Jewish Legends in Picture Books Appealing Tales of Magic, Spirits

Beginning of article

TWO OF THE MOST popular Jewish legends are those of the Golem and the Dybbuk. Both legends have received appealing retellings by David Wisniewski and Francine Prose, although that of the Golem has survived the transition to a story for children somewhat better than that of the Dybbuk.

For centuries, the Jews of Eastern Europe found themselves tfalsely accused tof using the blood of Christians in the making of matzo - unleavened bread - for Passover. Enemies of the Jews would kidnap and kill a Christian child and hide the body in the cellar of a Jewish home. When the body was found, a pogrom would take place in the Jewish ghetto, with rape, pillage and …