Judaism Books

Book SynopsisThis book brings together Jewish and Christian scholars engaged in fresh thinking about the relation of their respective covenant communities. Speaking theologically and ecumenically, the contributors introduce readers to current attempts to construct a Jewish theology of Christianity and a Christian theology of Judaism.

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Book SynopsisThe Kuzari is one of the basic books of Jewish literature, a required text in the library of every educated Jew--and of every educated Christian who would understand the religion of Israel. The author, foremost poet and thinker of the Jewish Middle Ages, offers clear and usable delineations of the religion of Israel. In the easy style of a Platonic dialogue, he presents first a critique of Christianity and Islam, and then explores the nature of Israel's first religious faculty, the question of the 'chosen' people, the implications of a 'minority religion.' Against those who accommodate to prevailing philosophical trends, Judah Halevi is blunt, frank and uncompromising in his discourse on the central teachings of Judaism: revelation, prophecy, the laws, the Holy Land, and the role of the Jewish people as spokesman for religious faith.

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Book Synopsis'This book...is designed to make the Bible of Israel intelligible, relevant, and hopefully, inspiring to a sophisticated generation, possessed of intellectual curiosity and ethical sensitivity...It is based on the belief that the study of the Book of Books must constitute a mature intellectual challenge, an exposure to the expanding universe of scientific biblical scholarship...Far from presenting a threat to faith, a challenge to the intellect may reinforce faith and purify it.'--from the Introduction

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Book SynopsisThis charming memoir by Bella Chagall recalls her childhood in Vitebsk, the Russian-Jewish market town where she and her husband, Marc Chagall, grew up. Her warm reminiscences of Jewish family life in pre-Revolutionary Russia are illustrated with thirty-six pen-and-ink drawings by Marc Chagall. Bella Chagall, a gifted author and actress, was the youngest of seven children born to a well-to-do Hasidic family. While living in France in the 1930s, the Chagalls conceived the idea of commemorating their native town with a book. The title they chose was Burning Lights, an allusion to the festive candles that in their childhood had lit up the holidays of the Jewish year.

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Book SynopsisWho made God? Can God hear my prayers? Why does God let people die? The author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People helps parents understand their children's fears and fantasies, and offers advice on answering their questions about religion, the Bible, illness, and bereavement.

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Book SynopsisA collection of lectures on the features of the movement of mysticism that began in antiquity and continues in Hasidism today.

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Book SynopsisHow has a legal tradition determined by men affected the lives of women? What are the traditional Jewish views of marriage, divorce, sexuality, contraception, abortion? Women and Jewish Law gives contemporary readers access to the central texts of the Jewish religious tradition on issues of special concern to women. Combining a historical overview with a thoughtful feminist critique, this pathbreaking study points the way for “informed change” in the status of women in Jewish life.

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Book SynopsisEdited by Nahum N. GlatzerWith a new Foreword by Rodger Kamenetz “The question I put before you, as well as before myself, is the question of the meaning of Judaism for the Jews. Why do we call ourselves Jews? I want to speak to you not of an abstraction but of your own life . . . its authenticity and essence.” With these words, Martin Buber takes us on a journey into the heart of Judaism—its spirit, vision, and relevance to modern life.

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Book SynopsisPart of the Jewish Encounter seriesIn 1656, Amsterdam’s Jewish community excommunicated Baruch Spinoza, and, at the age of twenty–three, he became the most famous heretic in Judaism. He was already germinating a secularist challenge to religion that would be as radical as it was original. He went on to produce one of the most ambitious systems in the history of Western philosophy, so ahead of its time that scientists today, from string theorists to neurobiologists, count themselves among Spinoza’s progeny.In Betraying Spinoza, Rebecca Goldstein sets out to rediscover the flesh-and-blood man often hidden beneath the veneer of rigorous rationality, and to crack the mystery of the breach between the philosopher and his Jewish past. Goldstein argues that the trauma of the Inquisition’ s persecution of its forced Jewish converts plays itself out in Spinoza’s philosophy. The excommunicated Spinoza, no less than his excommunicators,

