Judaism Books
Fordham University Press Guides For an Age of Confusion
Book Synopsis"This book is a thoughtful and thorough exploration."-Jewish Book CouncilTrade Review“This book is a thoughtful and thorough exploration.” * —Jewish Book Council *
£25.19
Fordham University Press Heschel Hasidism and Halakha
Book SynopsisSamuel Dresner, a former student and lifelong friend of Heschel's, gives a personal insight into his life and views into the Hasidic movement and the important concept of halakha.Trade Review"An admirable exercise in hagiography, that reverential genre dedicated in Christian tradition to celebrating the lives of saints...A Small but wonderful tribute to Abraham Joshua Heschel." -Shofar
£27.90
Fordham University Press Language Eros Being
Book SynopsisExplores the complex gender symbolism that permeates Kabbalistic literature. Focusing on the nexus of asceticism and eroticism, the author seeks to define the role of symbolic and poetically charged language in the erotically configured visionary imagination of the medieval Kabbalists.Trade Review"Wolfson subjects the sexual elements to an unprecedented, and radical examination. This book is sure to be controversial and generate much discussion." -Choice Elliot R. Wolfson's _Language, Eros, and Being_ is a prodigy of scholarship. From the book's core, the construction of sexuality in religious consciousness and practice, three voices radiate: Continental philosophy and psychoanalysis; mysticism in Hellenistic, Christian; Islamic, and Buddhist traditions; and the esoteric dimension within Judaism known as Kabbalah. Because of the artful way in which Wolfson orchestrates the polyphony of their fugue-like conversation, the voices converge, dissolving into concord, without ever losing their definitive particularity. Read one way, Wolfson allows Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Jacques Derrida, Jacques Lacan, and Maurice Blanchot to introduce and clarify the poetics of Sufi or Kabbalistic thought. Read another way, Wolfson allows Zen masters, Gnostic myths, Ibn al-Arabi, Rabbi Hayyim Vital and authors of the Zohar to introduce and clarify poststructuralism. Throughout the conversation, Wolfson never indulges in apologetics or New Age gobbledygook. He never stumbles into the trap of ahistorical, apolitical, disembodying "mystocentrism." He never loses sight of his polemical focus on Judaism's lamentable androcentrism. He never compromises the most rigorous demands of historical-philological argumentation. Making the opposites of diverse discourses to coincide, Wolfson has rendered Kabbalah intelligible and useful to the world of critical learning. -- -Kalman P. Bland Duke University "In Wolfson's work each tradition and each field of thought retains its specificity and yet they all come together on the page to talk with each other." -Modern Theology "One is tempted to say that Wolfson's Language, Eros, Being is alchemical: Amazingly, it transforms the base metals of hermetically sealed Jewish studies into the gold of exoteric humanities." -AJS Review "Elliot Wolfson's new volume is massive in every respect: it is massive in scope, in intellectual reach, in methodological range, and in thematic sweep. Readers will be especially interested in his formulation of a poetics of Jewish mystical language, and in the new and strong articulation of his insights into the topics of gender and the dialectics of absence and presence in the sources. This is a major work that will certainly stimulate much discussion and interest." -- -Michael Fishbane Nathan Cummings Professor of Jewish Studies The University of Chicago The University of Chicago Divinity School
£40.50
Fordham University Press Judeities Questions for Jacques Derrida
Book SynopsisWhat is it to be a Jew and a philosopher? How has the notion of "Jewish identity" been written into and across Jewish literature, Jewish thought, and Jewish languages? This title addresses these questions, contrasting Derrida's thought with philosophical predecessors such as Rosenzweig, Levinas, Celan, and Scholem.Trade Review"Essays on the relationship between the writings of the French philosopher and multiple understandings of Jewish identity; also includes the first English translation of Derrida's essay 'Abraham, the Other'." -The Chronicle of Higher Education "...An impressive collection of essays stemming from a colloquium held in Paris in December 2000, addressing the work of Jacques Derrida...All essays are strong and provide for a text rich in material for fruitful contemplation." -Choice "In this volume sparks fly and cast unexpected light. Judeities represents a new phase in the difficult work of bringing together the speaking of Jewishness and the speaking of theory. If Derrida can be said to remain for us literally, in his writings, here is at once a candid self-portrait and a set of vigorous, equally courageous critical reflections thereof. This is the kind of work that makes us want to keep talking and thinking." -- -Jonathan Boyarin University of Kansas "A work of ground-breaking scholarship that brings together some of today's most prominent thinkers in continental philosophy, literary theory, and religious studies." -- -Ulrich Baer New York University
£27.90
Fordham University Press A Scholars Tale
Book SynopsisDescribes author's early education, uncanny sense of vocation, and development as a literary scholar and cultural critic. This title looks back at how author's career who was influenced by his experience, at the age of nine, of being a refugee from Nazi Germany in the Kinder transport.Trade Review"[Hartman] has written a rather different book: the record of a stellar career as a scholar, critic, and teacher that spans decades of changes in the academy to be sure, but one which insists on the primacy of the intellectual life." -Bryn Mawr Review of Comparative Literature "Long before TV reality shows, Hartman questioned the show of reality." -The Wordsworth Circle "The journey detailed here is at once intensely personal and curiously remote." -American Book Review "Casting a critical backward glance, Hartman delineates the evolution of a life of and in learning over five remarkably productive decades." -- -Elizabeth Freund Partial Answers "A Scholar's Tale begins to unravel the mask of impersonality that allowed Hartman, a brilliant reader, to dismiss the personal dimension of literary criticism a quarter-century ago." -Southern Humanities Review "Hartman's tale doesn't disappoint." -Arcade "Hartman's unsentimental tale plots a fascinating course through a critic's mind." -Forward "In the end, what is perhaps most compelling about Professor Hartman's story is his life-long engagement with the matter of Judaism, his own complex relation to Jewish identity." -Jewish Book World "[A] lucid and intriguing autobiographical memoir." -London Review of Books
£21.59
Fordham University Press The Discipline of Philosophy and the Invention of
Book SynopsisExploring the subject of Jewish philosophy as a controversial construction site in the project of modernity, this book examines the implications of the different and often conflicting notions at stake in the debate on the question of what Jewish philosophy is or could be.Trade Review"Goetschel persuasively argues for Jewish philosophy as a field that does not articulate the meaning of an identity-stance, but as a mode of inquiry that shows how the practice of philosophy has not yet, and perhaps never will, reach the universality at which it aims. For him, only such a critical spirit can portend a better future and produce a robust civil society. He shows us how his view continues the arguments of the earliest strata of modern Jewish philosophy, how many contemporary academics have gone wrong in thinking that Jewish philosophy is a discipline that puts forth a unique positive content, and offers readers two Swiss Jewish exemplars -- Margarete Susman and Hermann Levin Goldschmidt -- from whom scholars can reclaim the field's original critical energy." -- -Martin Kavka Florida State University "Goetschel's new book is provocative, compelling, and profound. Tracing the influence of the thought of Spinoza, Mendelssohn, Rosenzweig, and Susman, among others, he shows how philosophy's claim to universality is necessarily undermined through its complex and troubled relation to Jewish philosophy This book dramatically and definitively refigures the distinction between Greek and Hebrew thought upon which contemporary Western philosophy rests... Essential reading for anyone interested in how philosophy became what it is ... what it still could become." -- -Moira Gatens -University of Sidney "In this stunningly erudite and imaginative study, Willi Goetschel argues that it is precisely because the very notion of a Jewish philosophy is contested that one may discern its overarching significance. While dilating on the "particularistic" concerns of their community from the perspective of universal reason, Jewish philosophers in effect challenge philosophy to revise its conception of the unity of truth and to embrace difference and alterity as defining constituents of the universal." -- -Paul Mendes-Flohr Professor Emeritus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem "A lively and intriguing account of many of the leading thinkers and controversies in Jewish philosophy, the text never fails to be both intelligent and provocative." -- -Oliver Leaman University of Kentucky
£22.49
Fordham University Press Giving Beyond the Gift
Book SynopsisExplores the co-dependency of monotheism and idolatry by examining the thought of several prominent twentieth-century Jewish philosophers - Cohen, Buber, Rosenzweig, and Levinas.Trade Review"This is a wonderful contribution to the field of philosophy and theology by one of the most important thinkers writing in English. His command of the material is masterful and his argument persuasive. It is outstanding and a real intellectual tour de force." -- -Aaron W. Hughes University of Rochester "We are used to apophatic theology in the service of Christianity. Here, though, Elliot Wolfson brings his deep knowledge of Kabbalah and modern Jewish thought to a rich consideration of apophaticism in Judaism. His readings of Buber, Cohen, Derrida, Levinas, Rosenzweig, and Wyschogrod are nothing less than riveting, as are his readings of thinkers such as Heidegger and Marion. This is a book that all students of modern Jewish thought and its interactions with European philosophy will want to read." -- -Kevin Hart The University of Virginia "This book, at once meticulous and daring, makes an important contribution to theology-one that may end up, uncomfortably, moving the discourse beyond itself. The argument is developed through a remarkable combination of reason, mysticism, analysis of experience, and historical knowledge." -- -Karmen MacKendrick Le Moyne CollegeTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction: Imagination and the Prism of the Inapparent 1. Via Negativa and the Imaginal Configuring of God 2. Apophatic Vision and Overcoming the Dialogical 3. Echo of the Otherwise and the Lure of Theolatry 4. Secrecy of the Gift and the Gift of Secrecy 5. Immanent Atheology and the Trace of Transcendence 6. Undoing (K)not of Apophaticism: A Heideggerian Afterthought Notes Bibliography Index
£102.60
Fordham University Press Giving Beyond the Gift
