Judaism life and practice Books

Trade Review"Fascinating. Plaut means so well and covers so much ground. After 207 pages, I am a Hanukkah maven. Ask me anything." -- Elinor Lipman * New York Times Book Review *"Christmas is our only national holiday founded on religious beliefs, and Plaut, a rabbi and Jewish studies scholar, describes the multitude of creative rituals, activities, and responses Jews have developed to counteract feelings of marginalization and 'transform Christmastime into a holiday season belonging to all Americans.' Plaut offers a quirky, provocative, yet solid study of contemporary Jewish behavior and emerging new forms of popular culture." * Publishers Weekly *"Hanukkah, a once-obscure Jewish festival that—conveniently falling in December—has been built up to become a response to the 'December dilemma', the puzzle posed for non-Christians by Christmas. The dilemma is no more, suggests Rabbi Plaut. December now features traditions that are both distinctively American and inventively Jewish. And one last Jewish Christmas custom—volunteering to work or help the needy so that Christian neighbours can enjoy the holiday—trumps the rest, distilling the essence of the season." * The Economist *"In this short, informative and illuminating book, Plaut traces not only the changing attitude of American Jews to Christmas but the holiday’s symbiotic influence on Hanukkah as well." * Ha'aretz *"This book is a clever look at the dilemmas presented to us at Christmas, whether in fact we are Jews or not. Many readers will be likely to enjoy it." * Library Journal *"A Kosher Christmas is a unique observation of American Jewry and the ambivalence Jews face as we simultaneously try to integrate ourselves into American culture, while helping to shape aspects of it at the same time." * Jewish Book World *"A Kosher Christmas is a richly amusing, well-researched present to American Jews, allowing them to wear their new cashmere sweaters to Chinese restaurants on Christmas day without being racked by religious guilt." -- Robert Brustein * playwright, theater critic, and recipient of the 2010 National Medal of Arts *"A Kosher Christmas—full of entertaining and intriguing anecdotes and tales of Jews reconciling their traditions and values with the pervasiveness of Christmas culture—is a fast-paced read that anyone who grew up around holiday celebrations of all stripes will enjoy." * Jerusalem Post Magazine *"Providing more than a Jewish cultural history, Plaut opens discussion on the way that the US Jewish response to Christmas, which he calls culturally unique, paved the way for the identity politics of other minorities to be expressed in the all-important December holiday season. Recommended." * Choice *"A Kosher Christmas is a welcome addition to the literature in what remains an understudied area of the American Jewish experience." * American Jewish Archives Journal *"Why We Kiss Under Mistletoe And Toast With Eggnog" by NPR's Thomas Lu, Justine Kenin and Sam Gringlas * NPR's "All Things Considered" *"Why Do Jewish People Eat Chinese Food On Christmas?" interview * NPR's "All Things Considered" *Table of ContentsForeword by Jonathan D. SarnaAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Coping with Christmas: A Multitude of Jewish Responses1. Coming to the New World: Can the American Jew Keep Christmas?2. Hanaukkah Comes of Age: the New Jewish Christmas3. We Eat Chinese Food on Christmas4. " ' Twas the Night Before Hanukkah": Remaking Christmas through Parody and Popular Culture5. The Christmas Mitzvah: 'Tis the Season to be Giving6. Chrismukkah and Festivus: Holidays for the Rest of UsConclusion: Menorahs Next to Madonnas: shaping the Future of Christmas in AmericaNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisJews in Britain have risen to the top of nearly every profession, they run major companies, sit at the top tables in politics and are prominent in science, arts and media. Of course there is poverty and disadvantage, just as there is in any community, but objectively, British Jews have done well. Particularly when we consider where they came from: the impoverished, often oppressed lives that many Jews lived in Eastern Europe and the Ottoman Empire less than 200 years ago. British Jews have lived safely and continuously in Britain longer than any other modern Jewish community has lived anywhere else in the world. Jews are so ingrained into the national fabric of Britain that they are often not considered to be a minority at all.They have organised themselves in a way that serves as a model both to more recent immigrant communities in Britain and to Jewish communities elsewhere. Being British, they wear their distinctions lightly, they don''t trumpet their achievementsTrade Review[Freedman’s] survey is detailed and fair … For non-Jews, this explains us as well as is possible outside fiction. * The Spectator *Freedman, a prolific author of books on Jewish subjects, has produced something that could fairly lay claim to becoming the definitive guide to British Jewry…And as a portrait of a community at a particular moment, it is an exhaustive, impressive achievement. * The Tablet *The book is a great primer as an introduction to what makes Jews tick today. * Jewish News *[Freedman] writes clearly and knows the community inside and out. * New Humanist *Freedman’s insider account of Britain Jewry...tells a story of “confidence”, “maturity”, even relative cohesion. * Times Literary Supplement *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. The New Confidence 3. Life 4. Religion 5. Conformity and Dissent 6. Community and Cohesion 7. Not Just London 8. Giving and Caring 9. Education 10. Migrations 11. Glossary

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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 SynopsisEmbark on a journey of self-discovery as you learn the secrets to living a fearless, meaningful life.Today, more than ever, we act out of fear. We fear change, rejection, failure, and suffering. But what if we could find a way to live that looks to the future instead of the past? What if we could replace our fear with purpose, and discover our potential for growth instead of focusing on our limits?Global mentor for leaders in some of the world''s biggest tech companies, Michal Oshman has created a unique personal growth methodology that challenges you to explore what really matters and offers solutions to everyday struggles. Covering everything from relationships to parenting, developing your career to dealing with past traumas and controlling anxiety, these tools will empower you to embrace change and discover who you really are and what you were born to do with your life. This unique book will help you to find your courage and move forward freely to embrace a life that is free from fear.

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Book SynopsisOffers an overarching definition and framework for the study of religion as it manifests itself in everyday lifeLook around you as you walk down the street; somewhere, usually hidden in plain sight, there will be traces of religion. Perhaps it is the person who walks past with a Christian tattoo or a Muslim hijab. Perhaps it is the poster announcing a charity auction at the local synagogue. Or perhaps you open your Instagram feed to see what inspiring images and meditations have been posted by spiritual guides to help start the day.Studying Lived Religion examines religious practices wherever they happenboth within religious spaces and in everyday life. Although the study of lived religion has been around for over two decades, there has not been an agreed-upon definition of what it encompasses, and we have lacked a sociological theory to frame the way it is studied. This book offers a definition that expands lived religion's geographic scope and a frameworkTrade ReviewThis is a great book! Nancy Ammerman gives us a systematic framework for studying ‘lived religion’ – how real people ‘do’ religion in their everyday lives. Religion happens all around us: not just in churches, mosques, and synagogues, but also on mountaintops, in deep relationships, and in the talk and acts that fill our taken-for-granted days. Through many examples, Ammerman shows us seven dimensions along which everyday religion varies. From different forms of embodiment to different emotions, aesthetics, and moral sensibilities, we learn that religion is far more complex than we imagined – and far more interesting to study. -- James Spickard, University of RedlandsThis book offers both a theoretical underpinning for the sociology of lived religion and a useful guide for carrying out practice in the field. Either one of these would make a significant intellectual contribution. Nancy Ammerman's accomplishment of both objectives makes this book pathbreaking. -- Meredith McGuire, Professor Emerita, Sociology and Anthropology, Trinity UniversityMeticulous, comprehensive, and intelligent, this marvelous book is a must-read for everyone interested in lived religion. Ammerman’s alertness to case studies is matched by her alertness to the expansive repertoire of methods that animate this body of work. -- David D. Hall, Harvard Divinity SchoolA master class in thinking and writing about subtle religion by a rare scholar who knows how to talk across disciplines and in ordinary language. “Pay attention,” Ammerman says, not just to institutional leaders and official doctrines but also to the eruption of the uncanny in unexpected places—in the stories we tell, stuff we hold dear, and the messy social circumstances in which it’s all embedded. Sage wisdom here for scholars, journalists, and anyone else on the lookout for intimations of the "spiritual dimension" breaking into the everyday. -- Stephen Prothero, C. Allyn and Elizabeth V. Russell Professor of Religion in America at Boston University.Generous in spirit and substance, Studying Lived Religion is akin to a handbook-cum-manifesto animated by Nancy Ammerman’s enthusiasm for a ‘lived’ or ‘practice’ approach to the study of religion. -- David Hall, Harvard University * Sociology of Religion *Required reading for students and scholars of religious life at all levels. * Choice *The whole book will be useful to anyone contemplating research on religion…Nancy Ammerman is a terrific guide to the process and to the insights it can yield. * Catholic Books Review *Studying Lived Religion is a much-needed addition to both religious studies research and the classroom. Clearly written and tightly organized, it is accessible and eminently referenceable, offering a variety of methodologies, historical contexts, and examples. * Nova Religio *

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Book SynopsisA USA Today Bestseller Featured in the Washington PostZibby Owens has done the literary world a great service, collecting important views at a critical moment in history. As she says, this is not a time to lower your voice. Kudos to her and all the authors here for sharing valuable insight, emotion, and perspective on the often misunderstood Jewish experience.Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays With Morrie An intimate and hopeful collection of meaningful, smart, funny, sad, emotional, and inspiring essays from today's authors and advocates about what it means to be Jewish, how life has changed since the attacks on October 7th, 2023, and the unique culture that brings this group together. On October 7th, 2023, Jews in Israel were attacked in the largest pogrom since the Holocaust. It was a day felt by Jews everywhere who came together to process and speak out in ways some never had before. In this collection, 75 contributors speak to Jewish joy, celebration, laughter, food, trauma, loss, love, and family, and the common threads that course through the Jewish people: resilience and humor. Contributors include Mark Feuerstein, Jill Zarin, Steve Leder, Joanna Rakoff, Amy Ephron, Lisa Barr, Annabelle Gurwitch, Daphne Merkin, Bradley Tusk, Sharon Brous, Jenny Mollen, Nicola Kraus, Caroline Leavitt, and many others. On Being Jewish Now is edited by Zibby Owens, bestselling author, podcaster, bookstore owner, and CEO of Zibby Media. All profits will be donated to Artists Against Antisemitism.Contributors:Abby SternAli RosenAlison HammerAlison Rose GreenbergAlix StraussAliza LichtAlli FrankAlyssa RosenheckAmy BlumenfeldAmy EphronAmy KleinAnna Ephron HarariAnnabelle GurwitchBarri Leiner GrantBess KalbBeth RicanatiBradley TuskBrenda JanowitzCara MentzelCaroline LeavittCorie AdjmiCourtney SheinmelDanny GrossmanDaphne MerkinDara KurtzDara LevanDavid K. IsraelDavid Christopher KaufmanDebbie Reed FischerDiana FerskoEleanor ReissaElizabeth Cohen HausmanElizabeth L. SilverElyssa FriedlandEmily Tisch SussmanHarper KincaidHeidi ShertokIlana KurshanJacqueline FriedlandJamie BrennerJane L. RosenJeanne BlasbergJennifer S. BrownJenny MollenJeremy GarelickJill ZarinJoanna RakoffJonathan SantloferJudy BatalionJulia DeVillersKeren BlankfeldLihi LapidLisa BarrLisa KoganLynda Cohen LoigmanMark FeuersteinNicola KrausNoa YedlinRebecca Keren JablonskiRachel BarenbaumRachel Levy LesserRachelle UnreichRebecca MinkoffRebecca RaphaelRenee RosenRochelle B. WeinsteinSamantha EttusSamantha Greene WoodruffSharon BrousShirin YadegarStacy IgelSteve LederTalia CarnerToby RoseZibby Owens

