Originally published in the Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter.
Jacobs, Louis. Principles of the Jewish Faith. Northvale, N.J.: Jason Aronson 1988. $35.00. ISBN 0-87668-871-7.
This reprint of a volume originally published in 1964 by Basic Books, is a thorough examination of the Thirteen Principles of Maimonides. The author, a prominent rabbi and scholar, has added a new preface in which he discusses the unique character of Judaism: “a union of the ethical and the religious”. The basic work, compares and contrasts the view of Jews and non-Jews, then discusses the conformity of the principle with modern theology. Of particular interest to modern readers is the 12th Principle and its relationship with Zionism.
A book which should be in every Judaica library is most welcome in a reprint of this quality. If you don’t own it, buy it . . . and if you have an old copy, consider replacing it with this acidfree copy, printed and bound to withstand library use.
I.S.L. for the Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter