Judaism Books

Book SynopsisThroughout history, the Jewish people have faced catastrophe after catastrophe. They have been expelled, ghettoised, murdered and forcibly converted. The question that Jonathan Sacks asks in this original and compelling book is not how Judaism survived four thousand years of persecution, but how it found ways to flourish and thrive.Originally written as a wedding gift for his son over twenty years ago, now featuring a new foreword by Natan Sharansky, this revised edition is a reminder of the enduring beauty and wisdom of one of the world's oldest religions. A fascinating cultural and religious journey through Judaism's long history and the revolutionary ideas that shaped the moral civilisation of the West, Jonathan Sacks urges readers not to embrace secularisation or lose the script of the Jewish story but to add their own chapters instead. A deeply personal celebration of faith and community filled with hope for the future of the Jewish people, this book is a must-read for anyo

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Book SynopsisVenture beyond the well-traveled paths of the Rider-Waite-Smith conventions to the world of Sefirot Tarot where history, esoteric tales, Judaic Kabbalah, and the Marseille Tarot tradition combine to create a powerful tool for intuition, reflection, and growth.Since ancient times, the mysterious island of Dioscoria has been a harbor for mystics and misfits, rebels, and outcasts. But back even before the founding of this magical country, the Sefirot Tarotrumored to have originated in the temples of Thoth and Hekate at the dawn of timewas already a popular game used for reflection and meditation and as tool for divination.Drawing from the history of tarotfrom Rider-Waite-Smith and Marseille, to Judaic Kabbalah and esoteric lorethis deck explores the deep roots of the archetypes and symbolism as well as the many uses of tarot as a game, a powerful divination tool, and a meditation aid.The mystical, fantastical world of Dioscoria and th

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Book SynopsisYou’ll find everything you need to know about being Jewish in this indispensable, revised and updated guide to the religious traditions, everyday practices, philosophical beliefs, and historical foundations of Judaism.What happens at a synagogue service? What are the rules for keeping kosher? How do I light the Hanukah candles? What is in the Hebrew Bible? What do the Jewish holidays signify? What should I be teaching my children about being Jewish? With the first edition of Essential Judaism, George Robinson offered the world the accessible compendium that he sought when he rediscovered his Jewish identity as an adult. In his “ambitious and all-inclusive” (New York Times Book Review) guide, Robinson illuminates the Jewish life cycle at every stage and lays out many fascinating aspects of the religion—the Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, the evolution of Hasidism, and much more—while keeping a firm focus on the different Trade Review“Ambitious and all-inclusive.” * The New York Times Book Review *"An invaluable one-volume compendium." * The Philadelphia Inquirer *"Extraordinary....Robinson deserves our gratitude for his major contribution." * The Jerusalem Post *

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Book SynopsisNow in its 7th printing since republication in 1997, the Sefer Yetzirah has established itself as a primary source for all serious students of Kabbalah. Rabbi Kaplan''s translation of this oldest and most mysterious of all Kabbalistic texts provides a unique perspective on the meditative and magical aspects of Kabbalah. He expounds on the dynamics of the spiritual domain, the worlds of Sefirot, souls and angels. This translation is based on Gra version of the Sefer Yetzirah and includes the author''s extraordinary commentary on all its mystical aspects including kabbalistic astrology, Ezekiel''s vision and the 231 gates. Also included are three alternative versions to make this volume the most complete work on the Sefer Yetzirah available in English.

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Book SynopsisA profound, startling new understanding of Jewish life, illuminating the forgotten heart of Jewish theology and practice: love.A dramatic misinterpretation of the Jewish tradition has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is the religion of love, and Judaism the religion of law. In the face of centuries of this widespread misrepresentation, Rabbi Shai Heldone of the most important Jewish thinkers in America todayrecovers the heart of the Jewish tradition, offering the radical and moving argument that love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity. Blending intellectual rigor, a respect for tradition and the practices of a living Judaism, and a commitment to the full equality of all people, Held seeks to reclaim Judaism as it authentically is. He shows that love is foundational and constitutive of true Jewish faith, animating the singular Jewish perspective on injustice and protest, grace, family life, responsibilities to our neighbors and even our enemies, and chosenness.Ambitious and revelatory, Judaism Is About Love illuminates the true essence of Judaisman act of restoration from within.

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Book SynopsisA powerful, next-generation manifesto declaring that the future prosperity of Western civilization is dependent upon the ongoing security and success of the Jewish State of Israel, and that the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland demands a realist foreign policy emphasizing the U.S.-Israel alliance that will require military strength and a focus on Israeli self-defense for the country as well as its individual citizens. Israel is the West’s man on the spot—the tip of the spear in the battle against Islamist terrorism and secularist nihilism alike. But the old-guard voices advocating for the full support of Israel as a nation-state and as an idea are being drowned out from all sides—theistic, secularist, right, left, and everything in between. To combat the uproars of multiculturalism, postmodern relativism, “tolerance,” and Jew-hating social media, the time is now for voices from a new generation. We must address modern antisemitism and sound a call not just to accept, but to enthusiastically embrace the centrality of Judaism to the very character of Western civilization. In Israel and Civilization, acclaimed journalist, legal expert, and pundit Josh Hammer makes a righteous case that the key to the prosperity of the West is the flourishing of the Jewish people and the Jewish State of Israel. Hammer’s uplifting offense is our best defense against the enemies of the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. And as Hammer makes clear, manifesting the promise of Israel requires action by the United States and its allies. There can be no overstating the impact of the trauma of October 7, 2023, on the Jewish people. Yet the anti-Israel reactions the world over have been equally devastating. Rallies of hundreds of thousands explicitly or implicitly promoting Hamas violence; demonstrations of Ivy League professors celebrating the pogrom as “awesome” and “exhilarating;” so-called human rights organizations that refuse to unequivocally condemn the use of rape as a weapon of war; and a hydra of multiculturalism, postmodern relativism, and “tolerance”—it all threatens the physical and metaphysical survival of the West and our essential Jewish heritage. Preserving the best of what’s been thought and said throughout history and ensuring that there will be centuries more requires a West that is proud of its Jewish heritage. In other words, the continued existence of the Jewish people is inextricably tied to the endurance of Western civilization. Israel is the center of the battle, and Israel and Civilization explains why and how the Jewish state must win.

