The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-02
The Jewish EncyclOpedia.

The appearance of the first volume of the
Jewish Encyclopedia about two years ago,
created a considerable stir among Hebrew
scholars in Europe. That the United States,
of all other countries, should have taken
the initiative in a matter of this charac-
ter, was as unexpected as it was crafty
ing. The need of such a work had long
been felt, not only by members of the
Hebrew race. but by students generally.
The unique position which Israel has oc-
cupied among the nations of the world,
during the many centuries of its his
torical existence. makes such an encyclo-
pedia a treasure house of information to
the students of any Of the subjects connect
ed with the intellectual and spiritual evo-
luton of the human race. Apart from the
scattered facts concerning the Jews. which
one finds in the histories and literature
of other nations, the Jews have preserved
vast ancient literature of their own,
which forms a remarkable contribution to
our knowledge of the past.
The third volume of the Jewish Encyclo-
pedia brings the record of the history, re-
ligion literature and customs of the Jew
present day, to "Chazanuth." For interest
and usefulness the present installment of
this most important work. II anything,
surpasses the two preceding volumes. The
articles of the Bible take up sixty pages
and are all by acknowledged experts. The
articles on Jewish folklore are very enter
tanning. A striking example is the rab-
binical Interpretation. in which the legend
of the golden calf Is explained
There Is not a page of this encyclopedia
which does not contain information i'm an
attractive form. The variety of it's con-
tents will be apparent from this portion
of the alphabetical list of the articles:
erland); Bernard of Clairvaux; Berthold
of Regensburg; Able Bertolio; Besancon
tFrance); Bessarabia; Beziers France) !;
Bismarck, Prince Otto; Black Death; Blois
(France): Bokhara Asia; Bohemia; b.
logna: Bonn-on-the-R Rhine: Bordeaux; Bos-
MIA; Bosporus. the Cimmerian: Branden-
burg; Brittany CFrance): Brunswick; Buch-
Arrest; Budapest: Bulgaria; Burgos; By
zantine Empire; Caesar, Julius; Caesarea !;
Calcutta; Califs. the: Carinthia (Austria) !;
Casmir III of Poland; Catacombs; Cata-
lonia: Catherine Ill OF Russia; Caucasus;
Cayenne.
The achievements of Jewish notables are
set forth with impartiality and fairness
Settlements are described. Every branch
influence of the Jew on his neighbours
and of his neighbors on the Jew. is shown.
As specimen OF the strict Justice of the
biographers, the account of the career of
Judah Philip Benjamin. the brain of the
Confederacy. may be referred to.
In the preparation OF this volume of the
JEWISH EnCytlOpcuid d0uoSlX-
ty-five editors and collaborators have been
employed. The volume contains twelve
hundred and thirty-six articles. The list
of contributors includes a number OF we'll
known scholars in Russia, Germany and
other European countries; but the editors
are in the United States and the bulk of
the work is being done under their imme-
date guidance. The work, when complet-
ed. will consist of twelve volumes; three
of which have already been issued III Is
estimated that the cost of the work will
be about 100000. and the encyclopedia be
completed about Jan. l. 1906.