The Legends of the Jews: From the Creation to Jacob (Volume 1)
One of the masterworks of twentieth century Jewish scholarship was Louis Ginzberg'sLegends of the Jews, or, more accurately,Legends of the Bible... For scholars, Ginzberg's book is a monumental work of research. But for the general reader, it is a gateway into a world, a world where the imagination roamed and the spirit was free. You will discover that Adam had a previous wife, before Eve, that Cain repented and was forgiven, that Abraham missed Ishmael and went to see him several times after the expulsion, and that Rebecca was a worthy successor to Sarah. If you are not a scholar, put aside the two volumes of notes for a while and enjoy the legends themselves. The Bible will never be the same for you again, if you do.(Rabbi Jack ReimerSouth Florida Jewish Journal.)