In Queen Esther's Garden: An Anthology of Judeo-Persian Literature

In Queen Esther's Garden: An Anthology of Judeo-Persian Literature

This wide-ranging anthology brings to English-language readers for the first time the riches of the Judeo-Persian literary tradition. The collection represents a variety of writings produced by the Jewish community of Iran―perhaps the oldest continuous Diaspora community in the world. Vera Basch Moreen has gathered texts written between the eighth and nineteenth centuries, including fragments of early documents, verse renditions of biblical books, prayers, religious poetry, secular poetry, commentaries, and historical chronicles. Most of the translations have been made by Moreen specifically for this anthology. Extensive notes accompany each selection to clarify its meaning in Jewish and Islamic history and legend. Judeo-Persian texts, written in classical Persian but using the Hebrew alphabet, reflect profound Muslim influences as well as the extent of original thought and expression among Jewish-Persian writers. This welcome anthology of their literature provides access to a deeper understanding of the Jewish Diaspora experience, the Persian literary tradition, and Jewish and Islamic history. Moreen, an expert on Jewish and Islamic issues currently teaching at Swarthmore, has translated and edited a collection of Judeo-Persian literature stretching from the eighth to the 20th centuries. Written in classical Persian but using the Hebrew alphabet, these texts include biblical epics and commentary, lyrical poetry, and philosophy. Among the 30 writers represented, those noted for their epics, shorter poems, and commentary include Shalin (14th century), Imrani (15th century), and Hakam (19th century); Amina, who bridged the 17th and 18th centuries, is celebrated for his lyric and religious poems. Brief, thoughtful discussions of Persian literature and history frame the texts. The literature commingles Jewish and Muslim ideas: the Shia Muslim movement, Sufi mysticism, and the Bukhara Jewish circle are all elements of the tradition, and forced conversion (by both Zoroastrians and Muslims) is a theme in some of the selections. An exciting and fascinating view of a great literature, this is an important addition to Jewish cultural studies. Highly recommended for Jewish literature collections.DGene Shaw, NYPL Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. "Unique: there is nothing like it in English . . . a remarkable service to everyone from the general reader to the specialist." -- Choice Vera Basch Moreen has taught Jewish and Islamic subjects at several colleges and universities, and currently teaches at Swarthmore College. She is the author of Miniature Paintings in Judeo-Persian Manuscripts and Iranian Jewry During the Afghan Invasion.