Judaism Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review“These illuminating conversations with a wide variety of ordinary people—ultra-Orthodox Jews, Holocaust survivors, aging kibbutzniks, Ethiopian and Russian immigrants, Arab citizens of Israel, Jewish settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank— fill the pages of this richly descriptive book. … It is refreshing, therefore, to read a book about the lives of actual Israelis, which brings their cacophonous voices, rather than the author’s opinions, to the fore.” — Dov Waxman, New York Times Book Review "Michaeli’s engrossing narrative of Israel today, free of Washington’s policy debates and international negotiations, is a work of history from the ground up, meant to document the country at this particular moment." — National Book Review “In his artfully crafted work, Michaeli deftly escorts the reader through the complexities and interactions of Israel’s populace; one rich in a diversity of opinion and practice. Read his book and you will come to understand modern day Israel as it is: a kaleidoscope of tribes.” — Times of Israel “In Twelve Tribes, Ethan Michaeli proves he is a master portraitist – of lives, places, and cultures. His rendering of contemporary Israel crackles with energy, fueled by a historian’s vision and a journalist’s unrelenting curiosity.” — Evan Osnos, New York Times bestselling author of Age of Ambition and Wildland “Forget what you think you know—in this fascinating work of nonfiction, Michaeli captures various groups of this fractured country and brings to life how complex and intertwined everyone can be. ... Rather than provide easy answers, this is a book that invites you to meet all of these people and hear their stories and take a look into their lives. It’s perfect for starting a book club discussion and challenging ideas people might have prior to reading it.” — Book Riot "A wide-ranging variety of on-the-ground reportage, uncovering a teeming world of Israelis and Palestinians working and living in uneasy proximity. Whether visiting the Tel Aviv suburbs, fashionable cafes in Jerusalem, the West Bank, or Ponevezh Yeshiva, 'one of the essential institutions of the Haredi world,' Michaeli reveals aspects of the country’s character that historians and journalists have been unable to capture." — Kirkus Reviews "Ethan Michaeli writes about Israel with the objectivity of a keen observer and the passion of an insider with a personal stake in the future of the country. In this delightful journey through Israel’s radical diversity, he cautions us against hasty judgments. Love for the Israeli story, and anxiety for its future, animate this book." — Yossi Klein Halevi, New York Times bestselling author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor and senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute "Twelve Tribes is a masterful work of history and storytelling, one that cuts through the fog of politics by focusing on the people and feelings at the heart of the story of Israel. Ethan Michaeli takes the reader on an unforgettable, eye-opening journey." — Jonathan Eig, New York Times bestselling author of Ali: A Life "Traveling with Ethan Michaeli as your welcoming guide, new worlds of understanding open up on a subject that can seem so exhaustingly stale. Israel becomes not a political football but a place--multicultural, multi-lingual, multi-cuisined, multi-centuried, multi-national, everything cheek-by-jowl, arguments breaking out everywhere and always—a magical thing so very much worth saving, somehow." — Rick Perlstein, New York Times bestselling author of Reaganland “Ethan Michaeli has a gimlet eye for the people, texture, and contradictions of modern Israel. I’m in awe of his powers of observation and his ability as a modern-day Tocqueville to take us inside one of the most complex and confounding countries in the world." — Jonathan Alter, bestselling author of His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life "Ethan Michaeli paints a nuanced portrait of Israeli society." — Christian Science Monitor "Ethan Michaeli takes us on a series of jaunts around Israel, his keen observations and attention to everyday people creating a picture of the place and its inhabitants’ lives far more comprehensive than in conflict-focused news reports. ... Twelve Tribes is a joy to read, as breezy as a conversation." — American Jewish World "Ethan Michaeli has accomplished something of great value with Twelve Tribes. With his observant street level reporting and vivid writing, he has broken through stereotypes to reveal the multiplicity of Israel and the promise of its diverse peoples. From these ground level observations, I learned more about Israel than anything I'd read before." — David Maraniss, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Good American Family: The Red Scare and My Father "Marshaling an extraordinarily extensive network—from Palestinians to Haredim, from teenagers to nonagenarians, from kibbutzniks to businesswomen, from organizers to bystanders—Ethan Michaeli here proves himself an insightful guide through the many facets of today’s Israel. Quietly and cheerfully nudging both his interviewees and his readers, he gets at the truth—not only that there are no easy answers, but also that there are so many complicated ones." — Yuval Taylor, author of Zora and Langston: A Story of Friendship and Betrayal "While traveling across Israel, Michaeli takes an in-depth look at the patchwork of identities that make up contemporary Israeli society, from kibbutzniks to Ethiopian olim to Israeli Arabs." — Jewish Insider