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Book SynopsisLet Michal Oshman take you on a journey of self discovery to identify what makes you you, what you were born to do and how to do it.As a mentor for leaders in top global companies, Michal created a unique personal growth methodology based on the life-changing principles of Jewish wisdom. It is easy to think that the daily challenges we experience in the 21st century are new and unlike any that people faced in the past. Michal draws on her own heritage and a wide range of Jewish teachings to offer practical advice for common concerns, such as a broken heart, parenting, overcoming setbacks and getting the most out of your career.By challenging you to explore what matters, Michal offers solutions to your everyday struggles. She will empower you as well as teach you how to adopt her self-development tools to discover who you really are and what you were born to do with your life. With its uplifting belief that you already have all the ingredients within you to leaTrade ReviewThis is a self-help book with a difference [...] For anyone seeking a more fulfilling life, Michal Oshman's account of how she found hers could just be an inspiring and invaluable handbook. -- Sipora Levy * The Jewish Chronicle *Using age-old approaches to issues such as Imposter Syndrome, company culture and risk-taking, she brings sometime fresh to the professional self-help landscape. It is inspiring beyond belief. -- Alice Olins * Red *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe book is scrupulously documented allowing the reader to follow up with further information on any given aspect of this topic. Highly recommended for all adult and secondary school Judaica collections * AJL Reviews *At a time when questions of Jewish "(dis)loyalty" are once again appearing in the headlines, this timely volume offers directions to begin untangling the historial roots and trajectories of the dynamics of trust -- Noam Sienna * Church History *Table of ContentsIntroduction: On the Word of a Jew, or Trusting Jewish History / Nina Caputo and Mitchell B. Hart Section One: To Swear an Oath1. Oaths, Vows, and Trust in the Bible / Robert S. Kawashima 2. "And in most of their business transactions they rely on this": Some Reflections on Jews and Oaths in the Commercial Arena in Medieval Europe / Ephraim Shoham-Steiner3. The Oath of a Jew in the Thirteenth Century English Legal Context / Joshua Curk 4. What is an Infidel?: Jewish Oaths and Jewish History in the Making of English Trust and Tolerance / Mitchell B. Hart 5. Trusting Adolphe Crémieux: Jews and Republicans in Nineteenth-Century France / Lisa Leff Section Two: The Business of Trust 6. "A kind of republic and neutral nation:" Commerce, Credit, and Conspiracy in Early Modern Europe / Joshua Teplitsky7. Jewish Peddlers and Non-Jewish Customers in the New World: Between Profit and Trust / Hasia Diner 8. Belonging and Trustworthiness: Jewish Businessmen in the Public Rhetoric around the "Trustworthy Businessman" in Post-World War I Germany / Stefanie Fischer Section Three: Intimacy of Trust 9. The Voice of a Jew? Petrus Alfonsi's Dialogi contra judaeos and the Question of True Conversion / Nina Caputo 10. A Return to Credibility? The Rehabilitation of Repentant Apostates in Medieval Ashkenaz / Rachel Furst 11. The Jewish Physician as Respondent, Confidant, and Proxy: The Case of Marcus Herz and Immanuel Kant / Robert Leventhal Section Four: The Politics of Trust 12. Perspectives from the Periphery: The East India Company's Jewish Sepoys, Anglo-Jewry, and the Image of "the Jew" / Mitch Numark 13. Between Honor and Authenticity: Zionism as Theodor Herzl's Life-Project / Derek Jonathan Penslar 14. The Most Trusted Jew in America: Jon Stewart's Earnestness / Shaina Hammerman

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Book SynopsisFinalist, Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion, Analytical-Descriptive Studies, given by the American Academy of ReligionA groundbreaking reframing of religious pilgrimagePious processions. Sites of miraculous healing. Journeys to far-away sacred places. These are what are usually called to mind when we think of religious pilgrimage. Yet while pilgrimage can include journeying to the heart of sacred shrines, it can also occur in apparently mundane places. Indeed, not everyone has the resources or mobility to take part in religiously inspired movement to foreign lands, and some find meaning in religious movement closer to home and outside of officially sanctioned practices. Powers of Pilgrimage argues that we must question the universality of Western assumptions of what religion is and where it should be located, including the notion that genuine pilgrimage needs to be associated with discrete, formally recognized forms of religiosity. This necessary volume makes the case for eTrade ReviewAn impressive overview of the state of the field of pilgrimage studies. Coleman does an excellent job of putting scholars in context and in dialogue with each other, from anthropologists Victor and Edith Turner to cultural studies scholar Stuart Hall. Coleman presents a complex view of pilgrimage that opens up new possibilities for study and analysis. . . . This book will be an invaluable resource for scholars of ritual, pilgrimage, religion, geography, politics, and beyond. -- Sarah Pike, California State University, ChicoA lucid, wide-reaching, and brilliant book that provides us with a valuable new theoretical lexicon and framework for exploring human pilgrimage. Coleman’s attention to mobilities, context at multiple scales, emergence, uncertainties, and ambiguities further illustrates the relevance of political economy and social justice for pilgrimage studies. This volume will have a major and lasting impact on Pilgrimage Studies and beyond. -- Sharon R. Roseman, co-editor of The Tourism Imaginary and Pilgrimages to the Edges of the WorldPowers of Pilgrimage is an important book for scholars of pilgrimage and religion, but also for scholars of culture, mobility, economy, and geography. The book provides an impressive overview and analysis of the field as well as an impassioned call to expand the field’s approaches and subjects. -- Melissa Coles * The Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism *Coleman’s book is an extremely worthwhile read, bound to leave its mark on the anthropology of religion and beyond.It successfully sets an agenda of interest to anyone, or any discipline engaged in the study of religion. -- Maja Balle and Bjorn Thomassen * Social Sciences and Missions *Simon Coleman’s book presents a much-needed and long overdue exploration of the richness of pilgrimage research… Power of Pilgrimage: Religion in a World of Movement is a compelling and influential book that establishes parameters for comparative research in pilgrimage studies. * Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion *Powers of Pilgrimage is an insightful voyage into the complexities and intricacies of pilgrim practices in various parts of the world today…Coleman’s book is an extremely worthwhile read, bound to leave its mark on the anthropology of religion and beyond. * Social Sciences and Missions *Powers of Pilgrimage makes an enormous contribution to studies of pilgrimage by reframing and expanding the field…The book provides an impressive overview and analysis of the field as well as an impassioned call to expand the field’s approaches and subjects, including by rejecting false binaries between “religious” and “secular” spaces, peoples, and practices. * Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism *

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Book SynopsisAn accessible and engaging treatment of the experience of Jewish summer camps. This book tells the story of how Jewish camps have emerged as creators of positive spiritual experiences for Jewish youth in North America. When Jewish camps began at the dawn of the twentieth century, their leaders had little interest in creating Jewish spiritual experiences for their campers. Yet over the course of the past century, Jewish camps have gradually moved into providing primal Jewish experiences that diverse campers can enjoy, parents appreciate, and alumni fondly recall. Making Shabbat Real explores how Shabbat at camp became the focal point for these primal Jewish experiences, providing an interesting perspective on changing approaches to Jewish education and identity in North America. Trade Review“Making Shabbat: Celebrating and Learning at American Jewish Summer Camps, Reimer’s account of Shabbat at three highly regarded non-Orthodox Jewish summer camps, is another example of slow and deliberate Jewish educational research and the insights it can yield. . . . In drawing attention to how Shabbat is made at camp, Reimer uncovers how seemingly banal actions can set a foundation for rich experiences. . . . [This] book . . . exemplifies exactly the sort of rich and insightful scholarship necessary for nurturing vibrant, lived North American Judaism.” * Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas *“This gracefully written book is an outstanding ethnographic account of how Shabbat is created and transmitted at three different camps, which highlights the power of the quotidian of music, dance, prayer, community, and leadership. Reimer offers a rich and detailed understanding of what learning and education mean in these different contexts that vastly enlarges previous scholarship on summer camps… An especially timely work, as religious life is changing dramatically, and Reimer has offered many insights that should be helpful to anyone interested in how meaning is made and transmitted in religion.” -- Riv-Ellen Prell, Professor Emerita, Department of American Studies, University of Minnesota“From ruach mosh pits to post-havdalah hugs, Shabbat practices at camp differ from year-round Jewish life. This smart, engaging book sheds light on this phenomenon through historical analysis, rich ethnographic descriptions, and beautiful photographs from three contemporary camps of diverse denominations. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Jewish education - and camp alumni who want to take a trip down memory lane (or dirt path).” -- Sarah Bunin Benor, author of Hebrew Infusion: Language and Community at American Jewish Summer Camps"This book is for anyone who has experienced Shabbat at a Jewish camp and wondered what made it so special. After describing in detail how Shabbat is observed at three different camps, Reimer unpacks the core values of each camp, and the ‘rituals’ that allow some seemingly conflicting values to co-exist. Finally, he brings in key theoretical constructs to explain how lore and ritual intertwine to make Shabbat at camp so memorable.” -- Isa Aron, Professor Emerita of Jewish Education, Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of ReligionTable of Contents1. IntroductionPart 1: Creating Shabbat at Camp2. Developing Shabbat at Jewish Camps: 1920-20003. Shabbat at Three Jewish CampsPart 2: Celebrating Shabbat at Camp4. Preparing for Shabbat5. Greeting the Shabbat6. Intensifying Shabbat Joy7. Skill-Building and Concluding ShabbatPart 3: Learning from Shabbat at Camp8. What Camp Leaders Can Learn9. What Jewish Celebration Can Be

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Book SynopsisIn this volume, Bible Studies scholar Yitzhak (Itzik) Peleg offers an educational, values-based approach to the cycle of Jewish holidays—festivals and holy days—as found in the Jewish calendar. These special days play a dual role: they reflect a sense of identity with, and belonging to, the Jewish people, while simultaneously shaping that identity and sense of belonging. The biblical command “And you shall tell your son” (Exodus 13:8) is meant to ensure that children will become familiar with the history of their people via the experience of celebrating the holidays. It is the author’s claim, however, that this command must be preceded by another educational command: “And you shall listen to your son and your daughter.” The book examines the various Jewish holidays and ways in which they are celebrated, while focusing on three general topics: identity, belonging, memory. Throughout the generations, observance of the holidays has developed and changed, from time to time and place to place. These changes have enabled generations of Jews, in their various communities, to define their own Jewish identity and sense of belonging. Trade Review“[T]his book caters to Jewish people of all backgrounds and different levels of observance. The book places a great emphasis on the fact that the common denominator that unites us as a Jewish people is our love of the Bible, our tradition, and the preservation of our rich heritage for generations to come. … Peleg conveys in his book that both integration and balance between tradition and renewal will make the Jewish holidays relevant to more and more Jews, both younger and older. By embracing and celebrating the holidays that have been passed down to us generation after generation, the book speaks of the connection between Jews among themselves, as well as that between Jews and their past.” — Joseph Scutts, The Jerusalem ReportTable of ContentsIntroduction Holidays as an Educational Tool throughout the Generations (Ledorotaichem): Examples Holidays as Tools for Shaping Jewish Identity Holidays as Building a Sense of Belonging to Our People Remembrance in the Holidays as Shaping Identity and a Sense of Belonging to the Jewish People The Memory of the Holocaust as Shaping Identity and Belonging Developments and Changes in the Holidays throughout the Generations and in How We Relate to Them Passover as a Reflection (Mise en Abyme) of the Jewish Holidays Lessons from Our Journey through the Jewish Calendar from a Child’s Overview Epilogue: How Should We Celebrate Independence Day? BibliographyIndex of the Jewish Holidays

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Book SynopsisEnd of Days is both a meditation on Jewish morality in the age of Israeli Jewish power, and a cri du coeur by an Orthodox Israeli Jew, a former combat officer in the IDF, for Israelis to look into the Jewish religious ethical tradition for an alternative to the secular and religious Zionism that sanctifies power, statehood, and sovereignty. Appealing to a wealth of Jewish sources from the Bible to the present, including medieval Jewish ethical literature, rabbinic sources, Jewish law, and contemporary Israeli thought, the book presents an argument against Israel’s occupation of the Palestinians and the suppression of their rights from the perspective of a modern Israeli religious Jew.Trade Review“Drawing on an impressive range of sources—the Talmud, the writings of Ashkenazi and Sephardic medieval Jewish pietists, the Chofetz Chaim’s forgotten guide for Jewish soldiers, the Yiddish poetry of Jacob Glatstein—Manekin traces in compelling detail the traditional Jewish ethical disposition that recoils from pride, abhors violence, and views power with suspicion. He argues that this traditional Jewish ethics requires a radically different approach to the reality of Jewish political power instantiated by the Israeli state than the dominant view in Israel allows. By the book’s end, he leaves the reader with little doubt that not only is there no need to compromise one’s commitment to Jewish tradition in order to oppose Israel’s occupation, but that a commitment to traditional Jewish ethics requires active opposition to the occupation. Powerful yet unconventional, [this book] is a hybrid of memoir, mussar [morality], family history, halakhic argumentation, and social criticism. It is a manifesto for a new religiously committed Jewish left that is taking shape.”— Joshua Leifer, Tel Aviv Review of Books (on the Hebrew edition)Table of ContentsPreface, by Shaul MagidIntroductionAcknowledgments Remembering Patience Submission Devotion Contentment Listening Index

