Big Little Book of Jewish Wit & Wisdom - Hardcover

Berk, Sally Ann

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1579121462 ISBN 13: 9781579121464

Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal, 2000

Synopsis

This small, chunky volume presents the witty, wonderful, deadpan and droll insight of the Jewish culture. Chapters on Wisdom, Mitzvahs, Dybbuks, Proverbs, Jokes, Curses, Conventions, Mores (ethics), Love & Marriage, Men & Women, Children & Family provide reflections gleaned from a wealth of ancient, traditional and modern sources. The range of wise observations on the ways of the world, snappy one-liners, stories and expressions captures the spirit of the Jews throughout the centuries. Illustrated with sixty watercolor paintings, The Big Little Book of Jewish Wit & Wisdom will delight and engage even the toughest Jewish mother.

Some examples:

When we hear a baby laugh, it is the loveliest thing that can happen to us.--Sigmund Freud

A child's wisdom is also wisdom.--Yiddish proverb

I don't believe in the afterlife, although I am bringing a change of underwear.--Woody Allen

May you lose all your teeth but one, and may that one have a cavity.--Anonymous (Yiddish curse)

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

A Jewish man with parents alive is a fifteen-year-old boy and will remain a fifteen-year old boy until they die. -Philip Roth

A blend of classic moral proverbs, witty jokes and animated curses, The Big Little Book of Jewish Wit and Wisdom offers the spirit of ancient traditions and modern day humor to help you reflect on life's everyday encounters and conflicts. Create your own "Jewish" take on life with chapters on Religion and Spirituality, Love, Food and Drink, Curses and Insults, and, of course, Jewish Mothers. With everything from thought provoking quotes by such prominent Jewish scholars as Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud and Elie Wiesel to engaging meditations by Gertrude Stein and Marcel Proust to humorous quips by entertainers like Woody Allen, Roseanne Barr and Mel Brooks, The Big Little Book of Jewish Wit and Wisdom offers a rich selection drawn from a wealth of both classic and contemporary sources. Whether you are looking for an inspiring quote, a juicy curse or a traditional blessing, The Big Little Book of Jewish Wit and Wisdom has a wise, humorous or inspirational comment for every occasion. And it's the perfect gift-even for the toughest of Jewish mothers.

From the Back Cover:

From wry observations to poignant Yiddish expressions, traditional quotes to modern teachings, this enchanting collection offers the wisdom and humor of Jewish culture. Whether you're in need of a good laugh or an inspirational quote, you will find it with proverbs and reflections like these:

-He who has fed a stranger may have fed an angel. -The Talmud

-Where two Jews, three opinions. -A Jewish Proverb

-I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that -Lauren Bacall

-If your wife is short, bend down and listen to her. -The Talmud

-Vision looks inwards and becomes duty. Vision looks outwards and becomes aspiration. Vision looks upwards and becomes faith. -Stephen Wise

About this edition

• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1579121462
• ISBN 13: 9781579121464
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 128