Jews Welcome Coffee: Tradition and Innovation in Early Modern Germany (Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry)

An absolutely fascinating book that details an historical period that could be used as a test case for the flexibility of the Jews and of Halacha. Coffee arrives in Europe, the Enlightenment brings unheard of challenges... and Judaism copes. A great book.

The book is an interesting and amusing survey of early modern responses (and responsa) to coffee, especially as they involved Jews in Germany. Unfortunately, for shipping it was shrink-wrapped violently into a sort of heavy-duty plastic skin, and it arrived with a two-inch wave in the upper right corner. It was a gift for my favorite coffee addict, so it was too bad it arrived damaged. Lousy packing method.

Excellent!