Finalist—National Jewish Book Award, Sephardic Culture!
Who were the Sephardic Jews of the Ottoman
Empire?
What lasting lessons does their spiritual life provide for future generations?
What lasting lessons does their spiritual life provide for future generations?
“How did the
Judeo-Spanish-speaking Jews of the Ottoman Empire manage to
achieve spiritual triumph? To answer this question, we need to
have a firm understanding of their historical
experience…. We need to be aware of the dark, unpleasant
elements in their environments; but we also need to see the
spiritual, cultural light in their dwellings that imbued their
lives with meaning and honor.”
—from Chapter 1, “The Inner Life of the Sephardim”
In this groundbreaking work, Rabbi Marc
Angel explores the teachings, values, attitudes, and cultural
patterns that characterized Judeo-Spanish life over the
generations and how the Sephardim maintained a strong sense of
pride and dignity, even when they lived in difficult political,
economic, and social conditions. Along with presenting the
historical framework and folklore of Jewish life in the Ottoman
Empire, Rabbi Angel focuses on what you can learn from the
Sephardic sages and from their folk wisdom that can help you
live a stronger, deeper spiritual life.
“Intelligent ... highly readable.... A salutary and accessible effort that freshens the field of Sephardic studies for a general audience.”
—Jewish Book World
“Accessible.... An enjoyable and illuminating work.”
—Na’amat Woman
“More than a scholarly treatise.... Readable narratives with scholarly citations as well as superstitions, rituals, Ladino folklore, songs and sayings. This valuable historic journey demonstrates the ‘triumph of the human spirit,’ resolute in its optimism and dignity.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Wonderful … so much more than
its title implies. A must read for every serious student of
Jewish history and culture.”
—Dr.
Norman Cohen, provost, Hebrew Union
College, and author of Hineini in
Our Lives: Learning How to Respond to Others through 14
Biblical Texts & Personal Stories
“Poignant and masterful, concise and
provocative … depicts the rich inner life of the masses
of Jews in the Ottoman Empire who, despite hardship, lived a
quintessential Judaism with an enviable naturalness.”
—Jane
Mushabac, professor of English,
City University of New York, and
author of Mazal Bueno: A Portrait in Song of the Spanish Jews
author of Mazal Bueno: A Portrait in Song of the Spanish Jews
“The wisdom of the Sephardic
tradition, its breadth and spirit and song, beautifully
distilled for the general reader. A whole world of Jewish
spirituality comes alive in this book.”
—Rabbi
David Wolpe, Sinai Temple, Los
Angeles, and author of Floating
Takes Faith: Ancient Wisdom in a Modern World
“An excellent guide by one of the
foremost interpreters of Sephardic civilization. For scholars
as well as anyone seriously interested in Sephardic culture,
history, and society.”
—Avigdor
Levy, professor of Near Eastern and
Judaic Studies, Brandeis University
“Captures the essence of the
Sephardic Ottoman world with sensitivity, nuance and love.
Exudes warmth and pride as well as much valuable information.
No cultural expression of the Sephardic Jew is ignored in this
enduring work of great charm and learning.”
—Professor
Jane S. Gerber, director,
Center for Jewish Studies and the Institute for Sephardic
Studies, Graduate Center of the City University of New York
“A loving, critical, and wistful
look at the inner life of the Sephardim. Will be cherished by
Sephardim and Ashkenazim alike. Indeed, Ashkenazim will note
the intriguing parallels to their own history.”
—Dr.
Norman Lamm, chancellor,
Yeshiva University
“A great read and important book
illuminating the post inquisition destiny and rich spiritual
development of the Judeo-Spanish Sephardic community in the
Ottoman Empire—an essential and often neglected integral
part of the overall Jewish experience.”
—David E.
R. Dangoor, president,
American Sephardi Federation
