Vivian B. Mann

This excellently written and well-sourced book has inspired me, when I can find the time, to get back to my work on learning both the several versions of classical Hebrew and Arabic, and especially to read more of the poets and the Rambam's works in the wonderful medley of languages in which they were working. I suppose I will have to add Persian at some point to my toolbox in order to understand the original framework in which the earlier poetry was set.
I loved the way each set of cultural pieces was traced back to origins in the East, and then shown to have interacted in unique ways with the political environments in which the various competing kingdoms were seeking to attract talent and prestige to themselves, creating a unique environment (particularly starting around the reign of Alfonso X el Sabio, for the evolving Castilian language).
The Tahkemoni in particular is worth learning more about, and apparently in each of the relevant languages (I am also seeing poetry quoted in Turkish translation in the series Muhteşem Yüzyıl and the comments of modern Turkish readers on the need to read the poems in the original Persian).
A wonderful book to keep coming back to again and again.
21 May, 12017 HE
40th Day of the Omer, the 25th of Iyar 5777, which is the 24-Shaban-1438
Shira Dest.… (més)

This excellently written and well-sourced book has inspired me, when I can find the time, to get back to my work on learning both the several versions of classical Hebrew and Arabic, and especially to read more of the poets and the Rambam's works in the wonderful medley of languages in which they were working. I suppose I will have to add Persian at some point to my toolbox in order to understand the original framework in which the earlier poetry was set.
I loved the way each set of cultural pieces was traced back to origins in the East, and then shown to have interacted in unique ways with the political environments in which the various competing kingdoms were seeking to attract talent and prestige to themselves, creating a unique environment (particularly starting around the reign of Alfonso X el Sabio, for the evolving Castilian language).
The Tahkemoni in particular is worth learning more about, and apparently in each of the relevant languages (I am also seeing poetry quoted in Turkish translation in the series Muhteşem Yüzyıl and the comments of modern Turkish readers on the need to read the poems in the original Persian).
A wonderful book to keep coming back to again and again.
21 May, 12017 HE
40th Day of the Omer, the 25th of Iyar 5777, which is the 24-Shaban-1438
Shira Dest.… (més)

This is a catalog accompanying an exhibit at the Jewish Museum, New York, which was formally designated a project of the Spain '92 Foundation. Eight essays, a collection of catalog entries, and numerous photographs, mostly in color, reflect on the culture of Spain and al-Andalusia, and to a lesser extent Portugal and Navarre, between 711 and 1492. The focus is primarily upon the culture of the Jews, who, never being in political power, offer an interesting perspective on cultural cross-fertilization and tolerance on the Iberian peninsula.

I occasionally found the essays somewhat difficult to follow, not having much background in the various subjects. The greatest disappointment is that not all of the items in the exhibit are pictured, and so reading catalog descriptions of items that one cannot see is somewhat frustrating. An index would also have been very nice.

Despite these relatively minor criticisms, I found the book extremely enlightening, and considerably more subtle and complex than nostalgic views of a golden age. Particularly recommended in these times of religious and cultural strife.… (més)