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThe purpose of this new Handbook of Jeremiah is to unite the current diversity of approaches in Jeremiah research in 'a synthetic anthology'. In my opinion this Handbook is a milestone, very suitable for obtaining a swift overview of the recent developments in Jeremiah research. The reading of this book is also an adventure that can be talked about for a long time. * Dr H.G.L. Peels, European Journal of Theology *This is a monumental volume about a monumental book, and the editors are to be congratulated on bringing it into being...The Oxford Handbooks aim to provide scholars and graduate students with examples of cutting edge research on their subjects and guidance on the progress and direction of debate on different subjects, and this handbook does so. * John Goldingay, The Expository Times *Stulman's and Silver's edited handbook is well organized, well researched, and well written. The sheer scope and sequence of articles provides readers with an extraordinary understanding of the book of Jeremiah, the breadth and depth of scholarship that the book generates, and how this ancient book continues to have a place in the contemporary world. Those engaged in the study of the prophets and Jeremiah, in particular, will find this work insightful, challenging, and thoroughly engaging. * Carol J. Dempsey, University of Portland, Horizons *This handbook is a milestone, very suitable for a brief overview of recent developments in Jeremiah research. Reading this book is also an adventure that will be remembered for a long time. * H.G.L. Peels, the quarterly magazine *Table of ContentsPart 1 Historical and Cultural Contexts of Origin 1. The Historical Contexts of the Books of Jeremiah -- C. L. Crouch 2. Jeremiah: Diaspora in Service to Exile -- Jill Middlemas 3. The Representation of Egypt in the Book of Jeremiah -- Safwat Marzouk 4. The Historical Jeremiah -- Mark Leuchter Part 2 Textual History and Structure 5. Two Ancient Editions of the Book of Jeremiah -- Hermann-Josef Stipp 6. The Double Text of Jeremiah Revisited -- Alexander Rofé 7. The Last Stage of the Literary History of the Book of Jeremiah -- Emanuel Tov 8. Textualization and the Book of Jeremiah -- Joachim Schaper 9. The Prophet Jeremiah: Legends, Traditions and their Evolution -- Ronnie Goldstein 10. The Development of Hebrew and the Book of Jeremiah -- Aaron D. Hornkohl 11. On Poetry and Prophecy in Jeremiah -- Job Y. Jindo 12. Language Variation in the Book of Jeremiah and its Cultural and Social Background -- Frank H. Polak Part 3 Critical Questions of Interpretation 13. Jeremiah: Content and Structure -- Mark E. Biddle 14. Theories of Prophecy in Jeremiah -- Nathan Mastnjak 15. Jeremiah and Prophetic Authority -- Matthijs J. de Jong 16. Jeremiah and Inner Biblical Exegesis -- Dalit Rom-Shiloni Part 4 Major Internal Themes 17. Contested Theologies in the Book of Jeremiah -- George Fischer 18. Poetic Violence in the Book of Jeremiah -- Amy Kalmanofsky 19. Portraits of the Prophet in the Book of Jeremiah -- Else K. Holt 20. Jeremiah: The Traumatized Prophet -- L. Juliana Claassens 21. Imprisoned in Prose: Narrating Jeremiah's Confinement and the Babylonian Assault of Jerusalem -- Keith Bodner 22. The Jeremian Oracles Against the Nations -- Rhiannon Graybill 23. Jeremiah's Deathscapes -- Mary Mills 24. Hope and Resilience in the Books of Jeremiah -- Marvin A. Sweeney 25. The Ultimate Commitment: A Covenant Written on (the Tablet of) the Heart and Its Ancient Near Eastern Background -- Herbert B. Huffmon 26. Written on the Heart, Erased from the Mind: Rewriting Moral Agency in Jeremiah -- Samuel E. Balentine 27. Jeremiah's Non-Burial Refrain -- Sarah C. Jobe Part 5 Reception Engagements 28. Jeremiah in Lamentations -- Elizabeth Boase 29. Jeremiah at Qumran -- Devorah Dimant 30. Jeremiah and His Prophecies in the New Testament -- Catrin H. Williams 31. The Prophet Jeremiah in Islamic Thought -- Roberto Tottoli 32. The Figure of Jeremiah in the Work of Stefan Zweig and Rainer Maria Rilke -- Rüdiger Görner 33. Jeremiah Interpretation in Subaltern Context -- Katho Robert Bungishabaku 34. Jeremiah in Art -- Mary Chilton Callaway 35. Jeremiah and Homiletics -- Carolyn J. Sharp Part 6 Significance of the Book of Jeremiah for Key Contemporary Political Issues 36. Ecological Hermeneutics and Jeremiah -- Kristel Clayville 37. Playing with Death: Violent Exceptions and Exceptional Violence in the Book of Jeremiah -- Steed Vernyl Davidson 38. Jeremiah and Gender -- Christl M. Maier