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Book SynopsisPortrays four charismatic leaders of the eighteenth and nineteenth-century Hasidic movement in Eastern Europe.Trade Review"Elie Wiesel is one of the great writers of this generation." —New York Review of Books“Wiesel brings a journalist’s optimism to his studies of the Hasidic saints who set Eastern European Jewry alight in the 18th century with the faith that brought it through the last, worst centuries of persecution.” —The Boston Globe“As always, Wiesel’s characters are infused with the breath of life; these extraordinary men are fully human, whether reeling in spiritual ecstasy or pondering their existential melancholy, the loneliness that accompanies vision and greatness. . . . These tales make inspiring and fascinating reading for all.” —Library Journal“‘Friendship’ and ‘concern’ are the key motifs of this book. For Wiesel, Hasidism is not a theology or a philosophy. It is not an abstract system of ideas or a conception of the Deity. It is a friendship and a concern for people and for God. Hasidism is the opposite of solitude. It is a sense of begin bound up together with all other human beings in their joy and in their distress and of being bound up with God in his joy and in his distress.” —Commonweal"Another beautifully written and prepared word by one of the fine writers of our time." —Jewish Post and Opinion". . . There is more help for the troubled in these stories than in many books programmed for self-help." —Christian Century"This delightful work, in the by now well-known manner of Elie Wiesel, continues his recounting of Hasidic tales begun in Souls on Fire (1972). . . .The present volume recounts tales of four great Hasidic masters: R. Pinchas of Koretz, R. Baruch of Medzebozh, R. Yaacov Yitzchak Horowitz-the Holy Seer of Lublin-and R. Naphtali of Ropshitz." —Choice

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Book SynopsisHebrew University Professor Emeritus and Israel Prize recipient Eliezer Schweid (1929-2022) is widely regarded as one of the greatest historians of Jewish thought of our era. In Siddur Hatefillah, he probes the Jewish prayer book as a reflection of Judaism's unity and continuity as a unique spiritual entity; and as the most popular, most uttered, and internalized text of the Jewish people. Schweid explores texts which process religious philosophical teaching into the language of prayer, and/or express philosophical ideas in prayer’s special language – which the worshipper reflects upon in order to direct prayer, and through which flows hoped-for feedback. With the addition of historical, philological, and literary contexts, the study provides the reader with first-time access to the comprehensive meaning of Jewish prayer—filling a vacuum in both the experience and scholarship of Jewish worship.Table of ContentsTranslator’s AcknowledgementsTranslator’s Introduction: Eliezer Schweid as Worshipper in the State of IsraelAuthor’s Preface: My Path to the Jewish Prayer Book (Siddur Hatefillah)Introduction: The Siddur (Jewish Prayer Book): Its Sources, Goal, and Theological Basis Worship of God and the Process of the Sacred Congregation’s Formation and Expression Prayer as a Form of Primal Expression of the Human Soul Torah and Prayer: The Problem of Love and Sin in the Relations between God and the Human Being The “Name and Kingship” Blessing as the Fundamental Rubric of Standing before God in Prayer Establishing the Covenant of Faith between the Individual Human Being and His God Principles of Faith Keriyat Shema—Covenant of Love between God and His People The Poetics of the Shema and the Shemoneh Esrei The Shemoneh Esrei Prayer: The Kedushah (Sanctification) and Ḥaninat Hada’at (God as Giver of Knowledge) The Shemoneh Esrei Prayer—Requests by the Individual in the Assembly: Teshuvah (Repentance) and Forgiveness The Shemoneh Esrei Prayer: Redemption, Healing, and Livelihood The Shemoneh Esrei (Eighteen Benedictions) That Are Really Nineteen: Redemption from Deepening Exile The Shemoneh Esrei—Responding in Anticipation of Complete Redemption Types of Biblical Poetry as a Source of Prayer Between the Poetry of Prophecy and Prayer The Poetry of the Psalms: Personal-Soulful and Societal-Political Messages Hymnal Song for the Sabbath Day. The “Sign” between God and His Treasured Nation and the Isolation from Christianity Breaking the Boundary of Mystery between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Earth: Praying with Devekut (Adherence) and with Kavanah (Intention) Epilogue: The Universality and Perpetuity of Moving from Slavery to Freedom and from Exile to RedemptionGlossaryIndex

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Book SynopsisWhen Near Becomes Far explores the representations and depictions of old age in the rabbinic Jewish literature of late antiquity (150-600 CE). Through close literary readings and cultural analysis, the book reveals the gaps and tensions between idealized images of old age on the one hand, and the psychologically, physiologically, and socially complicated realities of aging on the other hand. The authors argue that while rabbinic literature presents a number of prescriptions related to qualities and activities that make for good old age, the respect and reverence that the elderly should be awarded, and harmonious intergenerational relationship, it also includes multiple anecdotes and narratives that portray aging in much more nuanced and poignant ways. These anecdotes and narratives relate, alongside fantasies about blissful or unnoticeable aging, a host of fears associated with old age: from the loss of physical capability and beauty to the loss of memory and mental acuity, and from marginalization in the community to being experienced as a burden by one''s children. Each chapter of the book focuses on a different aspect of aging in the rabbinic world: bodily appearance and sexuality, family relations, intellectual and cognitive prowess, honor and shame, and social roles and identity. As the book shows, in their powerful and sensitive treatments of aging, rabbinic texts offer some of the richest and most audacious observations on aging in ancient world literature, many of which still resonate today.Trade ReviewNuanced and detailed ... the volume will be primarily useful to those familiar with the critical study of rabbinic texts. * J. S. Kaminsky, CHOICE *While this most engagingly written book would be a natural for an academic library, members of a synagogue library would certainly significantly expand their intellectual horizons through an encounter with this volume ... Reading When Near Becomes Far will challenge the reader of whatever age to question their assumptions as to the meaning of old age, societal expectations of the aged, and what the Talmudic writings have to truly teach. * Mindy C. Reiser, Association of Jewish Libraries News and Reviews *In this insightful study on old age in rabbinic literature, Balberg and Weiss give the rabbis' kaleidoscopic and multi-layered look... When Near Becomes Far contributes substantially to rabbinic studies in terms of its topic and the analysis of rabbinic texts. * Michail Kitsos, Religious Studies Review *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Like Two Fountains: Fluidity, Sexuality, and the Aging Body 2. Squawk to Them Like Roosters: Aging Parents and their Children 3. I Am Not Old: Age and Agelessness in the Study House 4. Raise My Eyes for Me: Gazing at Old Age 5. Running at Dusk: Anonymity and Identity in Old Age Epilogue Bibliography Source Index Subject Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Epstein-Levi has written the first book in Jewish ethics that neither condescends nor preaches to its reader. This is nothing short of liberation. There are very few academic books that are such a joy to read."—Martin Kavka, Florida State University"Rebecca Epstein-Levi's When We Collide brings rabbinic texts to life, literally. Epstein-Levi looks at how rabbinic texts match up against life, how they illuminate, and are illuminated by, lived sexual experience in the 21st century. Epstein-Levi is not content to stay in the comfortable realm of scholarly theory, though she does that too. She gets into the nuts and bolts of sex – how people actually behave, not how they like to say they behave, or how think they should behave, but how they actually do – to find insights from canonical Jewish traditions that can serve as guidance. Those insights do not come from the usual rabbinic-text suspects, however, but from texts that on the face of it are entirely unrelated to sex – texts on purity, texts with stories about rabbis interacting with other rabbis, texts that issue laws of capital punishment. Epstein-Levi finds in these far-flung and faraway ancient texts the resources – or as Epstein-Levi calls it, the dialogue partners – for a fresh sexual ethics today. She is able to make these connections because she starts with the presumption that sex is social, not separate and private, and that it is bound up with who we are in the fullest sense – in all our sexual, physical, and neuro diversity – and with how our communities operate. As we face a never-ending pandemic and a climate crisis that keeps getting worse, Epstein-Levi's reflections on risk as it relates to social life, sex, and the human experience feel all too timely and utterly pressing. When We Collide helps us to read rabbinic texts and to navigate sexual and social relationships, and it does by bringing the two fields together – rabbinics and sexual ethics – in a totally new way."—Beth Berkowitz, Ingeborg Rennert Chair of Jewish Studies and Professor of Religion, Barnard College.Table of ContentsAcknowledgementsIntroductionPart I: Groundings1. Textual Intercourse: Grounding Sexual Ethics in Jewish Sources2. Social Intercourse: Why Sex Is Enmeshed in Sociality3. Risky Business: Why Risk Is Inherent in SocialityPart II: Case Studies on Community and Risk4. STIs: Infection, Impurity, and Managing Social Contagion5. BDSM: Risk, Pleasure, and Polymorphous CommunityConclusionNotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThe Cambridge Guide to Jewish History, Religion, and Culture provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the Jewish experience, from its ancient origins to its impact on contemporary popular culture. The twenty-one historical and thematic essays examine the ongoing diversity and creativity of the Jewish experience, including the lives and contributions of women.Table of ContentsIntroduction Judith R. Baskin and Kenneth Seeskin; 1. The Hebrew Bible and the early history of Israel Marc Zvi Brettler; 2. The Second Temple Period Alan F. Segal; 3. The rabbinic movement Hayim Lapin; 4. The Jewish experience in the Muslim world Norman A. Stillman; 5. Jewish life in Western Christendom Robert Chazan; 6. Jews and Judaism in early modern Europe Adam Shear; 7. European Jewry: 1800–1933 Marsha L. Rozenblit; 8. Jews and Judaism in the United States Pamela S. Nadell; 9. The Shoah and its legacies Peter Hayes; 10. The founding of modern Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict Bernard Reich; 11. The centrality of Talmud Michael S. Berger; 12. Judaism as a religious system Harvey E. Goldberg; 13. Jewish worship and liturgy Ruth Langer; 14. Jewish private life: gender, marriage, and the lives of women Judith R. Baskin; 15. Jewish philosophy Kenneth Seeskin; 16. Jewish mysticism Hava Tirosh-Samuelson; 17. Modern Jewish thought Leora Batnitzky; 18. Contemporary forms of Judaism Dana Evan Kaplan; 19. Jewish popular culture Jeffrey Shandler; 20. Aspects of Israeli society Judith R Baskin; 21. The futures of world Jewish communities Calvin Goldscheider; Glossary; Timeline.

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Book SynopsisUsing the wisdom of the Jewish tradition to better understand and deal with the pain of loneliness in our lives and in the lives of those we love. Long description: Loneliness is pervasive in our society but is rarely addressed. It comes in many forms, from the loneliness of loss to that of sickness; from single life to marriage to divorce. In fact, even the most successful among us are not immune. Even achievement can be an avenue to loneliness. Through sensitivity, compassion and insight, this book provides the stories and tools we need to begin addressing loneliness in our lives and the lives of those we love. With masterful storytelling, Rabbi Marc Katz uses the pains of our ancestors to show us the unique ways loneliness appears in our lives. Drawing on the stories of Isaac and Rachel, King Uzziah and Tamar, Jeremiah and Honi, Hagar and Aaron, Rabbi Katz helps readers understand the nuances of loneliness in their own lives. He helps them understand that although their pain may feel like an island, others have walked there before them. Thoughtful insights on loneliness also help family and friends have a better sense of how and why their friends, children, parents and co-workers suffer. Then, using the tools of the Jewish tradition, Rabbi Katz looks at concrete ways as individuals and as community members we may help those who are lonely in our midst. This book is for anyone who is or has suffered from the pain of loneliness as well as those loved ones who stand on the sideline feeling ill equipped to address the alienation they see.

