Judaism Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Scholem's scholarship betrays an alert presentness... No great textual scholar, no master of philology and historical criticism commands a technique at once more scrupulously attentive to its object and more instinct with the writer's voice. That voices reaches and grips... [M]agisterial."--New Yorker "Immensely important and fascinating... A monumental work of historical scholarship, which recounts in minute detail a moving tragedy of vast dimensions."--The New York Review of Books "Comprehensive... the last word on an astonishing episode of Jewish history."--Times Literary Supplement "A masterful mix of traditional Jewish scholarship and... original insight into the psychology of Judaism."--Boston Globe "Undoubtedly one of the all-time masterpieces of scholarship and intellectual history."--Commonweal "A major contribution not only to the study of messianic movements but also a study enlightening to the history of the Jewish people."--Jewish PressTable of Contents*Frontmatter, pg. i*Table of Contents, pg. ix*List of Plates, pg. xv*Table of Transliteration, pg. xix*Preface, pg. xxi*Introduction to The Princetion Classics Edition, pg. xxix*1. The Background of The Sabbatian Movement, pg. 1*2. The Beginnings of Sabbatai Sevi (1626 - 1664), pg. 103*3. The Beginnings of The Movement in Palestine (1665), pg. 199*4. The Movement Up to Sabbatai's Imprisonment in Gallipoli (1665 - 1666), pg. 327*5. The Movement in Europe (1666), pg. 461*6. The Movement in The East and The Center at Gallipoli Until Sabbatai's Apostasy (1666), pg. 603*7. After The Apostasy (1667 - 1668), pg. 687*8. The Last Years of Sabbatai Sevi (1668 - 1676), pg. 821*Bibliography, pg. 931*Index, pg. 957

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPreface to the Reissue, 1977Preface to the First Edition, 1966At the Mind's LimitsTortureHow Much Home Does a Person Need?ResentmentsOn the Necessity and Impossibility of Being a JewTranslator's NotesAfterword by Sidney Rosenfeld

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book surveys within the various literary genres (cosmologies, personal archives and epics, hymns, and prayers) parallels between the Bible and Ancient Near Eastern literature.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIntends to renew Jewish theology for our time, in the larger context of modern and postmodern challenges to theology and theological thought in the broadest sense. After introducing his hermeneutical theology, the author focuses on modes of self-cultivation for awakening and sustaining a covenant theology.Trade Review"A passionately poetic devotion to the ideal of religious living, one that is serious without being preachy. When Fishbane tells us that the reality of God erupted into Jewish consciousness at Sinai, and that we have been trying to make sense of and respond to that event ever since, it is clear that he has been doing this in his own life for a very long time." - Tikkun "A profoundly honest quest for authentic theological expression.... I was deeply engaged in what is a nuanced, personal, and very adult guide to the experience of faith." - Forward"

Read more less

Book SynopsisOffers contributions to the history of antisemitism. Of interest to scholars in medieval and Jewish history and religious studies, this work summarizes the historical developments, indicating when and where antisemitism emerged. It criticizes theories about prejudice and racism and develops theory about the nature and dynamics of antisemitism.Table of ContentsPart I. HISTORIOGRAPHY 1. Majority History and Post-Biblical Jews 2. Tradition, History, and Prejudice Part II. ANTI-JUDAISM 3. Anti-Judaism as the Necessary Preparation for Antisemitism 4. The Transformation of Anti-Judaism 5. Doubt in Christendom Part III. JEWISH LEGAL STATUS 6. "Judei nostri" and the Beginning of Capetian Legislation 7. "Tanquam servi": The Change in Jewish Legal Status in French Law about 1200 Part IV. IRRATIONAL FANTASIES 8. Peter the Venerable: Defense Against Doubts 9. Thomas of Monmouth: Detector of Ritual Murder 10. The Knight's Tale of Young Hugh Lincoln 11. Ritual Cannibalism 12. Historiographic Crucifixion Part V. ANTISEMITISM 13. Medieval Antisemitism 14. Toward a Definition of Antisemitism

