A unique figure in medieval Jewish history, Isaac ibn Khalfun was a professional poet during the Golden Age of Hebrew poetry in Spain. Like the Arabic poets of his day, Ibn Khalfun wandered throughout the Mediterranean east in search of wealthy patrons, writing panegyrics for those who complied, and witty, often pointed requests for payment from those who did not. His poems, which were not rediscovered until the twentieth century, are as fascinating for their literary quality as for the light which they shed on medieval Jewish society in the lands of Islam.

Perhaps the greatest Hebrew poet since biblical times, Judah Halevi (ca. 1075-1141) is best-known for his "Songs of Zion," written late in life. But when Halevi first appeared on the stage of history, he was just a young man, incredibly talented - and completely unknown. This study focuses on Halevi's earliest period of creativity within a circle of Hebrew poets centering on the Muslim city-kingdom of Granada. Part One examines the lure of Muslim Spain for an up-and-coming young poet and the poems paving his way thither; Part Two, the social setting in which this circle of poets flourished...

Out of ancient Jewish sources comes a novel of love and self-discovery in the heart of the ancient Parthian empire. The year is 259 A.D. and the three daughters of Rabbi Samuel, the greatest Jewish scholar of his day, are taken captive during the fall of Nehardea, a thriving merchant-city on the Euphrates River. Two of the daughters quickly return from captivity and are restored to their family; the third daughter, Rachel, vanishes - only to reappear as the wife of a convert to Judaism and the mother of a noted rabbi. On the basis of these briefest of references from the Babylonian Talmud,...