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Book SynopsisAll twenty-two original articles in the current volume are based on lectures given at the conference “The Jews in Italy: Their Contribution to the Development and Diffusion of Jewish Heritage”, which was convened in September 2011, at the University of Bologna, Department of Cultural Heritage. Geographically, the articles range from Italy to the Ottoman Empire (the Balkans and Aleppo), from France and Germany to the Middle East, including Israel, North and East Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Ethiopia). Chronologically, articles begin with the Roman period, through the Middle Ages and Renaissance until modern times. In this collection, the reader will find a wide range of subjects reflecting various scholarly perspectives such as history; Christian-Jewish relations; Kabbalah; commentary on the Bible and Talmud; language, grammar, and translation; literature; philosophy; gastronomy; art; culture; folklore; and education.Trade Review“Individually and collectively [the articles] provide valuable information and analysis about the current state of research of Italian Jewry in particular and in the context of Jewish studies in general. ... The Jews in Italy: Their Contribution to the Development and Diffusion of Jewish Heritage highlights how at the communal level Italian Jewish culture embodies Italian, and indeed global, culture.” —Howard Adelman, H-JudaicTable of Contents Preface THE ROMAN PERIOD Roman Attitudes to Jews and Judaism in the First Century BCE Miriam Ben Zeev THE MIDDLE AGES & THE RENAISSANCE The Oldest Complete Extant Sefer Torah Rediscovered at the Bologna University Library: Codicological, Textual, and Paleographic Features of an Ancient Eastern Tradition Mauro Perani Palestinian and Babylonian Traditions in Italy at the Outset of the Middle Ages: The Yerushalmi in the Writings of R. Isaiah di Trani (the Rid) Yaron Silverstein Abraham de Balmes’s Miqneh Abram: An Adaptation of Modistic Concepts by a Hebrew Grammarian of the Renaissance Dror Ben-Arié The Anonymous Hebrew Translation of Giordano Ruffo’s De medicina equorum and Its Language Michael Ryzhik Between The Book of Jossipon and The Book of Jashar Carmela Saranga Italian Jewry and Kabbalistic Rites Moshe Hallamish Ladino Translations from Italy: The Bible, Pirke Avot, the Passover Haggadah, and the Siddur Ora (Rodrigue) Schwarzwald The Jews of France and Italy during the Later Middle Ages and the Renaissance Shimon Schwarzfuchs Torah and Nature in the Writings of Some Italian Jewish Thinkers of the Renaissance Miguel Antonio Beltrán Munar Prenuptial Agreements in Ketubot from Italy Yoel Shilo THE MODERN PERIOD Jewish Ashkenazi Gastronomy in Northern Italy in the Early Modern Period: The Testimony of the Book Mitzvot Hanashim Zahava Weishouse The Depiction of Jesus’s Circumcision and Presentation in the Temple in Early Modern Paintings in Venice: Some Questions on Jesus’s Identity Maria Portmann Freemasonry and Saint-Simonism as Carriers of Enlightenment Values in David Levi’s Weltanschauung Alessandro Grazi The Unique Characteristics of Dybbuk Exorcisms in Rabbinic Documents from Eighteenth-Century Italy Yaniv Goldberg Rabbinic Ties between Italy and Aleppo in the Eighteenth Century Leah Bornstein-Makovetsky THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD Jewish Solidarity: The Actions and Support of the Union of Italian Israelite Communities for the Jews of Libya and Ethiopia in the 1930s Yitzhak Mualem The Dispute between Italy and France in Tunisia: The Role of Language and the Position of Italian Jewry Filippo Petrucci Jews as Promoters of Italian Civilization in Libya Rachel Simon The Relations of the Holy See with the Jewish People after the 1993 Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and the State of Israel: Divergence between the Interreligious Dialogue with the Jews of Rome and the Diplomatic Dialogue with Israel Eliav Taub Primo Levi: Chemist/Writer, Italian/Jew Smadar Shiffman Jewish Educational Proposals in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Florence Silvia Guetta

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Book SynopsisIn the sixteenth century, the famous kabbalist Isaac Luria transmitted a secret trove of highly complex mystical practices to a select groups of students. These meditations were designed to capitalize on sleep and death states in order to effectively split one's soul into multiple parts, and which, when properly performed, permitted the adept to free oneself from the cycle of rebirth. Through an in-depth analysis of these contemplative practices within the broader context of Lurianic literature, Zvi Ish-Shalom guides us on a penetrating scholarly journey into a realm of mystical teachings and practices never before available in English, illuminating a radically monistic vision of reality at the heart of Kabbalistic metaphysics and practice.Table of Contents Introduction Part One: Sleep and Rebirth 1. The Metaphysics of Sleep 2. Anatomical Development of Nuqvah and Zeir 3. Sleep and Dismemberment 4. Sleep and Dreams 5. Soul Rupture and Cosmic Union 6. Kavvanot for Bedtime Shema 7. The Female Waters 8. Swapping Soul-Parts 9. Concluding Remarks Part Two: Death and Resurrection 10. The Metaphysics of Death 11. Death and Rebirth 12. Anatomical Embodiment 13. The Radical Unity of Body and Soul 14. Human Sacrifice and Integral Monism 15. Resurrection and the Nullification of Hierarchy 16. Lurianic Kabbalah and Eastern Mysticism Conclusion Appendix: The Complete Kavannah Required for Expedite Rebirth Selected Bibliography

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Book SynopsisIn this volume, Bible Studies scholar Yitzhak (Itzik) Peleg offers an educational, values-based approach to the cycle of Jewish holidays—festivals and holy days—as found in the Jewish calendar. These special days play a dual role: they reflect a sense of identity with, and belonging to, the Jewish people, while simultaneously shaping that identity and sense of belonging. The biblical command “And you shall tell your son” (Exodus 13:8) is meant to ensure that children will become familiar with the history of their people via the experience of celebrating the holidays. It is the author’s claim, however, that this command must be preceded by another educational command: “And you shall listen to your son and your daughter.” The book examines the various Jewish holidays and ways in which they are celebrated, while focusing on three general topics: identity, belonging, memory. Throughout the generations, observance of the holidays has developed and changed, from time to time and place to place. These changes have enabled generations of Jews, in their various communities, to define their own Jewish identity and sense of belonging. Trade Review“[T]his book caters to Jewish people of all backgrounds and different levels of observance. The book places a great emphasis on the fact that the common denominator that unites us as a Jewish people is our love of the Bible, our tradition, and the preservation of our rich heritage for generations to come. … Peleg conveys in his book that both integration and balance between tradition and renewal will make the Jewish holidays relevant to more and more Jews, both younger and older. By embracing and celebrating the holidays that have been passed down to us generation after generation, the book speaks of the connection between Jews among themselves, as well as that between Jews and their past.” — Joseph Scutts, The Jerusalem ReportTable of ContentsIntroduction Holidays as an Educational Tool throughout the Generations (Ledorotaichem): Examples Holidays as Tools for Shaping Jewish Identity Holidays as Building a Sense of Belonging to Our People Remembrance in the Holidays as Shaping Identity and a Sense of Belonging to the Jewish People The Memory of the Holocaust as Shaping Identity and Belonging Developments and Changes in the Holidays throughout the Generations and in How We Relate to Them Passover as a Reflection (Mise en Abyme) of the Jewish Holidays Lessons from Our Journey through the Jewish Calendar from a Child’s Overview Epilogue: How Should We Celebrate Independence Day? BibliographyIndex of the Jewish Holidays

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Book SynopsisBy its very nature, the ideals of religion entail sin and failure. Judaism has its own language and framework for sin that expresses themselves both legally and philosophically. Both legal questions – circumstances where sin is permissible or mandated, the role of intention and action – as well as philosophical questions – why sin occurs and how does Judaism react to religious crisis – are considered within this volume. This book will present the concepts of sin and failure in Jewish thought, weaving together biblical and rabbinic studies to reveal a holistic portrait of the notion of sin and failure within Jewish thought.Trade Review“Although he is a profoundly learned man, he wears his learning lightly in his lucid, witty and wholly winning new book. … Dr. Esther Hess, a colleague of my wife, always poses a thematic question to the guests at her Shabbat dinners, which invariably leads to table talk of extraordinary richness and meaning as each of us proposes an answer. The thought occurred to me as I read Sin•a•gogue that David Bashevkin has provided enough questions to sustain the participants in a thousand such meals.” — Jonathan Kirsch, the Jewish Journal -- Jonathan Kirsch * Jewish Journal *“[Bashevkin] has succeeded in writing an entertaining, edifying, and eclectic (if at times a bit too much so) survey of an important aspect of Jewish thought. ‘A person cannot stand on words of Torah until they have caused him to stumble,’ Bashevkin quotes from the Talmud, and those who stumble across Sin-a-gogue will no doubt discover, within its pages, much to stand on.” —Ilana Kurshan, The Forward * The Forward *“In Sin•a•gogue, David Bashevkin, director of education at NCSY and instructor at Yeshiva University, has chosen a subject that most of us shy away from discussing – sin and failure. He has penned a thought-provoking, well-written study about sin and failure in contemporary life, as seen through the lens of classical Jewish thought and contemporary Jewish thinkers. … It is a fascinating study of Judaism’s attitude toward sin and failure that provides the reader with a better understanding of human nature, and the constructive role that failure can play in our lives.” —Alan Rosenbaum, The Jerusalem Post -- Alan Rosenbaum * The Jerusalem Post *“Bashevkin ... presents the reader with a series of powerful, dark-of-night meditations on sin and failure in Jewish thought that are wonderfully offset by his eccentric and irrepressible sense of humor. Prayerful yet not preachy, sophisticated yet unburdened by jargon, the book is a highly appealing guide to teshuvah for postmodern readers.” —Henry Abramson, Jewish Action * Jewish Action *“Too many of us find ourselves staying up late to gawk at cable news shows. We scour Facebook for any sign of our friends expressing opinions we find unacceptable. We insist that our every conversation—about literature or film, about history or art, about our careers or our families or our future—be repurposed as a partisan polemic. We’re exhausted. Our rage yields no result. Increasingly, we feel as if we’re failing at life. How fortunate, then, that we’ve just the book to guide us along in this uncertain season. Entitled Sin•a•gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought, it’s a meditation on sin and failure in Jewish thought, and its insights couldn’t be any timelier or any more essential. ” —Leil Leibovitz, Tablet“In Sin•a•gogue, author Rabbi David Bashevkin has written a remarkable book that analyzes the nature of sin. … Bashevkin has done a remarkable job of explaining the Jewish approach to sin. For many, they may think it is closer to the mortifications of Opus Dei; when it is, in fact, just the opposite. Do not think that Bashevkin minimizes the effect of sin. Just the opposite. He makes it eminently clear its devastating effects. However, he also shows that sins can be rectified, and that there was only one acher. If Bashevkin is guilty of any sin, it is that of brevity, in this all too short remarkable work. At a brief 145 pages, this fascinating book shows what a gifted and quick-witted writer he is. To which the reader is left, like a sinner, desirous, wanting much more.” —Ben Rothke, The Times of Israel“Outside of the High Holidays, Jews don’t talk much about sin or failure. Rabbi David Bashevkin, director of education at NCSY and instructor at Yeshiva University, has written an in-depth but very readable book about sin and failure, tracing how Judaism discusses the topic from the Bible, through rabbinic literature, up to modern times. His sources range from the Talmud to Hassidic masters such as Rabbi Nachman, contemporary rabbinic greats, including Moshe Feinstein, Rav Hunter, social scientists and literary giants, current news sources and pop culture, all fully annotated. … His message is simple: sin and failure is part of life, along with the struggle for spirituality and redemption. This book is highly recommended for academic libraries.” —Harvey Sukenic, Hebrew College Library, AJL Reviews“Sin•a•gogue is an invalu­able resource for any­one who seeks to bet­ter under­stand the roles that sin and fail­ure play in each of our lives. … [Bashevkin] can add Sin•a•gogue proud­ly to his resume as a true accomplishment.” —Rab­bi Marc Katz, Jewish Book Council“Sin•a•gogue is an invalu­able resource for any­one who seeks to bet­ter under­stand the roles that sin and fail­ure play in each of our lives. … [Bashevkin] can add Sin•a•gogue proud­ly to his resume as a true accomplishment.”— Rabbi Marc Katz, Jewish Book Council“An idea of sin, at least from a vernacular perspective, easily denotes immorality and a description of the worst parts of humanity. In the context of religious institutions, a vocabulary of sin and sinfulness underwrites ideas of discipline, prohibition and the control of the behaviour and actions of individuals. … From this perspective, the place of sin in an account of religious experience and thought has an awkward and unwanted position. For David Bashevkin, however, such a view is reductive, because it misses the more subtle and important role played by conceptions of sin in the formation of the individual. Countering a reductive view of sin, Sin•a•gogue sets out the role of sin as a heuristic tool in Jewish thought. … What Bashevkin reveals is an idea of individuality, which can only exist because of the very possibility of sin, and an individuality that can be strengthened and enriched through our struggle with our own failure.”— Mark A. Hutchinson, University of York, UK, Journal of Modern Jewish StudiesTable of ContentsTable of ContentsForewordIntroduction: The Stories We TellSection I: The Nature of SinWhat We Talk About When We Talk About SinSin’s Origins and Original SinSick, Sick Thoughts: Intention and Action in SinWhat to Wear to a Sin: Negotiating With SinCan Sinning Be Holy?Does God Repent?Section II: Case Studies in Sin and FailureOnce a Jew Always a Jew? What Leaving Judaism Tells Us About JudaismWhen Leaders FailAn Alcoholic Walks into a Bar: Putting Yourself in Sin’s PathRabbi’s Son Syndrome: Why Religious Commitment Can Lead to Religious FailureJonah and the Varieties of Religious Motivation: Religious Frustration as a Factor in Religious MotivationSection III: Responses to Sin and FailureI Kind of Forgive You: Half Apologies and Half RepentanceTo Whom It May Concern: Rabbinic Correspondence on Sin and FailureIndexBibliographyPermissionsAcknowledgements