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Book SynopsisThe new big thing in terms of spiritual enlightenment, the powerful principles of the Kabbalah have attracted a swathe of celebrity followers ranging from Madonna, Jerry Hall, Elizabeth Taylor, Mick Jagger and Guy Ritchie - as well as over 3.5 million other dedicated students worldwide. Previously shrouded in secrecy, its teachings were passed down orally from generation to generation to only an elite few. Now, in THE POWER OF KABBALAH, Rabbi Yehuda Berg has created a user''s manual for today''s world, in which its wisdom is conveyed in a highly accessible, practical form for all to follow.For the first time, these secret teachings are brought to bear on the real world issues faced by us everyday - in our careers, with family and friends, and in our innermost personal thoughts. Rabbi Yehuda Berg sets out a practical collection of principles and instructions for improving our lives - helping us to get to where we really want to be emotionally, spiritually, financialTrade ReviewThis book should come with a warning: Danger of enlightenment. * Guy Ritchie *The Power of Kabbalah shows you how to reveal the beauty of your spirit and embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. * Deepak Chopra *In a world jam-packed with confusion, chaos and the superficial, The Power of Kabbalah helps you throw on the brakes before you hit the wall. Love it and live it. * Sandra Bernhard *This book provides a simple yet powerful and profound message for both novices and seasoned seekers alike. * John Gray, author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"World’s 2017 Book of the Year in “History”"

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Book SynopsisWriting with his usual grace and fluency, Jonathan Sacks moves beyond the tired arguments of militant atheists such as Dawkins'' The God Delusion and Hitchens'' God is Not Great, to explore how religion has always played a valuable part in human culture and far from being dismissed as redundant, must be allowed to temper and develop scientific understanding in order for us to be fully human.Ranging around the world to draw comparisons from different cultures, and delving deep into the history of language and of western civilisation, Jonathan Sacks shows how the predominance of science-oriented thinking is embedded deeply even in our religious understanding, and calls on us to recognise the centrality of relationship to true religion, and thus to see how this core value of relationship is essential if we are to avoid the natural tendency for science to rule our lives rather than fulfilling its promise to set us free.Trade ReviewThe most persuasive argument for religious belief I have read. * Andrew Marr, BBC Radio 4 Start the Week *An intelligent, optimistic credo that allows for the happy coexistence of science and religion * The Times *One of the most engaging thinkers of our time * The Times *Britain's most authentically prophetic voice * The Daily Telegraph *Jonathan Sacks's voice carries unique moral authority far beyond the Jewish community * The Tablet *

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Book SynopsisHow identity politics failed one particular identity.A must read and if you think YOU don't need to read it, that's just the clue to know you do' SARAH SILVERMANA masterpiece'' STEPHEN FRYJews Don't Count is a book for people on the right side of history. People fighting the good fight against homophobia, disablism, transphobia and, particularly, racism. People, possibly, like you.It is the comedian and writer David Baddiel's contention that one type of racism has been left out of this fight. In his unique combination of reasoning, polemic, personal experience and jokes, Baddiel argues that those who think of themselves as on the right side of history have often ignored the history of anti-Semitism. He outlines why and how, in a time of intensely heightened awareness of minorities, Jews don't count as a real minority.Trade Review‘Jews Don’t Count is a supreme piece of reasoning and passionate, yet controlled, argument. From his first sentence, the energy, force and conviction of Baddiel’s writing and thinking will transfix you…as readable as an airport thriller…a masterpiece.’STEPHEN FRY ‘I don’t think I have ever been so grateful to anyone for writing a book. Baddiel’s Jews Don’t Count is incisive, urgent, surprisingly funny and short. It’s also a beautiful piece of publishing. It needs to be read’JAY RAYNER ‘Brilliant, furious, uncomfortable, funny. Essential reading.’SIMON MAYO ‘I'm about a quarter of the way into this thus far and it's very well argued and written. It's a book you know the author HAD to write, and those are the best books’JON RONSON ‘I only big up work I really believe is good and this is extra-ordinarily good. And important’JONATHAN ROSS ‘This is brilliant – funny and furious, mostly at the same time’MARINA HYDE ‘A convincing and devastating charge sheet’ Dominic Lawson, Sunday Times ‘It is so gripping – I read it in a single sitting’ Stephen Bush, The Times ‘A fascinating book, I urge you to read it’ Piers Morgan ‘I really think it’s a great book … the real triumph is its tone, its straightforwardness, and its spectacular tact and wit’ Adam Phillips, author of Monogamy ‘this short and powerful book shows, with remarkable humanity and humour, that no contemporary conversation about racism is complete without confronting antisemitism. An essential read – and a compulsory one too, if I had my way.’ Sathnam Sanghera ‘Funny, complex and intellectually satisfying – a really good piece of work’ Frankie Boyle ‘Just so brilliantly argued and written, I was completely swept along’ Hadley Freeman ‘David Baddiel is a brilliant thinker and writer. Even when I disagree with him – especially when I disagree with him – I feel profound gratitude for his intellectual and moral clarity. This is a brave and necessary book.’ Jonathan Safran Foer