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Book SynopsisThe first complete English translation of the Hebrew classic Sefer Ha-Aggadah brings to the English-speaking world the greatest and best-loved anthology of classical Rabbinic literature ever compiled. First published in Odessa in 1908-11, it was recognized immediately as a masterwork in its own right, and reprinted numerous times in Israel.The Hebrew poet Hayim Nahman Bialik and the renowned editor Yehoshua Hana Ravnitzky, the architects of this masterful compendium, selected hundreds of texts from the Talmud and midrashic literature and arranged them thematically, in order to provide their contemporaries with easy access to the national literary heritage of the Jewish people -- the texts of Rabbinic Judaism that remain at the heart of Jewish literacy today.Bialik and Ravnitzky chose Aggadah -- the non-legal portions of the Talmud and Midrash -- for their anthology. Loosely translated as 'legends', Aggadah includes the genres of biblical exegesis, stories about biblical

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Book SynopsisThe bestselling Holocaust memoir about finding purpose and strength in times of despair?selected as a Library of Congress ?10 Most Influential Books in America?This stunning gift edition of ?one of the great books of our time? (Harold S. Kushner) features new photos, end papers, and Frankl?s never-before-published speeches and letters.Hailed as ?an enduring work of survival literature? by the New York Times, Viktor Frankl?s account of his time in the Nazi concentration camps?and his insights into our ability to find meaning despite great adversity?has offered solace and guidance to generations of readers since it was first published in 1946. This stunning hardcover gift edition features previously unpublished material?including letters, speeches, essays, and an 8-page photo insert?that reveal Frankl?s enduring lessons on perseverance and strength in even greater depth.At the heart of Frankl?s theory of logotherapy (from the Greek word for ?meaning?) is a conviction that the primary human drive is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but rather the discovery and pursuit of what the individual finds meaningful. Today, as new generations face new challenges and an ever more complex and uncertain world, Frankl?s classic work continues to inspire us all to find significance in the very act of living, in spite of all obstacles.With more than 16 million copies sold in over 50 languages, this timeless masterpiece is ?one of the outstanding contributions to psychological thought? (Carl Rogers) and offers inspiration for coping with suffering and finding your purpose.

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Book SynopsisA collection of essays exploring the phenomenon of spirit possession among Jews from a multidisciplinary perspective. Questions addressed include: what beliefs have Jews held about possession?; and have their conceptions of possession been similar to those of their Christian and Muslim neighbours?

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Book SynopsisAn annotated translation of the Yudisher Theriak, along with a comprehensive introduction that places the original work in its historical context.

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Book SynopsisExplores Jewish women's lives in what is now Eastern and Western Europe, Britain, Israel, Turkey, North Africa, and North America. The volume focuses on reconstructing the experiences of ordinary women and situating those of the extraordinary and famous within the gender systems of their times and places.

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Book SynopsisConsidered by many to be one of the most significant Jewish theologians of the 20th century, Abraham Heschel finds just the right words to startle the mind and delight the heart. He addresses and challenges the whole person, portraying that rarest of human phenomena--the holy man.

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Book SynopsisWith contributions from 42 scholars, this encyclopedia in three volumes provides a comprehensive survey of the role of apocalyptic thought and study in Western history, from its origins down to the eve of the third millennium.Trade Review"This splendid collection of essays explores religiously inspired conceptions of the end of history ... Addressing critical aspects of Western apocalypticism, the authors identify and define their topics carefully, develop independent interpretations, and supply excellent supporting annotated bibliographies. This superb encyclopedia represents the best current scholarship ... it richly deserves wide distribution." * Choice *

