Scholars Hail Publication of Apocrypha
THE JEWISH NEWS-1 1
Friday, September 8, 1950
Jews in Sports
By HASKELL COHEN
(Copyright, 1950, Jewish Telegraphic
Agency, Inc.)
The publication of "The First Book of Mac-
cabees," initial book in a thirty volume series on
"Jewish Apocryphal Literature," was celebrated
at a luncheon given by Harper and Bros. for Dr.
Abraham A. Neuman and the 20-man editorial
board who are at work on this scholarly under-
taking of The Dropsie College. To cost over $100,-
000, and to take 10 years for completion, this
project is the greatest work of Jewish scholar-
ship of this generation. Left to right: Dr. Solo-
Publication a few days ago of
"The First .Boo:: of Maccabees"
in the Greek translation with
its accompanying text in Eng-
lish highlights the cultural ac-
tivities of the American Jewish
community and of the leading
scholars of our time.
This first issue of the 30-vol-
ume "Jewish Apocryphal Litera-
ture," publish e d by Harper
& Bros., under the sponsorship
of Dropsie College of Philadel-
phia, during the coming 10
years, already presages the im-
pressiveness of the entire shelf.
Containing a complete analysis
of the Book of Maccabees and
an evaluation of the condi-
tions which marked the Macca-
bean era in Jewish history, the
reader is introduced to the reli-
gious and historical aspects of
the vast subject.
American Jewry's most noted
scholars participated in prepar-
ing the first volume and will
guide in the preparation of the
forthcoming books. In the fore-
word to the first book, Dr. Abra-
ham A. Neuman, president of
Dropsie College, points out that:
Sefarim Hizanim
"The writings generally known
as the Apocrypha and Pseudepi-
grapha" are a part of Jewish
literature belonging chiefly • to
the period of the Second Com-
monwealth. Some of the writ-
ings were composed in the tradi-
tions of prophecy; others are
akin to the Wisdom literature or
the narrative historical books of
the Bible. Those works which
originated in Palestine were
written in Hebrew or Aramaic.
The books composed in Greek
were by Jewish authors who
lived in Hellenistic centers be-
yond the borders of Palestine.
All of these writings are of Bib-
lical character and presumably
laid claim to sacred rank among
the Scriptures. But they failed
of admission to the canon. To
emphasize their rejection, the
Jewish religious authorities
banned these works from circu-
lation. They were declared
Sefarim Hizanim, rejected works
to be hidden or kept secret. The
mon Zeitlin, professor of rabbinical literature at
Dropsie, editor-in-chief of the series and author
of the introduction and commentary of the first
volume; Cass Canfield, chairman of the board
of Harpers; Dr. Neuman, president of Dropsie
and chairman of the sponsoring Editorial Board;
Dr. Robert H. Pfeiffer of Harvard, president of the
Society of Biblical Literature. who praised the
venture in an addresS at the luncheon; and
Rabbi Sidney S. Tedesche of Brooklyn, N.Y.,
,translator of the first volume.
equivalent designation in Greek
was apocrypha."
In his scholarly 'explanation
of the apocrypha, Dr. Neuman
shows how it influenced the
New Testament. He declares
that "the time has long passed
since the reading or dissemina-
tion of these books could in any
way be considered detrimental
to the Jewish religion. On the
contrary, we deem it an act of
redemption to reclaim these
works for the Jewish people and
to restore them to their rightful
place of honor in Jewish litera-
ture."
Work of Noted Scholars
The English translation of the
"First Book of Maccabees" was
done by Dr. Sidney Tedesche.
Dr. Solomon Zeitlin, professor of
rabbinical literature at Dropsie
College, edited the work and
wrote the illuminating introduc-
tion. Eminent scholars read Dr.
Zeitlin's scholarly essay, and the
book therefore carries with it
the endorsement and acclaim of
our cultural leaders.
Outlining the first book in the
monumental series as a signifi-
cant historical narrative, Dr.
Zeitlin describes the position of
the Eastern Mediterranean un-
der the successors of Alexander
the Great and reviews the in-
ternal struggle in Judea, the
Hellenistic influences and the
conflicts between Antiochus and
the JeWs.