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Book SynopsisOne of the most basic questions for any legal system is that of methodology: how one interprets, analyzes, weighs, and applies a mass of often competing legal rules, precedents, practices, customs, and traditions to reach final determinations and practical guidance about the correct legal-prescribed course of action in any given situation. Questions of legal methodology raise not only practical concerns, but theoretical and philosophical ones as well. We expect law to be more than the arbitrary result of a given decision maker’s personal preferences, and so we demand that legal methodologies be principled as well as practical. These issues are especially acute in religious legal systems, where the stakes are raised by concerns for respecting not just human, but divine law. Despite this, the major scholars and codifiers of halakhah, or Jewish law, have only rarely explicated their own methods for reaching principled legal decisions. This book explains the major jurisprudential factors driving the halakhic jurisprudence of Rabbi Yehiel Mikhel Epstein, twentieth-century author of the Arukh Hashulchan—the most comprehensive, seminal, and original modern restatement of Jewish law since Maimonides. Reasoning inductively from a broad review of hundreds of rulings from the Orach Chaim section of the Arukh Hashulchan, the book teases out and explicates ten core halakhic principles that animate Rabbi Epstein’s halakhic decision-making. Along the way, it compares the Arukh Hashulchan methodology to that of the Mishna Berura. This book will help any reader understand important methodological issues in both Jewish and general jurisprudence.Trade Review“Broyde and Pill’s book is an immensely informative and illuminating read. By taking a traditional jurist seriously as a legal writer and thinker, they have done a real service, especially to the academic communities of Jewish studies and jurisprudence. If it can help bring these, and other similarly inclined constituencies, into conversation, their work has done more than enough.”— Joshua Schwartz, University of Toronto Faculty of Law, Reading Religion“Since the Bible, there are three codes that can lay claim to covering the gamut of Jewish law, including laws whose relevance is dependent on the existence of a Temple in Jerusalem: The third-century redaction of the oral tradition Mishna, Maimonides’s twelfth-century magnum opus Mishne torah, and the comprehensive code penned by Rabbi Yehiel Mikhel Halevi Epstein (1829–1908). … Of the three codes, Epstein’s writings have attracted the least attention… In light of the paucity of research on Epstein’s code, Michael J. Broyde and Shlomo C. Pill have made a significant contribution with their volume Setting the Table. Setting the Table complements other recent efforts to recount Epstein’s biography, explore his literary oeuvre, and plumb his legal writings.”— Levi Cooper, Journal of Law and Religion“In this fascinating work, Broyde and Pill … bring to life the intellectual choices made by the Arukh Hashulkhan, situating their work within the long history of attempts to codify Jewish law. … This is an invaluable contribution to our understanding of rabbinic jurisprudence.”—Suzanne Last Stone, Professor of Law, Cardozo Law School, University Professor of Jewish Law and Contemporary Civilization, Yeshiva University“Rabbis Broyde and Pill not only analyze the principles used by the author, but they systematically demonstrate how they were applied to specific laws. This work is … valuable both to the outsider and the Talmudic scholar.”—Rabbi Yosef Blau, Senior Mashgiach Ruchani and Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary“Too often, discussions of halakhic methodology proceed from a few high-profile examples. In this exciting new book, Rabbis Broyde and Pill offer an account of how one of the most important poskim of our era functioned both when the social and religious stakes were high and when they were not. This book not only presents a data-based analysis of the Arukh Hashulchan’s decision making, but a set of tools that can be applied to other works to enhance our understanding of the formation of p’sak more broadly.”—Chaim Saiman, Professor of Law, Villanova University School of Law & author of Halakha: The Rabbnic Idea of Law (2018)Table of ContentsTable of ContentsIntroductionPart One: Setting the Table: The Codification of Jewish Law1. Codifying Jewish Law2. Rabbi Yechiel Mikhel Epstein’s Arukh HaShulhan3. Competing Models: The Arukh HaShulhan and Mishnah BerurahPart Two: The Methodological Principles of the Arukh HaShulhanIntroduction4. The Rule of the Talmud5. Rabbinic Consensus6. Resolving Doubtful Cases7. Non-Normative Opinions8. Superogatory Religious Conduct9. Law and Mysticism10. Law and Custom11. Temporal Rationalization of Halakhic Rules12. Law and PragmatismConclusionPart Three: Illustrative Examples from the Arukh HaShulhanThe Arukh HaShulhan’s Methodological Principles for Reaching Halakhic ConclusionsBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThe Jewish intellectual tradition has a long and complex history that has resulted in significant and influential works of scholarship. In this book, the authors suggest that there is a series of common principles that can be extracted from the Jewish intellectual tradition that have broad, even life-changing, implications for individual and societal achievement. These principles include respect for tradition while encouraging independent, often disruptive thinking; a precise system of logical reasoning in pursuit of the truth; universal education continuing through adulthood; and living a purposeful life. The main objective of this book is to understand the historical development of these principles and to demonstrate how applying them judiciously can lead to greater intellectual productivity, a more fulfilling existence, and a more advanced society.Trade Review“The book, situated between academic and creative writing, presents an innovative view of the history and impact of Jewish intellectualism. It does this by allowing readers to immerse themselves in the book and manuscript collections of five influential thinkers, rabbis, and scholars… Discussions of their collections are supplemented by immersive, fictionalized descriptions of their intellectual endeavors and those of other Jewish thinkers, offering insights into what they might have thought, dreamed, and pondered. This novel way of approaching intellectual history adds greatly to the reading experience. The combination of fictionalized prose and historical description provides a well-rounded overview of the individuals’ work and the surrounding cultures and literatures from which they drew inspiration and knowledge. … With The Jewish Intellectual Tradition, Kadish, Shmidman, and Fishbane have published an insightful and impressive book, approaching Jewish intellectual history from exciting new vantage points. By looking at book history and the history of select Jewish libraries across time and cultures, they provide readers with new perspectives on the Jewish history of knowledge.”— Katharina Hadassah Wendl, Reading Religion"Jewish intellectual tradition has produced unprecedented achievements and contributions to Jewish and non-Jewish culture throughout millennia. This rich and thoughtful book identifies the key principles inherent in this tradition and seeks to 'demonstrate how applying them judiciously' can benefit society at large… The authors exquisitely cover two thousand years of scholarship and achievement in multiple genres and fields."—Diane Mizrachi, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California Los Angeles, AJL Reviews (September / October 2021)"In this highly engaging and innovative work, [Kadish, Shmidman, Fishbane] try to identify what it is from the Jewish intellectual tradition that can be used for the betterment of people and society as a whole. The authors have isolated these principles, namely: respect for tradition while encouraging independent thinking; a precise system of logical reasoning in pursuit of the truth; and a universal and never-ending education. The book shows how these principles are fundamental to intellectual productivity, leading to making a better society. And the proof is in the Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals… The three authors, all scholars in their own right, have detailed this amazing intellectual tradition that should be a source of immense pride not to just every Jew but to every human being.”— Ben Rothke, Jewish Press“From tenured pro­fes­sor­ships to nobel prizes, Jews have excelled in all manor of schol­ar­ship. Many authors have explored where this ded­i­ca­tion to learn­ing comes from—The Jew­ish Intel­lec­tu­al Tra­di­tion: A His­to­ry of Learn­ing and Achieve­ment by Alan Kadish, Michael Shmid­man, and Sim­cha Fish­bane is anoth­er impor­tant voice in the conversation. … The three authors present the infor­ma­tion thought­ful­ly, build­ing a robust book­shelf before their read­ers’ eyes. The book serves as a help­ful teach­ing tool because of its short­ened expla­na­tions of mys­ti­cal texts, and ear­ly mod­ern trends—like the birth of Reform Judaism—that edu­ca­tors may find use­ful. As a whole, it’s a help­ful intro­duc­tion, not only to Jew­ish thought, but to Jew­ish his­to­ry and literature.”—Rab­bi Marc Katz, Jewish Book Council“One of the most impressive aspects of the book is the breadth of the authors’ knowledge, which, of course, matches the wide scope of the topic they are writing about. They draw from a vast range of sources—from classical texts to contemporary academic research—to provide a comprehensive overview of the Jewish intellectual tradition. At the same time, they write with precision, clarity and passion; thus, making the material accessible to readers of all levels of expertise. …[T]his book is an outstanding contribution to the field of Jewish studies, and a must-read for anyone interested in the Jewish intellectual tradition at large. Its insightful and engaging exploration of the ways in which Jewish thought has shaped Western civilization is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers for years to come.”—Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein, The Jewish LinkTable of Contents Preface Introduction Part One. Libraries of the Jewish People Chapter 1. Golden Libraries in the "Golden Age," Tenth–Twelfth Centuries: The Library of R. Samuel Ha-Nagid Chapter 2. Nahmanides and His Library Chapter 3. From Manuscript to Printing Press: The Library of Leone Modena Chapter 4. The Modern Period: The Library of Rabbi Samson R. Hirsch Chapter 5. The Library of Professor Harry Austryn Wolfson Chapter 6. The Contemporary University Library Part Two. From Text to Success: Salient Ideas and Values and Their Influence Introduction Chapter 7. Respect for Precedent and Critical Independence Chapter 8. Logical Reasoning and Intellectual Honesty in Pursuit of Truth Chapter 9. The Primacy of Education Chapter 10. A Purposeful Life Chapter 11. Summary and Conclusions Note on Translations Appendix: Maps Illustration Credits Authors' Biographies Endnotes