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIllustrated with images and photographs, this book traces the architecture of the synagogue in Britain and Ireland from its discreet Georgian- and Regency-era beginnings to the golden age of the grand 'cathedral synagogues' of the High Victorian period.Trade Review"Beautifully illustrated . . . detailed examinations . . . richly supplemented by appropriate and useful discussions of British Jewish history."—Morton I. Teicher, Jewish Journal -- Morton I. Teicher * Jewish Journal *Shortlisted for the 2013 Historians of British Art Book Prize in the Pre-1800 and Post-1800 categories, given by the Historians of British Art. -- 2013 Historians of British Art Short List in the Pre-1800 and Post-1800 categories * Historians of British Art *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn clear and easy-to-understand prose, the pioneer of the modern study of Jewish mysticism explains the basic concepts of the Kabbalah.A major contribution to our understanding of the Kabbalah. —Arthur Green, Professor of Jewish Thought, Brandeis UniversityIn the Zohar and other writings of the Kabbalah, Jewish mystics developed concepts and symbols to help them penetrate secrets of the cosmos that cannot be understood through reason or intellect. These ideas about God, human beings, and creation continue to fascinate and influence spiritual seekers of all persuasions today.For anyone seeking to taste the mysteries of the Kabbalah, this is an essential book that explains the mystical form of the imageless God; good and evil; the Tsaddik or righteous soul; the Shekhinah, the feminine aspect of God; gilgul, the transmigration of souls; and tselem, the concept of the astral body.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe love of books in the Jewish tradition extends back over many centuries, and the ways of interpreting those books are as myriad as the traditions themselves. Skies of Parchment, Seas of Ink offers the first full survey of Jewish illuminated manuscripts, ranging from their origins in the Middle Ages to the present day. Featuring some of the mostTrade ReviewWinner of the 2015 National Jewish Book Award in Visual Arts, Jewish Book Council Finalist for the 2015 National Jewish Book Award in Scholarship (Nahum M. Sarna Memorial Award), Jewish Book Council Honorable Mention for the 2016 PROSE Award in Art History & Criticism, Association of American Publishers "The gorgeously illustrated volume Skies of Parchment, Seas of Ink: Jewish Illuminated Manuscripts, edited by Marc Epstein, should challenge almost all assumptions about Jewish identity, difference, or art. Its twelve instructive chapters and 287 full-color images survey a stunning array of illustrated books made for Jews from the twelfth to the twenty-first centuries."--Sara Lipton, New York Review of Books "It is gratifying to welcome a book that celebrates Jewish manuscript illumination with such erudition and passion."--Ilana Tahan, Times Literary Supplement "This magnificent book gathers 278 color illustrations of the most celebrated ancient and modern illuminated Jewish manuscripts and a comprehensive scholarly history of illuminated manuscripts."--Zelda Shluker, Hadassah "An accessible and richly informative introduction to these works, suggesting that although no actual medieval Jewish library exists, we may yet imagine one."--Christopher Lyon, Bookforum "A book that successfully paints both a broad and detailed landscape. The text is clearly written, and the approximately three hundred illustrations are well chosen, beautifully reproduced, and smartly laid out on the printed page... Epstein's theories are intriguing and are certain to pique the interest of his readers. Perhaps more importantly for most potential readers, Skies of Parchmentreflects the essence and beauty of its subject matter."--Jewish Book Council "A gifted communicator with an infectious enthusiasm for his material, Epstein is a master of visual analysis."--Julie A. Harris, Medieval Encounters "[A] sumptuous, magnificent book."--Ephraim Nissan, PhilologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments vii 1Introduction: For the Love of Books 1 Marc Michael Epstein 2People of the Book/Books of the People: Illuminating the Canon 19 Hartley Lachter with Marc Michael Epstein 3Parchments and Palimpsests: Scribe, Illuminator, Patron, Audience 29 Marc Michael Epstein Focus: The Illuminated Page: Materials, Methods, and Techniques Barbara Wolff 40 4Mapping the Territory: 'Arb'ah Kanfot Ha'arez-The Four Corners of the Medieval Jewish World 47 Erez Yisrael/The Land of Israel: Homeland and Center Marc Michael Epstein 47 Italia/Italy: The First Western Diaspora Marc Michael Epstein 55 Ashkenaz: Franco-Germany, England, Central and East Europe Eva Frojmovic with Marc Michael Epstein 63 Sepharad and 'Arav: Spain and the Middle East Raymond P. Scheindlin with Marc Michael Epstein 72 The Problem of "National Style" Eva Frojmovic with Marc Michael Epstein 77 5No Graven Image: Permitted Depictions, Forbidden Depictions, and Creative Solutions 89 Eva Frojmovic and Marc Michael Epstein Focus: Exploring the Mystery of the Birds' Head Haggadah Marc Michael Epstein 97 6Iconography: Telling the Story 105 Marc Michael Epstein Geographical Distinctions 105 Approaches to the Biblical Narrative 122 7Dialogue and Disputation: Cultural Negotiation 145 Marc Michael Epstein Under Edom 145 Under Ishmael 153 8This World: Centered on the Home-Women, Marriage, and the Family 159 Shalom Sabar Focus: "Glimpses of Jewish Life": Reality or Illusion? Marc Michael Epstein 175 Focus: "Incidental Details": Margins and Meaning Marc Michael Epstein 182 Focus: "Sacred and Profane": Naked Ladies in the Haggadah? Agnes Veto 188 9Other Worlds: Fantastic Horizons and Unseen Universes 193 Hartley Lachter with Marc Michael Epstein 10Zion and Jerusalem: "The Sum of All Beauty, the Joy of All the Earth" 205 Shalom Sabar 11In the Royal Court: Jewish Illumination in an Age of Printing 215 Marc Michael Epstein Focus: A Yiddish Minhagim Manuscript 225 Diane Wolfthal 12Illuminating the Present: Contemporary Jewish Illumination 229 Susan Vick with Marc Michael Epstein 13Continuing the Journey: Annotated Bibliography and Manuscript Descriptions 255 Jenna Siman Jacobs with Marc Michael Epstein Manuscripts and Facsimiles 255 Surveys 261 Collection Surveys and Exhibition Catalogues 263 Studies 265 Contributor Biographies 267 Index 269 Photo Credits 276