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Book SynopsisIntegrating numerology, astrology, Kabbalah, and the contemplative life. As John Sandbach illuminates in depth, the Tarot is a portal to realms of wisdom. It not only can provide deep insight through traditional readings but also offers a hands-on way to learn multiple spiritual practices and metaphysical systems, each interrelated through numbers and the ways the systems are worked with to reveal cosmic truths. In this guide, Sandbach explores the deep interconnected meanings of each of the 78 cards of the Tarot and explains how to work with the cards for spiritual healing and growth as well as to synergistically learn other methods of spiritual insight, in particular numerology and astrology. Connecting the traditional, symbolic, psychological, alchemical, astrological, and numerological meanings of each card to its deepest meaning, the one closest to its spiritual core, he shows how exploring the interconnected meanings of the cards allows you to understand the Tarot as an integrated whole and enables you to provide insightful and deeply intuitive readings. He explains how every card is connected to the Tree of Life, an ancient Kabbalistic diagram of the universe, and details how to use the Tarot to calculate the numerological value of names, words, and dates, including birthdays, to reveal their metaphysical significance. He explores the connections between alternative rulerships for the cards and how they allow you to understand astrology at a deeper level. He also demonstrates several types of card layouts that can be used to perform readings for yourself or others, and he provides instructions for Tarot Contemplations to access deeper meanings of the cards. By journeying through the nexus of wisdom connections within each card, you not only are simultaneously learning the ancient wisdom of numerology and astrology, but also opening access to your own inner wisdom.

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Book SynopsisWhy can''t we talk about antisemitism? ''I cannot wait for Off-White to be read, debated and put into practice.'' Naomi Klein, author of Doppelganger As claims of antisemitism continue to distort our politics at home and abroad, it has become almost impossible to talk about constructively, even in private. Instead, we find ourselves in a storm of misinformation, political mudslinging and bad-faith accusations. There is, however, a way to deliberate more honestly. Looking beyond our polarising headlines and interrogating the reasons racism takes hold, Off-White offers urgent analysis of one of the most divisive issues of our time. Taking in the contingency of whiteness, Judeo-Christian mythmaking, pro-Israel antisemitism, and the Palestinian struggle against colonialism, Rachel Shabi lights a hopeful way forward. *** ''Timely and valuable... [Shabi''s] key message is a vital one - that the fight against antisemitism is an essential part of the fight against all injustice and dehumanisation.'' Observer, Book of the Week ''A masterpiece defined by moral clarity, humanity and insight.'' Owen Jones ''An invaluable guide for anyone who seeks to understand issues over which we stumble far too often.'' George Monbiot ''With a generous spirit and a humane compass, Rachel Shabi guides us through a minefield.'' Gary Younge

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Book SynopsisThe definitive biography of Israel's founder by one of Israel's most celebrated historians. As the founder of Israel, David Ben-Gurion long ago secured his reputation as a leading figure of the twentieth century. Determined from an early age to create a Jewish state, he took control of the Zionist movement, declared Israel's independence, and navigated his country through wars, controversies and remarkable achievements. In this definitive biography, Tom Segev uses previously unreleased archival material to give an original, nuanced account that transcends the myths and legends that have built up around the man. He reveals Ben-Gurion's secret negotiations with the British on the eve of Israel's independence, his willingness to countenance the forced transfer of Arab neighbors, his relative indifference to Jerusalem, and his occasional eccentric moments – from UFO sightings to plans for Israel to acquire territory in South America. The result is a full and startling portrait of a man who sought a state 'at any cost' – at times through risk-taking, violence, and unpredictability, and at other times through compromise, moderation and reason. Segev's Ben-Gurion is neither a saint nor a villain but a twentieth-century leader whose iron will and complex temperament left a contentious legacy, and one of the world's most intractable national conflicts. Praise for A State at Any Cost: 'A must for anybody interested in both the glorious and the dark pages of the history of Zionism and Israel, as reflected throughout the life and times of the Jewish State's most important founding father' SAUL FRIEDLÄNDER 'The story of a hard-headed, pragmatic and ruthless politician, told without sentimentality or nostalgia. It also serves as a key to understanding today's Israel, which is still very much Ben-Gurion's creation' THE TIMES 'Fascinating... A masterly portrait of a titanic yet unfulfilled man... This is a gripping study of power, and the loneliness of power' THE ECONOMISTTrade ReviewTom Segev's meticulously researched and most elegantly written new biography of David Ben-Gurion is a must for anybody interested in both the glorious and the dark pages of the history of Zionism and Israel, as reflected throughout the life and times of the Jewish State's most important founding father -- Saul Friedländer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Nazi Germany and the Jews and Where Memory LeadsIn the course of six years of research, Segev [...] discovered a leader fraught with dramatic contrasts... The author has come up with significant historical revelations' * Ofer Aderet, Haaretz *Fascinating... A masterly portrait of a titanic yet unfulfilled man... This is a gripping study of power, and the loneliness of power' * Economist *[A] carefully researched and nonjudgemental biography... Tom Segev's A State at Any Cost aptly summarizes the lodestar of Ben-Gurion's life' -- Avraham Avi-hai, Jerusalem PostDeserves to be the definitive biography of Ben-Gurion. It is the story of a hard-headed, pragmatic and ruthless politician, told without sentimentality or nostalgia. It also serves as a key to understanding today's Israel, which is still very much Ben-Gurion's creation * The Times *Tom Segev has completed a monumental task. The work includes the research of a true detective -- Avner Cohen, author of Israel and the Bomb[A] body of work that has no equal either for the brilliance of his storytelling or the ironies of his analysis * London Review of Books *Without doubt one of the best biographies to have been written about David Ben-Gurion... Segev manages to hold the reader's attention' * Literary Review *The book offers an appreciation of the life of an extraordinary man and an understanding of the values, political attitudes and the very concept of the Zionist State... For readers with an interest in the subject, the book is worthwhile, informative and rewarding' * Pennant Magazine. *Authoritative... [Segev] gives us a many-sided character, showing Ben-Gurion's strengths and weaknesses, great moments and cruelties, successes and failures. If you want a balanced account of what has long been a controversial state, this is a good place to start, and Segev is already well known for the excellence of his writing on Israel' * Sorted. *