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A carefully plotted, awe-awakening journey through the evolution and adaptation of the Jewish Bible within a variety of cultures and settings. . . . Enrapturing. . . . Bibliophiles will find much here that fascinates. . . . The Jewish Bible is a fascinating look at a work whose materiality is shown to be inseparable from its meaning." -- Michelle Anne Schlingler * Foreword Reviews *"The Jewish Bible: A Material History will give you a great sense of the gift ancient and medieval scribes and scholars bequeathed to those who came after them." * Association of Mormon Letters *"Brilliant and fascinating. . . . In The Jewish Bible, Stern masterfully synthesizes this scholarship, offering a chronological history of Jewish sacred books from Qumran to the JPS Tanakh." -- Adam Kirsch * Jewish Review of Books *

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

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Book SynopsisAn essential exploration of a rich literary tradition from the Bible to modern times, by a “rare literary authority” (New York Times Book Review) and “one of our keenest critics” (Washington Post).Trade Review"[A]n astute and accessible introduction to 18 Jewish literary classics... [Kirsch's] laser focus on these works' most topical themes makes them feel so urgent that curious readers of any religious persuasion will want to read them all." -- Dara Horn - Wall Street Journal"Lucid, vivid and likely to provide helpful instruction… [Kirsch] has, like Simon Schama, a keen eye for the revelatory detail in discussing his historical subjects." -- New York Times Book Review"Anyone looking for a single-volume introduction to Jewish civilization… will find nothing better in print… A deeply serious meditation on the meaning of Jewish existence.""[A]n entertaining and enlightening review of eighteen classic works and, at the same time, Judaism’s most important ideas and ideals. It deserves to be on the Jewish bookshelf along with the eighteen books it opens for its reader." -- Jewish Book Council"Through profiles of eighteen indelible figures and chronicles...Adam Kirsch uncovers the unfailing excitements of a living, creative, and abiding civilization. And more: in this superbly clarifying panorama, he illumines how in the history of ideas Jews, despite so many permutations of approach, have faithfully adhered to a single sublime Idea." -- Cynthia Ozick"The people of the book are often unaware of the books of their people. Kirsch opens, unfurls, and illuminates the great works of Jewish tradition and history; he is our intellectual Sherpa, guiding us sure-footedly through the heights." -- Rabbi David Wolpe, author of David: The Divided Heart"Luminous… The secret of the Jews, [Kirsch] shows, is found within these classic works. Anyone interested in penetrating that secret should read The People and the Books." -- Jonathan D. Sarna, University Professor and Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University

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Book SynopsisAn exhilarating guide to Judaism examines the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, how Judaism offers what people need, how love of Israel makes people better Americans, and how to feel the extension of God by taking the ordinary and making it holy. Reissue.

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Book SynopsisRabbi Joseph Telushkin combed the Bible, the Talmud, and the whole spectrum of Judaism's sacred writings to give us a manual on how to lead a decent, kind, and honest life in a morally complicated world. An absolutely superb book: the most practical, most comprehensive guide to Jewish values I know. —Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good PeopleTelushkin speaks to the major ethical issues of our time, issues that have, of course, been around since the beginning. He offers one or two pages a day of pithy, wise, and easily accessible teachings designed to be put into immediate practice. The range of the book is as broad as life itself:• The first trait to seek in a spouse (Day 17)• When, if ever, lying is permitted (Days 71-73)• Why acting cheerfully is a requirement, not a choice (Day 39)• What children don't owe their parents (Day 128)• Whether Jews should donat

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Book SynopsisFew spiritual practices are more intriguing or elusive than those of Zen Judaism,” says David M. Bader in the foreword to Zen Judaism. “This growing movement offers a unique way to follow in the footsteps of the Buddha, ideally without gaining quite so much weight.” These nearly 100 sacred teachings are capable “of bringing about an enlightenment experience so pure, so elevating, and so intense, you could plotz.” For you, some samples:To know the Buddha is the highest attainment. Second highest is to go to the same doctor as the Buddha.Be here now. Be someplace else later. Is that so complicated? There is no escaping Karma. In a previous life, you never called, you never wrote, you never visited. And whose fault was that?If there is no self, whose arthritis is this? Be patient and achieve all things. Be impatient and achieve all things faster.

