Fifteen years ago while researching Jewish imagery; award-winning book designer Scott-Martin Kosofsky happened upon a 1645 edition of the Minhogimbukh -- the "Customs Book" -- a beautifully designed and illustrated guide to the Jewish year written in Yiddish; the people's vernacular. Captivated; he investigated further and learned that from 1590 to 1890; this cross between a prayer book and a farmer's almanac was immensely popular in households all across Europe. Published in dozens of editions and revised over the centuries in Venice; Prague; Amsterdam; and throughout Germany before moving eastward in the nineteenth century to Poland and Russia; these books detail the evolution of Jewish custom over three hundred years. But by the 1890s; as Jewish practice became polarized between the secularist and traditionalist views; the Minhogimbukh disappeared. There are no works quite like the historical customs books available today#151;none so thorough and concise; intuitive in organization; and beautiful. Inspired by the originals; Kosofsky set out to make his own; adapting the books for modern use; adding historical perspective and contemporary application. The result is the reappearance of the Minhogimbukh after more than a hundred-year absence; and the first complete showing of all the original woodcuts -- a visual vocabulary of Jewish life -- since the 1760s. Faithfully based on the earlier editions; The Book of Customs is an updated guide to the rituals; liturgies; and texts of the entire Jewish year -- from the days of the week and the Sabbath to all the months with their festivals; as well as the major life-cycle events of wedding; birth; bar and bat mitzvah; and death. With the revival of this lost cultural legacy; The Book of Customs can once again become every family's guide to Jewish tradition and practice.
#1071748 in Books 2005-05-31 2005-05-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.05 x 6.00l; #File Name: 0060523336320 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Last Shot reads like an adventure novelBy Andrew LoveI have been told that the only difference between a Fairy Tale and a Sea Story is that a Fairy Tale begins “Once upon a time†while a Sea Story starts off “You ain’t gonna believe this s##tâ€. Lynn Schooler gives neither of these warnings before telling us of the exploits of a Confederate warship; the CSS Shenandoah. The events described in this book are unbelievable. Schooler even goes as far as refuting the known statement that no foreign powers ever recognized the Confederacy as a state. He tells us that a Pacific King who not only recognized; but allied with the Confederate States of America after negotiations with James Waddell; Captain of the Shenandoah. Well; you know what is said about Fairy Tales and Sea Stories. But; the Federated States of Micronesia commemorates this alliance with a postage stamp; bearing the likeness of the Shenandoah. The description of Fairy Tale does not fit this book. The events noted in The Last Shot are documented in other sources.With its grab and hold; Last Shot reads like an adventure novel. Perhaps; it was started with the idea of an alternate history novel with Jeff Davis escaping to Trans Mississippi and Waddell and the Shenandoah seizing San Francisco with its mint and ransoming for the dying Confederacy. The interesting footnotes explain terms; etc.; instead of indicating sources. Sources of comments and disagreements of the officers and crew are indicated by the journals; articles; and books by those present on the Shenandoah in the extensive bibliography. The Last Shot is proof that fact is better than fiction. However; the use as a reference; checking to see Schooler’s account of an event; is hindered by lack of an index.Although the book is biased; it looks at all sides. A charge of bias should present evidence; but then memoirs are expected to be biased. Memoirs; no; not Schooler telling of his travels and research in the Prologue and Acknowledgements; but Schooler’s memoirs as one of the crew. Schooler reveals himself to be a rare person; not one who hates others for faults or frailties the he himself may have; but admires the good and determination in others. He may be in the 21st century but his heart has signed on with the misfit crew of the CSS Shenandoah. Yes; that same crew that had its boarding party get drunk off of the stocks of liquor aboard the captured Abigail; then also the successive parties sent to get them; drunk too. Through the comments of the officers to various situations and the disagreements of the Latitudes and Longitudes; Schooler is right there putting in his two cents worth. Like some conscripts; he did not dessert in Melbourne. As with many vets; Schooler keeps up with his comrades in arms; following the lives of shipmates in the Epilogue. He is so proud that he tells us of the US Navy christening a ship the USS Waddell in honor of the Shenandoah’s commander. His heart is on the rebel pirate; CSS Shenandoah; flag flying in the midst of burning Yankee whalers in the Arctic; and not over with the Last Shot; continuing with an amazing sail to Liverpool avoiding land and a pack of Yankee warships.Many are familiar with the blockade; blockade runners; ironclads; gun boats; and even submarine CSS Hunley of the Civil War. Lesser known are the Confederate commerce raiders. The Last Shot is a detailed account of one of these raiders; the CSS Shenandoah. Lynn Schooler’s account is like Mama opening the cookie jar. The Last Shot whets an appetite for more. Although thoroughly written; there are more questions. We are introduced to the HMS Wirvern and Scorpion; two ironclad rams built for the Confederacy to break the Union blockade; but taken by Britain. Did US diplomats and spies in Britain sink a navy? Schooler mentions the rising cost of whale oil and Gisner; a Canadian geologist who developed a way to refine kerosene from Pennsylvania crude; is in a footnote. Did the Shenandoah jump start the petrochemical industry? Several times we are told of difficulties facing the US merchant fleet and its demise. Is it possible that the US Navy; described as the most powerful in the world; failed at one of its major responsibilities; protection of its nation’s merchant ships? Did a handful of cruisers; flying the Southern Cross; actually rule the high seas?Most important is Schooler’s recording of his research in the Prologue; Epilogue; and Acknowledgments. In 2015 battle flags; monuments; street names; school names; museums; TV shows; movies; and other things related to the Confederacy are being purged in the United States. There are politicians even wanting to dig up the graves of Confederate veterans. At this time books are just mentioned; as many assume about the six to eight million ancestors of Confederate soldiers and sailors; “Rednecks can’t read.†But there may be a time when library shelves are also cleansed. Schooler’s methods of research will be appreciated by those wanting to learn more about this period of history.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating StoryBy jeffrey jonesFascinating story. I never knew about the Confederate raiders. It sure was not taught in high school U.S. history class in the 1960's!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Unknown facts from Civil war.By Chuck KitchkaGood read. Subject and facts enlightened me on history that I was totally unaware of. Civil war revisited from new direction.