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Book SynopsisNow a Netflix original series! Unorthodox is the bestselling memoir of a young Jewish woman’s escape from a religious sect, in the tradition of Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Infidel and Carolyn Jessop’s Escape, featuring a new epilogue by the author.As a member of the strictly religious Satmar sect of Hasidic Judaism, Deborah Feldman grew up under a code of relentlessly enforced customs governing everything from what she could wear and to whom she could speak to what she was allowed to read. Yet in spite of her repressive upbringing, Deborah grew into an independent-minded young woman whose stolen moments reading about the empowered literary characters of Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott helped her to imagine an alternative way of life among the skyscrapers of Manhattan. Trapped as a teenager in a sexually and emotionally dysfunctional marriage to a man she barely knew, the tension between Deborah’s desires and her responsibilities as a good Satmar girl grew more explosive until she gave birth at nineteen and realized that, regardless of the obstacles, she would have to forge a path—for herself and her son—to happiness and freedom. Remarkable and fascinating, this “sensitive and memorable coming-of-age story” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) is one you won’t be able to put down.Trade Review“A brave, riveting account... Unorthodox is harrowing, yet triumphant.” — Jeannette Walls, New York Times bestselling author of The Glass Castle“A sensitive and memorable coming-of-age story... Imagine Frank McCourt as a Jewish virgin, and you've got Unorthodox in a nutshell.” — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette“Compulsively readable, Unorthodox relates a unique coming-of-age story that manages to speak personally to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider in her own life.” — School Library Journal“It's one of those books you can't put down.” — Joan Rivers, in The New York Post“An unprecedented view into a Hasidic community that few outsiders ever experience.” — Minneapolis Star-Tribune“[Feldman’s] matter-of-fact style masks some penetrating insights.” — The New York Times “Eloquent, appealing, and just emotional enough... No doubt girls all over Brooklyn are buying this book, hiding it under their mattresses, reading it after lights out—and contemplating, perhaps for the first time, their own escape.” — The Huffington Post“Riveting... extraordinary.” — Marie Claire

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Book SynopsisThe definitive guide to the conversion process—for a new generation of Jews-by-choice.However you choose to fashion your personal journey to Judaism, Anita Diamant is the perfect guide. In this comprehensive, wide-ranging book you will learn how to choose a rabbi, a synagogue, a denomination, and a Hebrew name; how to discuss your decision with your birth family; what happens at the mikveh (ritual bath) and at the hatafat dam brit (circumcision ritual for those already circumcised); how to find your footing in a new spiritual family and create a new Jewish identity; and how you and your children can maintain bonds to your family of origin. Also included are suggestions for readings, prayers, and poems that can personalize conversion rituals; a glossary of terms; and a short history of conversion in Judaism. This revised edition contains a completely updated chapter on how the mikveh is used in the conversion process and an updated list of onlin

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Book SynopsisThe #1 bestselling inspirational classic from the internationally known spiritual leader; a source of solace and hope for over 4 million readers.Since its original publication in 1981, When Bad Things Happen to Good People has brought solace and hope to millions. In the preface to this edition, Rabbi Kushner relates the heartwarming responses he has received over the years from people who have found inspiration and comfort within these pages.When Harold Kushner’s three-year-old son was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that meant the boy would only live until his early teens, he was faced with one of life’s most difficult questions: Why, God? Years later, Rabbi Kushner wrote this straightforward, elegant contemplation of the doubts and fears that arise when tragedy strikes. In these pages, Kushner shares his wisdom as a rabbi, a parent, a reader, and a human being. Often imitated but never superseded, When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a classic that offers clear thinking and consolation in times of sorrow.Trade ReviewWhen Bad Things Happen to Good People offers a moving and humane approach to understanding life’s windstorms. * Elisabeth Kübler-Ross *Whether religious or not, this book will speak because it touches–profoundly, but simply–on questions no parent and no person can avoid. * Harvey Cox, Harvard Divinity School *A touching, heartwarming book for those of us who must contend with suffering, and that, of course, is all of us. * Andrew M. Greeley *This is a book all humanity needs. It will help you understand the painful vicissitudes of this life and enable you to stand up to them creatively. * Norman Vincent Peale *

