Wise Words: Jewish Thoughts And Stories Through The Ages

Wise Words reflects the collective memory that is shaped by the stories, humor, melodies, rituals, recipes, and values that have been passed on for generations, some of which the author plans to pass on to her own four daughters.

Wise Words is a collection of aphorisms and poetry from the Bible, the Talmud, Hasidic tales, and contemporary literature with an emphasis throughout on women's voices, so often unheard. On any given topic, one might read the words of Isaiah, the teachings of Maimonides, passages from Grace Paley, Cynthia Ozick, and I.B. Singer, along with scattered Yiddish folk sayings. Major themes include Jewish writers' insights and thoughts on life, family, marriage, friendship, charity, kindness, ethics, faith, foods, holidays, nature, wisdom, death, and the arts.