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Book SynopsisEnjoy the most comprehensive and hilariously entertaining lexicon of the colorful and deeply expressive language of Yiddish. With the recent renaissance of interest in Yiddish, and in keeping with a language that embodies the variety and vibrancy of life itself, The New Joys of Yiddish brings Leo Rosten’s masterful work up to date. Revised for the first time by Lawrence Bush, in close consultation with Rosten’s daughters, it retains the spirit of the original—with its wonderful jokes, tidbits of cultural history, Talmudic and biblical references—and is enhanced by hundreds of new entries and thoughtful commentary on how Yiddish has evolved over the years, as well as clever illustrations by R. O. Blechman. Did you know that cockamamy, bluffer, maven, and aha! are all Yiddish words? If you did, you’re a gaon, possessing a lot of seykhl.

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Book SynopsisTo fully grasp what God has in store for the future, it’s vital to understand His promises to Israel. The Israel and the Church Study Guide will help you do exactly that, equipping you to explore the Bible’s many revelations about what is yet to come.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewDavid Clay Large's Munich 1972 is an almost ideal matching of historian and subject. Mr. Large has written one excellent book about Munich under the Nazis and another on the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Moreover, he was in Munich in 1972. In this superb chronicle, Mr. Large evokes the febrile atmosphere of that time and place, as the sporting festivities that were supposed to celebrate Germany's return to the fellowship of democratic nations turned into a nightmare: the ideology-driven murder of Jews on German soil. . . . Many Germans still regard the Munich massacre as the darkest day in the history of the Federal Republic, yet to date Germany has not commemorated the victims properly. With the captivating Munich 1972, Mr. Large offers a memorial of sorts—and a reminder that, long before 9/11, a war on Western civilization, emanating from the Middle East, had already been declared. * The Wall Street Journal *Outstanding. . . . [A] meticulous reconstruction of the tragedy. . . . Large has turned up fascinating material in archival research. . . . Munich 1972 is a massively researched, eminently readable history. Although his prose is calm and his approach evenhanded, for most readers his book will evoke astonishment, exasperation, and, finally, grief. * Jewish Review of Books *To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany—where outstanding performances by U.S. swimmer Mark Spitz and USSR gymnast Olga Korbut were overshadowed by the slaying of 11 Israeli team members by Palestinian gunmen—Montana State University history professor Large (Nazi Games: The Olympics of 1936) provides a densely detailed look at what he calls 'history's first globally televised act of terrorism.' Using newly released sources, he chronologically explores the political, social, cultural, and athletic dimensions of the Games of the XX Olympiad, focusing on the hostage crisis that began on Sept. 5 when members of the Black September organization broke into the Olympic Village's Israeli living quarters, claimed hostages, and demanded the release of 236 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. The subsequent standoff and botched rescue attempt resulted in the deaths of all the captives and most of their captors. Though the deadly stalemate takes up the bulk of Large's book, and will therefore make this comprehensive take on the games appeal primarily to historians, the author doesn't forget his sports fans. While the tragedy unfolded, the games continued on, and Large devotes considerable attention to the many athletic feats and conflicts. * Publishers Weekly *Large (history, Montana State Univ.; Nazi Games: The Olympics of 1936), a specialist on German history, here addresses the many factors that resulted in the lax security at the 1972 Olympics, thus facilitating the tragic assault on the Israeli athletes by the Palestinian organization Black September. Large explores numerous themes in his analysis, including economic costs, international race relations, international and domestic security threats, and pressures of the games themselves. Rather than losing the narrative with so many themes, he writes with such depth and detail that each element melds seamlessly with the others. VERDICT While seemingly a daunting and complex subject, this is an encompassing, detailed, and engaging account for serious readers not only of the Olympics themselves and the Munich 1972 games, but of shifting international pressures and the effects that historical and social conflicts can apply to even declared apolitical events. Large’s emotions come through in his judgment of lapses and of the terrorism we have confronted over the years. Those interested in the multiple shifting global influences on sports and politics will find this a valuable addition to their collections. * Library Journal *David Clay Large has written a