The Jerusalem Publishing House

THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIAOF JUDAISM

Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Geoffrey Wigoder,

co editors: Fred Skolnik and Rabbi Dr. Shmuel Himelstein

Judaism implies faith and beliefs, complex practices and a whole way of life. These are mirrored in this lavishly illustrated one-volume encyclopedia made up of approximately 1200 entries, including hundreds of special articles covering subjects in analytical depth, as well as short biographies of the major figures in the story of Judaism.

Issues of practical interest today are give special attention, such as the article RABBI, RABBINATE, which includes a consideration of the various attitudes toward the ordination of women; MEDICAL ETHICS relates to Abortion, Artificial insemination, Autopsies, Birth control, Euthanasia, Surrogate mother...

The contributors are drawn from leading authorities the world over, and the editors, who are eminent scholars with Orthodox, Conservative and Reform backgrounds have ensured that, where relevant, the viewpoint of each trend is accurately rendered. The book also reflects the attitudes and customs of different communities.

The articles are based on the latest scholarship, presented so as to interest and inform the student and the layman. A special feature of the encyclopedia is its distinctive layout, which displays tables and insets containing, for example, texts of prayers, the major laws and practices relating to the subject of the entry, sayings and aphorisms.

Cross references and an index guide the reader to subjects treated within the articles but which do not have separate entries. A general biography as a guide to further reading appears at the end of the work.