Judaism Books

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Book SynopsisThis comprehensive and accessible entrée into the world of Kabbalah covers 1,600 years of Jewish mystical thought and features a variety of thinkers—from the renowned to the obscure—unavailable in any other volume. It’s a fresh take on an ancient tradition compiled by Edward Hoffman, a psychologist and respected scholar of Judaism, who reveals how this supposedly esoteric material is relevant to a host of contemporary concerns, such as ethics, emotional health, intuition and creativity, meditation, social relations and leadership, and higher states of consciousness. Contributors include: Moses Chaim Luzzatto, Moses Cordovero, Abraham Abulafia, Maimonides, Nachmanides, The Maharal, Nachman of Breslov, The Baal Shem Tov, The Gaon of Vilna, The Netziv, The Ben Ish Chai, Yehudah Ashlag, Kalonymus Shapira, Baba Sali, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, Adin Steinsaltz, Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi, Jonathan Sacks, and many others, along with excerpts from the Sefer Yetzirah, Sefer HaBahir, and Sefer HaZohar.

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Book SynopsisA stirring collection of fifteen articles, many of which have been previously published by the author who is a feminist Jew. The author unabashedly confronts difficult biblical and midrashic texts, without taking an apologetic stance.

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Book SynopsisIn Torah Tutor, Rabbi Lenore Bohm draws on a lifetime of teaching about the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, starting with Genesis. Early reviewers of the book praise the timeliness of the themes lifted up in this contemporary self-guided study, which is ideal for individual seekers and group discussions."Reading this may become one of the most meaningful parts of your week, renewing, enriching and energizing you," says the Foreword by Rabbi Sally J. Priesand, America''s first woman ordained as a rabbi. Priesand calls Torah Tutor "a well-researched volume relying on the wisdom of diverse scholars. Torah Tutor is organized according to the weekly portion, or parasha. After summarizing the parasha''s basic events, Bohm draws our attention to verses that stand out, some of which we may not have realized originate in the Torah. This is followed by ideas to think or talk about, making the portion easy to approach for individual study or group discussion. Finally, Rabbi Bohm offers a focus phrase to strengthen our spiritual awareness during the week."Whether reading as an individual or discussing the weekly readings with others, Priesand says these reflections will lead to moral, spiritual and intellectual growth. Each reader is likely to uncover different treasures in these pages. "Where we are in our own lives at a particular moment enriches the search and the discovery," she writes.Christian reviewers find the same is true as they also seek to study these shared sacred books. "As a Christian, I have always loved the stories and wisdom in the Bible. Rabbi Bohm expresses that same love in Torah Tutor. With each portion of the Torah, she lovingly crafts questions and insights that draw us into the heart of God," says the Rev. Sharon Buttry, an author and peace activist in American Baptist Churches.Scholars praise the breadth and depth of the book. Jessica Pressman, Professor of English and Comparative Literature, San Diego State University, writes: "Rabbi Lenore Bohm offers her heart and wisdom but also, importantly, her expertise in arranging, managing, and navigating the immensity of Torah study. In this short, brilliantly organized book, Rabbi Bohm provides scaffolding for accessing Torah, for learning to talk about, think, and focus on Torah. This is a gift of a book by a very gifted rabbi."

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Book SynopsisDennis Prager, author of the bestselling Rational Bible commentaries, turns to the Haggadah, the book used for the most widely celebrated Jewish ritual, the Passover Seder. (Like most Haggadahs, the Rational Passover Haggadah is printed in the Hebrew format, reading right to left.) Equally valuable for religious and non-religious Jews, as well as non-Jews, Prager’s rich commentary is filled with insights that the reader will ponder for a lifetime. The Rational Haggadah includes the Hebrew text for the Seder side by side with the English translation, making this a complete and fulfilling guide to the Passover ritual.

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