The "Legends of the Jews," published in America between 1909 and 1938, is the most comprehensive collection of traditional Jewish narrative literature in modern European language. The great Talmud scholar and long-time head of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, Louis Ginzberg, compiled this collection from a variety of Jewish and non-Jewish sources from the post-biblical period.

The Legends are based on a German-language manuscript. The present edition of the original German manuscript of the Legends brings this treasure to light: the original version of Ginzberg's significant modern comprehensive edition of traditional Jewish narrative literature. This edition is available in two formats: print and digital. The print version presents the text of the German manuscript in the form of a reading edition that preserves Ginzberg's language and style. It also includes an extensive commentary apparatus. The digital edition is hosted on the platform of the ETH Zurich library and aims to provide a starting point for researchers. Thus, the print edition and the digital edition complement each other mutually.