captivating history of the 1972 Munich Olympics. Munich 1972 is both terrific sporting history and a gripping chronicle of the Black September terror attack that took the lives of eleven Israeli Olympians. It is a tale of human frailty, incompetence, and unintended consequences. It will surely stand as the definitive history of a turning point in the Olympic saga. -- Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer and author of Crossing Mandelbaum GateThis fluent, measured, and thorough book is a worthy successor to David Large's fine earlier study of the Nazi Games in Berlin. Once more, Large uncovers surprising twists in an ultimately tragic story and adeptly skewers the pretensions and hypocrisies of the modern Olympic movement. -- Peter Hayes, Northwestern UniversityRead this book! Munich 1972 is a sad, important, morally complicated story with many unexpected details and shocking revelations. What makes it a page-turner, as well as an elemental bit of 20th-century history, is that its author is a real writer—sometimes caustic, always humane—as well as an eminent historian of modern Germany. David Large, the wry professor, has done it again. -- David Quammen, author of The Song of the Dodo and SpilloverA gripping account of the ‘Olympics of Terror,’ when the games went on, despite the tragedy that arguably signaled the new challenges and dangers of our world. Well-researched and crafted, Munich 1972 is an excellent, haunting book, one that matters even more now. -- John Merriman, Yale UniversitySuperb book. . . . Large, an American scholar of contemporary Germany, adds to his impressive stack of books with a gripping, finely researched chronicle of those Games set against the backdrop of the tumultuous politics of the 1960s and 1970s. * The National *This timely book reminds readers that politics have always shaped the Olympic Games. A respected authority on the Third Reich, Large explains how the XX Olympic Games in Munich marked a turning point in Olympic and sports history generally. He thoroughly details the murder of Israeli athletes by pro-Palestine Black September terrorists. The author's description is especially valuable because he places the attack within the larger contexts of contemporary international tensions (Cold War, Vietnam War protests, African decolonization, Middle Eastern conflicts) and West Germany's attempt to distance itself from the so-called ‘Nazi Olympics’ of 1936 Berlin. Munich 1972 also describes the first superexpensive Olympic Games, complete with artist competitions, extravagant ceremonies, and huge building projects. Large pays great attention to the competition itself and writes vibrantly about many sports. The book therefore nicely blends the work of scholar and fan. . . . This thoughtful, readable piece on a major event of the modern era will appeal to many people. Summing Up: Highly recommended. * CHOICE *Munich 1972: Tragedy, Terror, and Triumph at the Olympic Games is by far the most comprehensive treatment of the Munich tragedy. Just about every detail, personality, and emotion is given both a caustic as well as humane treatment. Large’s exquisite and eloquent literary style makes this book a very reader friendly book, a page-turner from beginning to end; a joy to read, yet a somber and sober literary experience to behold and remember. * The Jewish Star *This is a detailed account of the Games, focusing on the lax security measures that lead to the attack on Israeli athletes. Large provides a complete recounting of the games, from the decision of the International Olympic Committee to select Munich as a site to the closing ceremony. A German history specialist at Montana State University, Large’s analysis is all encompassing including both domestic and international terror information. This highly detailed account is for anyone wanting an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes at the Olympics. * Pekin Daily Times *The most scarring Olympics are covered in the exceedingly good Munich 1972: Tragedy, Terror, and Triumph at the Olympic Games. David Clay Large, a Montana State University history professor, writes with bite, had access to new sources, and brings intense context. * Boston Globe *A detailed and well-written history of the Munich Olympics. The massacre naturally plays a central role but the book is much more comprehensive . . . as a chronicle of a problematic Olympic era where politics were central before, during, and after the Games. Large succeeds by focusing on the sporting events rather than politics, telling a compelling story from multiple perspectives. . . . His book will hold great appeal not only for those who remember the dramatic events of these Games, but also for those interested in Olympic history from an organizational, economic, and political perspective. * Idrottsforum.org *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: The Decision for Munich Chapter 2: “We Just Slid Into It”: Planning and Building for Munich ’72 Chapter 3: On the Eve of the Games Chapter 4: Let the Games Begin Chapter 5: Invasion of the Sanctuary Chapter 6: Battlefield Fürstenfeldbruck Chapter 7: The Games Go On Epilogue

