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Book Review  by Ida Nasatir

A Treasury of Jewish Folklore, edited by Nathan Ausubel 
November 14, 1949—Ida Nasatir book review—A Treasury of Jewish Folklore by Nathan Ausubel—Southwestern Jewish Press, page 3 : This book is really a "treasure." It is a long work, numbering some 727 pages. It yields a veritable garden of the stories, traditions, legends, humor and wisdom of the Jewish people. The deep humility and courage, as well as the distinctive wit and the all-pervading faith of an old and honorable people are to be found in this book.The editor, Nathan Ausubel, has an international reputation in the literary field. An American citizen born in Austria, he served with the Jewish Legion in Palestine in World War I.  Many of the fine selections in this Treasury of Jewish Folklore were translated by Editor Ausubel and appear in English for the first time.  Folklore is a vivid record of a people, and because it is a true and unguarded portrait, it is life itself. In more than one sense, this book is a spontaneous expression of the whole of the Jewish people. I say this because Jewish Folklore is but a faithful chronicle of all their historic experiences, and this book with its tales from the Midrash and Talmud, its heroes and holy men, its rogues and sinners, its humorous anecdotes and jests, its tales and legends, its proverbs and riddles, its ballads and anthems, and its customs and traditions—even its time honored superstitions—all combine to give an incisive portrait of the Jew, as well as showing the many diverse cultures that Jews have assimilated everywhere throughout the centuries. In one section of the book called "Jewish Salt," you will for instance read the caption "Richer than Rothschild." "if I were a Rothschild," said the melamed of Chelm, "I'd be richer than Rothschild."  "How is that possible?" asked a fellow citizen.  "Naturally," answered the melamed (teacher), "I'd do a little teaching on the side."  There is so much else in "Jewish Salt" that will delight you.You will read about "What is Greatness?" "It Pays to be Ignorant," "The Secret of Power," "Why the Hair on the Head Turns Gray Before the Beard," and "A Rabbi for a Day."  And then when you come to the section called "Heroes, you will meet the Chacham, the wise men, who in many respects resemble the Greek conception of the philosopher, Saints like Hillel and Akiba, fighters like the Macabees, wise men like Solomon, and schlars like Maimonides, will come to greet, and receive, and charm you! Read this Treasury of Jewish Folklore.  It is not something you can finish in a week or two. Throughout the autumn and winter you will treasure and enjoy this magnificent collection.