Book SynopsisExplores the co-dependency of monotheism and idolatry by examining the thought of several prominent twentieth-century Jewish philosophers - Cohen, Buber, Rosenzweig, and Levinas.Trade Review"This is a wonderful contribution to the field of philosophy and theology by one of the most important thinkers writing in English. His command of the material is masterful and his argument persuasive. It is outstanding and a real intellectual tour de force." -- -Aaron W. Hughes University of Rochester "We are used to apophatic theology in the service of Christianity. Here, though, Elliot Wolfson brings his deep knowledge of Kabbalah and modern Jewish thought to a rich consideration of apophaticism in Judaism. His readings of Buber, Cohen, Derrida, Levinas, Rosenzweig, and Wyschogrod are nothing less than riveting, as are his readings of thinkers such as Heidegger and Marion. This is a book that all students of modern Jewish thought and its interactions with European philosophy will want to read." -- -Kevin Hart The University of Virginia "This book, at once meticulous and daring, makes an important contribution to theology-one that may end up, uncomfortably, moving the discourse beyond itself. The argument is developed through a remarkable combination of reason, mysticism, analysis of experience, and historical knowledge." -- -Karmen MacKendrick Le Moyne CollegeTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction: Imagination and the Prism of the Inapparent 1. Via Negativa and the Imaginal Configuring of God 2. Apophatic Vision and Overcoming the Dialogical 3. Echo of the Otherwise and the Lure of Theolatry 4. Secrecy of the Gift and the Gift of Secrecy 5. Immanent Atheology and the Trace of Transcendence 6. Undoing (K)not of Apophaticism: A Heideggerian Afterthought Notes Bibliography Index
£27.90
Fordham University Press Bestiarium Judaicum Unnatural Histories of the
Book SynopsisThrough close textual analysis, detailed historical contextualization, and critical animal theory Bestiarium Judaicum examines how and to what ends German-Jewish writers (including Freud, Heine, and Kafka) drew upon the vast inventory of verbal and visual images of nonhuman animals disseminated for millennia to bestialize, debase, and justify the persecution of Jews.Trade Review"Jay Geller's Bestiarium Judaicum: Unnatural Histories of the Jews is a remarkable monograph that has no parallel in scholarly literature. The author offers a sophisticated conceptual and historical account of how the longstanding discourse about the animality of the Jew is accompanied by an iconography of an unnatural Jewish bestiary. The racial anti-Semitism that fueled the horrors of the Holocaust is contextualized in a new and thought-provoking way." -- -Elliot R. Wolfson University of California, Santa Barbara
£62.10
Fordham University Press The Banality of Heidegger
Book SynopsisJean-Luc Nancy provides an analysis of the anti-Semitic aspects of Heidegger's recently published Black Notebooks. Nancy refers to a philosophical or historial anti-Semitism marked, nonetheless, by the banality of ordinary anti-Semitism pervading Europe. Heidegger's thought is placed in the broader context of the European (especially Christian) impulse toward new beginnings.Trade Review"A relentlessly powerful probe, masterfully cast, soundly translated. Rezoning Arendt's sense of banality, the work commits itself to handling the disturbingly blithe crudeness of anti-semitism in philosophical headquarters. One of the greatest philosophers of our time, Jean-Luc Nancy tracks Heidegger's descent, addressing the scandalous incompatibility of racist outburst and the question of Being. Covering a range of assault from the euphemization and derealization of anti-Semitic stances to the tragic consequences of juridical logic, Nancy goes after a traumatically enduring record of human/inhuman failure." -- -Avital Ronell New York UniversityTable of ContentsTranslator's Preface. Both/And: Heidegger's Equivocality One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Coda Supplement Acknowledgments Notes
£19.79
Fordham University Press Freud and Monotheism
Book SynopsisOver the last few decades, vibrant debates regarding post-secularism have found inspiration and provocation in the works of Sigmund Freud. A new interest in psychoanalysis''s relation to society has emerged, allowing Freud's account of the interdependence of religion, ethics, and violence to gain currency in recent debates on modernity. In that context, the pivotal role of Freud's masterpiece, Moses and Monotheism, is widely recognized. Freud and Monotheism critically examines a range of discourses surrounding Freud and Moses, taking as its entry point Freud's relations to Judaism, his conception of tradition and history, his theory of the mind, and his model of transgenerational inheritance. Highlighting the broad impact of Moses and Monotheism across the humanities, contributors from philosophy, comparative literature, cultural studies, Jewish studies, psychoanalysis, and Egyptology come together to illuminate Freud's book and the modern world with whichTable 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
£71.10
Fordham University Press Jewish Studies as Counterlife A Report to the
Book SynopsisThis book seeks to harness the possibilities offered by the evolving collection of forces by which Jewish Studies is constituted and practiced in order to open, refashion, and exemplify possibilities for a humanities to come.Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments | ix Introduction | 1 Interchapter I: JS Davka | 30 1. Jewish Studies as Lever | 35 Interchapter II: The Dialectics of Ownership | 55 2. Jewish Studies and the Pitchfork | 60 Interchapter III: “Past its own aim, out to another side” | 83 3. Mochlos or Makhlokes: JS and the Humanities | 87 Interchapter IV: Speaking of JS; and Its Vicissitudes | 123 4. Bildungsheld or Pícaro, Canon and List: A Heterotopology for JS | 127 Interchapter V: Bildung and Built-ins | 161 5. Ventilating the Tradition: Rashbam and the Coen Brothers | 165 Epilogue: Knotted thread, middle game: an envoi | 191 Notes | 201 Works Cited | 239 Index | 273
£25.19
Fordham University Press Jewish Studies as Counterlife
Book SynopsisThis book seeks to harness the possibilities offered by the evolving collection of forces by which Jewish Studies is constituted and practiced in order to open, refashion, and exemplify possibilities for a humanities to come.Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments | ix Introduction | 1 Interchapter I: JS Davka | 30 1. Jewish Studies as Lever | 35 Interchapter II: The Dialectics of Ownership | 55 2. Jewish Studies and the Pitchfork | 60 Interchapter III: “Past its own aim, out to another side” | 83 3. Mochlos or Makhlokes: JS and the Humanities | 87 Interchapter IV: Speaking of JS; and Its Vicissitudes | 123 4. Bildungsheld or Pícaro, Canon and List: A Heterotopology for JS | 127 Interchapter V: Bildung and Built-ins | 161 5. Ventilating the Tradition: Rashbam and the Coen Brothers | 165 Epilogue: Knotted thread, middle game: an envoi | 191 Notes | 201 Works Cited | 239 Index | 273
£89.10
University of Hawai'i Press Kasulis Zen Action Paper
Trade ReviewFor the thoughtful Westerner this must be one of the most clear and perceptive accounts of Zen available. Thoroughly new is Kasulis' attempt to locate the Zen understanding of the person in secular Japanese assumptions."" --Times Literary Supplement
£45.00
Kregel Publications,U.S. The New Complete Works of Josephus
Book Synopsis
£35.46
Jewish Publication Society The Wars of the Lord Volume 1
Book SynopsisThis is the major treatise of Levi ben Gershom of Provence, one of the outstanding philosophers of the medieval world. This work examines in detail most of the controversial issues that had preoccupied the medieval mind: immortality of the human soul, prophecy, human freedom, divine providence, creation of the world, miracles.Table of Contentsv. 1. bk. 1. Immortality of the soul -- v. 2. bk. 2. Dreams, divination, and prophecy. bk. 3. Divine knowledge. bk. 4. Divine providence -- v. 3. bk. 5. The heavenly bodies and their movers, the relationships amongst these movers, and the relationship between them and God. bk. 6. Creation of the universe.
£31.50
Jewish Publication Society Pesikta DeRab Kahana
Book SynopsisLong known only to scholars and specialists, this title is a masterpiece of midrashic literature. It is a collection of discourses for special Sabbaths and festival days compiled and organized during the fifth century. It was well known and studied from the end of fifth century until it disappeared sometime in the sixteenth century.
£67.15
Jewish Publication Society Trees Earth and Torah
Book Synopsis Trees, Earth, and Torah is the first extensive collection of Jewish resources for observing the increasingly popular late-winter holiday of Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish “New Year of the Tree.” Shaped in the sixteenth century by Jewish mystics, this holiday celebrates natural and supernatural renewal, and includes a special seder modeled after the Passover seder. The relationship of humanity with the earth—of adam to adamah—has long been a vital element of Hebrew Scripture. Today the Tu B’Shvat holiday has taken on added significance because of the greening of Israel and the growth of the ecology and environmental movements in the United States and abroad. This anthology draws from biblical, rabbinical, medieval, and modern sources that address the significance and historical development of the holiday, offers several examples of a “Seder Tu B’Shvat,” and includes mystical writings along wiTrade Review“This is a very comprehensive collection which definitely belongs in Jewish libraries and religious institutions, schools and resource centers so all can learn more.”—The Jewish Leader “[This] anthology speaks to people at all levels of Jewish and ecological literacy . . . [and] outlines simple, meaningful programs that all our congregations and havurot might emulate.”—Reconstructionism Today
£25.19
Jewish Publication Society Fallen Angels Soldiers of Satans Realm
Book SynopsisIncludes myths about the angels who were lured to sin and the proud angel who rebelled against God and was cast down as Satan. This title traces the history of the belief in fallen angels in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and includes a variety of tales and superstitions.Trade Review"A compelling and interesting collection of scripture based and Talmudic lore . . . deftly brings readers through some of the most engaging tales. . . . Fallen Angels is very highly recommended reading, especially for students of the Abrahamic religions, including those searching for a more knowledgeable approach to Jewish traditions and teachings particularly, but to the Muslim and Christian faiths as well."—Midwest Book Review
£21.59
Jewish Publication Society Jewish Choices Jewish Voices
Book SynopsisSuitable for political figures and journalists, business professionals and authors, this title deals with some of the most critical moral issues of our time. It takes a hard look at important and controversial topics of our time.Trade Review"The emphasis on questions, not answers, makes the Jewish Choices, Jewish Voices series different from many other ethical works . . . an excellent resource for readers seeking to lead more ethical lives."—The Reporter"Jewish Choices, Jewish Voices is a series of short books that are designed to engage the lay public in ethical issues that face people in the choices they make on a daily basis . . . they are quite accessible for the lay readers."—The Jewish Press
£15.19
Jewish Publication Society Jewish Choices Jewish Voices
Book SynopsisSuitable for political figures and journalists, business professionals and authors, this title deals with some of the most critical moral issues of our time. It takes a hard look at important and controversial topics of our time.Trade Review“The emphasis on questions, not answers, makes the Jewish Choices, Jewish Voices series different from many other ethical works . . . an excellent resource for readers seeking to lead more ethical lives.”—The Reporter “Jewish Choices, Jewish Voices is a series of short books that are designed to engage the lay public in ethical issues that face people in the choices they make on a daily basis . . . they are quite accessible for the lay readers.”—The Jewish Press
£15.19
Jewish Publication Society Jewish Choices Jewish Voices
Book SynopsisThis JPS ethics series deals with some of the most critical moral issues of our time. Power dynamics affect people on a political level, a social level, and a deeply personal level as well. The newest volume in the Jewish Choices, Jewish Voices series examines these dynamics and includes essays by contributors such as Henry Waxman, Marc Graboff, and James Diamond.
