- The Essential Jewish Stories is arranged thematically for easy access, and contains three indices to simplify the process of finding just the right story, whether you are looking for an occasion (holy days or life observances), for a personality (who originally told the stories or who the stories are about), or for particular subject matter. 

- Original sources are cited for every narrative and many are accompanied by special notes on their meaning, their origins, or their place in comparative world mythology. 

- The Essential Jewish Stories is a perfect key for unlocking the riches of the Jewish tradition. It is also an invaluable tool for clergy of all faiths, for teachers, for storytellers, and for parents -- for all who wish to initiate discussions of tradition and values with children, friends, and community -- and certainly for those of us who simply love to share a good story.

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