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Book SynopsisIn The Heart of Torah, Rabbi Shai Held's Torah essays – two for each weekly portion –open new horizons in Jewish biblical commentary. Held mines Talmud and midrashim, great writers of world literature, and astute commentators of other religious backgrounds to ponder fundamental questions about God, human nature, and what it means to be a religious person in the modern world.Trade Review"Rabbi Shai Held offers thought pieces on the parashat ha-shavua whose scope, depth, ethics, and insight will delight readers from all Jewish backgrounds, as well as anyone interested in mining the Bible for its timeless wisdom."—Jewish Book Council"Shai Held's new book on the weekly Torah portions is the kind of book that people should keep in their tallit bag and peruse during the Torah reading, because he understands the three kinds of questions that we need to confront whenever we study the Torah."—Jack Riemer, Jewish Advocate"If you want a book that is both accessible and deep, one which will open you to the humanity of all kinds of people, with love and compassion, this is the book for you."—Kol Ra'ash Gadol, Jew School"A breathtaking commentary."—Parshat Lekh Lekha, madlik"In Held's deft hand, these divrei Torah teach of human ethical responsibility in the face of pain that is interwoven into God's world. . . . The essays are beautifully written, richly woven, and speak honestly to the challenges facing religious people in the 21st century."—Yoel Finkelman, Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews"A spirited call to moral action and social justice. . . . Held is not content with learning Torah. He insists that we must not only study the word of God; rather, we must both "hear and do."—Jonathan Kirsch, Jewish Journal"The Torah reading cycle provides the structure not just for the Jewish year but also for countless volumes of commentary on the biblical text, including Rabbi Shai Held's brilliant new two-volume collection The Heart of Torah, Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion."—Ilana Kurshan, Jewish Review of Books“The Heart of Torah is a stunning achievement: textually learned, theologically profound, ethically challenging, spiritually uplifting, and psychologically astute. If you want to know what it can mean to read the Torah today with your whole heart and your whole mind, read this book.”—Rabbi Sharon Brous, founder and senior rabbi at Ikar, Los Angeles“Shai Held deftly brings the wisdom of Torah to bear upon the contemporary human condition. Christians who read this book can discover fresh dimensions within the biblical text, see more clearly where there is common ground between Jews and Christians, and better grasp what it means to understand and live in this world as God’s world.”—Walter Moberly, professor of theology and biblical interpretation at Durham University“Shai Held is one of the most important teachers of Torah in his generation.”—Rabbi David Wolpe, author of David: The Divided HeartTable of ContentsForeword Acknowledgments A Note on Translations Introduction Genesis Bere’shit No. 1. What Can Human Beings Do, and What Can’t They? Or, Does the Torah Believe in Progress? Bere’shit No. 2. Created in God’s Image: Ruling for God Noaḥ No. 1. Before and After the Flood: Or, It All Depends on How You Look Noaḥ No. 2. People Have Names: The Torah’s Takedown of Totalitarianism Lekh Lekha No. 1. Are Jews Always the Victims? Lekh Lekha No. 2. Between Abram and Lot: Wealth and Family Strife Va-yera’ No. 1. The Face of Guests as the Face of God: Abraham’s Radical and Traditional Theology Va-yera’ No. 2. In Praise of Protest: Or, Who’s Teaching Whom? Ḥayyei Sarah No. 1. Isaac’s Search: On the Akedah and Its Aftermath Ḥayyei Sarah No. 2. People Are Complicated: Or, Sensitivity Is a Dangerous Thing Toledot No. 1. In Praise of Isaac: The Bible’s Paragon of Marital Empathy Toledot No. 2. Between God and Torah: Judaism’s Gamble Va-yetse’ No. 1. Can We Be Grateful and Disappointed at the Same Time? Or, What Leah Learned Va-yetse’ No. 2. No Excuses: Jacob’s Sin and Its Consequences Va-yishlaḥ No. 1. The Fear of Killing: Jacob’s Ethical Legacy Va-yishlaḥ No. 2. The Power of Compassion: Or, Why Rachel’s Cries Pierce the Heavens Va-yeshev No. 1. Against Halfheartedness Va-yeshev No. 2. Election and Service: What Joseph Learned Mikkets No. 1. His Brother’s Brother: Judah’s Journey Mikkets No. 2. Reuben’s Recklessness: What Disqualifies a Leader? Va-yiggash No. 1. Humiliation: Judaism’s Fourth Cardinal Sin? Va-yiggash No. 2. Saving and Enslaving: The Complexity of Joseph Va-yeḥi No. 1. The Majesty of Restraint: Or, Joseph’s Shining Moment Va-yeḥi No. 2. Underreacting and Overreacting: Dinah’s Family in Crisis Exodus Shemot No. 1. Why Moses? Or, What Makes a Leader? Shemot No. 2. Gratitude and Liberation Va-’era’ No. 1. The Journey and the (Elusive) Destination Va-’era’ No. 2. Cultivating Freedom: When Is Character (Not) Destiny? Bo’ No. 1. Pharaoh: Consumed by the Chaos He Sows Bo’ No. 2. Receiving Gifts (and Learning to Love?): The “Stripping” of the Egyptians Be-shallaḥ No. 1. Leaving Slavery Behind: On Taking the First Step Be-shallaḥ No. 2. Bread from the Sky: Learning to Trust Yitro No. 1. Does Everyone Hate the Jews? And, Is There Wisdom Outside of Torah? Yitro No. 2. Honoring Parents: (Sometimes) the Hardest Mitzvah of All Mishpatim No. 1. Turning Memory into Empathy: The Torah’s Ethical Charge Mishpatim No. 2. Hearing the Cries of the Defenseless: Or, We Are All Responsible Terumah No. 1. Being Present While Making Space: Or, Two Meanings of Tzimtzum Terumah No. 2. Returning to Eden? An Island of Wholeness in a Fractured World Tetsavveh No. 1. God in the Mishkan: Present but Not Domesticated Tetsavveh No. 2. Between Ecstasy and Constancy: The Dynamics of Covenantal Commitment Ki Tissa’ No. 1. The Importance of Character: Or, Why Stubbornness Is Worse Than Idolatry Ki Tissa’ No. 2. God’s Expansive Mercy: Moses’s Praise and Jonah’s Fury Va-yak’hel No. 1. Whom Do We Serve? The Exodus toward Dignified Work Va-yak’hel No. 2, Pekudei No. 1. (A) Building with Heart Pekudei No. 2. Building a Home for God Notes on Genesis Notes on Exodus A Note on Bible Commentaries Bibliography Subject Index Classical Sources Index

