The Rabbi's Cat

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The preeminent work by one of France’s celebrated young comic artists, this story revolves around a rabbi, his daughter Zlabya, and their talking cat, who is both humorous and surprisingly tender. Set in 1930s Algeria, the cat, after eating the family parrot, gains the ability to speak and immediately begins telling lies, much to the rabbi's dismay. Determined to educate the cat in the Torah, the rabbi faces the feline's insistence on studying the kabbalah and having a Bar Mitzvah. They consult the rabbi’s rabbi, who argues that a cat cannot be Jewish, but the cat believes otherwise. As Zlabya falls in love with a charming young rabbi from Paris, the master and cat, having worked through their jealousy and self-pity, accompany the newlyweds to France to meet Zlabya’s cosmopolitan in-laws. Their journey is filled with drama and adventure, providing numerous opportunities for the rabbi and his cat to explore the complexities of life. Rich in the colors and flavors of Algeria’s Jewish community, this narrative vividly portrays a time when Jews and Arabs coexisted, featuring endearing characters and one unforgettable cat. Originally published in three volumes in France, this work captures a lost world with humor and heart.