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Book SynopsisAn analysis of the kabbalah, a mystical Judaic system. This book provides a study of the Kabbablah itself, of its commentators - the 'revisionary ratios' they employed - and of its significance as a model for contemporary criticism.Table of ContentsPrologue: That, too, I must have known; Kabbalah; Kabbalah and Criticism; The Necessity of Misreading; Epilogue: The Name Spoken Over the Water. Introduction; 1. Does the Testament of Abraham Belong to a Genre?; 2. Humour in the Testament of Abraham; 3. Characterization of Abraham; 4. Characterization of Michael; 5. Death in the Testament of Abraham; 6. The Plot of the Testament of Abraham; 7. Comparison of the Greek Manuscripts; 8. Conclusion; Appendix 1: The 54 Narrative Units of the Testament of Abraham; Appendix 2: Citations of the Three Manuscript Families; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisFeatures the life, in stories, of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760), the founder of Hasidism. The Baal Shem Tov, or the Besht, as he is commonly called, led a revival in Judaism that put love and joy at the center of religious life and championed the piety of the common folk against the rabbinic establishment.Trade Review"'Yitzhak Buxbaum's book is the scripture that should have been written about the Baal Shem Tov two-hundred-and-fifty years ago, but wasn't....No one who wants to draw from the wellsprings of Hasidism should be without this book. If you don't have enough money to buy it, pawn your shoes and run to the bookstore barefoot.' Zalman Schachter-Saloml 'Buxbaum has put his finger on the pulse of the values that lie at the heart of the Baal Shem Tov's message and conveys them in words that speak to the heart of our generation.' Arthur Green 'Wow! What a feast for those who love stories of the Baal Shem Tov! Yitzhak is a master storyteller, who has devoted a life time to the discovery of stories that quicken the heart and inspire us to live with ever more joy, amazement, and holy integrity.' Marcia Prager 'The finest collection of Baal Shem Tov stories ever amassed in any language.' Miles Krassen 'Reading this book is sure to uplift, inspire, and shift one's modern-day perspective in a most radical way.' Tirzah Firestone 'A wonderfully, enchanting compilation of stories from the Baal Shem Tov that captures the essence and Yiddishkeit of chassidut. A fabulous tome for the old and young, for those who are liberal or those who are traditional. Buxbaum's compilation is enjoyable for bedtime reading for adults and children, as well as an outstanding source for scholars and rabbis.' Shamash, February 22, 2006"

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Book SynopsisMysticism is one of the most enduring and fascinating aspects of religious life, and one of the most difficult to unpick. This book enables readers to understand the nature of mysticism, and examines in detail the traditional methods used by mystics in seeking an intimate understanding of the spiritual world.Trade Review‘The richness of this book will enhance and deepen the openness to faith of any reader and provide a good introduction to what at first can be a perplexing subject.' -- The WayOffers a clear and organized understanding of a path to a deeper life for readers to consider. -- Press-RegisterTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I: What is Mysticism?; 1. The Concept of Mysticism; 2. Approaches Used by Mystics; 3. Life Styles of Mystics; Part II: The Traditions of Mysticism; 4. Buddhist Mysticism; 5. Sufism; 6. The Nature Mysticism of Taoism and Shinto; 7. Christian Mysticism; 8. Kabbalah; 9. Hindu Mysticism; 10. Sikh and Jain Mysticism.; Part III: The Purpose of Mysticism; 11. The Mystical Goal; 12. Mystical and Orthodox Traditions; Glossary; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisMoshe Idel is Max Cooper Professor of Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, and Senior Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, Israel.He is an expert in Kabbalah andhas beena recipient of the prestigious Israel Prize for excellence in the field of Jewish Philosophy.Table of ContentsPreface; 1. From Saturn, Sabbath and Sorcery to the Jews; 2. From Saturn to Sabbatai Tzevi: A Planet that Became Messiah; 3. From Saturn to Melancholy; 4. Conclusion; Appendix; Abbreviations; Bibliography; Index.

