Jewish Ethics as Dialogue: Using Spiritual Language to Re-imagine a Better World, by Moses L. Pava. Palgrave Macmillan, 2009.

Jewish Ethics as Dialogue is an innovative discussion of the translation and adaptation of the core moral and ethical values of Judaism to the modern, secular culture of society in general and the business community in particular. It provides a framework for thinking about the interaction of ancient traditions with the progressive worldviews of the contemporary western world. Dr. Pava's essays are both enlightening and thought-provoking. 

Posted by Moshe Schapiro
----------------------------------------------


 

Catalogue of the Cairo Geniza Fragments in the Westminster College Library, Cambridge, by Elazar Hurvitz. Cairo Geniza Institute, Yeshiva University, 2006.

The two volumes of Dr. Elazar Hurvitz's catalogue of Cairo Geniza fragments held in the Westminster College Library of Cambridge University (UK) represent the first installment of a monumental project.

The first volume describes the discovery of the Geniza and its subsequent dispersal to a variety of libraries and collections throughout the world. It also presents an analysis of the content, significance and dating of the fragments, and a thorough treatment of the history of the Ben-Ezra Synagogue, where most of the Geniza was housed, and other synagogues in Old Cairo and Memphis (Egypt).  The second volume offers an identification (or a description where identification is impossible) and a bibliography for each of the 2,500 fragments in the collection, and correlates the fragments with similar material in other collections. A third volume is in preparation; it will contain selected texts from the Geniza at Westminster College, supplemented by related material from elsewhere.

Posted by Zvi Erenyi

The Library schedule has been updated.  Click Library hours for the latest schedule.

Neo-Babylonian Court Procedure, by Shalom E. Holtz. Brill, 2009.

In his new book, Neo-Babylonian Court Procedure, Professor Shalom Holtz has transformed his doctoral dissertation into a sophisticated monograph on the subject of legal procedure in one of the regions of ancient Mesopotamia. The book begins by presenting a comprehensive classification of the text-types that made up the "tablet trail" of records of the adjudication of legal disputes in the Neo-Babylonian period. In presenting this text-typology, it considers the texts' legal function within the adjudicatory process. Based on this, the book describes the adjudicatory process as it is attested in private records as well as in records from the Eanna at Uruk. This book will be an important addition to the scholarship of Ancient Near Eastern studies.

__________________

Revealed Texts, Hidden Meanings : Finding the Religious Significance in Tanakh, by Hayyim J. Angel. Ktav, 2009.

Revealed Texts, Hidden Meanings is a collection of essays dealing with different personalities in the Bible, literary techniques of the prophets and questions of methodology in biblical interpretation. Each essay is a self-contained unit, but read together, they present a wide-ranging and deeply penetrating analysis of biblical exegesis and the theological lessons that can be derived from the text. Both in content and form these essays are fascinating and thought-provoking.   

Posted by Moshe Schapiro.

Did you know that Jacob de Cordova, a Jew born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1808, was a Texan pioneer?  De Cordova settled in the Republic of Texas in 1837 and by 1848 ran one of the largest land agencies  in Texas, which had become a state in 1845. A gift of rare Americana, recently donated to the library by Dr. Ronald Rubin,  includes a deed signed by the governor of Texas, George T. Wood, granting a vast tract of land near Austin to Jacob de Cordova.

The  donation also includes large bound  volumes of newspapers from New York and New England, chiefly from the early 19^th century.  The collection is especially rich in newspapers documenting the War of 1812. A particularly rare document is the  black-bordered issue of the New-York Spectator from July 18, 1804, with a detailed description of the funeral of Alexander Hamilton, who was fatally shot in a duel with Aaron Burr. Hamilton’s last residence, Hamilton Grange, is currently located on 141^st St. in St. Nicholas Park, not far from the Wilf Campus.  

Dr. Ronald Rubin is a professor of political science at CUNY, a noted collector of antiquarian Americana, and the author of several books and numerous articles.

A couple of months ago Prof. Daniel Rynhold’s latest book, An introduction to medieval Jewish philosophy, came off the press. Rabbi Moshe Schapiro, Librarian at the Mendel Gottesman Library, had this to say about the new publication:

Medieval Jewish philosophy is a difficult area of study to penetrate. Obscure terminology and conceptual frameworks that are rooted in Greek, Arabic and Hebrew sources can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. That is why Dr. Daniel Rynhold's An Introduction to medieval Jewish Philosophy is such a worthwhile endeavor. Dr. Rynhold surveys the approaches of the greatest figures of medieval Jewish philosophy to some of the most fundamental topics of philosophy and theology. He explains the background, assumptions and orientations of each philosophical approach in an organized, lucid and interesting manner. This book will give perspective and clarity to those who have already dabbled in Jewish philosophy as well as provide orientation and direction to the new student.

Due to ITS’ data center server storage upgrade the Library’s website will be taken down this Saturday night, September 5^th/6th, from 8 PM till 2 AM. This will affect the Library’s website, and access to the Library’s online databases, e-journals and e-books will be interrupted.

The YULIS catalog will be accessible via the following URL:

http://tinyurl.com/YUcatalog

The E-Res pages will be accessible – on campus only – via the following URL:

http://yeshiva.docutek.com/eres

We apologize for the inconvenience this causes our patrons.

It is with sadness that we announce the recent passing of Frederic S. Baum.  Fred came to Yeshiva University in 1975 as Associate Professor and founding librarian at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.  After establishing the law library he assumed the position of Dean of Libraries at YU and served in that capacity from 1979 through 1984.  Following his tenure at Yeshiva, Fred became Director of the Library at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York.

Librarians here remember Fred as a consummate gentleman, a mentor for young professionals, with charm and with a sense of humor.  He was quick to see the potential of technology for information and research, and brought the first computers to Yeshiva’s libraries.

The Otzar Hahochma administration is introducing a new version of the Otzar with updated software and enhanced tools and options.  In conjunction with this upgrade they are terminating their relationship with the web services provider that enables the Yeshiva University Library to offer the Otzar to our community over the web.  We are working with the Otzar Hahochma administration to determine whether arrangements can be made to continue our service.  Meanwhile please note that access to Otzar Hahochma through our web pages will terminate effective the last week of May.