His analysis of the contents of
the book is presented by chap-
ters. Its clarity assists the read-
er regardleSs of his previous
background. Dealing with the
authorship, date and language
of the first book, Prof. Zeitlin
states that the only author of
an apocryphal book known by
name is Ben Sirah, the others
bearing the name of the hero or
being ascribed to a figure in an-
tiquity; the date is generally
agreed to be near the beginning
of the reign of John Hyrcanus
(136 BCE) and the language is
claimed originally to have been
Hebrew, later transliterated into
Greek.
State documents recorded in
HOLIDAY
GREETINGS!
the book are pointed_ to as
marking major departures in
Jewish history. Prof. Zeitlin has
put in a great deal of effort in
dealing with this portion of his
introduction, the enriching val-
ue of which will be recognized
with gratitude by historians.
The notes in the Appendix,
the complete index, the attrac-
tive composition add to the val-'
ue of this book which marks the
beginning of an important
chapter in Jewish literary his-
tory. The value of this new se-
ries for non-Jews as well as
Jews is unquestioned. The long
list of scholars whose coopera-
tion has been enlisted in the
preparation of the Jewish Apo-
cryphal Literature series adds to
the glory that is certain to be
attached to this grealt undertak-
ing.
TEL AVIV, (JTA) — An un-
named Egyptian statesman was
quoted by the Saudi Arabian
radio as having suggested the
immediate launching of peace
negotiations between Israel and
the Arab states.
The broadcast said that the
Egyptian dismissed reports of an
economic crisis in Israel, de-
claring that "so long as the
United States, the richest coun-
try in the world, continues to
support the Jews, the state of
Israel will never suffer." The
statesman was further quoted
as saying that the "Arabs must
either fight the Jews—a foolish
enterprise — or display wisdom
by making peace."
A broadcast from Bagdad said
today that the Iraqi Govern-
ment notified the UN of its re-
fusal to give military assistance
to the UN in the Korean con-
flict.
Wish
Uou
Amsterdam Press
and
W. J. White & Co.
467 Amsterdam
nr5 i=s5tvn
5N
This touching plea
which -is one of the
most moving of all the
Holy Day prayers car-
ries with it an admon-
ition for every day in
our lives. As the years
roll by, we dream of
the future and we
hope for peace and
joy and security. Such
protection r e q u ires
realistic planning
which will give you
the peace of mind
that the prayer "For-
sake sUs Not" invokes.
I.
and Youro
-A -"hippy
fle
w
ear
Columbus Mutual Life Insurance Co.
D. E. BALL, PRESIDENT
COLUMBUS, OHIO
ore
r;
We wish to extend our
sincerest greetings to all
our friends and relatives
and to the entire Jewish
community on the occasion
of t h e challenging N e w
Year 5711. The great hap-
penings in Israel resulting
from the creation of the
Jewish State are a source
of pride to Israel's kin
everywhere. They call for
renewed effort in assuring
Israel's security. At the
same time, the battle for
justice and human rights
continues throughout the
world. May the New Year
witness the realizations of
all human aspirations for a
better world and for peace
for all mankind.
Talk Peace with Israel,
Says Egypt Statesman
e
IN OUR OLD AGE"
nzrzin rizlt rit1re5
•
w
"FORSAKE US NOT
Saul Rogovin has failed again
in trying to make the grade as
a pitcher with the Detroit Ti-
gers, current leaders in the
American League pennant race.
After winning a few games, Saul
has been shunted to Toledo in
the American Association. The
New York lad started off well
and indicated that he would
make the big time this year.
Evidently manager Red Rolfe
thinks he needs more seasoning
and consequently he has been
shipped down to Toledo where
he joins Myron Ginsberg to
form an All-Jewish battery.
*•*
Al Rosen, of the Cleveland In-
dians, was part - of the trio
which recently tied a major
league record by hitting home
runs three consecutive times at
bat. Larry Doby and Luke Eas-
ter were the other two home
run hitters who tied the record
with Rosen.
* * •
Myron Ginsberg of Toledo,
leading the American Associa-
tion in batting with a .357 aver-
age for 35 games, some day will
be the first-string catcher for
the Detroit Tigers.
* * •
The latest baseball averages
show that Harry Feldman, for-
mer N.Y. Giant hurler, is up
with the Pacific coast winners
with an 11-8 record for San
Francisco.
605 FOX BLDG.
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