Read more less

Book SynopsisA guide to the history of relations between Jews and Muslims around the world from the birth of Islam to today. It features more than 150 authoritative and accessible articles by an international team of leading experts in history, politics, literature, anthropology, and philosophy.Trade ReviewOne of the Outstanding Reference Sources for 2014, Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), American Library Association One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2014 "Although contemporary media may portray Muslim-Jewish relations from only the perspective of the Palestinian-Israeli lens, and view Muslims and Jews as monolithic, this book presents a far deeper and richer relationship between Muslims and Jews in areas that go beyond politics and religion... The essays presented here provide the general reader with a flavor of the rich Muslim-Jewish relationship since early Islam. An excellent reference for high-school students, general readers looking for more depth than current media coverage, and undergraduates looking for a starting point in their research."--Booklist, starred review "At more than 1,000 pages of text, illustration and scholarly apparatus, A History of Jewish-Muslim Relations is, quite literally, a solid work of scholarship. Thanks to its eye-catching visual elements, it also presents itself as a coffee-table book of a superior kind. Above all, it is a serious and timely effort to repair a relationship between kindred peoples who have never been fully at ease with each and yet, thanks to the accidents of history, are fated to live in close proximity."--Jonathan Kirsch, Jewish Journal "This work marks a milestone... It is a true act of faith in the ability of history, and, more broadly, the social sciences, to mediate between past and present and between extremes."--Frederic Abecassis, Lectures "Organized thematically and chronologically, this indispensable reference provides critical facts and balanced context for greater historical understanding and a more informed dialogue between Jews and Muslims."--RELMIN newsletter "[T]he work contains a wealth of information that will appeal to varied constituencies. It certainly deserves a place on the bookshelf of any individual or institution concerned with this contentious subject."--Philip Chrimes, International Affairs "[T]his is a very beautiful book. It is also a very important and timely one... I highly recommend this book to everyone who is interested in Jewish-Muslim relations. I can easily imagine using it as the principal textbook for a college course on the subject, and I am sure that others will do just that."--Michael McGaha, Middle East Media and Book Reviews Online "The chapters are concise and accessible, adequately referenced, and stunningly illustrated... It will be indispensable for scholars and teachers seeking perspective or planning courses or research."--Choice "This collection of scholarly yet accessible articles by dozens of Jewish and Muslim experts is the definitive source for understanding a complex relationship between Muslims and Jews from the seventh century to the present day... [T]he richness of this fantastic and exciting book lies also in its descriptions of how Jews and Muslims have learned from each other in the arenas of philosophy, science, art, literature, and mysticism."--Tikkun "A History of Jewish-Muslim Relations is an essential book for anyone who seeks truly to understand the history and context of modern relationships between the two descendants of Abraham."--Charles H Middleburgh, Charles Middleburgh Blog "A History of Jewish-Muslim Relations, is a resource that should be in the library of every person who cares about peace in the Middle East and reconciliation among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam."--Joseph V. Montville, Abrahamic Family Reunion "I found the book fascinating. I learned a great deal from it--about the culture of these two groups, about their conflicts, about the areas where they have some commonality. The level of research is quite deep. The inclusion of art and items from the writings of each tradition simply add to the richness of the volume."