The History of the Jews in China: I. The Jews in China, General View; II

S. M. Perlmann

ISBN 10: 1330062515 / ISBN 13: 9781330062517

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book delves into the captivating history of Jewish communities in China, tracing their presence back to ancient times. The author explores the intriguing question of when and how Jews first arrived in China, considering various theories and historical accounts. One possibility is that they were descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, who were exiled from their homeland centuries before the Common Era. The book examines the unique cultural and religious practices of Chinese Jews, such as their adherence to dietary laws and the extraction of the sinew. It also delves into the challenges they faced, including assimilation into Chinese society and the decline of their communities over time. Drawing upon historical records, traveller's accounts, and interactions with Chinese Jews, the author sheds light on their interactions with the broader Chinese population and the factors that contributed to their gradual absorption into Chinese culture. The book concludes by highlighting the significance of the Chinese Jewish experience as a testament to the complexities of cultural exchange and the enduring legacy of a once-thriving community. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781330062517_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The History of the Jews in China: I. The Jews in China, General View; II
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1330062515
• ISBN 13: 9781330062517
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Judaism

About this title

Synopsis

A revealing view of Jewish history in China, tracing culture, crisis, and resilience across centuries.

This nonfiction account examines how Jewish communities in China met a powerful, ancient culture shaped by Confucian values. It explores their interactions with Chinese society, the shifts of assimilation, and the ways religious and ethical ideas traveled across continents. The work also presents translations of memorial inscriptions found at Kai-fung-fu, shedding light on the community’s religious standing at different times.

Through the lens of history, the book considers long-term themes like cultural exchange, identity, and the search for renewal. It connects past experiences to modern questions facing global Jewish life, including pressures to preserve tradition while adapting to new environments.

• See how Jews and Chinese communities influenced each other over hundreds of years.
• Learn what memorial stones reveal about religious beliefs and practices in earlier eras.
• Understand how assimilation shaped a once-thriving community and what revival meant then and now.
• Explore the idea of a homeland and the broader context of Jewish history in a worldwide setting.

Ideal for readers curious about cross-cultural history, Jewish history outside Europe, and how memory informs identity.