Review of The Legend of Rabbi Ben Levi

BOOK REVIEW: The vivid legend of Rabbi Ben Levi (Neville Teller, Jerusalem Post).

A forward to the book connects the Ben Levi legend to the perception of miracles in Jewish folk lore, and invites readers to marvel at the gorgeous art his story has inspired.

Excerpt:

Now, in a truly spectacular artistic endeavor, Katz’s mosaics are married to Longfellow’s poem to create a ravishingly beautiful volume. At the heart of The Legend of Rabbi Ben Levi are 12 mosaics by Avi Katz, presented full page and in stunning color, illustrating Longfellow’s poetic narrative as it unfolds. Distinguished science fiction writer Lavie Tidhar provides a foreword in which he connects the Ben Levi legend to the perception of miracles in Jewish folk lore, and invites readers to marvel at the gorgeous art his story has inspired.

At the rear of the volume is a background article penned by Israeli writer Mitch Pilcer. ...

As regular readers will recall, the tomb and Aramaic epitaph of R. Joshua Ben Levi turned up in Mr. Pilcer's back yard.

The full reference for the book:

The Legend of Rabbi Ben Levi

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illustrated by Avi Katz

Gefen Publishing House, 2020

$14.95; 32 pages (hardcover)

Background here and links. Cross-file under Epigraphy, Aramaic Watch, and Children's Book.

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