Reviews for Sabbath Presence: Appreciating the Gifts of Each Day

The average rating for Sabbath Presence: Appreciating the Gifts of Each Day based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-12-02 00:00:00 Manuel Dietz I'm torn on this book. It's obviously groundbreaking research into a field hardly yet examined. And it is a topic that struggles in the sense of sources available (although not too bad, given the era). So, there are never going to be quite the absolutes regarding arguments as one might find from 19th century studies, for example. However, I can't help but think this book needed more time before being written. There are endless amounts of pauses within the flow of the narrative to explain why the research is being done, how it is being done, and what *possibilities* exist given the data. I felt like I was reading an excellent research proposal more than a finished product. I would prefer one not beat me over the head with one's throught process of developing an argument -- just tell me your conclusions! A few references is ok, but the book felt slow and disjointed given the lack of conclusive outcomes. She said "I would suggest" so many times, I lost count. All of them based on sources that revealed far too little. Again, I know that's a problem at times in this field, but it became tiresome. The insight is good and as part of the research process, it's quite valuable. As a book, ehhh, it was ok. With that being said, I certainly know more about that culture than ever before and feel the main arguments were quite impressive. I just think she could have done that in a 50pp journal, to be honest. Or, wait another 2 years to gather more sources before finishing the book.

Review # 2 was written on 2020-06-10 00:00:00 Bradley Moose What was it like to grow up in a Jewish family in medieval Ashkenaz? What was it like to raise children? Baumgarten reveals both what was distinctive about Jewish family life in the high and later Middle Ages, and how Jewish and Christian neighbors influenced each other and even helped each other raise their kids. A great example of how to use comparative history to highlight one story while illuminating a broader picture--and a fascinating look at a never-before-studied aspect of medieval Judaism.