Jewish Bestiary

ISBN: 0827602456

Author: Podwal, Mark

Condition: Used

The world of the animal kingdom has illuminated the Jewish imagination throughout the centuries. Indeed, the earliest printed Jewish book, as far as is known, is a collection of illustrated medieval animal fables, Meshal HaKadmoni ("The Ancient Parable"). A Jewish Bestiary is a fit heir to this tradition.

Mark Podwal, the creator of A Book of Hebrew Letters, once again reveals a vital stream in the Jewish imagination by depicting twenty-five creatures, both real and fanciful, from among those which can be found in the traditional Jewish sources - biblical, talmudic, midrashic, and kabbalistic: from the ant to the ziz. Once more, the author and artist combines traditional Jewish themes with his own distinctive line. A spider plays on King David's harp The "pious" stork is shown donning phylacteries. The despised swine is represented merely by a shadow. Each drawing is accompanied by a facing text that enhances our understanding and appreciation.

The resulting juxtaposition of art with Jewish legend and lore is indicative of Podwal's profound sensibility. Here are the creatures that exert a special force on the Jewish fancy.