By including 52 previously unpublished entries in addition to the entries from the supplementary editions in this second edition, editors Neusner (U. of South Florida and Bard College), Avery-Peck (College of the Holy Cross), and Green (U. of Rochester) have nearly doubled the size of the original three-volume Encyclopedia. They have also updated the bibliographies for all 225 entries. The goal of presenting a comprehensive and systematic presentation of Judaism that covers the religion's history, literature, beliefs, observances, practices and world-view, and place in the context of society and culture remains. A heavy emphasis is placed on Judaism's classical literature and its history, but contemporary issues such as genetic engineering, circumcision, and intermarriage are treated in the context of the law and theology of the religious tradition and its authoritative writings. The editors have tried to take into account the interplay of national, ethnic, and other dimensions of Judaism while maintaining a focus on the religious element. A few examples of topics treated include astrology and magic in medieval Jewish thought, biography in rabbinical Judaism, Jesus and Judaism, intentionality in Judaism, pagan historians on Judaism in ancient times, religious Zionism, theodicy in Classical Judaism, and theological anthropology of Judaism. The work has been consciously modeled on the Encyclopedia Britannica and intends to serve the purposes of a macropaedia, with readable articles, and a micropaedia, allowing quick access to specific information within the longer articles through a comprehensive index. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)