Raphael Patai Series in Jewish Folklore and Anthropology

In Tales in Context: Sefer ha-ma’asim in Medieval Northern France, Rella Kushelevsky enlightens the stories’ meanings and reflects the circumstances and environment for Jewish lives in medieval France. Although a selection of tales was previously published, this is the first publication of a Hebrew-English annotated edition in its entirety, revealing fresh insight.

"This important book provides Jewish Studies scholars, medievalists and students of European culture with a point of entry into the sources that both shape and reflect the complex worlds of medieval northern-French Jews. The profound literary, comparative and historical analysis, supplemented by an annotated edition and translation of the medieval tales and a facsimile edition of the beautiful Bodleian Library manuscript, turn this book into a treasure trove." – Ephraim Shoham-Steiner, professor in the department of Jewish history at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev