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Book Review by Ida Nasatir
A Treasury of Jewish Folklore, edited
by Nathan Ausubel
November 14, 1949—Ida Nasatir book review—A
Treasury of Jewish Folklore by Nathan
Ausubel—Southwestern Jewish Press, page
3 : This book is really a "treasure." It is
a long work, numbering some 727 pages. It yields a veritable garden of the
stories, traditions, legends, humor and wisdom of the Jewish people. The deep
humility and courage, as well as the distinctive wit and the all-pervading faith
of an old and honorable people are to be found in this book.The editor, Nathan
Ausubel, has an international reputation in the literary field. An American
citizen born in Austria, he served with the Jewish Legion in Palestine in World
War I. Many of the fine selections in this Treasury of Jewish Folklore were
translated by Editor Ausubel and appear in English for the first time.
Folklore is a vivid record of a people, and because it is a true and unguarded
portrait, it is life itself. In more than one sense, this book is a spontaneous
expression of the whole of the Jewish people. I say this because Jewish Folklore
is but a faithful chronicle of all their historic experiences, and this book
with its tales from the Midrash and Talmud, its heroes and holy men, its rogues
and sinners, its humorous anecdotes and jests, its tales and legends, its
proverbs and riddles, its ballads and anthems, and its customs and
traditions—even its time honored superstitions—all combine to give an
incisive portrait of the Jew, as well as showing the many diverse cultures that
Jews have assimilated everywhere throughout the centuries. In one section of the
book called "Jewish Salt," you will for instance read the caption
"Richer than Rothschild." "if I were a Rothschild," said the
melamed of Chelm, "I'd be richer than Rothschild." "How is
that possible?" asked a fellow citizen. "Naturally,"
answered the melamed (teacher), "I'd do a little teaching on the
side." There is so much else in "Jewish Salt" that will
delight you.You will read about "What is Greatness?" "It Pays to
be Ignorant," "The Secret of Power," "Why the Hair on the
Head Turns Gray Before the Beard," and "A Rabbi for a Day."
And then when you come to the section called "Heroes, you will meet the
Chacham, the wise men, who in many respects resemble the Greek conception of the
philosopher, Saints like Hillel and Akiba, fighters like the Macabees, wise men
like Solomon, and schlars like Maimonides, will come to greet, and receive, and
charm you! Read this Treasury of Jewish Folklore. It is not
something you can finish in a week or two. Throughout the autumn and winter you
will treasure and enjoy this magnificent collection.