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Book SynopsisFrom the 1950s until his death in 1994, Menachem Mendel Schneerson - revered by his followers worldwide simply as the Rebbe - built the Lubavitcher movement from a relatively small sect within Hasidic Judaism into the powerful force in Jewish life that it is today. This title paints a portrait of Schneerson.Trade ReviewOne of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2011 Winner of the 2010 National Jewish Book Award in American Jewish Studies, Jewish Book Council "How do you write a biography of the Messiah? That is the question that Samuel Heilman and Menachem Friedman, two leading Jewish social scientists, have had to tackle in their groundbreaking study of Menachem Mendel Schneerson."--Times Literary Supplement "[A]n outstanding biography of Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher rebbe... This well-written presentation, based on exhaustive scholarship, will stand as the definitive statement about the life and times of a highly influential religious leader."--Publishers Weekly "[A]n important biography... This is as full and reliable an account of the life of this towering spiritual leader as we are likely to get."--Saul Rosenberg, New York Sun "Lively and provocative... [An] eye-opening account of the Rebbe's 'life and afterlife.' ... [T]he best analytical study of the two major themes that it addresses: A critical and often boldly psychological biography of Schneerson is prefaced and supplemented by two chapters devoted to a sociological analysis of the beliefs and behaviors of his Hasidim, especially after the death of the man they were--and most still are--convinced was the Messiah."--Allan Nadler, Forward "This fascinating book by two outstanding scholars of contemporary Jewry is a must-read for those interested in the Lubavitch movement, whether insiders or outsiders... Overall, it examines a mystery that compels the reader's interest."--Jewish Book World "The Rebbe: The Life and Afterlife of Menachem Mendel Schneerson by Samuel Heilman and Menachem Friedman fills a considerable void in the biography of one of the towering religious figures of the 20th century... I am grateful to the authors for a profoundly human biography that will hopefully spur a whole new literature on the rebbe as man rather than angel and as person rather than saint."--Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, New York Jewish Week "[T]his book will serve as the most outstanding work in print on the Rebbe's life, his influence and his afterlife."--Aaron Howard, Jewish Herald-Voice "Sixteen years after the death of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a flurry of new publications indicates not only how enduring the interest is in his life and legacy, but how potent the minefield is surrounding his mythology... The Heilman-Friedman book is generating the most controversy. Written for a lay audience, it frames Schneerson's mission, and that of the Chabad movement he led, as motivated by Messianism, here defined as the attempt to hasten the Messianic era through human actions."--Sue Fishkoff, Jewish Telegraphic Agency "In this exemplary work, we are treated to a well-written, well-documented history of the rise, life, death, and 'afterlife' of Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-94), the seventh-and last larger-than-life-leader (or 'rebbe') of ChaBaD Lubavitcher Hasidism... An outstanding book, strongly recommended for all interested in studying Schneerson and his beliefs."--Anthony J. Elia, Library Journal "When Samuel Heilman and Menachem Friedman, the two most distinguished sociologists of contemporary Orthodox Judaism set out to write this book, I was green with envy. They would combine their considerable talents and learning to bear on arguably the most fascinating, perhaps even the most successful, late 20th century Jewish religious leader... They have done an admirable job."--Michael Berenbaum, Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles "[T]he extraordinary biography of the Lubavitcher Rebbe executed by Samuel Heilman and Menachem Friedman, two sociologists who have cooperated in an exacting study of one of the most important religious figures of the 20th century... They deploy this approach in a narrative that is extraordinarily smooth in its literary style and transforms what could have been a dry and jargon-ridden sociological foray into a highly readable and occasionally even gripping exploration of the inner workings and theological complications that have animated the Lubavitcher 'empire' in the recent past."--Arnold Ages, Indianapolis Post & Opinion "[A] superb new biography... Mr. Heilman and Mr. Friedman are the perfect guides to tell this story. Their book is a model of meticulous research and balanced, wise assessments... The authors tell a riveting tale. No better account of this amazing saga of faith, hope, triumph and delusional madness can be imagined. To enjoy this book and learn its profound lessons, you don't have to be Jewish."--Martin Sieff, Washington Times "Where Heilman and Friedman excel is in separating fact from fiction in the rebbe's life... I am grateful to the authors for a profoundly human biography that will hopefully spur a whole new literature on the rebbe as man rather than angel and as person rather than saint."--Shmuley Boteach, Jerusalem Post "Illuminating... [A] clearly written and engaging biography... For anyone interested in a sophisticated sociological analysis of how Schneerson was able to become 'The Rebbe' this is a must read."--Nathaniel Deutsch, Haaretz "Prominent sociologists Heilman and Friedman have written an important book on the Lubavitcher movement, perhaps the most notable sect within Orthodox Judaism. The Rebbe, however, is also a provocative biography of Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, one of the 20th century's most influential religious leaders... For those unfamiliar with Schneerson's powerful religious message and messianic mission, this is essential reading."--Choice "This is a very good, accessible, non-hagiographic biography of the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe... Highly recommended for collections of twentieth century Jewish history."--Shmuel Ben-Gad, AJL Newsletter "There is a great deal that is new in this very readable study and much that should interest students not only of Hasidism but also of charismatic religious groups in general."--Shaul Stampfer, Religious Studies Review "This book is helpful as an account of the transformation of Chabad from inner-directed to outer-facing, from a lineage that prized lengthy contemplative prayer to one that celebrates bold feats of outreach."--Nehemia Polen, Modern JudaismTable of ContentsList of Illustrations xi The Rebbes of ChaBaD? xiii Preface xv Chapter 1: Farbrengen: The Gathering of the Emissaries 1 Chapter 2: Death and Resurrection 29 Chapter 3: Coming of Age in a Time of Transition 65 Chapter 4: E ntering the Court of Lubavitch 90 Chapter 5: From Survival to Uforatzto 130 Chapter 6: On a Mission from the Rebbe in Life 163 Chapter 7: From Resurrection to Death: We Want Moshiach Now 197 Chapter 8: On a Mission from the Rebbe in His Afterlife 248 Glossary of Hasidic and Lubavitcher Terms 279 Notes 283 Index 331