£15.19
Jewish Publication Society From Gods to God How the Bible Debunked
Book SynopsisThe ancient Israelites believed things that the writers of the Bible wanted them to forget: myths and legends from a pre-biblical world that the new monotheist order needed to bury, hide, or reinterpret. Ancient Israel was rich in such literary traditions. Written in clear and accessible language, this volume presents thirty such traditions.Trade Review“Shinan and Zakovitch approach 30 specific Bible stories (e.g., Was Goliath really slain by a young boy named David?) as literary archaeologists. . . . Their thoughtful and sympathetic exegesis uncovers possible explanations why the biblical authors saw their interpretations of these stories as best suited to instruct a nation. Most important, they introduce the oral and literary traditions of ancient Israel with breathtaking clarity and ease.”—Christopher McConnell, Booklist“A meticulously researched primer on the Hebrew Bible’s role as part of an evolving theological and political discourse. . . . Shinan and Zakovitch paint a richly nuanced portrait of the biblical literature as an interlocutor in the debates of its day. . . . An illuminating, challenging look at the original significance of many of the Bible’s stories.”—Kirkus"This was a well researched book and shares some strong arguments on how we have come to be where we are today."—Christopher Lewis, Dad of Divas’ Reviews"This book is wonderful, not just for its scholarship or for its many fascinating themes, but also because it is, simply, a joy to read."—Bob Rickard, Fortean Times"Readers interested in the legends of ancient Israelites or examining the possibilities of the biblical text from a different viewpoint will enjoy exploring the lessons of From Gods to God."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Reporter"This book will open readers' eyes to a whole new way of reading our sacred texts. It could forever change the way its readers will approach the subject. The term "must read" may be overused, but I believe it is appropriate in describing this book."—Stuart Lewis, Jewish ChronicleTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsTranslator's NoteIntroduction: When God Fought the Sea DragonsPart 1. The World of Myth1. Eden's Winged Serpent2. When Gods Seduced Women3. Moses or God? Who Split the Sea of Reeds?4. What Is Manna?5. The Hero Who Stopped the SunPart 2. Cult and Sacred Geography6. The Wandering Gate of Heaven7. Seeing and Weeping: Managing the Story of a Divine Defeat8. Where Were Rachel and Jacob Buried?9. Where in the Wilderness Did Israel Receive the Torah?10. Some More Reasons for Eating Matzah11. Was Worshiping the Golden Calf a Sin?12. Where Was the Law Given? In the Wilderness or in the Land of Israel?13. When and How Was the City of Dan Sanctified?Part 3. Biblical Heroes and Their Biographies14. What Did Ham Do to His Father?15. Out of the Fire: Recovering the Story of Abraham's Origins16. The Reinterpretation of a Name: Jacob's In Utero Activities17. Were the Israelites Never in Egypt? A Peculiar Tradition about Ephraim18. Moses's Most Miraculous Birth19. Moses's African Romance20. Moses's Necessary Death21. Son of God? The Suspicious Story of Samson's Birth22. A Cinderella Tale: Clues to David's Lost Birth Story23. Finding the Real Killer of Goliath24. How a Savior Became a Villain: Jeroboam and the ExodusPart 4. Relations between Men and Women25. Sister or Not: Sarah's Adventures with Pharaoh26. The Story of Rebekah and the Servant on the Road from Haran27. Reuben, Bilhah, and a Silent Jacob28. Seduction before Murder: The Case of Jael29. No Innocent Death: David, Abigail, and Nabal30. Not Just Riddles: Solomon and the Queen of ShebaIn ClosingGlossary of Extra-Biblical SourcesIndex
£19.79
Jewish Publication Society Maimonides
Book SynopsisIn Maimonides: Torah and Philosophical Quest, David Hartman departed from traditional scholarly views about Maimonides by offering a new way of understanding the great man and his work. This expanded edition contains Hartman's new postscript.Trade Review"Maimonides is a treasure of a read for the thinking and spiritual Jew."—Midwest Book Review
£18.89
Jewish Publication Society Seasons of Our Joy A Modern Guide to the Jewish
Book SynopsisProvides rituals, recipes, songs, prayers, and suggestions for new approaches to holiday observanceTrade Review“There is a poetic quality to the writing, and the ideas are original, provocative, and enriching.”—Library Journal“A wonderful blend of information and innovation that will help readers find both traditional and new meaning in the Jewish holidays.”—Judith Plaskow, author of Standing Again at Sinai “Arthur Waskow’s fresh, imaginative vision brings the familiar Jewish holidays to life with new meaning.”—Rabbi Harold S. Kushner “Arthur Waskow’s unique voice, at once eloquent, musical, creative, and passionate, rings throughout Seasons of Our Joy, weaving together strands of Jewish life: the meaning of our ceremonies and celebrations; the spirituality of the individual; the essential fragility and wonder of the world entrusted to us; the mystical chains that bind together the generations; and, permeating all of that, Waskow’s powerful Jewish vision of peace and justice.”—Rabbi David Saperstein, director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism “Seasons of Our Joy brings reverent renewal to ancient practices. And it presents new understanding and approaches that we are invited to sanctify. This book will heighten your awareness of the eternal religious power of the Jewish calendar.”—Rabbi Gordon Tucker, former dean, Jewish Theological Seminary Table of ContentsIntroductionHow to Read This BookA Word on HebrewPreface: Seasons of the Sun, Seasons of the MoonCHAPTER ONE: Heading Up the Year - Rosh HashanahCHAPTER TWO: Face to Face - Yom KippurCHAPTER THREE: Harvest Moon - Fulfillment at SukkotCHAPTER FOUR: Seed for Winter - Sh'mini AtzeretCHAPTER FIVE: Dancing with Torah - Simchat TorahCHAPTER SIX: Dark of the Sun, Dark of the Moon - HanukkahCHAPTER SEVEN: The Tree that Sustains All Life - Tu B'ShvatCHAPTER EIGHT: Spring Fever - PurimCHAPTER NINE: Giving Birth to Freedom - PesachCHAPTER TEN: Trek through Anxiety and Hope - Counting the OmerCHAPTER ELEVEN: Peak Experience - ShavoutCHAPTER TWELVE: Burnt Offering - Tisha B'AvAfterword and ForewordFrom Generation to GenerationAppendix I: The Second Day of FestivalsAppendix II: The MoonAppendix III: GlossaryAppendix IV: Go and StudyThe Festivals and the FutureAfterword Again
£17.99
Jewish Publication Society Bar Mitzvah a History
Book SynopsisHow did bar mitzvah develop over the centuries from an obscure legal ritual into a core component of Judaism? How did it capture the imagination of even non-Jewish youth? This title explores the origins and development of the most important coming-of-age milestone in Judaism.Trade Review"Rabbi Michael Hilton has sought out every reference to bar mitzvah in the Bible, the Talmud, and numerous other Jewish texts spanning several centuries, extracting a fascinating miscellany of information, stories, and commentary."—Jewish Book Council Weekly"Michael Hilton sets out to answer the question of precisely when, where, and how bar mitzvah became a child-centered ceremony: from a blessing recited by a father freeing him from filial responsibility for the sins of his son, to a ritual in which the son, rather than the father, reached an educational and coming-of-age milestone. . . . Readers interested in the history of Jewish education will find much to appreciate in Hilton's investigation of the sources, and of his weighing of the evidence for external Christian educational practices as influential upon the repositioning of bar mitzvah from a paternal ritual to an educational milestone."—Laura Yares, Journal of Jewish Education“Michael Hilton’s book combines a thorough grounding in the primary sources and scholarly literature about the history of bar mitzvah with the experience of an established congregational rabbi. For anyone seeking insight into the origins, development, and significance of this major Jewish lifecycle event, this is the book to consult.”—Marc Saperstein, professor of Jewish history and homiletics at Leo Baeck College “Bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah are contemporary Judaism’s best-known and least understood observances. Michael Hilton does a wonderful job of assembling the lore, laws, and customs regarding bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah in a way that is easily accessible to scholars, educators, and laypeople. Highly recommended!”—Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, author of Putting God on the Guest List: How to Reclaim the Spiritual Meaning of Your Child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1. How Bar Mitzvah Began2. How Bar Mitzvah Became Popular3. The Spread and Regulation of Bar Mitzvah4. Jewish Confirmation5. Bat Mitzvah6. Into the Modern Age7. Current Issues and Trends8. The Evidence AssessedNotesGlossaryBibliographyIndex
£22.79
Jewish Publication Society The Heart of the Matter
