[Heb-NACO] A question on Sacred works

Wed Jan 11 14:57:39 EST 2023

We never did (yet) get around to compiling an official list of what’s included in the term “sacred works”, did we? To the best of my recollection, it includes only Scripture, i.e., for Judaism, the Oral and Written Law. It does not include liturgy or other religious works. Last summer Ahava did send a list used at NLI, but NLI is not bound to following LC/PCC policies or US library standards and, as such, that list includes liturgical works.

The SHM at H1188, Sacred Works, has the following instructions:
“TYPES OF HEADINGS COVERED BY THE PATTERN : Headings for the uniform titles of individual sacred works or scriptures from all religions, including their individual parts. Also included are uniform titles for apocryphal works. Examples:   Book of Mormon ; Qur'an ; Talmud ; Tripitaka ; Vedas ; Bible. Wisdom   of Solomon ; Bible. Gospels ; Sermon on the mount ; Beatitudes ; Epistle of Barnabas . The category does not include headings for individual non-sacred liturgical or theological works, nor form headings for collections of sacred or religious works. For subdivisions used under the uniform titles of secular classics, see H 1155.8<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://desktop.loc.gov/search?view=document&doc_action=setdoc&doc_keytype=foliodestination&doc_key=scmshmHSPACE1155PERIOD8&hash=HSPACE1155PERIOD8&fq=coreresources*7Ctrue__;JQ!!KGKeukY!xg7kEaKZa-YFPPhJuAPPETscf_CuYsvKdxhDoiOxuJjIFFdgNVc2fvWwXs47KoHEq8d_60HKvMkrHKOlmoEKCj9qaEI$ >.
(highlights added)

This is contrasted with Religious Works, which are addressed in SHM H1185, Religions. E.g., Siddur/Maḥzor/Haggadah all get the subject heading: Judaism |x Liturgy |v Texts (with added subjects to specify the liturgical work described).

RDA 6.30.1.1, Authorized Access Point Representing a Religious Work, differentiates between 3 types of works: sacred scriptures; theological creeds/confessions of faith, etc.; and liturgical works. It then adds, “For other types of religious works, construct the authorized access point by applying the general guidelines and instructions at 6.27.1<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://original.rdatoolkit.org/document.php?id=rdachp6&target=rda6-6414*rda6-6414__;Iw!!KGKeukY!xg7kEaKZa-YFPPhJuAPPETscf_CuYsvKdxhDoiOxuJjIFFdgNVc2fvWwXs47KoHEq8d_60HKvMkrHKOlmoEKFvGbWWY$ >”, Authorized Access Point Representing a Work.

RDA 6.30.1.2 specifies that sacred scriptures include “…a work that is accepted as sacred scripture by a religious group.” Examples there include the Book of Mormon, Qur’an, and Ādi-Granth [Sikh sacred scripture].

To your question, Kabbalah texts do not fall under sacred scripture. This is based on the above instructions (and is not a personal opinion that requires deliberation by the Cataloging Committee; of course, clarifications by the committee are always welcome ☺). Please follow the instructions at 6.27.1 and do not apply subject subdivisions that are specific to sacred scriptures (i.e., Introductions; Criticism, interpretation, etc.; etc.).

I see that 9 LC records use Cabala—Introductions, but these are invalid per LCSH. I’ll send a separate email for BFM. The correct subjects are just Cabala and/or Cabala |x History. See examples at LCCN 2021039069 and 2004300639. The two works cited in the 670s for the Cabala subject heading are at LCCN 75012820 (Kabbalah and criticism, with Cabala |x History) and at OCLC # 16426918 (An introduction to the study of the kabbalah, with just Cabala).

Hope this helps. Kol tuv, Jasmin

From: Heb-naco <heb-naco-bounces at lists.osu.edu> On Behalf Of Heidi G Lerner via Heb-naco
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 1:30 PM
To: Gottschalk, Haim <hgot at loc.gov>; Hebrew Name Authority Funnel <heb-naco at lists.osu.edu>
Subject: Re: [Heb-NACO] A question on Sacred works

Hi Haim, The definition for religious iwork" in the updated RDA Toolkit is a much looser definition than in the first iteration: " Religious work A work that is held sacred by a religion and its followers, or a work that has a direct
Hi Haim,
The definition for religious iwork" in the updated RDA Toolkit is a much looser definition than in the first iteration:

"
Religious work

A work that is held sacred by a religion and its followers, or a work that has a direct association with a sacred work.

See also:  liturgical work"

Original Toolkit

See A.17.8

Old Testament

Five Scrolls

Historical Books

Minor Prophets

etc.

My sense is that ultimately it will depend onwhich version of RDA you are currently utilizing. I would speculate that after the complete adoption of the new edition that the decision of what is included will depend on individual religious communities to develop best practices If we go by EJ they consider Kaballah as  emodying "mysticism and esoterica. "As such, I would not consider it a "sacred work" even under the new version of the Toolkit. But that is just my opinion, this should ultimate be discussed and decided up on by the AJL RAS Cataloging Commitee.

Thanks, Heidi

Heidi G. Lerner

Metadata Librarian for Hebraica and Judaica Emerita, Stanford University Libraries

________________________________
From: Heb-naco <heb-naco-bounces at lists.osu.edu<mailto:heb-naco-bounces at lists.osu.edu>> on behalf of Gottschalk, Haim via Heb-naco <heb-naco at lists.osu.edu<mailto:heb-naco at lists.osu.edu>>
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 6:56 AM
To: Hebrew Name Authority Funnel <heb-naco at lists.osu.edu<mailto:heb-naco at lists.osu.edu>>
Subject: [Heb-NACO] A question on Sacred works

Hi Hevre, Does Sacred works include works about the Kabbala or Kabbalistic texts? The question has to do with the subdivision of Introductions. All my best, Haim _________________ Haim A. Gottschalk Hebraica and Judaica Cataloging Librarian

Hi Hevre,

Does Sacred works include works about the Kabbala or Kabbalistic texts? The question has to do with the subdivision of Introductions.

All my best,

Haim

_________________

Haim A. Gottschalk

Hebraica and Judaica Cataloging Librarian

Asian and Middle Eastern Division, Israel and Judaica Section

Onsite Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and alternate Fridays

The Library of Congress

101 Independence Ave, SE, LM-537

Washington, DC 20540-4222

Direct: 202-707-2498

hgot at loc.gov<mailto:hgot at loc.gov>

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