On the Trails of Tradition

Academic rivalries, medical ethics, child brides, the social etiquette of gift-giving -- these and many other familiar issues have a long and fascinating history among the diverse communities and personalities that have made their contributions to the Jewish tradition. Unfortunately, this enthralling lore is often known only to scholarly specialists or readers of esoteric academic journals and monographs, much of it unavailable in English. In the present collection of short studies, Eliezer Segal introduces the public to the fruits of Judaic scholarship, while employing a pithy style that combines erudition and wit. 'On the Trails of Tradition' is a worthy successor to the authorís acclaimed collections: 'Why Didn't I Learn That in Hebrew School?' (1999), 'Ask Now of the Days that Are Past' (2005) and 'A Meeting-Place for the Wise' (2008). 


Eliezer Segal is a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Calgary, where he has been teaching since 1986. In addition to his scholarly writing, he has published extensively for non-specialist audiences on diverse topics related to Jewish history and tradition.