Book SynopsisBrings together Arthur Green's scholarly writings, centred on the history of early Hasidism, and his highly personal approach to a rebirth of Jewish spirituality in our own day. In choosing to present them in this way he asserts a claim that they are all of a piece. They represent one man's attempt to wade through history and text, language and symbol, and an array of voices both past and present.Trade Review"This is a welcome addition to the scholarly literature on a subject that is finally getting the attention it deserves."—Marion M. Stein, Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter“Rabbi Green has been the foremost scholar of Hasidism in the world and one of the great leaders of spiritual renewal in Jewish life for more than four decades. In The Heart of the Matter he displays the brilliance and dazzling breadth of his scholarship and lays bare the depths of his heart and soul as they have animated him throughout his lifetime. Both his exceptional knowledge and his fiery passions as revealed in these essays provide great scholarly and personal insights for the reader. This is a book to savor!”—Rabbi David Ellenson, chancellor of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion “Arthur Green combines a passion for deep and rigorous scholarship with an unflagging commitment to serving the Jewish people. This volume is a fitting tribute to a remarkable man and an extraordinary career.”—Rabbi Shai Held, president, dean, and chair in Jewish Thought at Mechon Hadar “Arthur Green never loses sight of the essence, the heart that beats within. . . . This work is a river of living waters connecting heart, mind, and spirit, flowing through past, present, and future.”—Melila Hellner-Eshed, professor of Jewish mysticism at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and senior fellow of the Shalom Hartman InstituteTable of ContentsPreface: Looking BackAcknowledgments Part 1. Judaism: The Religious Life1. Introduction to Jewish Spirituality2. Sabbath as Temple: Some Thoughts on Space and Time in Judaism3. Some Aspects of Qabbalat Shabbat4. Judaism and “The Good” Part 2. Theology and Mysticism in Classical Sources5. Bride, Spouse, Daughter: Images of the Feminine in Classical Jewish Sources6. The Children in Egypt and the Theophany at the Sea7. The Song of Songs in Early Jewish Mysticism Part 3. Hasidism: Mysticism for the Masses8. Around the Maggid’s Table: Tsaddik, Leadership, and Popularization in the Circle of Dov Baer of Miedzyrzec9. Typologies of Leadership and the Hasidic Zaddiq10. The Zaddiq as Axis Mundi in Later Judaism11. Hasidism: Discovery and Retreat12. Levi Yizhak of Berdichev on Miracles Part 4. Contemporary Jewish Theology13. A Neo-Hasidic Credo14. Restoring the Aleph: Judaism for the Contemporary Seeker15. A Kabbalah for the Environmental Age16. Abraham Joshua Heschel: Recasting Hasidism for Moderns17. Personal Theology: An Address to Rabbis Source AcknowledgmentsBibliography of the Published Writings of Arthur Green
£40.50
Jewish Publication Society Jewish Meaning in a World of Choice Studies in
Book SynopsisInternationally recognised scholar David Ellenson shares twenty-three of his most representative essays, drawing on three decades of scholarship and demonstrating the consistency of the intellectual-religious interests that have animated him throughout his lifetime. These essays center on a description and examination of the complex push and pull between Jewish tradition and Western culture.Trade Review"This volume is an excellent addition to academic Judaica collections."—Barbara M. Bibel, Jewish Book Council"Scholars and students of Jewish religious thought, ethics, and modern Jewish history will welcome this erudite collection by one of today's great Jewish leaders."—Jewish Media Review"This is an excellent collection of articles that any reader interested in the work of David Ellenson and the focus of his scholarship will surely appreciate."—David Tesler, Association of Jewish Libraries"A welcome addition to public and college library Judaic Studies shelves."—Midwest Book Review“For over three decades David Ellenson has shaped the life of world Jewry through the power of his scholarship, depth of vision, and kindness of soul. His uniqueness is that in his writings he searches not to hide or homogenize complexity but rather to study it, celebrate it, and enable it to challenge our preconceptions. This book is critical for all who want to know not only the foundations and struggles of modern Jewish life but, more important, the future direction it can take.”—Donniel Hartman, president of the Shalom Hartman Institute “From the gifted pen of Rabbi David Ellenson come lucid essays covering Zionism, religious pluralism, feminism, and equal rights that illuminate not only a lifetime of scholarship and activism but also the complex bonds that link Jews in the United States with their forebears in Europe and contemporaries in Israel. Each essay sparkles like a gem, with compelling grace and power.”—Deborah Dash Moore, Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, University of Michigan Table of Contents Acknowledgments Part 1. Shaping Jewish Life in an Open Society 1. A Response by Modern Orthodoxy to Jewish Religious Pluralism: The Case of Esriel Hildesheimer 2. German Orthodox Rabbinical Writings on the Jewish Textual Education of Women: The Views of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch and Rabbi Esriel Hildesheimer 3. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch to Liepman Phillip Prins of Amsterdam: An 1873 Responsum on Education 4. An Ideology for the Liberal Jewish Day School: A Philosophical-Sociological Investigation 5. Denominationalism: History and Hopes 6. The Integrity of Reform within Kelal Yisra-el Part 2. Searching for a Balanced Theology 7. A Theology of Fear: The Search for a Liberal Jewish Paradigm 8. Eugene B. Borowitz: A Tribute on the Occasion of His 70th Birthday 9. Laws and Judgments as a “Bridge to a Better World”: Parashat Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1–24:18) 10. Heschel and the Roots of Kavanah: Responsibility and Kavanah in Postwar America 11. Rabbi Hayim David Halevi on Christians and Christianity: An Analysis of Selected Legal Writings of an Israeli Authority 12. Interreligious Learning and the Formation of Jewish Religious Identity Part 3. Visions for Israel 13. A Zionist Reading of Abraham Geiger and His Biblical Scholarship 14. National Sovereignty, Jewish Identity, and the “Sake of Heaven”: The Impact of Residence in Israel on Halakhic Rulings on Conversion 15. The Talmudic Principle, “If One Comes Forth to Slay You, Forestall by Slaying Him,” in Israeli Public Policy: A Responsum by Rabbi Hayim David Halevi 16. The Rock from Which They Were Cleft: A Review-Essay of Haim Amsalem’s Zera Yisrael and Mekor Yisrael 17. Moshe Zemer’s Halakhah Shefuyah: An Israeli Vision of Reform and Halakhah 18. Reform Zionism Today: A Consideration of First Principles Part 4. Rabbis and the Rabbinate: Lezakot et Harabim 19. Wissenschaft des Judentums, Historical Consciousness, and Jewish Faith: The Diverse Paths of Frankel, Auerbach, and Halevy 20. “Creative Misreadings” in Representative Post-Emancipation Halakhic Writings on Conversion and Intermarriage 21. A Portrait of the Poseq as Modern Religious Leader: An Analysis of Selected Writings of Rabbi Hayim David Halevi 22. Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits on Conversion: An Inclusive Orthodox Approach 23. Transformation of the Rabbinate: Future Directions and Prospects Source Acknowledgments Bibliography of the Published Writings of David Ellenson
£35.10
Jewish Publication Society Akiva
Book SynopsisTrade Review"Hammer performs a delicate balancing act—not only between deciding between fact and legend, but in showing the struggles within the rabbinic community. Readers looking to learn more about Akiva and the growth of rabbinic Judaism will find his work has much to offer."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Reporter Group"Hammer is to be heartily congratulated for producing yet another book to be added to his list of prodigious publications."—Shalom M. Paul, Jerusalem Report"With this new work, readers will be able to move past the coarse legends and refine their understanding of Akiva's true characteristics, which turned this seemingly simple man into a rabbinical giant, and make his achievements still relevant to this day."—Benjamin Glatt, Jerusalem Post Magazine“Reuven Hammer’s Akiva is a bold and sophisticated engagement with one of the best documented but nevertheless elusive figures in early Rabbinic Judaism. By judiciously weighing Akiva’s complex literary legacy, Rabbi Reuven Hammer encourages readers to explore how we know the past and what it can teach us in the present.”—Ivan G. Marcus, Frederick P. Rose Professor of Jewish History at Yale University Table of ContentsAuthor’s Note Preface Abbreviations Timeline Chapter One. Akiva’s Early Life Chapter Two. Becoming a Sage Chapter Three. The New Sage and Public Figure Chapter Four. The Mystical Interpreter of Torah Chapter Five. The Organizer of Torah Chapter Six. Akiva and the Song of Songs Chapter Seven. Aspects of Akiva’s Theology Chapter Eight. Akiva—Resistance, Imprisonment, and Death Epilogue: The Man and His Legacy Notes Bibliography Index
£30.00
Jewish Publication Society The Bible on Location Off the Beaten Path in