--Mary Jarvis, Reference ReviewsTable of Contents*Frontmatter, pg. 1*Contents, pg. 5*Foreword, pg. 7*Editorial Committee, pg. 9*Introduction, pg. 13*Transcriptions, pg. 25*Prologue. The "Golden Age" of Jewish-Muslim Relations: Myth and Reality, pg. 28*The Jews of Arabia at the Birth of Islam, pg. 39*Islamic Policy toward Jews from the Prophet Muhammad to the Pact of 'Umar, pg. 58*Jews and Muslims in the Eastern Islamic World, pg. 75*The Jews of al- Andalus, pg. 111*The Conversion of Jews to Islam, pg. 136*The Legal Status of the Jews and Muslims in the Christian States, pg. 145*Jews and Muslims in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, pg. 156*Prologue. Jews and Muslims in Ottoman Territory before the Expulsion from Spain, pg. 164*Jews and Muslims in the Ottoman Empire, pg. 171*The Jews of Palestine, pg. 203*The Jews in Jerusalem and Hebron during the Ottoman Era, pg. 211*In Emergent Morocco, pg. 223*The Jews in Iran, pg. 239*Jews of Yemen, pg. 248*Jews and Muslims in Central Asia, pg. 258*Judaism and the Religious Denominational Community in the Near East, pg. 269*Prologue. The Cremieux Decree, pg. 286*The Invention of the Holy Land, pg. 292*From Coexistence to the Rise of Antagonisms, pg. 297*The Balfour Declaration and Its Implications, pg. 320*"The Arabs" as a Category of British Discourse in Palestine, pg. 329*Zionism and the Arab Question, pg. 340*The Diverse Reactions to Nazism by Leaders in the Muslim Countries, pg. 349*Al- Nakba: A Few Keys to Reading a Catastrophe, pg. 375*From the Judeo- Palestinian Conflict to the Arab- Israeli Wars, pg. 384*Israel in the Face of Its Victories, pg. 393*The Mobilization of Religion in the Israeli- Arab Conflict, pg. 403*The Emigration of the Jews from the Arab World, pg. 415*The Case of Lebanon: Contemporary Issues of Adversity, pg. 436*Muslim- Jewish Relations in Israel, pg. 445*The Arabs in Israel, pg. 452*Shari'a Jurisdiction in Israel, pg. 458*Judeo- Arab Associations in Israel, pg. 471*In the Territories, pg. 479*Survival of the Jewish Community in Turkey, pg. 490*Iranian Paradoxes, pg. 495*In the Shadow of the Republic: A Century of Coexistence and Conflict, pg. 501*Muslim Arab Attitudes toward Israel and the Israeli- Palestinian Conflict: Variable and Contingent, pg. 521*Perceptions of the Holocaust in the Arab World: From Denial to Acknowledgment?, pg. 533*Muslim Anti- Semitism: Old or New?, pg. 546*Relations between Jews and Muslims in Hebrew Literature, pg. 559*Jewish Figures in Modern Arabic Literature, pg. 566*Figures of the Israeli in Palestinian Literature, pg. 573*Writing Difference in French- Language Maghrebi Literature, pg. 582*Looking at the Other: Israeli and Palestinian Cinemas, pg. 594*Prologue Recapitulating the Positives without Giving in to Myth, pg. 606*Qur'an and Torah: The Foundations of Intertextuality, pg. 611*Arabic Translations of the Hebrew Bible, pg. 628*Hebrew Translations and Transcriptions of the Qur'an, pg. 640*Hebrew, Arabic: A Comparative View, pg. 653*Semitism: From a Linguistic Concept to a Racist Argument, pg. 676*Comparison between the Halakha and Shari'a, pg. 683*Rituals: Similarities, Infl uences, and Processes of Differentiation, pg. 701*Prayer in Judaism and Islam, pg. 713*Shabbat and Friday in Judaism and Islam, pg. 720*Jewish and Muslim Charity in the Middle Ages: A Comparative Approach, pg. 726*Jewish and Muslim Philosophy: Similarities and Differences, pg. 737*The Andalusian Philosophical Milieu, pg. 764*The Karaites and Mu'tazilism, pg. 778*Judaism and Islam According to Ibn Kammuna, pg. 788*From Arabic to Hebrew: The Reception of the Greco- Arab Sciences in Hebrew (Twelfth-Fifteenth Centuries), pg. 796*Shi'ism and Judaism: A Relation Marked by Paradox, pg. 816*European Judaism and Islam: The Contribution of Jewish Orientalists, pg. 828*Embodied Letter: Sufi and Kabbalistic Hermeneutics, pg. 837*Respectful Rival: Abraham Maimonides on Islam, pg. 856*Jews, Islamic Mysticism, and the Devil, pg. 869*Biblical Prophets and Their Illustration in Islamic Art, pg. 891*Images of Jews in Ottoman Court Manuscripts, pg. 902*Synagogues in the Islamic World, pg. 911*The Contribution of Jewish Architects to Egypt's Architectural Modernity, pg. 928*James Sanua's Ideological Contribution to Pan- Islamism, pg. 934*Arabic Ars Poetica in Biblical Hebrew: Hebrew Poetry in Spain, pg. 943*The Figure of the Jew in A Thousand and One Nights, pg. 955*Judeo- Persian Literature, pg. 962*The Music of al- Andalus: Meeting Place of Three Cultures, pg. 970*The Jews of the Maghreb: Between Memory and History, pg. 985*Jewish Pilgrimages in Egypt, pg. 1005*Aspects of Family Life among Jews in Muslim Societies, pg. 1017*Citizenship, Gender, and Feminism in the Contemporary Arab Muslim and Jewish Worlds, pg. 1025*"Muslim Body" versus "Jewish Body": The Invention of a Division, pg. 1042*Flavors and Memories of Shared Culinary Spaces in the Maghreb, pg. 1052*General Bibliography, pg. 1063*Index of Names, pg. 1101*Index of Places, pg. 1123*Illustration Credits, pg. 1135*Contents, pg. 1139

