GASTER, THEODOR HERZL

(1906-92)

American educator and scholar, son ofMoses Gaster. He was born in London. He taught comparative religion at Dropsie College in Philadelphia and at other universities in the US. His writings include:Passover:Its History and Traditions,Purim and Hanukkah in Custom and Tradition,Thespis:Ritual,Myth,and Drama in the Ancient Near East,Festivals of the Jewish Year,Holy and ProfaneandNew Year:Its History,Customs and Superstitions.