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Book SynopsisThis book is a collection of two dozen essays published over the past four decades on American Jewish history and culture. They discuss the role that Jews have played in American culture, sports, politics, business, and religion, as well as the nature of American antisemitism. The essays argue that the Jewish experience in America has been unique and this uniqueness has encouraged Jews to define their Jewish identity in multiple ways. In no other country has Judaism and Jewishness taken on so many diverse forms. While America has not been the promised land for Jews, it has been a land of promise. Jews have prospered in America and become part of the social, cultural, political, and economic mainstream. But whether Judaism and Jewish identity have also prospered is another question.Table of ContentsTable of ContentsAcknowledgements for Reprinted MaterialIntroductionPart One: Identity1. The Mystery of American Jewish Identity2. The Jewishness of the New York Intellectuals: Sidney Hook, a Test Case3. Will Herberg’s Protestant—Catholic—Jew: A Critique4. The Impact of War: America’s Jews and World War II Part Two: Religion 5. A Shtetl in the Sun: Orthodoxy in Southern Florida6. The Crisis of Conservative Judaism7. Modern Orthodoxy in Crisis: A Test Case8. The Decline and Rise of Secular Judaism in AmericaPart Three: Antisemitism9. John Higham and American Antisemitism10. The World Labor Athletic Carnival of 1936: An American Anti-Nazi Protest11. The Approach of War: Congressional Isolationism and Antisemitism, 1939–194112. Antisemitism Mississippi Style13. The Educational Crusade of George W. Armstrong14. Interpretations of the Crown Heights Riot15. The Cognitive Dissonance of American JewsPart Four: Business16. Jewish Historians and American Capitalism17. The Absent American Jewish Business Mogul18. From Participant to Owner: The Role of Jews in Contemporary American SportsPart Five: Politics19. Waiting For Righty?: An Interpretation of the Political Behavior of American Jews20. Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and American Jewish Memory21. Jewish Intellectuals and the American Conservative Movement

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Book SynopsisThis book contains a collection of eight annotated translations of responsa, alongside the original Hebrew texts, focusing on the post-expulsion Spanish-Portuguese communities of the sixteenth to seventeenth centuries. This collection will acquaint the reader with Jews who, following their expulsion, settled in the Ottoman Empire, in Palestine under the Mamluks, in Amsterdam and in Brazil. The period of the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian Peninsula was a tragic time in Jewish history, but the revitalization of the post-expulsion Spanish-Portuguese Jewish communities in new locales is testimony to the human spirit and determination. The volume includes eight chapters, each built around one responsum from one of the great halakhic authorities of the time. Topics include excommunication in Amsterdam, ʻagunot, inheritance rights of a converso son, obligatory contracts and breach of agreement, heresy and humanist scholarship, informing on someone to the Venetian Inquisition, and more.Read a sample: bit.ly/koren-samplerTrade Review"In Responsa in a Historical Context, Debby Koren makes these fascinating yet extraordinarily difficult documents come alive. She succeeds admirably in overcoming the challenge that faces all who would write about responsa for an audience of non-specialists, namely to offer a sufficient explanation of the historical and halakhic (Jewish legal) context behind each submitted question without allowing that explanation to overwhelm the text and to drown out the unique voice of the rabbinical author. The book is an indispensable source of information, both on the history of the period it covers and on the ways that rabbis thought, how they utilized textual analysis, logic, and rhetoric to craft answers to the questions that Jews asked.” — Mark E. Washofsky, Professor Emeritus of Jewish Law and Practice, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, CincinnatiTable of ContentsIntroduction Overview The Halakhic Discourse in Responsa Translation and Presentation The Eight Responsa Notes on Translation, Transliteration, and Citations Glossary Abbreviations Further ReadingAcknowledgmentsOn ExcommunicationResponsa1. Divorce out of Love: A Sixteenth-Century Woman’s Story—Rabbi David ben Solomon ibn Abi Zimra Responsum 1,3982. The Tax Cut Lobby—Rabbi Joseph ibn Lev Responsum 4:143. Are You Calling Me a Heretic?!—Zᵉqan Aharon 254. Families Torn Apart—Rabbi Moses ben Joseph di Trani Responsum 1,1425. What’s in a Name?—Rabbi Samuel de Medina Yo-re Deʻa 1996. Is Your Blood Any Redder? The Case of an Informer in the Venetian Inquisition—Rabbi Solomon ben Abraham Ha-Kohen Responsum 4,317. Excommunication in Amsterdam—Baḥ (Ha-Yᵉshanot) 58. South of the Equator, in the New World—Torat Ḥayyim 3,3Index

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Book SynopsisDescribes the varied experiences of the Jewish Passover throughout the lands and the ages: the story, the many facets of its celebration in the Jewish home and community, the laws and the prayers, the seder plate and the songs, the art and the dances, the prayers and - of course - the games.Trade Review“Throughout my long career as a rabbi, the JPS holiday anthologies have been an essential resource. All the core background is in one place. If I need a holiday story, the anthologies contain a wide range of choices. And sections on celebrations worldwide provide new approaches to festivals.”—Rabbi Steven Bob, author of Jonah and the Meaning of Our Lives “This reissue is good news! I read this rich, varied, and classic series with pleasure and collected the volumes avidly when they first appeared.”—Rabbi Reuven Hammer, author of Akiva: Life, Legend, LegacyTable of ContentsList of Illustrations A Note from the Publisher Preface Acknowledgments BOOK ONE: PASSOVER IN HISTORY THE ORIGINS OF PASSOVER PASSOVER AND THE LAST SUPPER PASSOVER AND THE RITUAL MURDER LIBEL PASSOVER IN MANY LANDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PASSOVER HAGGADAH THE BAKING OF MATZOT BOOK TWO: PASSOVER IN LITERATURE, ART AND MUSIC PASSOVER IN THE BIBLE PASSOVER IN POST-BIBLICAL WRITINGS PASSOVER IN TALMUD AND MIDRASH PASSOVER IN MEDIEVAL JEWISH LITERATURE PASSOVER IN JEWISH LAW PASSOVER IN MODERN PROSE PASSOVER IN THE SHORT STORY PASSOVER IN POETRY MUSIC OF PASSOVER PASSOVER IN ART BOOK THREE: PASSOVER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE STORIES FOR PASSOVER POEMS FOR PASSOVER BOOK FOUR: PASSOVER REJOICING PASSOVER CURIOSITIES PASSOVER FOLKLORE PASSOVER PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS DANCES FOR PASSOVER PASSOVER DISHES BOOK FIVE: COMMEMORATION OF PASSOVER THE OBSERVANCE OF PASSOVERGlossary of Passover Terms Bibliography Notes

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Book SynopsisThe book details the ten permanent principles that never change, the ten commandments of making money if you will, and explores the economic and philosophic vision of business that has been part of Jewish culture for centuries. This new edition will provide new examples, especially of Internet related business opportunities.Table of ContentsForeword by Dave Ramsey v Introduction to the New Edition 1 The First Commandment Believe in the Dignity and Morality of Business 19 The Second Commandment Extend the Network of Your Connectedness to Many People 57 The Third Commandment Get to Know Yourself 91 The Fourth Commandment Do Not Pursue Perfection 129 The Fifth Commandment Lead Consistently and Constantly 171 The Sixth Commandment Constantly Change the Changeable, While Steadfastly Clinging to the Unchangeable 205 The Seventh Commandment Learn to Foretell the Future 239 The Eighth Commandment Know Your Money 269 The Ninth Commandment Act Rich: Give Away 10 Percent of Your After-Tax Income 297 The Tenth Commandment Never Retire 319 Epilogue 341 Notes 345 Index 354

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2016 JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL AWARD FOR CONTEMPORARY JEWISH LIFE AND PRACTICEAn inspiring and accessible guide, drawn from Jewish wisdom, for building the inner qualities necessary to work effectively for social justice.The world needs changing—and you’re just the person to do it!  It’s a matter of cultivating the inner resources you already have. If you are serious about working for social justice and change, this book will help you bring your most compassionate, wise, and courageous self to the job. Bringing positive social change to any system takes deep self-awareness, caring, determination, and long-term commitment. But polarization, the slow pace of change, and internal conflicts among activists and organizations often leads to burnout and discouragement among the very people needed to make a difference. Changing the World from the Inside Out distills centuries of Jewish wisdom about cultivating and refining the inner life into an accessible program for building the qualities necessary to accomplish sustainable change. Through explorations of deep motivation, inner-drive, and traits like trust and anger, this book engages the reader in a journey of self-development and transformation, demonstrating that sustainable activism is indeed a spiritual practice. Jaffe offers accessible and meaningful guidance for this journey—with exercises, contemplations, and discussion points that can be used individually or in a group.

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Book SynopsisShows teens in their own language how Torah addresses the issues in their world. The conversational tone is inviting and dignified, concise and substantial, direct and informative. Each pamphlet includes a general introduction, two model divrei Torah on the weekly Torah portion, and one model davar Torah on the weekly Haftarah portion.Trade Review“This is a fantastic resource . . . clear, coherent, and easy to understand. It encourages readers to grapple with real issues in the Bible that are relevant to them. It will be incredibly valuable not only to teens preparing to become bar/bat mitzvah but also to adults in navigating, challenging, and connecting to the biblical text.”—Rabbi Danielle G. Eskow, co-founder of onlinejewishlearning.com“Rabbi Jeff Salkin has enabled b’nai mitzvah to learn and teach Torah with a commentary that is wise, helpful, and brilliantly clear.”—Rabbi David Wolpe, senior rabbi at Sinai Temple, Los Angeles, and author of David: The Divided Heart“This is fantastic! It’s a game-changer for b’nai mitzvah, their parents, and their teachers. Salkin’s fresh insights remind us how transformative this experience can be.”—Rabbi Aaron Miller, Washington Hebrew CongregationTable of ContentsGeneral Introduction Va-yikra': Torah Commentary Va-yikra': Haftarah Commentary

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Book SynopsisShows teens in their own language how Torah addresses the issues in their world. The conversational tone is inviting and dignified, concise and substantial, direct and informative. Each pamphlet includes a general introduction, two model divrei Torah on the weekly Torah portion, and one model davar Torah on the weekly Haftarah portion.Trade Review“This is a fantastic resource . . . clear, coherent, and easy to understand. It encourages readers to grapple with real issues in the Bible that are relevant to them. It will be incredibly valuable not only to teens preparing to become bar/bat mitzvah but also to adults in navigating, challenging, and connecting to the biblical text.”—Rabbi Danielle G. Eskow, co-founder of onlinejewishlearning.com“Rabbi Jeff Salkin has enabled b’nai mitzvah to learn and teach Torah with a commentary that is wise, helpful, and brilliantly clear.”—Rabbi David Wolpe, senior rabbi at Sinai Temple, Los Angeles, and author of David: The Divided Heart“This is fantastic! It’s a game-changer for b’nai mitzvah, their parents, and their teachers. Salkin’s fresh insights remind us how transformative this experience can be.”—Rabbi Aaron Miller, Washington Hebrew CongregationTable of ContentsGeneral Introduction Ki Tetse': Torah Commentary Ki Tetse' : Haftarah Commentary