Book SynopsisIn this innovative guidebook, Julie Baretz takes readers to twenty-one off-the-beaten-path locations in Israel where Bible stories are said to have happened. At each site, she sets the scene by relating the historical context of the event, then follows with the biblical text itself and her own lively commentary.Trade Review"This is a wonderful resource for anyone who wishes to add a spiritual dimension to travel in Israel."—Barbara Bibel, Association of Jewish Libraries"While this guidebook's size and information make it an excellent choice for travel to Israel, it is also a fascinating look at the history of a people when read from cover to cover."—American Reference Books Annual"For a general understanding of how the land of Israel plays a role in understanding Biblical texts, and why the text of the Bible is inseparably connected to the land, there is no better guide than the book, The Bible on Location, by actual tour guide Julie Baretz."—Beth Kissileff, Wisdom Daily“Julie Baretz’s impressive knowledge of history and Bible combined with her awesome aesthetic perspective and credible imagination transform our travels into what feels like a magic carpet ride.”—Rabbi Norman M. Cohen“I have had the privilege of having Julie Baretz as our guide in Israel numerous times. She is an expert storyteller, opening up imaginations and making the listener believe he or she is part of the history of each site.”—Pastor Randy MyersTable of ContentsList of IllustrationsList of MapsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionList of AbbreviationsTime Line 1. Rahab at Jericho2. Joshua in the Valley of Aijalon3. Deborah and Jael at Mount Tabor4. Gideon at En Harod5. Samson at Zorah6. Ruth the Moabitess at Bethlehem7. The Levite and His Concubine at Gibeah8. David and Goliath in the Valley of Elah9. David’s Flight to En Gedi10. King Saul at Mount Gilboa11. Bathsheba in the City of David12. Absalom’s Flight to Geshur13. Absalom’s Rebellion in the Kidron Valley14. Jeroboam in Dan15. Elijah at Mount Carmel16. Naboth’s Vineyard at Jezreel17. Elisha and the Wealthy Woman at Shunem18. Hezekiah Prepares Jerusalem for War19. Zedekiah Flees Jerusalem20. Ezra and Nehemiah Rehabilitate Jerusalem21. Megiddo: The Untold StoryAppendixBibliography
£17.99
Jewish Publication Society Chanting the Hebrew Bible The Art of
Book SynopsisTrade Review"The improvements and additions to the text, the new Index and enlarged Bibliography, the clear fonts and visual presentation, and the added charts make this book a 'must-have' for the regular use of everyone who chants and teaches trop."—Neil Schwartz, Journal of Synagogue Music“Jacobson has delivered an indispensable teaching tool that, quite unusually, is a genuinely fascinating read. . . . Even those who consider themselves experts will learn a lot from this book. . . . Jacobson consistently provides a wealth of interesting historical material to make this a great reference book.”—Susan Miron, The Forward “An authoritative, exhaustively detailed survey of the history, structure, performance, and inculcation of the trope.”—Stuart Schoffman, Jerusalem Report “Monumental in scope and richly detailed, this revised edition of Chanting the Hebrew Bible—enriched by a week-by-week guide to the Torah, haftarah, and megillot readings, and a comprehensive index—is an invaluable contribution to the study and practice of biblical cantillation. Jacobson’s work of impressive scholarship is simultaneously an accessible and engaging practical resource.”—Rabbi Jeffrey A. Summit, author of Singing God’s Words: The Performance of Biblical Chant in Contemporary Judaism“This encyclopedic volume is a ‘must-have’ for all serious students of cantillation—and for anyone who wants to learn how to chant Hebrew texts and understand the whys of the cantillation systems.”—Nancy Abramson, cantor and director of the H. L. Miller Cantorial School at Jewish Theological Seminary “The cantillation of Hebrew scripture is an indispensable portal to its authentic interpretation, and Jacobson has extraordinary command of this material. Students and scholars, beginners and experts—everyone who treasures this foundational form of biblical learning has much cause for celebration.”—Richard Cohn, cantor and director of the Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion Table of ContentsHow to Use this Book Transliterations, Translations and Text Sources Chapter 1 Cantillation The Ritual Art of Chanting the Hebrew Scriptures The Terminology of Cantillation Chironomy Why Chant? The Scroll Ambiguity in the Consonantal Text The Masoretic Text The Rhythm of Cantillation The Pitches of Cantillation Ekphonetic Notation Transcriptions of the te‘amim Inflection Resolving Ambiguity Chapter 2.1 Parallelism Corresponding Parallelism Parallel Actions Analogous Parallelism Elliptical Parallelism Chapter 2.2 The Primary Dichotomy: Siluk and Etnaḥta The Disjunctive Siluk Meteg The Disjunctive Etnaḥta Chanting Diagramming Phrases Parsing Level One: Contiguous Segments Exception: Verses without Etnaḥta The Pausal Form Word Order Chapter 2.3 Level Two: Tippeḥa The Secondary Dichotomy: Tippeḥa Three Independent Clauses The Simple Sentence The Nominal Clause Chapter 2.4 Conjunctives Recursive Dichotomy Disjunctives and Conjunctives within a SegmentMerekha – The “Servant” of Siluk Merekha – The “Servant” of Tippeḥa Merekha Khefulah Munaḥ Conjunctives and Dagesh Kal The “Conjunctive Soft” Form Chapter 2.5 SubstitutionsTippeḥa Substituting for a Conjunctive One-Word Clauses in Level One Two Te‘amim on a Long WordMayela and Siluk on a Single WordMayela and Etnaḥta on a Single WordMunaḥ and Etnaḥta on a Single WordMerekha and Tippeḥa on a Single Word Two Munaḥs: A Double Conjunctive Chapter 2.6 Level Two: Zakef Stepping Segments Stepping Segments and Nesting Segments The Four Forms of Zakef Munaḥ—The Conjunctive Serving Zakef Katon A New Model Another Upgrade Review: Three Models of Dichotomy Review Verb in Second Position The Word לֵאמרֹ The Vocative Case Chapter 2.7 Level Two: Segol When Does Segol Appear?Munaḥ—The Conjunctive Serving Segol.Shalshelet as a Substitute for Segol Pasek The Seven Occurences of Shalshelet Rabbinic Exegesis of Shalshelet Chapter 2.8 Tevir The Disjunctive Tevir Examples of Tevir Relative Cadences: Tippeḥa and Tevir Upgrading: Tevir Substituting for Merekha The Conjunctives of Tevir: Darga and Merekha A New Model Verb In Terminal Position Chapter 2.9 The Remote Conjunctives of Tevir Kadma And Munaḥ: The Secondary Conjunctives of Tevir Verb in the Middle — Part Two Secondary AccentsMerekha Khefulah and Darga: Two Conjunctives before Tippeḥa More than One Remote Conjunctive Three or More Conjunctives Chapter 2.10 Revia‘ Upgrade: Tevir to Revia‘ The Dichotomy of ListsRevia‘ Analysis Three Level-Three “Stepping” SegmentsDarga—The Remote Conjunctive Of Revia‘ Three Conjunctives before Revia‘ Chapter 2.11 Pashta The Disjunctive Pashta Pashta and Kadma Yetiv—A Substitute for Pashta Munaḥ Upgraded to Pashta or Yetiv The Meteg as Lengthener Substitutions and the Conjunctive-Rafeh Rule Verses with No Conjunctives The Conjunctives of Pashta—Mahpakh and Merekha Derivation of the Name “Mahpakh”Mahpakh and Pashta on The Same WordMahpakh and Yetiv The Retracted Accent—Nasog Aḥor The Remote Conjunctives of Pashta—Kadma or Munaḥ The Third and Fourth Remote Conjunctives of PashtaRevia‘—The Initial Level-Three Disjunctive before Pashta Upgrading Pashta to Revia‘ Chapter 2.12 Zarka Zarka The Conjunctives of Zarka Upgrading Munaḥ-Segol to Zarka-Segol Upgrading for Long Words The Remote Conjunctives of Zarka—Kadma or Munaḥ Munaḥ Instead of Kadma Three Conjunctives before Zarka Four Conjunctives before Zarka Two Subdivisions under Segol Three Subdivisions under Segol Chapter 2.13 Level Four: Geresh Simple Verses and Complex Verses Subdividing a Level-Three SegmentGeresh and Double Geresh The Forms of Geresh Geresh without a Conjunctive Upgrading for Long Words The Conjunctives of Geresh—Kadma and Munaḥ The Remote Conjunctive of Geresh—Telishah Ketanah Munaḥ—The Conjunctive before Telishah Ketanah To Geresh or Not to Geresh? The Geresh Segment In Context Chapter 2.14 Level Four: Legarmeh The Disjunctive Legarmeh Legarmeh or Geresh? The 2+1 Division and Exceptions to the Rule Stepping Level-Four Segments The Conjunctive of Legarmeh—Merekha Three or More Stepping Segments Analysis of Complete Verses Chapter 2.15 Level Four: Pazer The Distribution of Level-Four Terminators The Disjunctive Pazer (Katan) The Conjunctive of Pazer—Munaḥ Level-Four Segments Three Stepping Segments The Pazer Segment in Context Lists Level Five Chapter 2.16 Level Four: Pazer Gadol The Disjunctive Pazer Gadol (Karney-Farah) The Conjunctive of Pazer Gadol—Galgal (Yeraḥ-Ben-Yomo) The Pazer Gadol Clause in Context Chapter 2.17 Telishah Gedolah The Disjunctive Telishah Gedolah Telishah Gedolah as a Substitute for Geresh Telishah Gedolah and Geresh on the Same WordTelishah Gedolah as a Substitute for Pazer Telishah Gedolah as a Level-Five TerminatorTelishah Gedolah as a Substitute for Telishah Ketanah The Telishah Gedolah Clause in Context Chapter 3 Pronunciation The Importance of Correct Pronunciation Halakhic Evidence The Evolution of the Hebrew Language An Official Hebrew Diction The “Elevated” Style About this Guide Consonant “Voicing” The Pronunciation of א The Pronunciation of כ and ח The Pronunciation of ר Other Differences Run-on Words Vowel Length Pure Vowels Consistent Pronunciation Doubled Consonants Becoming Familiar with Dagesh Ḥazak Mappik The Function of Mappik The Sound of Mappik Shin and Sin Matres Lectionis— אִמּוֺת הַקְּרִיאָה Syllables Open Syllables Closed SyllablesDagesh Kal The Conjunctive Soft Form Consonant Endings כ Dagesh Ḥazak in בּ גּ דּ פּ תּ Vocal Sheva (Sheva Na‘) Intermediate Sheva (Sheva Meraḥef) Summary: Prefix ChartKamats FormsKamats before Deḥik Two Approaches to the Rules of Pronunciation Furtive Pataḥ (Pataḥ Genuvah) וּ וֹ And as Consonants Some Words Are Not Pronounced as They Are Written Syllabic Stress: Millera‘ and Mille‘el Marking the Accent The Secondary Accent Syllabic RhythmMakkef Vowel Length Reduction in Connected Words Special Te‘amim for Contiguous Accents Retraction נָסוֹג אֲחוֹר Secondary Stress Observations on Secondary Stress The Euphonic Meteg מֶֽתֶג לְתִיקוּן הַקְּרִיאָהMeteg Summary The Pausal Form צוּרַת הַהֶפְסֵק Vowel Changes in Pausal Form Change Of Stress in the Hiatus Form Change Of Stress in Vav Conversive The Directional (or “Locative”) Suffix ה׳ הַמְּגַמָּה