Books by Raphael Patai

Spans a half-century of scholarly inquiry by the noted anthropologist and biblical scholar Raphael Patai. He essays collected in this volume, some of which are presented for the first time in English translation, provide a rich harvest of Jewish customs and traditional beliefs, gathered from all over the world and from ancient to modern times.

In 1839, Muslims attacked the Jews of Meshhed, murdering 36 of them, and forcing the conversion of the rest. While some managed to escape across the Afghan border, and some turned into true believing Muslims, the majority adopted Islam only outwardly, while secretly adhering to their Jewish faith. Jadid al-Islam is the fascinating story of how this community managed to survive, at the risk of their lives, as crypto-Jews in an inimical Shi'i Muslim environment. Based on unpublished original Persian sources and interviews with members of the existing Meshhed community in Jerusalem and New York, this study documents the history, traditions, tales, customs, and institutions of the Jadid al-Islam-"e;New Muslims."e;

?Should prove of great value to all students of the Middle East.?-Times (London) Literary Supplement

Recreates the fascinating world of Jewish seafaring from Noah's voyage through the Diaspora of late antiquity. This book weaves together Biblical stories, Talmudic lore, and Midrash literature to bring alive the world of these ancient mariners. It demonstrates the importance of the sea in the lives of Jews throughout early recorded history.