The Day the Rabbi Disappeared: Jewish Holiday Tales of Magic

by Howard Schwartz

Noted folklorist Howard Schwartz retells 12 Jewish tales from around the world. Each tale combines elements of magic with a link to a Jewish holiday, giving new perspectives on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover—plus Shabbat, the weekly Sabbath. These memorable stories of holiday miracles and miraculous escapes have been passed down orally for thousands of years. Now the best of them—from “A Flock of Angels” to “The Enchanted Menorah” and “The Magic Winecup”—have been collected, and enriched by Monique Passicot’s luminous illustrations.

Genres: Judaism, Picture Books, Childrens

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Howard Schwartz is Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is a prolific writer who has published fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. In searching for themes and images for his work in various genres, he has often found his inspiration in biblical, midrashic, and kabbalistic lore. Many of his works retell ancient folktales, reflecting his belief in the importance of passing cultural lore from one generation to the next. His poetry frequently reflects the dreamlike and mysterious elements of Jewish mythology.

Reviews

[Fred Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much fun as The Diamond Tree: Jewish Tales from Around the World by the same author, but more informative. It would probably still work for youngish kids if they skipped the explanatory notes at the end of each tale.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic tales and nice connected to the holidays.