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThese photographs of modern day treasures bear witness to the legacy of New World Judaism and provide a visual record of this history for future generations. Wyatt Gallery's photographs of the Jewish Treasures of the Caribbean capture the dignity and grandeur of its Sephardic past, its deep root in Iberia, as well as its fragile present and uncertain future. He skillfully evokes the dramatic and largely unknown story of the dignity and perseverance of the Caribbean Jewish experience with an unerring eye for beauty and rich historical detail. -- Jane S. Gerber, Professor of History & Director at Institute for Sephardic Studies at The Graduate School of the City University of New YorkThrough these photographs of sacred sites, we witness the legacy of Judaism and a rarely explored facet of Caribbean history.—Monica Haim, Director of Awake ZionTo peruse these pages is to be drawn back into the Caribbean Jewish world of yesteryear, in all of its now-faded glory. -- Jonathan Sarna, Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History Brandeis University

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Book SynopsisThe Rich Go to Heaven: Giving Charity in Jewish Thought focuses on how tzedekah can connect an individual with God and reveal the spirituality of the physical world.

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Book SynopsisWhat is the relationship between the Synoptic Gospels? How can they be interpreted? Find out through the various approaches presented here from leading New Testament scholars.

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Book SynopsisThis textbook provides an introduction to the Second Temple period (520 BCE-70 CE), the formative era of early Judaism and the milieu of Jesus and of the earliest Christians. By paying close attention to original sources--especially the Bible, the Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Josephus--Frederick J. Murphy introduces students to the world of ancient Jews and Christians. Early Judaism: The Exile to the Time of Christ, designed to serve students and teachers in the classroom, will also be of great interest to anyone looking for an entrée into this pivotal period. It contains suggestions for primary readings, bibliographies, maps, illustrations, glossaries, and indexes.

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Book SynopsisThis engaging and informative book provides an introduction to the liturgy of the Siddur--the Jewish prayerbook. More than a 'how-to' guide, this resource deals with basic issues for the modern worshiper, the historial compilation of the Siddur, and much more.

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Book SynopsisLong regarded as the classic introduction to the teachings of the Talmud, this comprehensive and masterly distillation summarizes the wisdom of the rabbinic sages on the dominant themes of Judaism.To some readers of this book, the Talmud represents little more than a famous Jewish book. But people want to know about a book that, they are told, defines Judaism. Everyman's Talmud is the right place to begin not only to learn about Judaism in general but to meet the substance of the Talmud in particular . . . In time to come, Cohen's book will find its companion-though I do not anticipate it will ever require a successor for what it accomplishes with elegance and intelligence: a systematic theology of the Talmud's Judaism.—From the Foreword by Jacob NeusnerThis classic introduction reveals the wisdom of the rabbinic sages on such topics as the doctrine of God; God and the universe; the soul and its destiny; prophesy and revelation; physical life; mo

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Book SynopsisIn On the Kabbalah and Its Symbolism, Gershom Scholem guides the reader through the central themes in the intricate history of the Kabbalah, clarifying the relations between mysticism and established religious authority, the mystics' interpretation of the Torah and their attempts to discover the hidden meaning underlying Scripture, the tension between the philosophical and the mystical concepts of God, and the symbolism employed in mystical religion.With a new foreword by Bernard McGinn

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Book SynopsisOne of the most respected religious thinkers of our time makes an impassioned plea for the return of religion to its true purpose—as a partnership with God in the work of ethical and moral living.What are our duties to others, to society, and to humanity? How do we live a meaningful life in an age of global uncertainty and instability? In To Heal a Fractured World, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks offers answers to these questions by looking at the ethics of responsibility. In his signature plainspoken, accessible style, Rabbi Sacks shares with us traditional interpretations of the Bible, Jewish law, and theology, as well as the works of philosophers and ethicists from other cultures, to examine what constitutes morality and moral behavior. “We are here to make a difference,” he writes, “a day at a time, an act at a time, for as long as it takes to make the world a place of justice and compassion.” He argues that in today’s religious and polit

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Book SynopsisScattered over much of the world throughout most of their history, are the Jews one people or many? How do they resemble and how do they differ from Jews in other places and times? What have their relationships been to the cultures of their neighbors? To address these and similar questions, some of the finest scholars of our day have contributed their insights to Cultures of the Jews, a winner of the National Jewish Book Award upon its hardcover publication in 2002. Constructing their essays around specific cultural artifacts that were created in the period and locale under study, the contributors describe the cultural interactions among different Jews-from rabbis and scholars to non-elite groups, including women-as well as between Jews and the surrounding non-Jewish world. What they conclude is that although Jews have always had their own autonomous traditions, Jewish identity cannot be considered the fixed product of either ancient ethnic or religious origins. Rather,

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Book SynopsisIn The Promise of Politics, Hannah Arendt examines the conflict between philosophy and politics. In particular, she shows how the tradition of Western political thought, which extends from Plato and Aristotle to its culmination in Marx, failed to account for human action. The concluding section of the book, “Introduction into Politics,” examines an issue that is as timely today as it was when Arendt first wrote about it fifty years ago-the modern prejudice against politics. When politics is considered as a means to an end that lies outside of itself, argues Arendt, when force is used to create “freedom,” the very existence of political principles is imperiled.