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"A brilliant analysis."--Marvin Olasky, World MagazineTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Note on Text and Translation xi Introduction: The Emergence of Politics 1 1 The Grip of Power 17 2 Two Faces of Political Violence 67 3 Dynasty and Rupture 100 4 David's Will and Last Words 144 Conclusion 163 Notes 175 Index 207

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow have the Jews survived? For millennia, they have defied odds by overcoming the travails of exile, persecution, and recurring plans for their annihilation. Many have attempted to explain this singular success as a result of divine intervention. In this engaging book, David N. Myers charts the long journey of the Jews through history. At the same time, it points to two unlikely-and decidedly this-worldly--factors to explain the survival of the Jews: antisemitism and assimilation. Usually regarded as grave dangers, these two factors have continually interacted with one other to enable the persistence of the Jews. At every turn in their history, not just in the modern age, Jews have adapted to new environments, cultures, languages, and social norms. These bountiful encounters with host societies have exercised the cultural muscle of the Jews, preventing the atrophy that would have occurred if they had not interacted so extensively with the non-Jewish world. It is through these encounters--indeed, through a process of assimilation--that Jews came to develop distinct local customs, speak many different languages, and cultivate diverse musical, culinary, and intellectual traditions.Left unchecked, the Jews'' well-honed ability to absorb from surrounding cultures might have led to their disappearance. And yet, the route toward full and unbridled assimilation was checked by the nearly constant presence of hatred toward the Jew. Anti-Jewish expression and actions have regularly accompanied Jews throughout history. Part of the ironic success of antisemitism is its malleability, its talent in assuming new forms and portraying the Jew in diverse and often contradictory images--for example, at once the arch-capitalist and revolutionary Communist. Antisemitism not only served to blunt further assimilation, but, in a paradoxical twist, affirmed the Jew''s sense of difference from the host society. And thus together assimilation and antisemitism (at least up to a certain limit) contribute to the survival of the Jews as a highly adaptable and yet distinct group.Trade ReviewDavid Myers's Jewish History: A Very Short Introduction, proves to be a valuable piece of literature, as well as a helpful guide for those who are searching for answers without a large investment. Although short, this introductory guide to Jewish history is nevertheless a fruitful body of scholarly work. * Madison Tarleton, Reading Religion *Myers has managed to capture the vast sweep of Jewish history without sacrificing its substance or its nuance, all the way from the ancient Israelites we encounter in the Bible to the modern Jewish communities in which we live now. * Jonathan Kirsch, Jewish Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Names 2: Numbers 3: Cultures 4: Politics 5: Perceptions References Further reading Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn account of what it was like to be Algerian, Jewish, and French at a time when those identities were fighting words.Trade ReviewThis is a complex engagement with the unique temporal, linguistic, and embodied qualities of family and cultural heritage. It is philosophically important and politically engaging, speaking to the necessities of repetition and distortion in the accuracies of memory and historical truth. It is also a delicate prose work of exceptional literary quality, an important contribution to contemporary studies in trauma and testimony and to the field of autobiography. -- Penelope Deutscher, Northwestern University This 'fable,' if I can call it that, is unmistakably magnificent, the form-an inquiry-both rigorous and moving, the historical/political overview impeccably accurate. This is 'our' story, with its mistakes, its blind spots, its equivocations, its truth, with nothing omitted: families and the bonds of love, the teaching profession, an almost hallucinatory grasp of certain occasions, steadfastness, chance occurrences. Of all the things people have written about 'France,' this is the most just. -- Philippe Lacoue-Labarthe, philosopher, author of Heidegger and the Politics of Poetry Drawing on his own recollections as well as documents that offer an official chronicle and letters and journals that pour out personal desires, Guenoun explores the complications of family and identity. Booklist [Guenoun] is a extraordinarily talented and creative Algerian born author and playwright and professor of French literature. Enticing... spellbinding... There is a musical rhythm to Guenoun's writing; a jazzy beat that feels like improvisation. Jerusalem Post An expert translation Journal of the Society for Contemporary Thought and the Islamicate World [A] moving family biography. -- Olivia Harrison The Los Angeles Review of Books A Semite is an evocative work imparting to the reader that Jews and Arabs can and should, to induce the recent slogan, refuse to be enemies with each other. This wondrously written portrait of a cry is a resource of hope in our own envisaging of beautiful tomorrows. -- Marcus Barnett Marx and Philosophy Review of Books Guenoun has written a riveting account of his larger-than life father that brings into sharp focus the last chapters of Jewish life in French Algeria in the 1960s... A remarkable memoir. -- Susan Gilson Miller The Journal of North African StudiesTable of ContentsForeword by Judith Butler Chronology of French/Algerian History I. December 1 II. June 22 III. November 6

