Pesach suggested reading material

While Pesach is a time for Torah, family, and food, Yom Tov is also perfect for finding a good book to read (or magazines and articles of course).

Here is a suggested reading list of newer titles, pesach related books, and some older titles that make for a really good read. I tried   to highlight books that I enjoyed reading and that are highly readable.

1. Glikl: Memoirs 1691-1719. - The memoirs of a Jewish businesswoman from the late 17th-early 18th century are a must read and fascinating view into Jewish life of the time in Germany. This new translation with notes is the first time the full text has been published in English and it is a great book to read over pesach. Note: Perhaps skip chapter 1 to start as it’s Mussar she is relying to her family. Purchase: https://amzn.to/4aYpC8l

2. The Cairo Genizah and the Age of Discovery in Egypt: The History and Provenance of a Jewish Archive — Discusses the world of 19th century manuscript & artifact collectors and the origins of the Cairo Genizah discovery. Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1788319648/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_W2TX75EVV4WJNVKRTW0D?linkCode=ml2&tag=seforimchat00-20

3. The Shochet: A Memoir of Jewish Life in Ukraine and Crimea: Part I. - Another memoir, this is an intimate look at life in Jewish Ukraine in the late 19th century. The author was a fabulous writer and the book is a pleasure to read. Also includes a lengthy introduction as well as copious notes by the editor. Purchase: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGYXMB8R/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_Z9W72JPZ7J0DA2BBMCVG?linkCode=ml2&tag=seforimchat00-20

4. First Impressions: Sefer Hasidim and Early Modern Hebrew Printing  — For those interested in the early era of print and book history. The book details early Hebrew printing, and how a “book” as we know it (namely, Sefer Chasidim) came to be in the form we have it today. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it. Purchase: https://amzn.to/441eh5e

5. The Sassoons: The Great Global Merchants and the Making of an Empire — This book details the rise and fall of a Jewish Iraqi family who move to India and establish a financial empire. Purchase: https://amzn.to/4aJvRxi

6. Diary of a Black Jewish Messiah: The Sixteenth-Century Journey of David Reubeni through Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. - A swashbuckling tale of fact — or fiction? — by David Reuveni, the purported brother of the king of some of the lost tribes, who appears in Europe in the mid 16yh century. Purchase: https://amzn.to/4cXVcVz

7. For the Freedom of Zion: The Great Revolt of Jews against Romans, 66–74 CE — An in-depth look at the war against the Romans that resulted in the Churban Bais HaMikdash, this book is a highly recommended read. Purchase: https://amzn.to/3Jp16RW

8. Menasseh ben Israel: Rabbi of Amsterdam — A biography of a fascinating Rabbi who argued for the re-admittance of the Jews to England in the 17th century (amongst a fascinating life) this is a quick read about a tremendous figure who you may not have heard of. Purchase: https://amzn.to/3UkGUXD

9. A Vision of Yemen: The Travels of a European Orientalist and His Native Guide, A Translation of Hayyim Habshush's Travelogue. — Something a little different, this is a unique insiders view of 19th century Yemen and its Jewish community. Purchase:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1503607739/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_4K2976ZXTBY2M6V66EBQ?linkCode=ml2&tag=seforimchat00-20

10. Journey to the Vanished City — This is a modern day Indiana Jones story of searching for the origins of an African tribe and their purported connection to the Ten Lost Tribes. I really enjoyed this one as well. Purchase: https://amzn.to/3xFF6zQ

11. Jewish Soldiers in the Civil War: The Union Army — For those interested in American history this book is a really great look at the Jewish soldiers who served in the Union army (the author is working on the sequel about Jewish soldiers in the Confederate army). Purchase: https://amzn.to/3Q2AOsw

12. The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel: Exodus. — For those who enjoy Egyptology & archeology, this coffee table book expounds on these themes and they connect to the Torah. Purchase: https://amzn.to/4aUUC9e

13. Moda'ah L’Beis Yisrael on the Machine Matzah Controversy — This new edition contains all the original Tshuvos regarding the controversy + new, as well as a lengthy introduction to the topic by Rabbi Dr. Eliezer Brodt, and a lengthy article about Machine Matzah in Yerushalayim by R’ Yechiel Goldhaber. Purchase: https://www.ebay.com/itm/395333917008

14. Also, although not exactly Pesach reading material, my own newly edited edition of Toras Chaim on Maseches Avodas Zarah is available for purchase here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/375351866559.

    Includes a 15 page bio (with color scans of the originals), all the old Haskamos, the introduction of the Toras Chaim (d. 1632), and the introduction of his son & son-in-law. This all besides for the actual Sefer which has sources, notes, and many censored passages replaced for the 1st time since the 1734 edition.