man. AJ is a hotwalker, the lowest of jobs in the backside food chain. But AJ has a secret--perhaps a secret that can corner a killer. With AJ’s help, Dan must crack the extortion scheme or risk becoming the next victim.
The second book opens with all the characters of the first book headed to a grand celebration. The evil Gogatt has not been seen in at least two suns. Things are going so well for the Kalifee people. The crops are good and the brothels are at their highest revenue. The divine lives within all people and the Kalifee know it and express it so well. There is love and love lost. Betrayal is waiting in the wonderful disguise of love, giving, and commitment. These fighting women and men do so much more than fight the enemy. The internal struggle, after all, is the greatest fight of all.
" Bin Gorion's] crowning achievement was Mimekor Yisrael, a multilayered compendium of post-biblical Jewish lore and demonology." --Commentary "One of the most extraordinary publishing events in my memory--a huge source of discoveries of the quintessential Jewish experience." --Nat Hentoff "This is a most important collection, actually unique in its field. I recommend it to all good readers." --Isaac Bashevis Singer "It is wonderful to have this treasure trove of Jewish Folktales finally available in English." --Bruno Bettelheim "Indispensable to anyone wishing to learn and explore the beauty of ancient Jewish legends." --Elie Wiesel For this new edition, Dan Ben-Amos has added commentary, historical identification of personalities and events, extensive headnotes, and a survey of relevant editions and sources. A truly monumental work.
"Stories and opinions uttered by the sages ... of Israel through the six centuries during which the Midrashic literature ... was compiled."--Introduction.