Suffixes and Syllabic Stress Rare Words that Begin with Dagesh Ḥazak ( דְּחיִק ) Pronunciation of the Conjunctive Dagesh The Vocalization of Prefixes The Definite Article ה׳ הַיְדִיעָה כ Prepositional Prefixes בַּ לַ The Word מה The Interrogative Prefix ה׳ הַשְּׁאֵלָהVav Conjunctive ו׳ הַחִבּוּרVav Conversive ו׳ הַהִפּוּךְ The Prepositional Prefixes ב כ ל The Prepositional Prefix מ Formal Classical Pronunciation versus Colloquial Modern Pronunciation General Pronunciation Exercises Chapter 4 Canon And Masorah A History of the Scrolls The Aniquity of Cantillation Where Do the Melodies Come From? The Chanting of Scripture Did Tiberian Notation Represent an Ancient Tradition? The Septuagint Other Ancient Greek Manuscripts Evidence in the Talmud Other Systems of Punctuation The Musical Realization of the Tiberian System The Notation Systems The Tiberian Codices The Aleppo Codex Other Ancient Codices Chapter and Verse Printed Bibles The Soferim and the Consonantal Text Masoretic Annotations and Lists Chapter 5.1 The Te‘amim Disjunctives Conjunctives Other Signs Remote Conjunctives Invariables Upgrading in a Two-Word Domain Upgrading in the Presence of Long Words Substitutions for Musical Considerations Frequency Chart Repeating Te‘amim The Hierarchy of the Te‛amim The Twenty-One Books and the Three Books The Poetic Books: Psalms, Proverbs and Job Chapter 5.2 Two Te‘amim on a Single Word Primary and Secondary AccentsMeteg The Euphonic Meteg Double Conjunctives Double Disjunctives Doubled Invariables Postpositives Prepositives High and Low Accents: Two Traditions The Decalogue The Saga Of Reuben Chapter 5.3 Troubleshooting Commonly Confused Te‘amim Errors in Rhythm Commonly Mispronounced Consonants Commonly Mispronounced Vowels Incorrect Syllabic Stress Biblical Hebrew and Contemporary Hebrew The Last Word Chapter 5.4 Parsing The Hebrew Bible Some Definitions Overview—The Steps Involved in Parsing Identify the Verbs Parallelism—Pairs of Clauses The Verbless (Nominal) Clause Coordinated Verbs More than Two Independent Clauses The Subordinate Clause Downgrading the Time Stamp Inverted Downgrade Quotations Linked Word Pairs Inconsistency of Style Construct ( סְמִיכוּת ) Followed by a Linked Pair Particles Other Words The Word לֵאמרֹ Lists Emphatic Words The Verb and its Complements Puzzling Punctuation The Limits of Predictability Chapter 5.5 The Pedagogy of Cantillation The Cantillation Class Applying the Paradigm to the Student’s Portion Flash Cards Dictation Listening Activities Teaching Inflection Applying the Melodies to Familiar Words Reinforcing the Patterns Suggestions for Self-Study Preparing to Read from a Scroll Chapter 6.1 Interpreting the Te‘amim Music of the People The Liquid Tradition Becomes Frozen One Tradition among Many Music Serves the Text Transcription of the Te‘amim Rhythmic Notation Pitch Notation The Names of the Te‘amim Syllabic Stress Improvisation Smoothing Redistribution Compensation Pick-Up Pitch Adjustment The Rhythm of Cantillation Reading Complete Phrases High and Low Te‘amim Chapter 6.2 Torah Historical Development of the Public Reading Contemporary Practices in Traditional Synagogues The Cycle of Readings The Combined Pericope פרשה מחוברת The Division of the Pericope Extra Aliyot The Number of Olim The Number of Verses The Maftir Simḥat Torah Customs Procedures Related to the Torah Reading The Correct Reading of the Torah Qualifications for the Ba‘al Keri’ah Correcting An Error In The Reading A Defect in the ScrollTokheḥot Remembering AmalekTa‘amey Ha-‘Elyon Other Special Customs The Melodies of the Cantillation Motifs The Siluk and Etnaḥta Segments The Zakef Segment The Tevir Segment The Pashta/Yetiv Segment The Segol/Shalshelet Segment The Revia‘ Segment The Legarmeh Segment The Geresh SegmentTelishah Gedolah Pazer Munaḥ Galgal Pazer-Gadol The Final Cadence Special MelodiesAkdamut Millin Chanting the Torah Blessings The Kaddish Summary of the Te‘amim The Scale of the Torah Cantillation The Te‘amim according to Abraham Binder Chapter 6.3 Haftarah Contemporary Traditional Practice Historical Development of the Haftarah Customs EtymologyHaftarah Chart The Melodies of the Cantillation Motifs The Siluk and Etnaḥta Segments The Zakef Segment The Tevir Segment The Pashta/Yetiv Segment The Segol Segment The Revia‘ Segment The Legarmeh Segment The Geresh Segment Other Segments The Final Cadence Modulations to the Lamentation Mode BlessingsYatsiv Pitgam Summary of the Te‘amim Chapter 6.4 The Festival Megillot: Song Of Songs, Ruth, and Ecclesiastes The Contemporary Practicea nd its Roots The Song of Songs Ruth Ecclesiastes The Siluk and Etnaḥta SegmentsMerekha Siluk Etnaḥta Tippeḥa The Tevir Segment The Zakef Segment The Pashta/Yetiv Segment The Segol Segment The Revia‘ Segment The Legarmeh Segment The Geresh SegmentGereshayim Telishah Gedolah Pazer The Final Cadence Blessings Summary of the Te‘amim Chapter 6.5 Esther The Contemporary Practice and its Roots The Siluk and Etnaḥta SegmentsTippeḥa The Tevir Segment The Zakef Segment The Pashta/Yetiv Segment The Segol Segment The Revia‘ Segment The Legarmeh Segment The Geresh SegmentTelishah Gedolah Pazer Munaḥ Galgal Pazer-Gadol The Final Cadence The Invitational Cadence Lamentation Verses Exceptional Verses BlessingsShoshannat Ya‘akov Summary of the Te’amim The Scale of the Te‘amim The Axes of the Te‘amim Chapter 6.6 Lamentations (Ekhah) Structure Liturgical Use Lamentations Motifs in other Readings Chanting Chapter Three The Siluk and Etnaḥta SegmentsTippeḥa The Tevir Segment The Zakef Segment The Pashta/Yetiv Segment The Segol Segment The Revia‘ Segment The Legarmeh Segment The Geresh Segment Other Final Cadences Summary of the Te‘amim The Scale of the Cantillation Chapter 6.7 Torah for the High Holiday Morning Service The Siluk and Etnaḥta SegmentsTippeḥa The Tevir Segment The Zakef Segment The Pashta/Yetiv Segment The Segol Segment The Revia‘ Segment The Legarmeh Segment The Geresh SegmentTelishah Gedolah Pazer The Final Cadence Chanting the BlessingsKaddish Summary of the Te‘amim The Scale of the Te‘amim Chapter 7.1 Comparison Chart Chapter 7.2 The Ideal Reader Chapter 7.3 Guide to the Readings Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Special Torah Readings Simḥat Torah Public Fast DaysRosh Ḥodesh Shavuot High HolidaysHaftarot Genesis — Haftarot Exodus — Haftarot Leviticus — Haftarot Numbers — Haftarot Deuteronomy — Haftarot Special Haftarot Ruth Song of Songs Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) Lamentations Esther Chapter 7.4 Glossary Bibliography Index
£67.15
Jewish Publication Society Modern Orthodox Judaism A Documentary History
Book SynopsisModern Orthodox Judaism offers an extensive selection of primary texts documenting the Orthodox encounter with American Judaism that led to the emergence of the Modern Orthodox movement. Many texts in this volume are drawn from episodes of conflict that helped form Modern Orthodox Judaism. These include the traditionalists’ response to the early expressions of Reform Judaism, as well as incidents that helped define the widening differences between Orthodox and Conservative Judaism in the early twentieth century. Other texts explore the internal struggles to maintain order and balance once Orthodox Judaism had separated itself from other religious movements. Zev Eleff combines published documents with seldom-seen archival sources in tracing Modern Orthodoxy as it developed into a structured movement, established its own institutions, and encountered critical events and issues—some that helped shape the movement and others that caused tension withiTrade Review"With the consistent integration of several points of view regarding many of the issues addressed, Modern Orthodox Judaism's readers are able to appreciate the complexity of these issues and the earnestness of purpose of those grappling with them."—Yaakov Bieler, Jewish Book Council"Modern Orthodox Judaism stands an as an exemplary book and should be widely employed and consulted by scholars and students of American Judaism and American religion."—David Ellenson, American Jewish History"An outstanding contribution to the study of our community."—Leonard Matanky, Jewish Action"Modern Orthodox Judaism incorporates and annotates samplings of many of the most significant writings from the quills, pens, typewriters, word processors, computers, and ipads of the movers and shakers who articulated and shaped an ever-changing modern Orthodoxy, in each generation and into the future."—Aaron I. Reichel, Review of Rabbinic Judaism"Eleff has provided a useful compendium for those interested in American Orthodoxy."—Samuel Heilman, American Jewish Archives Journal"According to demographic projections, within two generations the majority of American Jews will be Orthodox, for the first time in nearly 150 years. How large a part of that community will be "modern"? And in what sense? In charting Modern Orthodoxy's past and present, Eleff has given us tools that may help us foresee its future."—Daniel Ross Goodman, Jewish Review of Books"This valuable documentary history fills a real need for anyone interested in both the social and intellectual aspects of the Jewish religious movement known by many as Modern Orthodox Judaism. The volume shows sensitivity to the history of the movement and the dynamics of its change over time. It highlights public aspects of the movement as it responded to and participated in such epochal happenings as the Holocaust, the rise of Zionism, and the establishment of the State of Israel while not neglecting more internal questions of religious doctrine and practice such as the Jewish family and the role of feminism in traditionalist Judaism."