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Medieval Jewish Civilization: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)

by Norman Roth (Editor)

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This is the first encyclopedic work to focus exclusively on medieval Jewish civilization, from the fall of the Roman Empire to about 1492. The more than 150 alphabetically organized entries, written by scholars from around the world, include biographies, countries, events, social history, and religious concepts. The coverage is international, presenting people, culture, and events from various countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

For a full list of entries and contributors, a generous selection of sample entries, and more, visit the Medieval Jewish Civilization: An Encyclopedia website.

Editorial Reviews

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The Diaspora, or Exile, refers to Jewish communities living outside the land of Israel. Although there is a temptation to think only of the religious aspects of these exiled communities, the editor of this new reference work points out that what survived the Diaspora was "a civilization, embracing a common history, language, literature, laws and communal structure." This encyclopedia, the latest volume in the Routledge (formerly Garland) Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages series, addresses the interaction of Jewish civilization in the medieval period with the Christian and Muslim worlds.

More than 150 entries are alphabetically arranged and written by a scholarly team of international contributors. Coverage includes important Jews from the period, such as the philosopher Maimonides and the Talmudic commentator Rashi. Non-Jews include political figures whose policies toward Jews were favorable (e.g., Frederick II) or unfavorable (e.g., Philip IV), along with Christian thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas and Bernard of Clairvaux, the entries for which detail their views on Jewry. Spain's importance for medieval Jewry is well known, but entries from England to Egypt and for cities such as Frankfurt and Fustat provide a more complete geographic picture. The discussion of the Hebrew language shows how medieval Jews saved it from oblivion. Other entries describe Jewish poetry and literature in Hebrew and other languages as well as the importance of medieval Jews as translators of biblical, literary, and scientific texts. Contributions to Medicine and Science and mathematics are chronicled, as are Jewish art and music. Also here are treatments of Jewish philosophy and the branch of mysticism called Qabbalah. That daily life of Jews is described in entries such as Clothing, Marriage, and Women.

Medieval Jewish Civilization is a unique addition to reference shelves, providing a focus on the medieval period and contemporary scholarly positions not found in a standard reference work such as Encyclopedia Judaica (Macmillan, 1972). Its coverage of the many aspects of Jewish civilization, from art to science, will make it useful to a diverse audience. Recommended for academic libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge (November 27, 2002)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 726 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0415937124
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0415937122
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9 x 1.75 x 11.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,272,940 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #129 in Encyclopedias (Books)
- #2,298 in History Encyclopedias
- #2,709 in History of Judaism

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Norman Roth

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Norman Roth was born in Denver, Colo. in 1938; graduated from University of Denver, followed by several years of study in Israel. He received his Ph.D. from Cornell University (Ithaca, N.Y.) and from 1976 to 1997 was professor of Jewish history and studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He is now professor emeritus. Main areas of interest: Jewish history and culture of medieval Spain, medieval Hebrew literature and poetry (lots of articles, but no books yet; one is in process). I am always happy to hear from readers and particularly from students who may have questions or need advice.