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Book SynopsisRabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson was the charismatic leader of the Chabad Hasidic movement and its designated Messiah. Yet when he died in 1994, the messianic fervor he inspired did not subside. Through traditional means and digital technologies, a group of radical Hasidim, the Meshichistim, still keep the Rebbe palpably close—engaging in ongoing dialogue, participating in specific rituals, and developing an ever-expanding visual culture of portraits and videos. With Us More Than Ever focuses on this group to explore how religious practice can sustain the belief that a messianic figure is both present and accessible. Yoram Bilu documents a unique religious experience that is distinctly modern. The rallying point of the Meshichistim—that the Rebbe is "with us more than ever"—is sustained through an elaborate system that creates the sense of his constant and pervasive presence in the lives of his followers. The virtual Rebbe that emerges is multiple, visible, accessible, and highly decentralized, the epicenter of a truly messianic movement in the twenty-first century. Combining ethnographic fieldwork and cognitive science with nuanced analysis, Bilu documents the birth and development of a new religious faith, describing the emergence of new spiritual horizons, a process common to various religious movements old and new.Trade Review"In this fascinating study, Yoram Bilu, Israel's foremost scholar of Jewish popular religion, has succeeded in penetrating the world of Chabad's messianic subculture. He offers a brilliant analysis of how these Hasidim use visual media, apparitions, and letters to their deceased leader to create an 'apotheosis' of the Rebbe." -- David Biale * University of California, Davis *"This ethnographic exploration of the religious imagination in Chabad demonstrates that there is no one better equipped than Yoram Bilu to provide a theoretically sophisticated and phenomenologically sensitive account of the movement's messianic devotion to its deceased yet ever-present Rebbe." -- Thomas J. Csordas * University of California, San Diego *"With Us More than Ever is an important book for readers interested in Chabad, Hasidism, and contemporary Judaism. Its focus on the 'messianic ecology' yields a nuanced and dispassionate image of the acute messianism of the Meshichists—a community, or, perhaps, a state of mind, that has been discussed, criticized, and ridiculed, but hardly ever researched either quantitatively or qualitatively." -- Wojciech Tworek * Association for Jewish Studies Review *Table of ContentsContents and AbstractsIntroduction: Introduction chapter abstractThe messianic surge that swept Chabad in the late 20th century has not subsided following the death in 1994 of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the last president of Chabad and the designated Messiah in the eyes of most Hasidim. Since then, the movement has been able to maintain its popularity and dominance despite the catastrophic loss. Focusing on the Meshichistim ("messianists"), the radical Hasidim who deny the Rebbe's death, the introduction documents the means they employ to fill the void of the Rebbe's "occlusion." The book makes use of a media-studies approach to examine how these means fill the critical role of making the absent Rebbe present. The data are based on interviews with Meshichists, participant observations in their gatherings, and meticulous perusal of messianic publications, primarily periodicals. The discussion includes a description of the charged interrelationships that developed between the author and the Hasidim during fieldwork. 1Chabad and the Messianic Idea chapter abstractThe chapter follows the vicissitudes of the messianic idea in Chabad from the movement's inception to the stormy years of the seventh and last leader, Menachem Mendel Schneerson. As shaped by its founder, Rabbi Schneur Zalman, Chabad was less prone to messianic tension than were other Hasidic sects. The fifth admor, Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber, resorted to messianic discourse in the late 19th century in order to battle the lure of secular ideologies such as communism and Zionism. His son and successor, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, viewed the horrors of the Holocaust as messianic tribulations. But it was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson who generated acute messianic turbulence by advancing to his Hasidim the notion of imminent redemption. The Rebbe's messianic vision, kept alive by the Hasidim after his departure, forms the background for the means and practices that constitute the messianic ecology in contemporary Chabad. 2Meshichist Sociology chapter abstractThe chapter presents the major sociological features of the Meshichists. The Meshichists are more prevalent in the movement's periphery. Of Chabad's two main centers, they are more strongly represented in Israel than in the U.S. and more among the younger Hasidim in either place. –. In accord with the enthusiasm and high commitment typically displayed by religious immigrants and converts anywhere, new Chabadniks, coming from secular or other religious backgrounds, are overrepresented among the Meshichists. As a result of their outreach activities, Chabadniks anywhere tend to be more socially and politically involved in the wider society than are other ultraorthodox Jews, and the Meshichists all the more so. One indication of their assimilation into Israeli society is their use of military language in articulating their ideas and activities. 3Writing to the Rebbe: The Holy Letters Oracle chapter abstractThis chapter discusses the bibliomantic device the Hasidim developed to continue the dialogue with the absent Rebbe. The technique is based on inserting a petition randomly into one of the thirty-two volumes of the Rebbe's collected letters. Even though these letters were written to other people at other times, the petitioners maintain that the answers they receive are germane to their own pleas. The veridicality of the answers is redoubled when they play out in the real world. Following the miraculous stories associated with the Holy Letters Oracle, the chapter discusses its growing popularity and accounts for its success. The popularity and success of the technique seem to confirm the assertion of the Meshichistim that despite his occlusion, the invisible Rebbe is more accessible than ever. 4Sensing the Rebbe: Traces and Practices of Embodiment chapter abstractHow do the Hasidim perceive the absent Rebbe as close and involved? This chapter discusses a broad range of signs or "traces" of the Rebbe, such as the Rebbe's abode, his armchair, the dollar bills he distributed for charity, and the water from his ritual bath, which the Hasidim are adamant to keep intact and, where possible, to replicate. Primarily in Chabad headquarters in Crown Heights, but also in Chabad Houses all over the world and in the Meshichists' homes, these artifacts serve as focal points for ritual practices that involve the Rebbe as an active participant. The traces and practices interweave to produce a "messianic ecology" that actualizes the Rebbe among his followers. In the religion-media paradigm, these traces and practices are conductors of his presence. 5Seeing the Rebbe I: Chabad's Visual Culture chapter abstractChapter Five is devoted to Chabad's visual culture as evidenced by the widespread use of still photographs and film footage of the Rebbe, which bolster his visual salience to an unprecedented extent in Judaism. The elaborate cult that has been developing around the Rebbe's images borders on iconophilia. The pictures serve as focal points for this wide-ranging visual cult. They are used as amulets, thwarting threats and curing maladies; as magnets drawing and attaching passersby to the Rebbe; and as icons triggering the elaborate ritual encounters between the Rebbe and his devotees. The chapter discusses the Rebbe's iconic picture, in which he is shown waving his hand in encouragement, and how it has taken on a life on its own. 6Seeing the Rebbe II: Dream and Waking Apparitions chapter abstractChapter Six maps the Rebbe's apparitions in dreams and then moves to reports of apparitions in normal waking states. The author proposes a psychocultural model to account for these apparitions, deeming them evidence of contextual accomplishment rather than psychopathological deficit. Two distinct clusters of apparition experiences emerge, one associated with ritual and the other with mundane settings. In comparison to Christian visionary experiences, the Rebbe's apparitions are hyper-realistic, literal reinforcements of the claim that the Rebbe is alive. While this claim is audacious ontologically, it limits the epistemological horizons of the messianic imaginary and detracts from its significance as a "taste" of the redemption. 7Schneersoncentrism: The Rebbe Steers the World chapter abstractFor the Meshichistim, the invisible Rebbe is the center of the world. Chapter Seven conveys this conviction through the notion of "Schneersoncentrism," the belief that the Rebbe steers the world and navigates its events. It discusses two broad domains where the Rebbe's imprint on the world is indelible, according to the Hasidim: natural disasters, which the Rebbe is able to stop, and manmade political upheavals, which the Rebbe can rectify. According to his followers, the Rebbe's fingerprints are evident in key historical moments such as the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Exodus of its Jews, and the American victory in the second Gulf War. 8The Apotheosis of the Rebbe chapter abstractChapter Eight deals with the sensitive issue of the Rebbe's deification, a corollary of his centrality in the universe. While the Chabad mainstream argues that attempts to deify the Rebbe are limited to the movement's lunatic fringes, it shows that activists in the Meshichist camp are not hostile to these attempts and, under special circumstances, are even willing to give them a voice. The mystical doctrine of the tzadik in Hasidism, which views him as part of the divine system of emanations, and the messianic shturem in Chabad today help attenuate the deep-seated resistance in Judaism to glorifying a human being. 9"To Make Many More Menachem Mendels": Creation and Procreation in Messianic Chabad chapter abstractChapter Nine illustrates the divine role accorded to the Rebbe in the fantasy lives of some of his followers by zooming in on his alleged role in one domain of human misery: infertility and birth problems. Drawing on a small sample of dreaming and waking apparitions, the chapter shows how the childless Rebbe "reproduces" himself by providing childless couples with children in his image. In these reports the Rebbe appears as a creator no less than as a progenitor. 10Holy Place and Holy Time in Meshichist Chabad chapter abstractChapter Ten discusses the spatial and temporal dimensions of holiness in the messianic religion. For the Meshichists, who ordinarily refrain from frequenting the Rebbe's sanctuary in Old Montefiori Cemetery in Queens, the most sacred site is the Rebbe's abode on 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, dubbed "770." Viewed as the house of the Messiah and a wing of the future third Temple, 770 is the Meshichist hub, where the life routine with the Rebbe is kept intact. Replicas of 770 have been built in scores of places across the globe. The Meshichist emphasize two dates in Chabad's ritual calendar: Yod-Aleph (11) Nissan, the Rebbe's birthday, and Gimel Tammuz, the date of the Rabbi's disappearance, euphemistically called the Day of Redemption. 11The Omnipresence of Absence: Messianism in the Technological Age chapter abstractChapter Eleven discusses the present-absent virtual Rebbe, maintained in part by the magic of technology. In analyzing the properties of his virtuality, it is suggested that the Rebbe is multiple (reproduced), close and palpable, visible, accessible, and highly decentralized. The fact that the virtual Rebbe can be directly accessed and equally shared by all Hasidim poses a potential threat to Chabad's hierarchical structure and cohesion. 12Meshichists, Christians, Sabbateans, and Popular Culture Heroes chapter abstractThe dynamic common to past and present messianic movements is the focus of Chapter Twelve. It considers the struggles of Chabad's messianism in light of the Christian and Sabbatean precedents. It also poses a speculative comparison between the cult of the Rebbe that emerges from Chabad's visual culture and the adoration of charismatic entertainment and political celebrities in global popular culture. 13From Tzadik to Messiah: Comparing Chabad and Bratslav chapter abstractChapter Twelve proposes a systematic comparison of Chabad and Bratslav Hasidism. Both of these Hasidic movements lack the defining feature of a classic Hasidic sect, a serving tzadik-admor, yet they are enjoying unprecedented success. Can the flourishing of these two movements be attributed to the messianic expectations they both nurture? In support of this supposition, the chapter seeks to decipher the enigma of the growing popularity of these two "anomalous" Hasidic sects by dwelling on their propensity for border-crossing in various domains. Conclusion chapter abstractThe messianic surge that swept Chabad in the late 20th century has created the opportunity for studying the religious imagination at large, and as a subject in its own right. Messianic movements expand the boundaries of proper religious conduct and bring to the fore modes of action and experience the religious establishment shuns as extreme or subversive. The media and the practices that Meshichists employ to make the absent Rebbe present were born in this fertile, enabling ecology. More daring and pronounced than ordinary institutionalized religious beliefs and rites, they differ only in degree. The conclusion discusses the unprecedented extent to which the Rebbe-cum-Messiah is glorified, the boundless energy his elevated status generates in his followers, and their capacity to cope with the disappointment of his occlusion by sustaining a virtual Rebbe that is palpable and close.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“As always, Wiesel’s characters are infused with the breath of life: these extraordinary men are fully human, whether reeling in spiritual ecstasy or pondering their existential melancholy, the loneliness that accompanies vision and greatness. . . . These tales make inspiring and fascinating reading for all.” —Library Journal (review of previous edition)“Wiesel’s theme is that four great masters, Pinhas of Koretz, Barukh of Medzebozh, the Seer of Lublin, and Naphtali of Ropshitz, were each a source of inspiration for others, communicating joy and fervour, but were themselves locked in struggles with melancholy and often fear. Through their legends and writings, Wiesel sees them fighting off their sorrow with exuberance, inundating their despair with an urgent commitment. Sometimes they fail. It is a delicate and worthwhile collection.” —A. Podet, European Judaism (review of previous edition)**“Drawing extensively on Jewish legend and tradition, Wiesel creates literature of lasting power and moral authority. . . . As Wiesel portrays each of these teachers, his book becomes a classic Hasidic tale about friendship and hope against overwhelming odds.” —John K. Roth, Thought: A Review of Culture and Idea (review of previous edition)“The delightful work, in the by now well-known manner of Elie Wiesel, continues his recounting of Hasidic tales begun in Souls on Fire. . . . On their own terms they are splendid.” —Choice (review of a previous edition)“For Wiesel, Hasidism is not a theology or a philosophy. It is not an abstract system of ideas or a conception of the Deity. It is a friendship and a concern for people and for God. Hasidism is the opposite of solitude. It is a sense of being bound up together with all other human beings in their joy and in their distress and of being bound up with God in his joy and in his distress.” ―Commonweal (review of a previous edition)"Another beautifully written and prepared work by one of the fine writers of our time." ―The Jewish Post and Opinion (review of a previous edition)“There is more help for the troubled in these stories than in many books programmed for self-help." ―Christian Century (review of a previous edition)“Elie Wiesel is one of the great writers of this generation.” ―New York Times Book Review (review of a previous edition)“Wiesel brings a journalist’s optimism to his studies of the Hasidic saints who set Eastern European Jewry alight in the 18th century with the faith that brought it through the last, worst centuries of persecution.” ―The Boston Globe (review of a previous edition)Table of ContentsForeword by Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C. Introduction by Irving Greenberg 1. Rebbe Pinhas of Koretz 2. Rebbe Barukh of Medzebozh 3. The Holy Seer of Lublin 4. Rebbe Naphtali of Ropshitz Background Notes Synchronology