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Book SynopsisNew edition of bestseller that critiques Jewish fundamentalism and shows its negative impact on Israeli policy.Table of ContentsPreface New Introduction 1. Jewish Fundamentalism Within Jewish Society 2. The Rise of the Haredim in Israel 3. The Two Main Haredi Groups 4. The National Religious Party and the Religious Settlers 5. The Nature of Gush Emunim Settlements 6. The Real Significance of Baruch Goldstein 7. The Religious Background of Rabin’s Assassination Glossary Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisHidden within the first three chapters of Genesis rests one of the greatest jewels of Western mystical literature. For millennia religious literalism has dominated our understanding of the Bible, imprisoning its subtle inner wisdom within the most coarse and superficial aspects of the narrative. Generations have been led to believe that Genesis 1-3 is only a primitive proto-cosmic history, a mythological explanation of the human moral disposition, a religious fairy tale. But by accepting the text as pure kabbalistic metaphor, the mystical content of Genesis springs forth, revealing the Divine nature of creativity as well as a new understanding of the human mind. Deconstructing each line of Genesis 1-3 with esoteric methods derived from the oral teachings of the Kabbalah, David Chaim Smith reveals how the ten sefirot, collectively known as the Tree of Life, are not simply a linear hierarchy. They are a unified interdependent whole with ten interactive functions, forming the template through which creative diversity manifests. Through acts of creation and creativity, the mind expresses its Divine nature. Through our Divine creative power, we are able to touch upon Ain Sof (the infinite), the lifeblood of all creative expression. Smith's line-by-line examination of Genesis 1-3 reveals a complete model not only of Divine creativity but also of the predicament of the human mind, of the Divine nature of consciousness as well as our inability to recognize the mind's Divinity. With this new interpretation, which removes the concept of a Creator God, we are able to transcend the contrasting notions of "being" and "non-being" at the heart of conventional habits of perception and awaken a new mystical understanding of Unity and the fathomless depth of Divinity.Trade Review“An amazing book--boy does it have chutzpah!” * Hymenaeus Beta, Frater Superior, Ordo Templi Orientis *“A gifted artist who has a deep contemporary understanding of Jewish mystical wisdom, David Chaim Smith takes us into the domain where zero is one, where the all is nothing, and where the creative moment is constantly renewing itself. The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis is not a book simply to read but to contemplate and live with.” * Rodger Kamenetz, author of Burnt Books and The Jew in the Lotus *“A unique mystical voice out of a Blakean tradition, The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis is a mind-expanding spiritual text that will both clarify and transform you. Smith has rethought biblical basics from the ground up (‘with-beginningness’) providing insights into the profound depths of mind, perception, reality, life, creativity, luminosity, and transcendence. . . . This is kabbalistic commentary from a living practitioner that will help us immeasurably to help heal the world.” * John Zorn, musician *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I Window of Manifestation 1 The Essential Nature of Creativity The First Word of Genesis 2 Blueprint of the Creative Process Commentary on the First Chapter of Genesis Part II PriMordial Gnosis and Its Obscuration 3 The EdeNic State Commentary on the Second Chapter of Genesis 4 The CoNsequence of Habit Commentary on the Third Chapter of Genesis Appendix I Kabbalistic SyNopsis of the Three Chapters Appendix II Kabbalistic Array of names Index About the Author

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Book SynopsisWhat Maggy Whitehouse has discovered, over more than a quarter of a century of studying, teaching and writing books on Kabbalah, is that, used as a tool for inspiration, Kabbalah is a magical loom on which we can weave our healing, and from that healing, we become an agent of healing for the World. Kabbalah tells us exactly where, when, how and why we may be out of alignment with health, finances and relationships and, just as importantly, how to realign ourselves. For Maggy, it began with chronic lack of self-esteem which, in turn, led to many a humiliation, widowhood, shark attack, failed emigration, debt, divorce, shame, misery, hatred and what the doctors called an incurable illness which now no longer exists. It can be summed up, in a way, by how the first eight aspects led to the final one and how Kabbalah taught Maggy how to heal them, from finish to start. After all, 'incurable' surely means 'curable from within'.

