Louis Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews: Ancient Jewish Folk Literature Reconsidered (Raphael Patai Series in Jewish Folklore and Anthropology)

At the beginning of the twentieth century, many perceived American Jewry to be in a state of crisis as traditions of faith faced modern sensibilities.

Published beginning in 1909, Rabbi and Professor Louis Ginzberg’ s seven- volume The Legends of the Jews appeared at this crucial time and offered a landmark synthesis of aggadah from classical Rabbinic literature and ancient folk legends from a number of cultures.