An electronic edition of the original JPS three-volume
set.
Mekhilta de-Rabbi Ishmael is a classic collection of
midrash. It contains commentary on a large part of the Book of Exodus (chapters
12 to 23) and represents the two main modes of interpretation: the halakhah
(legal doctrine), and the aggadah (moral and religious teachings). The work also
contains allusions to historical events and ancient legends not found
elsewhere.
The current edition retains the original text from the Jewish
Publication Society's 1933 edition with Hebrew and English on facing
pages and the original indexes. English is completely reset in order to allow a
full-text search. The pagination, however is retained to
allow easy use in conjunction with numerous other works which refer to
this "Judaism's first Scriptural Encyclopedia" as Jacob Neusner called
it.
This classic work is widely recognized as a model of meticulous and
thorough scholarship. Its translation is accurate, straightforward, and usable
by scholars, students, and lay readers. Out of print for many years, it is
heralded as an important reissue that should belong to every rabbi, rabbinical
school, and Jewish Studies professor, and is an important addition to synagogue
libraries and public libraries with Judaica
collections.
About
the Author -- Mekhilta de-Rabbi Ishmael (3 vols.)
Jacob Lauterbach (tr.) ---
Jacob Lauterbach (1873-1942) was born in Galicia, studied in
Germany, and received rabbinical ordination. In 1903 he immigrated to
America and later became professor of Talmud at the Hebrew Union
College. A prolific author, his greatest work is considered to be his
edition of the Mekhilta, originally published in 1933.
About
the Author -- Mekhilta de-Rabbi Ishmael (3 vols.)