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewElliot R. Wolfson's new work is a masterful exposition of the phenomenology and ontology of Habad thought, particularly its bearing on messianic mysteries and consciousness. This study is an extraordinary integration of precise philology, philosophical comprehension, and the inner course of Habad theosophy as it flows through the discourses of its seven masters. Wolfson analyzes the climactic position of Rabbi Schneerson within this complex with exemplary and original insight. -- Michael Fishbane, Nathan Cummings Professor of Jewish Studies, University of Chicago Elliot R. Wolfson's dark brilliance is itself an open secret, unfolding mesmerizing rhythms of chiastic paradox. The relevance of his commentary cannot be confined to the study of a particular movement, religion, or discipline. In this philosophical meditation on a controversial strand of recent messianism, a profound historical kabbalism appears edged with a postmodern Kafkaesque irony--in the legacy of a 'future that is already present as the present that is always future.' -- Catherine Keller, Drew University, and author of Face of the Deep: A Theology of Becoming This highly original reading of Menachem Mendel Schneerson's messianic doctrine renders irrelevant much of the ongoing speculation and debate on the question of whether or not the Lubavitcher Rebbe, like the bulk of his following, believed that he was the Messiah. The book argues insightfully that beneath his well-attested endeavors to demonstrate the imminence the messianic advent, and his resort to the traditional language of Jewish messianic speculation, lays the paradoxical 'open secret' of a totally impersonal Messiah who, reflecting the nature of the infinite kabbalistic godhead itself, can be revealed in the world only by way of concealment. His advent is conceptualized as a universal expansion of spiritual consciousness, a nonevent that continuously occurs, has occurred, and will occur 'immediately, without delay, in actuality,' which effectively means beyond measurable time. -- Ada Rapoport-Albert, University College London Wolfson's spiritual quest is contagious, and the intrepid reader will brave the many difficult passages in order to follow him -- Lawrence Grossman Forward Every researcher or enlightened reader should be interested in this profound construction, in order to understand the most significant Jewish messianic phenomenon in the Jewish world of the last two generations. -- Alon Dahan H-Judaic Wolfson has not only produced an excellent study of Rabbi Mena?em Mendel Schneerson's views, but he has argued convincingly that this work will serve as a paradigm for Jewish philosophic thought. -- H.D. Uriel Smith Philosophy East and WestTable of ContentsPreface Note on the Transliteration Introduction: Behind the Veil Unveiled 1. Concealing the Concealment: The Politics of the Esoteric 2. A/voiding Place: Apophatic Embodiment 3. Semiotic Transubstantiation of the Somatic 4. Messianic Torah: Hypernomian Transvaluation 5. Female Encircles Male: Gender Transposition 6. Apocalyptic Crossing: Beyond the (Non)Jewish Other Postface: In an Instant-Advent of the (Non)event Notes Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisMoses Maimonides was the first medieval Jewish thinker to posit a set of dogmas for Judaism, his ‘Thirteen Principles of Faith’. His statement initiated an extensive discussion among other medieval Jewish thinkers on the subject of dogma, which had an important impact on subsequent Jewish thought. The reaction to Maimonides’ innovation was complex: some scholars accepted his position without reservation; others accepted the idea that Jewish beliefs could be reduced to a creed but disagreed with Maimonides’ formulation; still others rejected the project of creed formulation in Judaism altogether. The locus classicus of this last position is the Rosh Amanah of Isaac Abranavel (1437–1508). Abravanel’s ostensible aim in writing Rosh Amanah was to defend Maimonides’ creed from the attacks of its critics, notably Hasdai Crescas and Joseph Albo, and it contains the most exhaustive and systematic analysis of the Thirteen Principles ever written. After twenty-two chapters of sustained and zealous defence of Maimonides, however, Abravanel seems to contradict himself, arguing at the end of his book that in fact Judaism has no dogmas whatsoever and that all its beliefs are equally valid, fundamental, and precious. This is the first complete English translation of Abravanel’s classic work, and includes a comprehensive introduction and notes.Table of ContentsList of tables Note on the text and translation Acknowledgements Introduction Principles of Faith (Rosh Amanah) Abravanel's Table of Contents: A List of the Chapters in This Treatise Table I Table II Notes Bibliography Biblical Passages Appearing in the text Rabbinic Passages Appearing in or Referred to in the text Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisScholar, theologian and philosopher, Martin Buber is one of the twentieth century''s most influential thinkers. He believed that the deepest reality of human life lies in the relationship between one being and another. Between Man and Man is the classic work where he puts this belief into practice, applying it to the concrete problems of contemporary society. Here he tackles subjects as varied as religious ethics, social philosophy, marriage, education, psychology and art. Including some of his most famous writings, such as the masterful What is Man?, this enlightening work challenges each reader to reassess their encounter with the world that surrounds them.Trade Review'Martin Buber, mystic, Zionist leader, Bible translator, is also one of the outstanding religious philosophers of our time.' - Time and Tide'The address to the individual is inescapable. Spirit is not something that is, but something that happens. To learn this we must enter into life's spiritual experiences, not merely look into them. Spirit is nourished by unity of life, and unity with the world.' - Times Literary Supplement'Stimulating and moving.' - Times Educational SupplementTable of ContentsDialogue (Zwiesprache, 1929) 1 Section One: Description Section Two: Limitation Three: Confirmation Conversation with the opponent 2 The Question to the Single One (Die Frage an den Einzelnen, 1936) The question 3 Education (Rede über das Erzieherische, 1926) An address to the Third International Educational Conference, Heidelberg, August 1925, whose subject was "The Development of the Creative Powers in the Child" 4 The Education of Character (Über Charaktererziehung, 1939) An address to the National Conference of Palestinian Teachers, Tel-Aviv, 1939 5 What is Man? (Was ist der Mensch? 1938) Section One: The Progress of the Question I. Kant’s questions II. From Aristotle to Kant III. Hegel and Marx IV. Feuerbach and Nietzsche Section Two: Modern Attempts I. The crisis and its expression II. The doctrine of Heidegger III. The doctrine of Scheler IV. Prospect, Translator’s Notes Afterword: The History of the Dialogical

