Taldot "Adam", czyli genealogia żydowska

The article concerns the meaning and functions of genealogy in Jewish tradition within the compass of nearly three thousand years. Having discussed the key notions (especially toldot and jichus), the author presents the following problems:genealogical texts of various functions (from ideological in character constructions to censuses) which appear in the Bible; preserving the purity of the lineage by Levi’s descendants, especially priests, and continuation of this tradition until the present; accepting new values in the post biblical period – learnedness and merits of the ancestors – treated as advantages in the lineage; formation of elite families in European diaspora starting from the 14th century and their tendency to demonstrate that they have outstanding ancestors, which corresponded with an abundant production of lineages, often unreal, dating back to king David and other biblical characters; religious Jewish historiography and its connections with genealogy in the period from the beginning of the 19th century to the holocaust; elements used in traditionalinscriptions of personal data and examples inscriptions including extensive lists of ancestors; the character of genealogical investigations after the Second World War, especially an increase in interests, documentation and editorial activity