Maurice Stein’s books are coming home to his Library.
The recent dedication of our new Library honored our long-time leader and Lay Rabbi, Maurice Stein (along with our current Religious Leader Marc Perler). At that time, we learned that after Maury Stein’s death, a number of the books from his own extensive library were given to the Lee County Public Library. This is not surprising, since the congregation did not have an official Library at the time.
It turned out that for many years, the Public Library had housed these books separately as a designated “Maurice Stein” collection. During the Library’s last renovation, however, it appears that the collection was broken up and the books dispersed throughout the stacks.
There is no way to track down these books through their catalog. But with the invaluable help and cooperation of the Public Library, we have been able to search the stacks, and have found at least two dozen of Maury Stein’s books. It is our hope that further searching will uncover more. The Public Library and its capable and enlightened Director, Jan Willis, have thoughtfully allowed these books to be housed at our new Library. The books have come home.
There are too many interesting volumes in the collection to feature here. But one does deserve quick mention.
The book is Gems of the Talmud, Translated into English Verse by Isidore Myers. The edition from Maury Stein’s collection is from 1927, but the book was first published in 1894.
As the title indicates, this is a collection of Talmudic wisdom, interpreted by Rabbi Myers into short poems, presented in English and Hebrew. Here is one example:
Perseverance (183)
Do not believe the man that says—
“I’ve toiled and nothing gained”;
Nor him that says—“I have not toiled,
And yet I have obtained”;
But if a man hath said—“I’ve won
The prize for which I’ve striven,”—
To him, indeed, and him alone,
Your credence may be given.
(Megilia 6b).
While the book itself is not totally rare, it is rarely noted or cited, and the concept of putting Talmud to English verse may be unique to Rabbi Myers. Myers himself is a fascinating figure in twentieth century Jewish history. The book and the writer represent just the sort of original and challenging thinking that a scholar like Maury Stein would have embraced. And now at the Library, we can enjoy some more insight into Maury Stein, through the books he treasured.