Read more less

Book SynopsisGershom Scholem, the great humanist thinker and founder of modern Kabbalah, is all but forgotten today. But here, in a biography as daring and inquisitive as its subject, George Prochnik goes in search of Scholem, restoring the reputation of a vital intellectual and finding in his work a vision with the power to reinvigorate contemporary religious and political thought. Tracing Scholem's life from his upbringing in Berlin, where he experienced a close and transformative friendship with Walter Benjamin, Prochnik reveals how Scholem's frustration with the bourgeois ideology of Germany during WWI led him to discover mystic Judaism, Kabbalah, and, finally, Zionism. But having emigrated to what was to become Israel, Scholem again found himself a 'stranger in a strange land', ill at ease with a prevailing conservative form of Zionism. Prochnik follows Scholem to the modern Holy Land - only to find that he too is disillusioned by the state politics he encounters. But through his profound study of Scholem and his own experience of Jerusalem, Prochnik not only questions the ideological and religious constructs of Jerusalem, but finds an ethical way forward, showing how a new form of pluralism might energize Jewish thought.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Kati Ihnat offers a careful exploration of the way in which 11th- and 12th-century monks painstakingly developed the cult of the Virgin Mary, in part by casting the Jewish people as her prototypical enemy... This a study that has much to offer not only for medievalists but also, more generally, for scholars with an interest in religion, culture and the ways that hatred of minorities can be fostered."--Rachel Moss, Times Higher EducationTable of ContentsList of Illustrations ix Acknowledgments xi Introduction 1 1 Praising Mary: Liturgy and Prayer 16 2 Understanding Mary: Theological Treatises 59 3 Hagiographies of Mary: Miracle Collections 100 4 Enemies of Mary: Jews in Miracle Stories 138 Conclusion 182 Notes 191 References 253 Index 291

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis unique cookbook offers a weekly portion of great food, divrei Torah, and Jewish stories based on the parashah to enjoy with the whole family. This book allows you to cook up quality time with your children and shows you how sweet and simple it is to celebrate Shabbat together as a family. Each parashah includes a gourmet recipe that fits perfectly on an elegant Shabbat table and comes with tips for preparing the dish with your sous chefs (children). Shabbat comes alive when the week''s parashah and the children''s own handiwork is beautifully laid out on the Shabbat table. Each recipe is followed by a dvar Torah for the older children and a bedtime story for the younger ones, based upon the Jewish value taught in that week''s dvar Torah. From Beresheit to Vezot Haberachah, this book is brimming with classic Jewish stories and values. The perfect addition to anyone''s library or kitchen, as it serves up ancient traditions and values in bite-size servings perfect for sharing with the next generation. Above all, A Taste of Torah is a recipe for nachas, Shabbat after Shabbat.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisImagine yourself transported two thousand years back in time to Galilee at the moment of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. After hearing it, would you abandon your religious beliefs and ideology to follow him, or would you hold on to your own beliefs and walk away? In A Rabbi Talks with Jesus Jacob Neusner considers just such a spiritual journey.Trade Review"A tour de force and very, very moving." Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain "By far the most important book for the Jewish-Christian dialogue in the last decade. The absolute honesty, the precision of analysis, the union of respect for the other party with carefully grounded loyalty to one's own position characterize the book and make it a challenge especially to Christians, who will have to ponder the analysis of the contrast between Moses and Jesus." Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger "Neusner here makes a contribution to Jewish-Christian understanding that is as lively as it is unusual ... To listen in as he talks with Matthew's Jesus is to get a surer sense of the real issues on this important front of interreligious dialogue." Schubert M. Ogden, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

Read more less

Book SynopsisToday, many people from all faiths are exploring the Kabbalah. What were once controversial and esoteric teachings from medieval Jewish mystics now is becoming one of the latest spiritual trends sweeping across America. In the wake of this renewed interest comes David Ariel''s Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest in Judaism, a thoroughly updated edition of his classic best selling book, The Mystic Quest. Ariel beautifully presents the complex elements of Jewish mysticism''s major ideas in clear, understandable, and accessible language for Jewish and non-Jewish readers alike. Hailed as brilliant by Publishers Weekly, the book has a completely revised Introduction that sets a contemporary context for understanding Jewish mysticism, given the current fascination with Kabbalah in today''s culture. Several chapters are substantially revised, making key ideas less abstract and more comprehensible to readers. Because it can be easy to misunderstand the intricate teachings of Jewish mysticism, the book now includes a section called the 10 Main Conceptual Principles of Jewish mysticism, putting the main concepts in clear, easy to grasp, modern language. Concluding with how Kabbalah can be incorporated into our daily lives, Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest in Judaism, is an intellectually sophisticated yet straightforward book studded with deep insights on what Jewish mystical thought is all about.Trade ReviewAriel (Laura and Alvin Siegal College of Judaic Studies) offers a helpful, readable introduction to the complex, arcane world of kabbalah. Most importantly, the book is an accurate description of its subject (not always true for books on Jewish mysticism). Following a useful review of scholarly views on the nature of mysticism, Ariel presents a brief history of Jewish mysticism from the 6th century BCE and the prophecy of Ezekiel following the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, to the composition and publication of the most famous work of kabbalah, the Zohar, at the end of the 13th century. Two chapters review the esoteric doctrines of the Zohar, especially the Sefiroth, God's emanated attributes; included is a discussion of the Shekinah, the feminine aspect of the divine. Four additional chapters take up other central topics, such as the meaning of Torah according to the kabbalists, the destiny of one's soul, the mystical meaning of Jewish ritual obligations (mitzvot), the practice of meditation, and the influence of kabbalah in Hasidism. Overall, this is a wide-ranging, thoughtfully constructed, user-friendly introduction to kabbalah. Libraries serving Judaica and religion programs will want to purchase it. . . . Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through graduate students. -- M. F. Nefsky, emerita, University of Lethbridge * CHOICE, October 2006 *This is the first book in the post Kabbalah is chic era that does not sacrifice personal meaning for intellectual depth. David Ariel has found that very special place from which to teach Kabbalah. He is analyst and participant, objective scholar and passionate believer and thus speaks to our minds and hearts. -- Rabbi Irwin Kula, President, National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (CLAL)Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest In Judaism by David Ariel is the first book to provide an intellectual focus on Kabbalah, providing a scholarly study of Jewish mysticism suitable for the nonspecialist as well as the Jewish thinker. People outside the Jewish faith are exploring concepts of Kabbalah and applying them to life situations, so this revised edition represents the perfect study for all faiths to provide a focus on academic scholarship and understanding Jewish mysticism. From basic concepts of the divine world in the Kabbalah to the influences of Greek and other philosophies, Kabbalah: The Mystic Quest In Judaism is packed with memorable insights. * Midwest Book Review *David Ariel has produced a wonderful description and explication of Kabbalah in his work Kabbalah: the Mystic Quest in Judaism. * Jewish Book World *Table of ContentsChapter 1 Seekers of Unity: The Nature of Mysticism Chapter 2 Visionaries, Mystics, and Kabbalists: The History of Jewish Mysticism Chapter 3 The Hidden and the Revealed: The Infinite God of Jewish Mysticism Chapter 4 The Calculus of the Divine World: The Teaching of the Sefirot Chapter 5 The Shekhinah: The Feminine Aspect of God Chapter 6 Entering the Garden: The Meaning of Torah Chapter 7 The Oneness of Being: The Destiny of the Soul Chapter 8 The Mystic Drama: The Religious Life of the Jewish Mystic Chapter 9 Raising the Sparks: Modern Jewish Mysticism Chapter 10 Mysticism and Meditation: The Mystic Quest