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Book SynopsisFinalist for National Jewish Book Award for Scholarship 2022. Karaite Judaism emerged in the ninth century in the Islamic Middle East as an alternative to the rabbinic Judaism of the Jewish majority. Karaites reject the underlying assumption of rabbinic Judaism, namely, that Jewish practice is to be based on two divinely revealed Torahs, a written one, embodied in the Five Books of Moses, and an oral one, eventually written down in rabbinic literature. Karaites accept as authoritative only the Written Torah, as they understand it, and their form of Judaism therefore differs greatly from that of most Jews. Despite its permanent minority status, Karaism has been an integral part of the Jewish people continuously for twelve centuries. It has contributed greatly to Jewish cultural achievements, while providing a powerful intellectual challenge to the majority form of Judaism. This book is the first to present a comprehensive overview of the entire story of Karaite Judaism: its unclear origins; a Golden Age of Karaism in the Land of Israel; migrations through the centuries; Karaites in the Holocaust; unique Jewish religious practices, beliefs, and philosophy; biblical exegesis and literary accomplishments; polemics and historiography; and the present-day revival of the Karaite community in the State of Israel.Trade Review'An amazing book. Bravo Professor Lasker. I'm giving this book the highest review possible. The book accomplishes right what it sets out to do. [...] It is rare for a book to be written from a purely academic perspective, to have academic rigour, but also to be extremely sensitive to the Karaite position. [...] I can't imagine there's a better [book] out there right now.'Shawn, A Blue Thread'Lasker’s book offers an extremely well-researched introduction to the relatively unknown and un-researched branch of Jewish history that includes Karaite Jewry and its texts, commentaries and records, in the hope that it inspires readers to continue learning about the “oldest surviving alternative Judaism”.'Hadassah Faur, Jerusalem Post'The need for [Karaism], the first wide-ranging English-language introduction to the study of Karaite Judaism, is abundantly clear. In twelve concise and readable chapters, made admirably accessible to the nonspecialist, Daniel J. Lasker draws on a lifetime of research into what he calls an “alternative Judaism,”… Even though few can match the breadth of Lasker’s interest or productivity, one hopes that this volume stimulates a new generation of interest in Karaism.'Marc Herman, H-Judaic'A useful and informative handbook on a little-known but intriguing strain of Judaism.'Sara Jo Ben Zvi, Segula'Karaism is written for a general audience and does a wonderful job showing the Karaites’ development, history and attempts to stay vital in contemporary times. Anyone interested in the history of Judaism will find this work fascinating in its ability to show how contemporary assumptions about our religion do not always accurately reflect our history.'Rabbi Rachel Esserman, The Reporter'A lively introduction to general Karaism that spans from its origins to the present and persuasively argues for its vital relevance to Jewish studies as a whole ... Karaism is an academic work, but Lasker’s personal affection for the Karaite community community shines through.' Alan Verskin, Jewish Review of Books‘The presentation of Karaite doctrines and practices is based partly on an analysis of the religious literature and partly on the observation of contemporary communities. The chapters on Karaite theology, exegesis, and historiography provide a useful summary of classical Karaite literature and clearly show the evolution of doctrines from one author to another. In a tour de force of exposition the author successfully presents complex theological systems and disentangles an often obscure intellectual history in the form of clear, thorough, and reader-friendly explanations that are up to date on the most recent literature, of which this book is, in a sense, a synthesis.’ Translated from French: ‘L’exposé des dogmes et des pratiques karaïtes repose tant sur l’anayse de la littérature religieuse que sur l’observation des communautés actuelles. Les chapitres sur la théologie, l’exégèse et l’historiographie karaïtes résument utilement la littérature classique karaïte et montrent clairement l’évolution des doctrines d’un auteur à l’autre. Ces résumés réussissent le tour de force d’exposer des systèmes théologiques complexes et de démêler une histoire intellectuelle parfois obscure sous la forme de résumés clairs, exhaustifs, agréables à lire et à jour de la bibliographie récente, dont ce livre est, en quelque sorte, une synthèse.’ Peter Nahon, Revue des Études Juives‘As it stands, this work is the first, long-awaited, reliable scholarly compendium on Karaism addressed to wider readership, for which important achievement its author is to be praised and congratulated. It will be of value not only to anyone interested in Karaism but also to anyone involved in Jewish studies in general, and will serve brilliantly as an introductory course book in these fields.’ Marzena Zawanowska, AJS Review"Here is what I wanted to know about the Karaites: 1) their origin, 2) a summary of their practices and beliefs, and 3) where they are now. Daniel J. Lasker does this admirably in his book Karaism: An Introduction to the Oldest Surviving Alternative Judaism … and much more." Mitchell First, Jewish Link‘Lasker effectively synthesises and summarises a mass of material. His study is a welcome contribution to our knowledge of an intriguing chapter in Jewish history.’ John Moorhead, Journal of Religious History‘Here is what I wanted to know about the Karaites: 1) their origin, 2) a summary of their practices and beliefs, and 3) where they are now. Daniel J. Lasker does this admirably in his book “Karaism: An Introduction to the Oldest Surviving Alternative Judaism”… and much more.’ Mitchell First, Jewish LinkTable of ContentsIntroduction1. Karaite Origins2. The Golden Age in the Land of Israel3. In Byzantium and Beyond4. Eastern European Karaites5. The Return to Israel6. Karaite Law and Religious Practices7. Principles of Karaism8.Theology9. Exegesis10. Polemics and Historiography11. Language and Literature12. The Future of KaraismBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisRecent years have seen an increased interest in Jewish life, its culture, and its celebrations. There are many new students of Judaism, often potential converts or members of interfaith families who are seeking to learn more about the religion and its rituals. Unfortunately, many of the existing texts that examine the Jewish holidays are written in a dry, unexciting way, making it difficult for the reader to retain much information. For those seeking to learn more about Jewish celebrations, Cantor Matt Axelrod has written Your Guide to the Jewish Holidays: From Shofar to Seder. Intended for the reader who has no prior knowledge about the Jewish holidays as well as the reader who knows the basics about the holidays but wants to understand the holidays on a deeper level, Axelrod's book takes a humorous, light-hearted look at the 11 most important Jewish holidays. Instead of simply explaining that Jews are obligated to observe in a certain way because of a biblical text, Axelrod shows wheTrade ReviewThe book opens with the familiar but still funny line some Jews use to describe their holidays: “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat.” Happily, this book takes things further and does so in highly readable manner. All the major holidays are covered, as well as some of the lesser ones, including Tishah-b’Ab, a day that commemorates the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Ironically (or not), it is also the day the Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492. Because the book is written without affectation, those new to the holidays will find it a way to understand both the meaning and the observance of Judaism’s special days. The text is full of interesting facts, from the origin of the Kol Nidre service to the story behind gift giving at Hanukkah and the derivation of Moses’ name. And, appropriately, each holiday gets a section, called “Let’s Eat,” that details the foods associated with the day (or in the case of Yom Kippur, how to fast). A good starting point for both Jews and their non-Jewish friends who want to know more. * Booklist *If you want to know the story behind the Jewish a cappella group the Maccabeats’ latest video, look to this book. If you are one of a burgeoning number of interfaith families, this guide will help you. Axelrod (cantor, Congregation Beth Israel, Scotch Plains, NJ; Surviving Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah) has a facility for making the shofar and the seder accessible to all. Without compromising their theological importance, he sets the 11 most important Jewish holidays in their historical and ritual contexts, adding wit and a bit of whimsy. In explicating a holiday, he titles sections with such headers as 'The Back Story,' 'Let’s Eat,' and 'The Bottom Line.' Certain celebrations require additional headings such as 'Come on Baby, Light My Fire.' There are 'Tips for Parents' and 'In Depth' segments throughout. He describes the holidays also through real-life applications and scenarios such as alternatives to camping in a tent for seven days during Sukkot. The three appendixes—a 'Quick Guide to the Holidays,' a Jewish calendar, and a glossary—offer great value on their own. VERDICT. . . This is an excellent choice for readers new to Jewish holidays and history and anyone wishing to incorporate these meaningful celebrations into their own lives. * Library Journal *Table of ContentsTable of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Rosh Hashanah: Repent Now! 2. Yom Kippur: No Food For How Long? 3. Sukkot: Please Step Into The Booth 4. Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah: The Holiday That No One Knows 5. Chanukah: It’s A Miracle Anyone Can Spell It 6. Purim: The Ultimate Jewish Revenge Fantasy 7. Passover: Bring On The Matzah 8. Shavuot: The Forgotten Festival 9. Tisha B’av: The Saddest Day Of The Year 10. Calendar Oddities, Minutiae, and Miscellany Appendix I: Your Quick And Handy Guide To All The Holidays Appendix II: Your Quick and Handy Guide to All The Jewish Months Appendix III: Glossary Of Terms And Phrases About the Author

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Book SynopsisDeals with the subject of how Jews think about and work with objects. This title draws from philosophy, cultural studies, literature, psychology, film, and photography to portray the vibrancy of Jewish practice in America. It offers an approach to an understanding of modern Jewish thought and its relation to American culture.Trade ReviewKen Koltun-Fromm's fascinating account of American Jewish thinkers' engagement with material culture explores a subject largely commanded by social historians . . . [His] chapters engage fascinating topics in clear-headed and searching discussions. * Shofar *Material Culture and Jewish Thought in America invites us to re-examine a range of religious-philosophical sources, for which we should be grateful. * Jewish Book World *Koltun-Fromm brings a synthetic approach, and thus, fresh air, to what has too long remained a narrowly focused set of questions. Scholars in a variety of fields will find relevant and rewarding discussions in these pages. Volume 37, Number 4, Dec. 2011 * Religious Studies Review *[This book] offers a bracing insight into the current, vibrant state of American Jewish studies.7/16/10 -- Josh Lambert * Forward *In this tightly argued and sophisticated monograph, Koltun-Fromm seeks to locate and explore the experiences of American Jews with physical objects and things as diverse as journals and urban streets. . . . All libraries supporting such patrons should seriously consider its purchase. . . . Recommended. * Choice *Table of ContentsContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Material Culture and Jewish Identity in America1. The Material Self: Mordecai Kaplan and the Art of Writing2. The Material Past: Edward Bernays, Joshua Liebman, and Erich Fromm3. Material Place: Joseph Soloveitchik and the Urban Holy4. Material Presence: Abraham Joshua Heschel and The Sabbath5. The Material Narrative: Yezierska, Roth, Ozick, Malamud6. The Material Gaze: American Jewish Identity and Heritage ProductionConclusion: American or Jewish Material Identity?NotesBibliographyIndex

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Book SynopsisThe Jewish Family: Between Family Law and Contract Law examines Jewish family law in the light of new attitudes concerning the role of women, assisted reproduction technologies, and prenuptial agreements. It will appeal to practitioners, activists, academic researchers and laymen readers interested in the fields of law, theology and social science.Table of Contents1. Regulating marital relations between spouses by consent; 2. 'Freedom of contract' in Jewish family law - the differences between the Babylonian and Palestinian Talmuds; 3. Is there really no conditional marriage?; 4. Temporary marriage - a possible solution to the problem of the Agunah?; 5. Towards establishing Halakhic parenthood by agreement?; Index; Bibliography.

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