Ancient Jewish Proverbs

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Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Ancient Jewish Proverbs

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

This volume presents approximately 350 traditional Jewish proverbs sourced from the Talmud and Mishnah, offering historical context, commentary, and English parallels. Part of the Wisdom of the East series, it aims to foster understanding between East and West by illuminating the life, thought, and philosophy of the Jewish people through their popular sayings.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Ancient Jewish Proverbs*, Abraham Cohen presents a comprehensive collection of wisdom drawn from Rabbinic literature, distinguishing between the polished poetry of biblical texts and the genuine, unpolished folk proverbs of the common people. Published in 1911, the work serves as a vital index to the inner life, morals, and worldview of the Jewish community during the early era of the common count. Cohen meticulously classifies these sayings into thematic categories including human existence, family life, virtues, faults, occupations, and social conduct, prioritizing accessibility by omitting original Hebrew texts to avoid alienating readers unfamiliar with the language. The book draws heavily from authoritative sources such as the Mishnah, the Babylonian and Palestinian Talmuds, and various Midrashim. Cohen notes that Rabbis frequently quoted these common sayings to emphasize legal points or derive laws, often introducing them with phrases like "That is what men say" or "The proverb says." He acknowledges his debt to earlier scholars like Leopold Dukes and Dr. M. Lewin, yet improves upon their works by rectifying references and introducing a fresh classification system based on subjects rather than alphabetical order. Cohen argues that proverbs are the "People's Voice," offering the most accurate record of a community's vernacular and daily interactions, unlike the literary language of academies. These sayings reflect the variety of conditions under which different nations live; for instance, agricultural communities produce proverbs about nature, while mercantile ones focus on commerce. The collection illustrates universal human experiences through specific cultural lenses, such as the proverb "When the ox falls, they sharpen their knives," which warns against opportunism. Themes of justice, charity, slander, and pride permeate the text. Cohen explores the nature of knowledge and the dangers of bribery, using vivid imagery like the camel seeking horns and losing its ears to illustrate the loss of what one possesses through excessive desire. He also addresses the concept of retribution, noting that wickedness often recoils upon the perpetrator. By presenting these ancient maxims alongside English parallels, Cohen aims to foster understanding between East and West, revealing how the Jewish people viewed their existence and the divine order at the turn of the twentieth century.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• Philosophy