Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism
Schwartz notes in his impressive introduction that some may be surprised at the idea of a Jewish mythology since Judaism is a monotheistic religion, meaning there can be no interaction among multiple gods, one of the hallmarks of mythology. Yet the Bible, Schwartz notes, is written so compactly that there is plenty of room for interpretation, and out of interpretation, mythology flowers. Drawing from the Bible, from the Talmud and Midrash, and from kabbalistic literature and medieval folklore, Schwartz explicates nearly 700 Jewish myths organized around broad themes such as myths of creation, heaven, and the Messiah. Some are familiar, such as the stories about Adam's first wife, Lilith, but most are not well known, although they are linked directly to biblical stories. For instance, one section begins with the Genesis story of Cain and Abel and then follows with myths about various aspects of the brothers' lives. Going beyond the mythologies, Schwartz provides a wealth of supplementary information including sources and other world myths. This remarkable work will be of interest to both the scholar and the browser.Ilene CooperCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.