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Trade ReviewJonathan Sacks is one of the most eminent religious scholars of our time and his book should interest Jews and non-Jews alike. * Booklist *There is much of great wisdom here, for readers of all faiths and none.' Bishop of Thetford 'A book for our time. Sacks writes with a quiet passion that is accessible to religionist and secularist alike... a desperately needed transfusion of hope. * Catholic Herald *Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks mixes stories, philosophy and theology to show Judaism's power to transform individuals and society through love and ethics. Much of what he says is equally applicable to Islam. -- Ziauddin Sardar * Independent, Books of the Year *The Chief Rabbi's books are always worth reading and this is no exception. He writes with characteristic generosity, wisdom and passion....His reading of the Hebrew Bible is immensely subtle...Throughout he makes ethics live through many, often deeply moving stories...Reading this will deepen your understanding of the OT or of Judaism. -- Nick Spencer * Christianity *[A] marvelous gift to the Jewish community and to people of all faiths and nations. I know of no contemporary author...whose ideology is so heavily invested in "social justice," who has presented the grandeur and breadth of Jewish social ideals in such a unique and absolutely elegant fashion....It should be read by every rabbi, synagogue president and Federation leader, as well as by clergy and political leaders everywhere...his inspiring contribution, and what makes this volume so extraordinary and so valuable, lies precisely in his remarkable presentation and its is applicability to the human condition...Rabbi Sacks has produced a text which should not only be read but which should be studied in every Jewish and non-Jewish education program in the English speaking world. -- Stanley M Wagner * Conservative Judaism *Required reading...As always Sack's work is eminently readable. Analytical but not to the point of paralysis, Sacks holds the reader with an easy style and gripping illustrations. By the time one is midway through this excellent book you really have an understanding of where he is going in defining responsibility...A rich joy to read and a highly recommended book. -- David Gifford * Baptist Times *...Sacks illuminates an aspirational set of principles that could be a guide to all mankind. -- Jane Clements * Common Ground *...powerful, timely and full of profound insights. -- Ziauddin Sardar * NCJW Journal *There is a fair amount about ethics of responsibility in current debate among Christian moral theologians. That, along with the reputation of Jonathan Sacks would perhaps suffice to recommend this volume to many in various branches of Christianity. Picking it up and reading it, moreover, only serves to strengthen the recommendation. Sack's approach to reflection upon these subjects will, I think, prove to be quite novel and refreshing to most Christians...Of particular use to our wider society may be his observation that what makes a culture invulnerable is the compassion it shows to the vulnerable. I doubt very much that I have put this book down for the last time. -- Bernard Hoose * The Furrow *Table of Contents1. The Call to Responsibility; 2. A Conversation with Karl Marx; 3. The Theology of Responsibility; 4. Redeeming Evil; 5. The Responsible Life; 6. Transforming Suffering; 7. The Holy and the Good; 8. In Dreams Begin Responsibilities.

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Book SynopsisMelanie J. Wright was Academic Director of the Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations, and a Lecturer in Religious Studies at the Open University, UK. She is the author of numerous articles and books including Understanding Judaism, and Religion and Film: An Introduction. With Lucia Faltin she co-edited The Religious Roots of Contemporary European Identity, which is also published by Continuum.Trade ReviewMelanie Wright bequeaths the reader an insightful and valuable introduction to the study of Judaism.Her lifetime's devotion to Jewish studies, especially to Jewish culture, makes this book essential for anyone interested in the varieties of Judaism. -- Edward Kessler MBE, Founder and Director, Woolf Institute, UKMelanie Wright has accomplished an almost impossible task, in compiling an account of Judaism that is comprehensive, readable, fresh and innovative. She writes as a sympathetic outsider, deeply sensitive to different (sometimes conflicting) currents, and to ever-changing concerns. Above all, her reflections on how Judaism - indeed, any religion - ought to be studied merit serious attention. -- Nicholas de Lange, University of Cambridge, UKTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. What is Judaism?; 2. Religious Authority; 3. Prayer and Mysticism; 4. Jewish Thought; 5. Gender; 6: Politics; 7: Culture; 8: Memory; 9: Jews and Others; 10: Jewish Futures; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisNewly revised guide based on A Guide to Observance by Seymour Siegel. An essay on the meaning of the dietary laws for our lives, followed by a practical guide to the observance of kashrut.