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Book SynopsisPart of the Jewish Encounter seriesOne of the world’s best-known attorneys gives us a no-holds-barred history of Jewish lawyers: from the biblical Abraham through modern-day advocates who have changed the world by challenging the status quo, defending the unpopular, contributing to the rule of law, and following the biblical command to pursue justice.   The Hebrew Bible’s two great examples of advocacy on behalf of problematic defendants—Abraham trying to convince God not to destroy the people of Sodom, and Moses trying to convince God not to destroy the golden-calf-worshipping Children of Israel—established the template for Jewish lawyers for the next 4,500 years. Whether because throughout history Jews have found themselves unjustly accused of crimes ranging from deicide to ritual child murder to treason, or because the biblical exhortation that “justice, justice, shall you pursue” has been implanted in the Jewish psy

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Book SynopsisJewish Stories of Love and Marriage is a treasury of tales that speaks to loveâs blessing and challenge. From biblical times to present, this book shares powerful stories about faith and love, even in times of heartbreak. It is an ideal collection for personal reading, to share at weddings or anniversaries, and to explore rich traditions of love.Trade ReviewSchram and Sasso, in a synergistic collaboration of storyteller and rabbi, have created an engaging compilation of Jewish love letters and love stories. Beginning with tales about the love relationships of biblical couplings (from biblical accounts, many interwoven with rabbinic midrash), the book also includes Jewish folktales about courtship, fascinating love letters by Jewish historical figures (including between Alfred Dreyfus and his wife Lucie), and a diverse collection of contemporary stories of meeting, love, and marital union. The collection highlights both the differences and the commonalities between contemporary love and marriage, and unions from ages past. In part a celebration of modern, romantic love, this book is also about the covenantal relationship between members of a couple (gay as well as straight), as well as love’s subtleties, conflicts, and hardships. The book concludes with a chapter designed to help a couple to write their own love story. Likely to appeal to a broad range of readers, the book is will be of particular value to those celebrating a wedding or anniversary (one’s own, or that of a friend or family member). * Publishers Weekly *To some, love stories can be boring, repetitive, and unrealistic. Not so with these stories. The editors collect tales from the Bible, folklorists, and contemporary sources to provide a tapestry of tales that remind us that love is love, and it can grow in surprising places. Jewish and non-Jewish readers alike will appreciate how the love stories are grounded in Jewish identity but in a way that covers a multitude of relationships, whether between two women or in an arranged marriage. From Miriam standing up to Moses and being revered for her wisdom to a woman whose first meeting with her husband convinced her he was a jerk, the stories in the collection repeatedly return to the theme of bashert, or destiny: God is in his heaven, and he is making matches. It’s a sweet reminder that every love story is as special as the individuals who make it. * Booklist *Jewish Stories of Love and Marriage is a must-have addition for any Jewish library, not to mention the perfect gift for any Jewish engagement or wedding. . . .Buy the book. Read the book. Then take the authors’ advice and pen your own family’s love story. * Jewish Post & Opinion *Jewish Stories of Love and Marriage offers a treasury of tales that speak to the tenderness and passion, difficulties and blessings of love. Jewish tradition overflows with love stories from the Bible, Talmud, and Midrash. Folktales continue the tradition, and contemporary writers highlight the way their faith and love interweave and enrich each other. * The Jewish Leader *The volume presents both familiar love stories and the unusual—ranging from the better-known biblical Song of Songs to love letters from a husband showing appreciation for his wife's ordeal during childbirth. The stories inform those who have little knowledge of Judaism, and deepen the understanding of those who are already familiar with its tenets. Well-researched in archives and libraries, and well-documented, the material here is full of different voices. . . .[W]hat makes this book truly a treasure is the sharing by the authors of the most intimate feelings in their own lives. . . . It is clear that both authors are loving and loved. The reader feels loved as well. In fact, he or she might think, 'These authors are so concerned about me that they included instructions for writing my own love story.' What a rich volume for anyone and everyone. * Jewish Book Council *Love is universal. But there is a special Jewish flavor to it. And that flavor can be savored on every page of this beautiful book. Reading it is like going to one hundred Jewish weddings—and being inspired by the story behind each one. It will make you want to shout ‘Mazel tov!’ -- Ari L. Goldman, author of The Search for God at Harvard and Being JewishTraditional and modern voices of Jews in love vibrate through this anthology of tales and letters which includes biblical, Talmudic, and medieval folk tales as well as letters and personal narratives of modern rabbis and philosophers. Some of the stories are classic tales, others are refreshing and little-known intimate narratives, yet all affirm the bond of love in Jewish courtship and in family life. This lovely collection of tales should be the first on any list of wedding gifts. -- Dan Ben-Amos, University of Pennsylvania; editor of Folktales of the JewsWho can comprehend God? Who really understands human love? Jewish mystics have long suggested that you can’t possibly know one without the other. After reading this fascinating collection, I think they're right—and I yearn even more for that sweetness, human and divine. -- Jon M. Sweeney, author of When Saint Francis Saved the Church and The Pope Who QuitJewish Stories of Love and Marriage includes everything from love letters and folktales to how to write the story of your own love and marriage! It is beautifully and uniquely imagined and assembled. -- Dan Wakefield, author of The Story of Your Life: Writing a Spiritual AutobiographyThis lovely book of stories about love and marriage from biblical times to the present is inspiring and hopeful. It would make a delightful gift for new couples and anniversary celebrations, yet will be equally helpful to clergy and seminarians. -- Rev. Debra W. Haffner, president, Religious InstituteA unique celebration of love in Jewish stories, Jewish lives, and Jewish letters through the ages, this collection will delight readers at various stages of the love cycle. Anticipating that its rich content will stimulate readers to want to record their personal love story or offer their own perspective on this enduring theme, the authors provide a handy set of questions, prompts, and suggestions to get them started. -- Gail Reimer, founding director, Jewish Women's ArchiveIf you need a story for an engagement, a shower, a wedding, an anniversary–any celebration of love between two partners–Rabbi Sasso and Peninnah Schran provide an excellent resource. They select love stories from an unusual combination of genres. * Storytelling Magazine *Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments Introduction: The Story Behind the Story I. The Stories: Biblical and Rabbinic Stories II. Folktales of Love III. Love Letters IV. Contemporary Love Stories V. Writing Your Own Love Story Glossary Index About the Editors