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Book SynopsisFew topics are as broad or as daunting as the God of Israel, that deity of the world''s three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, who has been worshiped over millennia. In the Hebrew Bible, God is characterized variously as militant, beneficent, inscrutable, loving, and judicious. Who is this divinity that has been represented as masculine and feminine, mythic and real, transcendent and intimate? The Origin and Character of God is Theodore J. Lewis''s monumental study of the vast subject that is the God of Israel. In it, he explores questions of historical origin, how God was characterized in literature, and how he was represented in archaeology and iconography. He also brings us into the lived reality of religious experience. Using the window of divinity to peer into the varieties of religious experience in ancient Israel, Lewis explores the royal use of religion for power, prestige, and control; the intimacy of family and household religion; priestly prerogativeTrade ReviewThis is an important book, full of insightful comments, and is both wide-ranging and well-researched. * Eryl W. Davies, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament *Theodore J. Lewis's magnum opus reflects his scholarly commitment to the study of the religion of ancient Israel through the centrality of the definition, agency, history, and meaning of God. A masterful presentation of interdisciplinary scholarship incorporating archaeology, art, culture, literature, politics, and the lived experiences and realities of religious faith with scripture, this encyclopedic survey will become a classic reference work as well as a classic must-read for scholars of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as well as an audience beyond the academy. * 221 AAR Book Awards *Recommended. Ambitious upper-division undergraduates through faculty and researchers. * J. S. Kaminsky, Smith College, CHOICE *The Origin and Character of God is a magnum opus on the religion of ancient Israel. Taking a history of religion approach, Professor Lewis properly places the emergence of Israelite religion in the broader context of near eastern religion and history. It will be an essential reference work for generations to come." William M. Schniedewind, UCLAIn this landmark reference work, Theodore J. Lewis surveys the gods El and Yahweh, along with the goddess Astarte, as well as their rituals, personnel and polemics. Lewis masterfully describes the vast evidence found in iconography and texts, both biblical and extrabiblical. A readable volume marked by rich documentation, sober assessment, balanced judgment. * Mark S. Smith, Author of The Genesis of Good and Evil: The Fall(out) and Original Sin in the Bible *The Origin and Character of God is driven by critically evaluated data. In it, Theodore J. Lewis illustrates how hypotheses developed with conscientious methodological rigor should be applied to explain such data. In this remarkable magnum opus, Lewis, whose many contributions to the study of Israelite religion and, more generally, of divinity in the ancient Near East are well known and highly regarded, provides scholars a useful model for the type and quality of research that will carry these fields forward in coming decades. * Ziony Zevit, American Jewish University *Theodore Lewis's new book is a true magnum opus. It takes on the challenge of understanding ancient Israelite religion by focusing on how the Israelites conceptualized deity, more specifically, the god Yahweh and Yahweh's older relative, the Canaanite El. Lewis spares no effort to be comprehensive, taking in all the primary evidence from written texts and non-written archaeology and all the modern scholarship.... His coverage is lucid and systematic, and not simply descriptive, but a probing inquiry on many levels... paying close attention to both visual and written sources and their interplay, and demonstrating an acute awareness of the limits of our primary evidence. * Peter Machinist, Harvard University *Table of ContentsChapter One: Introductory Matters Chapter Two: The History of Scholarship on Ancient Israelite Religion - A Brief Sketch Chapter Three: Methodology Chapter Four: El Worship Chapter Five: The Iconography of Divinity - El Section I: Methodology and Iconography Section II: Ancient Near Eastern Iconography and Divine Images Section III: The Iconography of Ugaritic 'Ilu Section IV: The Iconography of Israelite El Chapter Six: The Origin of Yahweh Section I: The Meaning and Revelation of the Name Yahweh in the Hebrew Bible Section II: The Name Yahweh in Extra-Biblical and Epigraphic Sources Section III: The Geographic Origins of Yahwistic Traditions and the Debate Concerning Chapter Seven: The Iconography of Divinity - Yahweh Section I: The Iconography of Yahweh: Anthropomorphic and Theriomorphic Traditions Section II: The Iconography of Yahweh: Aniconic and Abstract Traditions Chapter Eight: The Characterization of the Deity Yahweh Part One: Yahweh as Warrior and Family God Section I: Yahweh as Divine Warrior Section II: Yahweh the Compassionate and Family Religion Chapter Nine: The Characterization of the Deity Yahweh Part Two: Yahweh as King and Yahweh as Judge Section I: Yahweh as King Section II: Yahweh as Judge Chapter Ten: The Characterization of the Deity Yahweh Part Three: Yahweh as Holy Conclusion Notes Works Cited Index

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Book SynopsisThe classic guide to the cultural and spiritual treasures of Judaism is now updated for the first time in 15 years to reflect changes in the modern Jewish community.Living a Jewish Life describes Judaism as not just a contemplative or abstract system of thought but as a blueprint for living fully and honorably.Trade Review"An excellent first reader for the young family taking its first steps into living their Jewishness." — Rabbi Harold Kushner

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Book SynopsisExplores the inner torments and religious quest of one of Hasidism's major figures, providing an important key to making his teachings accessible. Unlocks the great themes of spiritual searching that make Nahman a figure of universal religious importance.

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Book SynopsisAn unprecedented portrait of Moses's inner world and perplexing character, by a distinguished biblical scholarTrade Review"A celebrated biblical scholar, keen on weaving together traditional Jewish exegesis, psychoanalysis and postmodern criticism, Zornberg always displays minute attention to the psychological subtext of the Scriptures. . . . Bringing together copious, diverse and sometimes dissonant references (spanning Hasidic masters, George Eliot, Zizek and Beckett, among others), Zornberg gives a new tour of the life of Moses."—Clemence Boulouque, New York Times Book Review"In this exceptionally well-written book, which has the elegance of literature, Zornberg sidesteps the historical question. She treats Moses as a fictional character, not because she rejects his possible historicity but rather because she focuses on him as a personality. . . . The result is a thoughtful and highly literate read."—Robert A. Segal, Times Higher Education Supplement"For those wishing to engage the legacy of Moses more deeply, this is a must-read."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Brings together a rich literary reading of the biblical text, Midrashic insights, and contemporary psychology and sociology…This book will prove invaluable to teachers and students who want a deeper sense of the originating and ongoing significance of this ‘man of God’.”—Matthew J. Lynch, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament"Only Avivah Zornberg could tell the story of Moses in such a way as to situate him on the very cusp of the sacred and the human while showing how completely he participates in both. Only Zornberg has the prodigious scholarship to draw out from her sources the uniquely anguished and creative energy of Moses’ life. In doing so she makes a plea for a Jewish ethics grounded in the outsider, the one who stutters and falls, while at the same time returning Moses as a fully modern prophet to the modern world."—Jacqueline Rose, author of The Last Resistance and Women in Dark Times"The author has perfected a distinctive approach to the biblical text that is both traditional and post-modern, playful and profound, imaginative but also truthful."—Steven Weitzman, author of Solomon: The Lure of Wisdom

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This book is a must-have for all scholars of religions in antiquity. . . . Schäfer has collected decisive proof in the form of a wide range of Jewish texts from the Bible to the Bavli that are not only discussed, but provided in the form of extensive quotations that makes the book a handy reference work."---Lieve M. Teugels,, Journal for the Study of Judaism

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