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Book SynopsisIn Christian Antisemitism: A History of Hate, Professor William Nicholls, a former minister in the Anglican Church and the founder of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of British Columbia, presents his stunning research, stating that Christian teaching is primarily responsible for antisemitism. As Nicholls states, these conclusions can now be fully justified by the most up-to-date scholarship, Christian as well as Jewish. Nicholls writes, Many Jewish writers have said, quite simply, that the Nazis chose the Jews as the target of their hate because two thousand years of Christian teaching had accustomed the world to do so. Few Christian historians and theologians have been sufficiently open to the painful truth to accept this explanation without considerable qualification. Nevertheless, it is correct. Christian Antisemitism traces, over two millennia, the growing domination of Western culture by the Christian myth (as Nicholls calls it) about the Jews, and shows how Trade ReviewProfessor William Nicholls is one of those rare thinkers capable of combining extraordinary scholarship and erudition with a deep understanding of human nature and human aguish. Above all, he is a man of remarkable courage, a courage stemming from his ownsense of morals and faith. Christian Antisemitism: A History of Hate is a work with no precedent and no equal. At one level, it is a brilliant, breathtaking chart of the history of Christianity, from its birth to modern times, and the legacy of hatred that it promoted, in both its religious and secular forms. At a second level, this book is designed to delineate Christian responsibility, not only for the butcheries and persecutions of the past, like the Spanish Portuguese Inquisitions, but also andspecifically for the destruction of six million Jews during the Holocaust. As a Christian, deeply committed to the faith of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, Professor Nicholls not only feels the rage for this historical travesty but also the moral, nay, the religious charge, to face up to the burden of this responsibility and to redress this wrong. Written in a scintillating and swift, stripped-down prose, this is a luminous and compelling book that could change forever Christian perception of -- Professor José Faur, author, In the Shadow of History: Jews and Conversos at the Dawn of ModernityProfessor Nicholls' history of the Christian origins and perpetuation of, and the church's continuing responsibility for, the antisemitic myth—including that myth's secularized and racist forms—is a marvel of contemporary historical and moral scholarship. We are given a comprehensive, definitive accounting of Christian hate for Jews from its beginnings to today—all in some 500 pages—together with compelling proposals for religious and theological reform and renewal. This historical exposition extends as well to the many moral, theological, political, and psychoanalytic dimensions of the question of antisemitism. We may expect this work to remain authoritative for a long time. It is a gem. -- A. Roy Eckardt, University of OxfordProfessor William Nicholls is one of those rare thinkers capable of combining extraordinary scholarship and erudition with a deep understanding of human nature and human aguish. Above all, he is a man of remarkable courage, a courage stemming from his own sense of morals and faith. Christian Antisemitism: A History of Hate is a work with no precedent and no equal. At one level, it is a brilliant, breathtaking chart of the history of Christianity, from its birth to modern times, and the legacy of hatred that it promoted, in both its religious and secular forms. At a second level, this book is designed to delineate Christian responsibility, not only for the butcheries and persecutions of the past, like the Spanish Portuguese Inquisitions, but also and specifically for the destruction of six million Jews during the Holocaust. As a Christian, deeply committed to the faith of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, Professor Nicholls not only feels the rage for this historical travesty but also the moral, nay, the religious charge, to face up to the burden of this responsibility and to redress this wrong. Written in a scintillating and swift, stripped-down prose, this is a luminous and compelling book that could change forever Christian perception of itself and bring a propitious change in Christian attitudes toward Jews and Judaism. -- Professor José Faur, author, In the Shadow of History: Jews and Conversos at the Dawn of Modernity

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Book SynopsisGenesis Rabbah is the commentary on the book of Genesis produced by the Rabbinic sages of the fourth and fifth centuries C.E. It provides the Judaic reading of the book of Genesis in light of historical events of that critical period, when the Roman Emperor, Constantine, legalized Christianity.

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