A Gathering of Angels: Angels in Jewish Life and Literature

by Morris B. Margolies

Overview

A Gathering of Angels: Angels in Jewish Life and Literature looks at Jewish history in a unique way–through the eyes of angels. A rabbi and a scholar, Morris B. Margolies pores through nearly three thousand years of literature and lore in an enlightening exploration of the angels, who shape and reflect Jewish beliefs, hopes, and fears.
This unique gathering encompasses angels from familiar biblical tales such as the angels on Jacob's ladder, Elijah the prophet-angel, and Satan, the most famous fallen angel–as well as angels from more esoteric texts and sources like the mystical classic Zohar, hasidic tales, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
An engaging compendium of angelic lore, A Gathering of Angels is also a memorable study of the evolving role of angels–from Biblical times to the present, from messenger of God to metaphor for good and evil.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765760487
Publisher:	Aronson, Jason Inc.
Publication date:	03/31/2000
Pages:	274
Product dimensions:	7.32(w) x 7.54(h) x 1.15(d)

About the Author

Morris B. Margolies is Rabbi Emeritus of Beth Shalom Congregation of Kansas City, Missouri, and a former professor of Jewish history at the University of Kansas. He was ordained by Yeshiva University, has a master's degree from the University of Chicago, and also holds a doctorate in Jewish History from Columbia University. Rabbi Margolies is the author of numerous books, including Torah Vision, Ten Turning Points in Jewish History, The Jew of the Century, Syllabus for the Teaching of Jewish History, and the reissued A Gathering of Angels. He has also contributed both scholarly and popular articles to many periodicals. His major scholarly work is Samuel David Luzzatto, which was published in 1979. He was the last of the pupils of the preeminent Jewish historian, Salo W. Baron, to defend his doctoral dissertation with Baron presiding. Rabbi Margolies and his wife, Ruth, reside in Leawood, Kansas. They are the parents of Daniel, Jonathan, and Malka, and have five grandchildren.

What People are Saying About This

Chaim Potok

A captivating work that will well reward the reader. . . . A well-researched and clearly written guide through one of the most fascinating aspects of Judaism: the multi-faceted world of angels from the sacred time of the Bible to the secular time of Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Elie Wiesel

In this book, Morris Margolies charms and enlightens his readers with his timeless tales of wonder and being.

Editorial Reviews

A captivating work that will well reward the reader.. .. A well-researched and clearly written guide through one of the most fascinating aspects of Judaism: the multi-faceted world of angels from the sacred time of the Bible to the secular time of Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Chaim Potok

In this book, Morris Margolies charms and enlightens his readers with his timeless tales of wonder and being.

Elie Wiesel

Angels are big--very big--right at the moment. As a testament to this sweeping assault on our predominantly secular pop culture, an angel recently appeared on the cover of "Newsweek". Margolies' small-format, airily designed volume looks like another product fresh off the angel assembly-line--the checkout-counter gift book. But appearances can deceive, especially where angels are concerned. For example, most books about angels deal with the Christian variety, but Margolies focuses on Jewish angels. No mere collection of angelic trivia, the book supplies a wealth of solid historical information and is written in an almost scholarly manner, whether the topic is angels in antiquity, in literature and mysticism, or throughout Jewish history. Margolies even extends his range beyond benevolent angels, offering a provocative discussion of Satan and his band of lost angels. A thoughtful, fascinating look at a hot topic.

Ilene Cooper