Read more less

Book SynopsisMoses and Monotheism brings together fundamental new contributions to discourses on Freud and Moses, as well as new research on the intersections of theology, political theory, and history in Freud’s psychoanalytic work.Table of ContentsIntroduction Karen Feldman and Gilad Sharvit “Why [the Jews] have Attracted this Undying Hatred” Richard Bernstein “Geistigkeit”: A Problematic Concept Joel Whitebook Heine and Freud: Deferred Action and the Concept of History Willi Goetschel Freud’s Moses: Murder, Exile, and the Question of Belonging Gabriele Schwab A Leap of Faith into Moses: Freud’s Invitation to Evenly Suspended Attention Yael Segalovitz Freud, Sellin, and the Murder of Moses Jan Assmann Creating the Jews: Mosaic Discourse in Freud and Hosea Ronald Hendel Is Psychic Phylogenesis only a Phantasy? New Biological Developments in Trauma Inheritance Catherine Malabou Moses and the Burning Bush: Leadership and Potentiality in the Bible Gilad Sharvit Notes List of Contributors Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs the title testifies, students were sworn to secrecy before being given access to this magic text and only a few manuscripts have survived. Bits of its teachings, such as the use of the magic whistle for summoning spirits, are alluded to in other texts. Another key element of its ritual, the elaborate Seal of God, has been found in texts and amulets throughout Europe.Interest in THE SWORN BOOK OF HONORIUS has grown in recent years, yet no modern translations have been attempted - until now.Purporting to preserve the magic of Solomon in the face of intense persecution by religious authorities, this text includes one of the oldest and most detailed magic rituals. It contains a complete system of magic including how to attain the divine vision, communicate with holy angels and control aerial, earthly and infernal spirits for practical gain.Largely ignored by historians until recently, this text is an important witness to the transmission of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism to European Hermeticists.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis volume intends to contribute to the nascent discourse on Judaism and ecology by clarifying diverse conceptions of nature in Jewish thought and by using the insights of Judaism to formulate a constructive Jewish theology of nature.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFully illustrated with detailed color plates, this is a fascinating study into the armies, organization, armor, weapons, and fortifications of the Khazars. The Khazars were one of the most important Turkic peoples in European history, dominating vast areas of southeastern Europe and the western reaches of the Central Asian steppes from the 4th to the 11th centuries AD. They were also unique in that their aristocratic and military elites converted to Judaism, creating what would be territorially the largest Jewish-ruled state in world history. They became significant allies of the Byzantine Empire, blocking the advance of Islam north of the Caucasus Mountains for several hundred years. They also achieved a remarkable level of metal-working technology, and their military elite wore forms of iron plate armor that would not be seen in Western Europe until the 14th century. The Khazar state provided the foundations upon which medieval Russia and modern Ukraine were builtTable of ContentsIntroduction – the Khazars in the history of Eastern Europe * Chronology of major events * Khazar campaigns: Wars with the Muslim Arabs – Wars with Kievan Russia – Khazars and Magyars: the emergence of the Hungarians * Arms and armour: spears and javelins – battleaxes – swords and sabres – helmets – armour * Fortresses: stone fortifications – timber fortifications * Further reading * Plate commentaries

Read more less