Synopses & Reviews
Hailed by
Library Journal as the "best ready-reference access point to the Jewish religion," and as "essential" by
CHOICE in its First Edition,
The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion has been the go-to resource for students, scholars, and researchers in Judaic Studies since its 1997 publication. Now, The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion, Second Edition focuses on recent and changing rituals in the Jewish community that have come to the fore since the 1997 publication of the First Edition, including the growing trend of baby-naming ceremonies and the founding of gay/lesbian synagogues
Under the editorship of Adele Berlin, nearly 200 internationally renowned scholars have created a new edition that incorporates updated bibliographies, biographies of 20th-century individuals who have shaped the recent thought and history of Judaism, and an index with alternate spellings of Hebrew terms. Entries from the previous edition have been be revised, new entries commissioned, and cross-references added, all to increase ease of navigation research.
The Dictionary covers more than three millennia of Jewish religious thought, custom, law, and practice, from traditional approaches to Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and post-denominational Judaism. Brief definitions and longer essays, all supplemented with bibliographies, enlighten readers about the major figures, folklore, and events in the history of Judaism throughout the world.
Review
"...the most accessible and complete reference available on the concepts, beliefs, and practices of historical and contemporary Jewish religious practice."--Shabbat Shalom (on the previous edition)
"This truly remarkable 764-page work overflows with information. It is not just another alphabetical reference book of Jewish knowledge, but a scholarly work devoid of the one-sidedness, padding or inaccuracies that are sometimes found in similar books.... because of its high standard of academic achievement, the breadth of its coverage and its up-to-date information, could immediately become the leading one-volume English-language reference work on the subject. A copy should be found in every library..."--
e'ela (on the previous edition)
"Librarians and patrons alike will find the ODJR to be their best ready-reference access point to the Jewish religion."--Library Journal (starred review) (on the previous edition)
"Public and academic libraries with Judaic collections will find this quick reference source a valuable addition."--Booklist (on the previous edition)
"Essential for all libraries."--Choice
"A handy guide that will be a welcome addition to any reference library."--The Jewish Advocate
"Attractive, well-produced...the most complete one-volume resource available for information on the concepts, beliefs, and practices of Judaism, in the past and today....Authoritative and invaluable, it belongs in every congregational and institutional library."--Canadian Jewish News
" . . . lives up to its claim to be the most accessible and complete one volume resource for information about Jewish religious beliefs, concepts and practices."--Hebrew Studies
" . . . a splendid book . . ."--Journal of Church and State
" . . . buy the book."--Church History
"[The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion] would be a fine addition to any theological collection. It offers a wealth of concise information, reflecting the intricacies of the Jewish religion."--Theological Librarianship
"The volume achieves a harmonious balance between exact transliteration and conventional English in the addition of an index with alternate spellings of Hebrew terms...Physical characteristics include a sturdy binding, acid-free paper, and an easily read typeface."--CHOICE
"A useful, authoritative, and contemporary resource...Recommended because of its educational value."--Congregational Libraries Today
"The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion is a scholarly, accessible reference to the whole of Jewish religion. --Bible Review Journal
About the Author
Robert H. Smith Professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of Maryland and co-editor of the
Jewish Study Bible. Dr. Berlin has published seven books as well as several volumes of Bible commentary and is a fellow of the American Academy of Jewish Research.
Table of Contents
New and revised entries:
Abravanel Family
Aggadah
Alexander Schindler
Antisemitism
Asmodeus
Baby naming
Bar Ilan University.
Bar-Ilan, Meir
Bishul 'Akkum
Chosen People
Christianity
Cohen, Gerson D.
Covenant
Cyrus Adler
Demons
Disability
Ecokosher
Ecology
Education, Women's
Eliezer of Beaugency
Emanuel Rackman
Esther, Scroll
Eve
Fackenheim, Emil
Gay and Lesbian
Gikatilla, Mosheh
GLATT KOSHER
God
God, names of
Gottschalk, Alfred
Gush Emunim
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
HIDDUR MITSVAH
Holiness
Homosexuality
Ibn Ezra, Avraham
Ibn Ezra, Mosheh
Idolatry
Jakobovits, Immanuel
Jesus
Jewish Christians
Jewish Renewal
Kimhi Family
Lilith
Martyrdom
Midrashic Literature
Misrash
Monotheism
Noahic Laws
PARDES
Paul
peshat
Protocols of the Elders of Zion
Proverbs, Book of
Purity and Impurity, Ritual
QITNIYYOT
Rabbinic Bible
Rabbis and Religious leaders, Women (non-orthodox)
Rashi
Religious Parties in Israel
Religious Parties in Israel
Religious Zionism
Samael
Samuel Belkin
Satan
Shomer Shabbat
Social Justice
Yeshiva University
Yom Ha-atsma'ut
Yom Ha-shoah
Yom Ha-zikkaron
Zionism