The Encyclopedia of Jewish Folklore and Traditions follows a typical A–Z format. Articles are signed by contributors briefly identified with their academic affiliation in volume one, contain see also references to related topics, and conclude with a bibliography of works consulted or cited. Some articles are illustrated by black and white photographs. Both volumes feature a small section of unpaged color reproductions from various identified sources. Helpful appendices list sources, definitions and abbreviations for the Hebrew Scriptures, rabbinic commentaries and other writings, medieval collections of stories, and anthologies of Jewish folklore. Cross-references and an index to the encyclopedia’s subject matter guide the reader to articles on specific topics.

In line with contemporary folklore studies the Encyclopedia of Jewish Folklore and Traditions accepts both oral and written transmissions as valid expressions of folk culture. Uniformity in transliteration of Yiddish words is achieved by the adoption of the standard YIVO system. Hebrew words are more broadly transliterated to reflect modern pronunciation and usage familiar to English speakers. When places are known by several names the various names are noted. Personal names follow the spelling used by the individual.

Jewish folk narratives that share common motifs with other cultures are accorded the Aarne and Thompson international classification (Antti Aarne and Stith Thompson, The Types of Folktale: A Classification and Bibliography second revised edition published in 1961 by Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia; updated in 3 volumes by Hans-Jörg Uther and published by Suomalainen Tiedeakatemia in 2004 as The Types of International Folktales: A Classification and Bibliography Based on the System of Antti Aarne and Stith Thompson). Folk narratives that the Israel Folktale Archives has defined as uniquely Jewish are noted as such.

Jewish folklore can be categorized as cognitive (beliefs, customs), verbal (tales, proverbs, riddles, parables, jokes, laments), visual (dance, art, costume, food, material culture), or audio/oral (music, songs), all of which are incorporated into the Encyclopedia of Jewish Folklore and Traditions. Perhaps more than other peoples Jews have created, transmitted, and preserved their folklore and traditions through the written word incorporating culture and custom into rabbinic commentary and interpretation and into the novels, poetry, and plays of Jewish authors. These too are addressed in the encyclopedia.

Beliefs and traditions developed around the Jewish life cycle and appointed festivals were important signifiers of their identity among Jews living in diaspora. Numerous articles concern folk wisdom and customs associated with birth, circumcision, coming of age, marriage, death, and burial.

Nor were diaspora Jews unaffected by the dominant culture of the nations among which they lived. The encyclopedia includes articles on specific Jewish communities throughout the diaspora, folk legends about Jews initiated by their gentile neighbors, and the incorporation of non-Hebrew words into a modified spoken vernacular through which oral expressions of folkways were transmitted.