This fifteenth-century haggadah, with a prologue by a Dominican friar, offers a unique view of contemporary Christian perceptions of Judaism. This edition includes a facsimile of the codex; a critical edition and translation of the prologue; a translation of the haggadah; and essays describing the historical and theological background.

Discusses four illuminated haggadot, manuscripts created for use at home services on Passover, all created in the early twelfth century.

This book examines literary analogies in Christian and Jewish sources, culminating in an in-depth analysis of striking parallels and connections between Christian monastic texts (the Apophthegmata Patrum or 'The Sayings of the Desert Fathers') and Babylonian Talmudic traditions. The importance of the monastic movement in the Persian Empire, during the time of the composition and redaction of the Babylonian Talmud, fostered a literary connection between the two religious populations. The shared literary elements in the literatures of these two elite religious communities sheds new light on the surprisingly inclusive nature of the Talmudic corpora and on the non-polemical nature of elite Jewish-Christian literary relations in late antique Persia.

In this “wonderfully rich” (San Francisco Chronicle) novel from the author of the internationally bestselling The Oracle of Stamboul, a young man journeys from California to Cairo to unravel centuries-old family secrets. “This book is a joy.”—Rabih Alameddine, author of the National Book Award finalist An Unnecessary Woman WINNER OF: THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION’S SOPHIE BRODY AWARD • THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD IN FICTION • THE SAMI ROHR PRIZE FOR JEWISH LITERATURE • Named One of the Ten Best Books of the Year by the BBC • Longlisted for the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association Fiction Prize • A Penguin Random House International One World, One Book Selection • Honorable Mention for the Middle East Book Award Joseph, a literature student at Berkeley, is the son of a Jewish mother and a Muslim father. One day, a mysterious package arrives on his doorstep, pulling him into a mesmerizing adventure to uncover the centuries-old history that binds the two sides of his family. From the storied Ibn Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo, where generations of his family served as watchmen, to the lives of British twin sisters Agnes and Margaret, who in 1897 leave Cambridge on a mission to rescue sacred texts that have begun to disappear from the synagogue, this tightly woven multigenerational tale illuminates the tensions that have torn communities apart and the unlikely forces that attempt to bridge that divide. Moving and richly textured, The Last Watchman of Old Cairo is a poignant portrait of the intricate relationship between fathers and sons, and an unforgettable testament to the stories we inherit and the places we are from. Praise for The Last Watchman of Old Cairo “A beautiful, richly textured novel, ambitious and delicately crafted, The Last Watchman of Old Cairo is both a coming-of-age story and a family history, a wide-ranging book about fathers and sons, religion, magic, love, and the essence of storytelling. This book is a joy.”—Rabih Alameddine, author of the National Book Award finalist An Unnecessary Woman “Lyrical, compassionate and illuminating.”—BBC “Michael David Lukas has given us an elegiac novel of Cairo—Old Cairo and modern Cairo. Lukas’s greatest flair is in capturing the essence of that beautiful, haunted, shabby, beleaguered yet still utterly sublime Middle Eastern city.”—Lucette Lagnado, author of The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit and The Arrogant Years “Brilliant.”—The Jerusalem Post

Centering Prayer profoundly many people affected has from all walks of life. Carl Arico, who was introduced to Centering Prayer in 1975 by William Meninger at the Trappist Monastery in Spencer, Massachusetts, is no exception. "It had a profound influence on my life -- on my priesthood and my whole being, " he writes. "I attended an intensive retreat with Thomas Keating in 1983 and soon became involved with the beginnings of Contemplative Outreach -- a resource center for those dedicated to the practice of Centering Prayer." This book is the outcome of more than 20 years of experience with Centering Prayer. Father Arico explores the fundamental practice of Centering Prayer, and how it impacts on one's life, providing the practitioner with a historical foundation, balance, insight, a degree of humor, and peace of mind.

The Sacred Books of Judaism presents a compelling anthology that traverses the rich tapestry of Jewish spiritual and philosophical thought. Embedded within its pages are works that span from meditative poetry to rigorous theological discourse, reflecting the diversity and depth of Jewish literary tradition. This collection is not only significant for its encompassing range, capturing the evolution of Jewish thought from ancient to medieval times, but also for its inclusion of seminal pieces that have shaped Jewish scholarship and practice. The anthology serves as a microcosm of the Jewish intellectual heritage, showcasing the heterogeneity of perspectives and literary styles that have contributed to its enduring vitality and relevance. The contributing authors, among them luminaries such as Louis Ginzberg, Moses Maimonides, and Judah Halevi, bring a wealth of scholarly insight and historical perspective. Their backgrounds, spanning different epochs and geographies, mirror the diasporic narrative of Jewish history, imbuing the collection with a rich tapestry of cultural and philosophical influences. These authors, through their pioneering contributions, have engaged in a dialogue not just with their contemporaries but with generations of readers and scholars, situating the anthology within a broader context of Jewish and general philosophical discourse. The Sacred Books of Judaism is a monumental compilation that invites readers on a transformative journey through Jewish thought and tradition. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the seminal works that have shaped a religion, a culture, and a philosophy of life. For scholars, students, and anyone intrigued by the richness of Jewish literature and thought, this anthology is an indispensable resource that promises to enlighten, challenge, and inspire. Through the multiplicity of voices and ideas it presents, this collection fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complexity and vibrancy of Jewish intellectual heritage.