Synopses & Reviews
This fascinating history by an eminent scholar explores the relationship between Jews and Arabs, from their beginnings 3,000 years ago into the 1970s. Although originally written in 1954, it was revised in 1974 to extend its reach in the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The account remains current in its outlook because of the focus on social and cultural contacts as opposed to political and military issues. Its long-range examination of the reciprocal influence between these two peoples provides many valuable insights into the present-day impasse in their relations.
Jews and Arabs encompasses numerous subjects of historical and contemporary relevance: the myth of the so-called Semitic races; the Jewish tradition in Islam; the actual and legal position of Jews under Arabic Islam; the rise of Jewish philosophy under Islamic influence; Jewish and Islamic mysticism and poetry; and law and ritual. Author S. D. Goitein was the first professor of Islamic studies at Jerusalemand#8217;s Hebrew University, and this study reflects his 30 years of experience in the field, which includes surveys of Muslim religious literature, Oriental Jewish communities, and medieval Egyptian documents. Erudite and well written, this volume is indispensable to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities of the Arab-Jewish relationship.
Synopsis
Fascinating study by eminent scholar explores 3,000 years of relations between Jews and Arabs. Topics include Jewish traditions in Islam, Islamic influence on Jewish philosophy, Jewish and Islamic mysticism and poetry.
Synopsis
This fascinating history by an eminent scholar explores 3,000 years of relations between Jews and Arabs. Written in 1954, it remains relevant through its focus on cultural influences rather than political and military issues. Topics include Jewish traditions in Islam, Islamic influence on Jewish philosophy, Jewish and Islamic mysticism and poetry.
Synopsis
Fascinating study by eminent scholar explores 3,000 years of relations between Jews and Arabs. Topics include Jewish traditions in Islam, Islamic influence on Jewish philosophy, Jewish and Islamic mysticism and poetry.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. The Problem
and#160; 1. A historical survey of Jewish Arab relations
and#160; 2. The State of Israel in its Arab environment
2. The truth about the common origins of the people of Israel and the Arabs
3. Why has the history of the two peoples taken such different courses?
4. The Jewish tradition in Islam
5. The actual and legal position of the Jews under Arabic Islam
6. The economic transformation and communal reorganization of the Jewish people in Islamic times
7. The cultural development of the Jewish people inside Arab Islam
and#160; 1. Jewish participation in the medieval civilization of the Middle East
and#160; 2. The linguistic aspects of Jewish Arabic symbiosis
and#160; 3. The rise of Jewish philosophy under Muslim impact
and#160; 4. Islamic and Jewish mysticism
and#160; 5. The acme of Jewish Arabic symbiosis: the Hebrew poetry of the Middle Ages
and#160; 6. Other spiritual contacts
and#160;and#160;and#160; a. Sectarianism and Messianic movements
and#160;and#160;and#160; b. Law and Ritual. The position of women
and#160;and#160;and#160; c. Popular religion and custom
and#160;and#160;and#160; d. Folk literature and art
8. The new confrontation
and#160; 1. Arab eclipse and re-emergence
and#160; 2. The coming of Israel
and#160; 3. The cultural aspects of the two coinciding revivals
and#160; 4. Recent developments
Selected Bibliography
Chronological Tables
Index