{"product_id":"the-jewish-life-cycle-lore-and-iconography-jewish-customs-from-the-cradle-to-the-grave-9780195307597","title":"The Jewish Life Cycle Lore and Iconography Jewish Customs from the Cradle to the Grave","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis volume describes the major \"rites of passage\" of the Jewish life cycle. From birth  through circumcision  to marriage  divorce  sickness  death and mourning  Daniel Sperber presents detailed descriptions of the major customs attending these events. These customs are examined in light of their original sources  their integration and evolution in varying Jewish communities  and the popular explanations given for their practice  both historically and today. This book draws on the whole spectrum of rabbinic literature  comparing its stories and explanations with folk beliefs of other cultures throughout the world. Sperber makes use of a wide range of resources--medieval and modern  legal  folkloristic  anthropological and literary-in his discussion of customs  proving that Jewish communities were never isolated from their environment. He also examines in depth the earliest origins of many of our well-known and commonly practiced Jewish customs. This book makes use of iconographic material found in illustrated books written by non-Jews describing Jewish practice. These illustrations are analyzed in detail  constituting yet another rich source for the understanding of the evolution of Jewish customs. Customs  by their nature  are often taken for granted. In this book  Daniel Sperber offers an expert  detailed  and lively analysis of some of the most and least commonly practiced customs in Jewish tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45495950966837,"sku":"ByrdShop_0195307593","price":150.08,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780195307597.jpg?v=1780904050","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-jewish-life-cycle-lore-and-iconography-jewish-customs-from-the-cradle-to-the-grave-9780195307597","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}