In Search of the Holy Land: Stories about the Land of Israel

You are looking at a book that hides an exquisite fusion of illustrations and vignettes

from the lives of religious Jews presently residing in

Israel, interwoven with the ancient Hasidic tales dating back two centuries.

The audacious author undertook the challenge of melding his drawings

with these stories, encompassing the mystical, whimsical, melancholic, and

didactic narratives, even venturing into the realm of eerie tales.

The drawings and illustrations presented within this tome were meticulously

crafted over the past years, with most of them born in the environs of

Tiberias, Jerusalem, and Safed. These are not mere fantasies about

"parochial" Jewish existence; rather, they are scenes drawn from

life itself. Each character is vibrant and real, a living individual

with their own name and story. Many of them are descendants of the

Hasidim who settled upon the Holy Land two and a half centuries ago.

Drawing inspiration from an assortment of books on Hasidic lore, including

Shivhei Besht, Pri Aretz by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, Likutei

Amarim by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, Likutey Sichot by Rabbi Nachman

of Breslov, works by Martin Buber, Shmuel Agnon, Marton Braun, and other

sources, the author breathes life into numerous stories. Naturally, excerpts from

the Talmud, Zohar, writings of the Arizal, and others have also found their place here.

This book should appeal to diverse readerships, captivating both those well-versed

in the Jewish tradition and those who are just beginning

to explore this realm. The subject of Jewish parables is sure to pique the

interest of many, even those who remain removed from the Jewish tradition.

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