ABSTRACT
OVERVIEW : T H E K IN G D O M OF W IT Since the mid-nineteenth century scholars of Judaism and Jewish life have produced magnificent reference works. Because Jewish identity straddles religion and culture, the works divide between a majority, which embrace religion as part of culture, and a minority, which separate religion from all else. The latter omit topics and persons whose Jewishness is strictly cultural. Among works that emphasize re ligion, Jews favor GLOSSARIES of history and customs. A number of these excel as INTRODUCTIONS and will delight the nonJew. Overall, Jewish reference works evince an almost religious awe toward knowledge.
