Wise... and Not So Wise: Ten Tales from the Rabbis

By Phillis Gershator

Book Overview

Talmudic and midrashic folklore use the teachings of the ancient sages to answer questions and teach moral lessons, often with a dash of humor. In this delightful collection of stories, Phillis Gershator takes these spiritual and folkloric elements and weaves them together with her own unique humor and wisdom to create a very special version of the wondrous tales that have captivated readers for centuries. Gershator, inspired by hearing talmudic and midrashic tales from her late father-in-law (a rabbi), has assembled ten of her favorites in this volume. Stories of flying rabbis, miraculous loaves of bread, wise women, muscle-bound angels, and goats that carry bears on their heads will enchant children of all ages and those who read to them. From "Making It Rain," about a husband and wife who helped bring rain to a parched land, to "The Observant Cow," a religious cow who manages to convert a nonbeliever into an observant Jew, each story contains lessons, truths, jokes, surprises, and happy endings. Author's notes help readers understand the subtle meaning of each story.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0827608934
• ISBN13: 9780827608931
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
• Length: 120 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 7.0" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5