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.