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Book SynopsisWhat is the Sabbath, anyway? The holy day of rest? The first effort to protect the rights of workers? A smart way to manage stress in a world in which computers never get turned off and work never comes to an end? Or simply an oppressive, outmoded rite? In The Sabbath World, Judith Shulevitz explores the Jewish and Christian day of rest, from its origins in the ancient world to its complicated observance in the modern one. Braiding ideas together with memories, Shulevitz delves into the legends, history, and philosophy that have grown up around a custom that has lessons for all of us, not just the religious. The shared day of nonwork has built communities, sustained cultures, and connected us to the memory of our ancestors and to our better selves, but it has also aroused as much resentment as love. The Sabbath World tells this surprising story together with an account of Shulevitz’s own struggle to keep this difficult, rewarding day.

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Book SynopsisExplores various issues surrounding the relationship between the papacy and the Jews in the modern age.Trade ReviewIn this important study, Frank J. Coppa surveys the long history of Jew hatred in the Roman Catholic tradition, the positive and negative role of the papacy therein, and the relationship between the Catholic brand of Jew hatred, so called anti-Judaism, and anti-Semitism.... Coppa's fine book marks the beginnings of a new brand of scholarship on the role of Jew hatred in Roman Catholic and Holocaust history. - Church History ""Coppa has produced what must rank as one of the clearest and most nuanced studies to be had.... The special quality and unique character of this study is Coppa's constant attempt to balance the actions and inaction of the papacy.... Anyone interested in the papacy in the 20th century or in the moral stances of the historical church will find it essential reading."" - Italian Quarterly ""In his introduction to this book, Frank J. Coppa declares that his purpose is to 'provide a historical account of the relationship between the papacy and the Jews in the modern age.' In eight long, fact-filled chapters, Coppa does just that."" - American Historical Review ""Coppa's study is... the best available, single-volume survey of the relationship in the modern period between the papacy and the Jews."" - Theological Studies

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Book SynopsisExamines faith as one might examine a gem, gazing at different facets in turn. In this process, Patrick Ryan, a Jesuit who has lived for decades in Africa as well as in America, shares the personal reflections of one who has tried to live a life of faith not only in the company of fellow Christians but also in the company of Jews and Muslims.

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Book SynopsisThis study takes a fresh look at the influential French philosopher, arguing that Jaques Derrida cannot be fully understood without considering the Jewish dimension of his thought, and offering a re-appraisal of his work.

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Book SynopsisThe Hasidic masters of Eastern Europe in the eighteenth century reinterpreted the ancient rabbis' insistence that the patriarchs lived within the Law. Green uses this Hasidic debate on the patriarchs and the commandments as a point of departure for a wide-ranging consideration of the relationship between piety and commandment in Hasidic Judaism.

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Book SynopsisThe student workbooks are available in print and the teacher guides as downloadable PDFs, in Hebrew and English.

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Book SynopsisThis user-friendly CD for the whole family provides an interactive experience with kashrut. Information ranges from an anthology of why, an eight-step plan for getting started, kashering, and using the kitchen. Also includes Torah and Rabbinic sources.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive examination of Jewish prayer and the structure of the Siddur, including analyses of individual prayers.

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Book SynopsisProvides information and discussion ideas to reinforce the importance of life cycle events to the Jewish tradition.

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