The Jewish Encyclopaedia

July 4, 2004 11:56 PM

The Jewish Encyclopaedia. 'This website contains the complete contents of the 12-volume Jewish Encyclopedia, which was originally published between 1901-1906. The Jewish Encyclopedia, which recently became part of the public domain, contains over 15,000 articles and illustrations.'
posted by plep (9 comments total)

Palestine: "The portion of Syria which was formerly the possession of the Israelites. ..."

Uh-huh.
posted by scarabic at 12:42 AM on July 5, 2004

very interesting, thanks plep.
posted by t r a c y at 4:08 AM on July 5, 2004

Great reference site.

[Bethany] with its olive-, fig-, almond-, and carob-trees, is a little oasis in that barren region.

Being "a little oasis in a barren region" is much nicer than the "house of poverty" definition given in most baby name books.
posted by orange swan at 7:24 AM on July 5, 2004

Many thanks for the great link.
posted by caddis at 9:04 AM on July 5, 2004

cool! THANKS PLEP. Scarabic, for 1906 Jewish document that is a pretty accurate description, and one that would match many other encylcopedias of the day, I would imagine. Also it's a filip for those who try to point out that modern Zionist history completely whitewashes the existence of Palestine, here is a document which has hundreds of references to it. So...
posted by cell divide at 9:23 AM on July 5, 2004

What to look for in the Jewish encyclopedia? Golem, of course.
posted by Termite at 10:27 AM on July 5, 2004

How to create a golem from the comfort of home.
posted by homunculus at 10:41 AM on July 5, 2004

Umm, Scarabic... that was the definition in 1906... Before Israel existed in its modern conception. Just, you know, for perspective and a little reality check.
posted by swerdloff at 3:28 PM on July 5, 2004

this is great--thanks! I read up on Wilna (some of my great-grandparents came to the US from there in '06) This is something: The census of 1902 showed about 80,000 Jews in a total population of 162,633. It really is a whole lost world.
posted by amberglow at 8:03 PM on July 5, 2004