—David B. Starr, Religious Studies Review“This is an original volume with enduring value. . . . Even in fifty to one hundred years, anyone studying Modern Orthodoxy will want to have access to the sources reproduced in this work.”—Adam S. Ferziger, professor at Bar-Ilan University and author of Beyond Sectarianism: The Realignment of American Orthodox Judaism “A pathbreaking documentary history of Modern Orthodoxy in America. There is nothing like it. The documents are well chosen and many will be new—even to scholars.”—Jonathan D. Sarna, Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University “Dr. Eleff’s volume enables readers to grapple with the complex issues of identity and ideology, religious practice and social behavior, rootedness in tradition and openness to new ways of thinking and acting that define Modern Orthodoxy.”—Jacob J. Schacter, University Professor of Jewish History and Jewish Thought at Yeshiva UniversityTable of Contents List of IllustrationsForewordby Jacob J. SchacterPrefaceAcknowledgments Part 1. Orthodox Judaism and the Modern American Experience1. Engaging ReformIntroductionSection 1: Charleston Clamorings and Other “Heresies”“Retrograde Instead of Advancing”Mordecai Noah (1825)New Lights and Old LightsA Member of the Reformed Society of Israelites (1825)This Happy LandIsaac Harby (1825)A Jewish Luther Jacob Mordecai (1826)An Open Letter to Gustavus PoznanskiIsaac Leeser (1843)“Some Wolves Clothed in Sheep’s-Cover”Abraham Rice (1848)What Prevails among the Jewish People?Mordecai Noah (1850)Section 2: Living Orthodox JudaismThis Is Religious Liberty in AmericaAbraham Kohn (1843)Our Holy Place Trustees of the Congregation Shearith Israel (1847)Strange Misbehavior Max Lilienthal (1854)An Aunt’s AdmonishmentAnna Marks Allen (1858)Conclusion2. The Traditional Talmud and Response to Reform Prayer BooksIntroductionSection 1: Talking Talmud“The Talmud Is Not Divine” (1843)Benjamin Cohen CarillonAt the Risk of Being Considered Hyper-orthodox (1843)Henry GoldsmithA Return to the Maimonidean View? (1844)Abraham RiceThe Cleveland Conference (1855)Isaac LeeserIt Is Decidedly Heretical (1856)Morris J. RaphallSection 2: The Modified MahzorAn Ornament for Parlor-Tables (1855)Bernard IllowyA Letter from an “Enlightened Orthodox” Jew (1859)Benjamin Franklin PeixottoOn Burning Reform Prayer Books (1865)Eliyahu HolzmanMinhag Ashkenaz and Minhag Reform (1866)Samuel Myer IsaacsConclusion3. An Orthodox MinistryIntroductionSection 1: The Impaired and Itinerant “Rabbi”Rabbinic Tenure (1854)Max LilienthalA New Calling (1862)PalestineIsaac Leeser’s Successor (1869)Alfred T. JonesSection 2: Defenders of TraditionThe Ethics (1885)Alexander KohutBackward or Forward? (1885)Kaufmann KohlerWhat Is Progress? (1885)Alexander KohutSection 3: An Orthodox Seminary?To the Hebrews of America (1886)Henry Pereira MendesA School for the Intelligent Orthodox (1887)Sabato MoraisTo Preserve Judaism Above All Else (1900)Jacob H. SchiffConclusion Part 2. The Contest for Modern Orthodox Judaism4. The Arrival of Eastern European ImmigrantsIntroductionSection 1: Resisting a Treifene MedineSabbath at the Polish Shul (1872)William M. RosenblattThe Chief Rabbi’s Sermon (1888)Abraham CahanThe Charleston Responsum (1894)Naftali Zvi Yehudah BerlinFather and Mother (1890)Anzia YezierskaDaughter of the Ramaz (1893)S. N. BehrmanThe Bylaws of the Agudath Ha-Rabbonim (1902)The Union of Orthodox Rabbis of AmericaSection 2: Accommodating to a Goldene MedineThe Orthodox Convention (1898)Orthodox Jewish Congregational Union of AmericaWhat Is Orthodoxy? (1898)Henry Pereira MendesModern Orthodoxy in the Light of Orthodox Authorities (1898)Gotthard DeutschPictures of Jewish Home Life (1902)Esther J. RuskayYoung Israel (1913)Hebrew StandardProposal for a Five-Day Work Week (1915)Bernard DrachmanThe Synagogue Council of America (1927)Abraham BursteinConclusion5. TrailblazersIntroductionSection 1: The Revel RevolutionAn Orthodox High School (1916)Solomon T. H. HurwitzThe Question of the Time (1926)Eliezer LadizinksyYeshiva College (1928)Bernard RevelThe Hebrew Theological College of Chicago (1926)Hyman L. MeitesSection 2: Solomon Schechter and the OrthodoxIs Schechter Orthodox? (1902)Emanuel SchreiberThe “General Religious Tendency” of the Seminary (1902)Solomon SchechterA Dangerous Situation (1904)American HebrewThe Orthodox Rabbis and the Seminary (1904)Judah David EisensteinA Reaffirmation of Traditional Judaism (1929)Max DrobConclusion6. The Parting of the Ways: Orthodox and Conservative JudaismIntroductionSection 1: What’s in a Name?A Definition of Modern Orthodox (1913)Henry Pereira MendesThe “Modern Orthodox” Rabbi (1928)Solomon ZucrowWhat Is Orthodox Judaism? (1930)Leo JungThe Rabbinical Council of America (1934)Solomon ReichmanOrthodox–Traditional–Torah-True Judaism (1940)Joseph LooksteinSection 2: Mixed Seating and “Modern Orthodox”“A Modern Orthodox Congregation” (1925)Joseph RudnickMay Men and Women Sit Together in Shul? (1954)Joseph B. SoloveitchikA “Family Seated” Orthodox Synagogue (1956)Julius KatzSection 3: Heresy HuntingA New Religious Group in American Judaism? (1943)S. Felix MendelsohnThe Excommunication of Mordecai Kaplan (1945)Agudath Ha-RabbonimThe Conservative Beth Din (1954)Fabian SchoenfeldThe Synagogue Council Ban (1956)Eleven Roshei YeshivaA Conservative Converts to Orthodox Judaism (1958)C. E. Hillel KauvarA Convert within Your Gates (1958)Samson R. WeissConclusion Part 3. A Modern Orthodox Movement7. Becoming Modern Orthodox JewsIntroductionSection 1: The New Orthodox LeftThe Search for a Modern Orthodox “Ideologist” (1965)Charles S. LiebmanMaking Orthodoxy Relevant in America (1966)Irving “Yitz” GreenbergDear Yitzchak (1966)Aharon LichtensteinThe Radicals (1967)Walter WurzburgerSection 2: A Modern Orthodox MovementThe College Bowl Sensation (1963)Yeshivah of Flatbush Student GovernmentWatching with Great Enthusiasm and Excitement (1963)Fifth Graders of Hillel Day SchoolModern Orthodoxy Is Not a Movement (1969)Emanuel RackmanA Modern Orthodox Movement (1969)Norman LammConclusion8. Orthodox, Inc.IntroductionSection 1: The Day SchoolMaimonides School (1941)Shulamith MeiselmanA Rabbinical Supervisory Council for Day Schools (1944)Torah UmesorahOrthodox Student Pride (1967)Gwendolyn R. ButtnickSection 2: Beyond the SchoolCamp Moshava (1945)Lillian X. FrostNational Conference of Synagogue Youth (1956)Abraham I. RosenbergDrisha Institute for Jewish Education (1980)Soshea LeiblerSection 3: Yeshiva UniversitySynthesis (1944)Samuel BelkinA New Beginning (1978)Yeshiva University Office of AdmissionsSection 4: Industrializing KashrutThe “OU” Symbol (1933)Herbert S. GoldsteinHow Kosher Is OU? (1958)Alexander RosenbergSection 5: Interfaith DialogueThe Self-Appointed Spokesman (1964)National Council of Young IsraelConfrontation (1964)Joseph B. SoloveitchikThe New Encounter (1967)Irving “Yitz” GreenbergConclusion9. The Orthodox Synagogue and RabbinateIntroductionSection 1: Rites of PassageThe Friday Night Bat Mitzvah (1944)Oscar Z. FasmanFancy Parties and Busy Fathers (1961)Joseph SpeiserSection 2: A More Orthodox Sanctuary?Law Is Law (1952)William N. CinerThe Reacculturation of the “Yeshiva Student” (1960)Ralph PelcovitzThe Social Politics of Shul (1976)Samuel C. HeilmanSection 3: The “New” Orthodox RabbiMy Return to the Rabbinate (1968)AnonymousA Hero for the “Religiously Apathetic” (1972)Steven “Shlomo” RiskinNeeded: Pastoral Training (1988)Sherman P. KirshnerConclusion10. The State of Orthodox BeliefIntroductionSection 1: What Does Orthodoxy Believe?The Core of Judaism (1959)Herman WoukMinimal Set of Principles (1961)Leonard B. GewirtzThe State of Orthodox Belief—An Open View (1966)Marvin FoxThe State of Orthodox Belief—A Less-Open View (1966)Immanuel JakobovitsSection 2: Halakhah, the Modern Orthodox Way?Halakhic Man and the Mathematician (1944)Joseph B. SoloveitchikAuthentic Halakhah and the “Teleological Jurist” (1954)Emanuel RackmanThe Letter and the Spirit of the Law (1962)Immanuel JakobovitsNew York’s Most Powerful Rabbi? (1979)Ronald I. RubinConclusion11. Responding to Tragedies and TriumphsIntroductionSection 1: The HolocaustNever Again! (1971)Meir KahaneThe Voluntary Covenant (1982)Irving GreenbergSection 2: Zionism and the State of IsraelThe Religious Zionist’s Responsibilities in “Galut” to “Eretz Israel” (1941)Bessie GotsfeldA Few Words of Confession (1962)Joseph B. SoloveitchikAn Expression of the “Jewish Soul” (1970)Joel B. WolowelskyThe Six-Day War (1973)Eliezer BerkovitsSection 3: Communism, Vietnam, and Soviet JewryThe Rosenberg Case (1953)National Council of Young IsraelThe Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry (1964)Jacob BirnbaumRabbi Ahron Soloveichik’s Opposition to the Vietnam War (1968)Kol HamevaserA Prayer for Soviet Jews (1981)Haskel LooksteinConclusion12. The Orthodox FamilyIntroductionSection 1: Ritual Purity and Birth ControlFive Reasons Why Every Jewish Woman Should Adhere to Family Purity (1941)Women’s Branch of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of AmericaHedge of Roses (1966)Norman LammCommandment Number One: Birth Control (1959)Herbert S. GoldsteinSection 2: Tay-Sachs: An Ashkenazic “Disease”Tay-Sachs Disease (1973)Allan KaplanAn Official Policy for Genetic Screening (1973)Association of Orthodox Jewish ScientistsThe Pros and Cons of “Mass Hysteria” (1977)Moshe D. TendlerSection 3: The Prenuptial AgreementCreativity in “Family Law” (1973)Emanuel RackmanIn the Matter of Prenuptial Agreements (1993)Rabbinical Council of AmericaWhy Orthodox Rabbis Should Insist on a Prenuptial Agreement (1993)Saul J. BermanConclusion13. From Rebbetzin to RabbahIntroductionSection 1: The Rabbi’s WifeThe Rabbi’s Wife (1925)Sara Hyamson“My Occult Powers” (1947)Channa GersteinThe Role of the Rabbi’s Wife (1959)Theodore L. AdamsA Rebbitzen Respectfully Dissents (1959)Helen FelmanSection 2: A Female Synagogue LeaderIs Now the Time for Orthodox Women Rabbis? (1993)Blu GreenbergThe Female “Congregational Educator” (1997)Richard KestenbaumNew Roles for Rebbetzins (1998)Abby LernerYes, We Are Orthodox, and Yes, We Hired a Female Member of Our Clergy! (2013)Adam ScheierConclusion14. Sliding to the Right and to the LeftIntroductionSection 1: The Center under SiegeAn American Zionist Lives a “Schizoid Life” (1976)David LandesmanA Modern Orthodox Utopia Turned to Ashes (1982)David Singer“Centrist Orthodoxy” (1984)Gilbert KlapermanGifter Slaughters Lamm for Passover (1988)Mordechai GifterBaruch Lanner Will Be Your Rabbi (1989)Elie Hiller“Frum from Birth” (1993)AnonymousSection 2: Sliding to the RightAn “Unorthodox” Ad? (1984)Haskel LooksteinThe Misleading Salesmen of Torah u-Madda (1988)Paul EidelbergTrashing Torah u-Madda (1988)Behnam Dayanim and Dov PinchotThe Israel Experience (1990)Esther Krauss“I Never Saw the Rav Read a Secular Book” (1993)Abba BronspiegelSection 3: Sliding to the LeftModern Orthodoxy Goes to Grossinger’s (1976)Shlomo RiskinThe RIETS Responsum on Women’s Prayer Groups (1984)Five Yeshiva University Roshei YeshivaThe Affairs of the Rabbinical Council (1985)Louis BernsteinPiety Not Rebellion (1985)Rivka Haut“Very Little Halachic Judaism” (1985)Eliezer Berkovits“Modern Orthodox” and “Traditional Conservative”: Is an Alliance Possible? (1989)Avi WeissJewish Women Hear Muffled Voices (1990)Laura ShawTake Rav Soloveitchik at Full Depth (1999)Aharon LichtensteinConclusion15. Reconsidering Modern Orthodox Judaism in a New CenturyIntroductionSection 1: Loosening GripModern Orthodox Gedolim (2004)Dena FreundlichStalemate at Stern College (2006)Cindy Bernstein and Norman LammModern Orthodoxy’s Demise (2011)Gary BaumanSocial Orthodoxy (2014)Jay P. LefkowitzThe Freundel Affair (2014)Kesher Israel Board of DirectorsSection 2: Modern Orthodoxy Reclaimed?Open Orthodox Judaism (2003)Dov Linzer and Avi WeissThe Close of Edah (2006)Saul J. BermanShirah Hadashah (2007)Tova HartmanA Statement of Principles (2010)Nathaniel HelfgotTaking Back Modern Orthodox Judaism (2014)Asher LopatinConclusion Source AcknowledgmentsNotesAuthor’s Note on SourcesIndex
£28.80
Jewish Publication Society Justice for All How the Jewish Bible
Book SynopsisDemonstrates that the Jewish Bible, by radically changing the course of ethical thought, came to exercise enormous influence on Jewish thought and law and also laid the basis for Christian ethics and the broader development of modern Western civilization. Jeremiah Unterman shows us persuasively that the ethics of the Jewish Bible represents a moral advance over Ancient Near East cultures.Trade Review"Certain to inspire readers to seek further study of the Bible in its ancient context."—Stu Halpern, Jewish Book Council"I recommend this book as a careful comparative study of biblical ethics, written by a scholar with strong Jewish values."—Martin Lockshin, Canadian Jewish News"Unterman’s book will enable us to open the Bible and will help us understand what it tells us in our time, as well as in the days when it came into being."—Rabbi Jack Riemer, Jewish News Service"This book will appeal to general readers interested in serious Bible study. . . . An excellent choice for academic, synagogue, and public libraries."—Barbara M. Bibel, Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews"Justice for All is an eminently readable description of the Bible’s conception of ethical monotheism and will be of great interest to anyone who is interested in ethics, religion, Biblical or ancient Near Eastern studies."—Abba Engelberg, Jewish Political Studies Review"Justice for All is an enjoyable read, is well resourced, and is helpful for those engaged in the study of the Old Testament and those who are working in biblical ethics. Unterman's book would be a welcome addition to many libraries, as it fills a void in the literature of religious ethics."—Andrew J. Spencer, Books at a Glance“A wonderful work—insightful and important. Jeremiah Unterman never loses sight of the fact that the Bible’s goal is to create a holy, moral people. He convincingly demonstrates again and again that this is not just a modern reading of the Bible but a statement of its original intent.”—Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Jewish Literacy and Biblical Literacy“Take notice. Jeremiah Unterman has written a major book that expertly documents the supremacy of the ethical in the Hebrew Bible. It will affect not only how you understand the Bible but how you live your life.”—Dennis Prager, nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and best-selling author of The Ten Commandments: Still the Greatest Moral Code “What makes this a particularly worthy contribution is its clarity and rigor, organized by topics that are so relevant today: how we treat the stranger, forgiveness, reconciliation, and repentance and redemption.”—Dru Johnson, associate professor of biblical and theological studies at The King’s College and author of Epistemology and Biblical Theology “The enduring value of this book is that it demonstrates the moral imperative that stands at the foundation of the Hebrew Bible and of Judaism.”—Marvin A. Sweeney, professor of Hebrew Bible at the Claremont School of Theology and editor of The Cambridge History of Religions in the Ancient World, volume 1Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. The Jewish Bible’s Unique Understanding of God: The Ethical Relationship of God to the World and Humanity 2. The Revelation at Sinai: Ethical Implications of the God-Israel Relationship 3. Providing for the Disadvantaged: The Stranger, the Poor, the Widow, and the Orphan (with a Note on Slavery) 4. The Primacy of Morality over Ritual: A Prophetic Innovation 5. The Requirement of “Return”: The Development of Repentance from Torah to Prophecy (with a Note on Theodicy) 6. The Establishment of Hope: The Prophetic Promise of Redemption Conclusion Notes Bibliography Subjects Index Index of Hebrew Bible Passages
£28.80
Jewish Publication Society Thinking about God
Book SynopsisInvestigating how Jewish thinkers from the biblical to the postmodern era have approached questions about God and highlighting interplays between texts over time, Rabbi Kari H. Tuling elucidates many compelling—and contrasting—ways to think about God in Jewish tradition. Trade Review"Rabbi Tuling analyzes a range of Jewish thought on major theological questions throughout history in her sharp debut."—Publishers Weekly"A highly accessible resource for introductory students, Thinking about God also makes important yet challenging theological texts understandable. By breaking down each selected text into its core components, Tuling helps the reader absorb it both on its own terms and in the context of essential theological questions of the ages. Readers of all backgrounds will discover new ways to contemplate God."—Dov Peretz Elkins, Jewish Media Review"The differing viewpoints offered in Thinking About God are fascinating. . . . Spiritual seekers and those interested in the development of Jewish theology will find much to enjoy."—Reporter"We’re using Thinking about God as the text for our Jewish studies discussion group at Temple Beth Shalom of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Our small intellectually lively group has met, usually bi-weekly, for several decades, every year focusing on a text that illuminates an important theme in Jewish history and thought. The group is finding the book informative and provocative."—Robert Seltzer, Professor Emeritus, Hunter College CUNY “Rabbi Kari H. Tuling has provided a comprehensive, learned, and absorbing approach to the central religious issue of faith. In employing voices throughout Jewish tradition as well as her own voice to prod and guide the reader to think in different ways about God, she proves herself a master pedagogue who engages the reader on every page. This is an important religious book!”—Rabbi David Ellenson, chancellor emeritus, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion“Growing out of a university-level Jewish studies course, Thinking about God: Jewish Views serves as a comprehensive and exceptionally accessible complement to the Jewish studies classroom. Tuling’s analysis is delightfully methodical—furnishing thoughtful observations and comparisons among Jewish belief promulgated within traditional sources, subsequently challenged by the modern, emancipatory influences of the European Enlightenment, and further disrupted by postmodern interrogations into the very necessity of God. At the same time, in leading the reader beyond conventional texts on Jewish thought, this work has much in common with the creative, groundbreaking theological reflections of Buber, Levinas, and Rosenzweig.”—Jonathan R. Slater, director, Jewish Studies Program, State University of New York, Plattsburgh“This is a great book—a wonderful resource for anyone teaching or learning about Jewish theology. Accessible yet scholarly, it opens up critical discussions about what Jews have believed in the past and the present and therefore helps shape the Jewish future. A truly valuable addition to all Jewish bookshelves.”—Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, author of ReVisions: Seeing Torah through a Feminist Lens“Thinking about God presents a fresh, intertextual approach to Jewish theology that will be attractive to students and instructors alike. Furthermore, Tuling offers clear and accessible examples of philosophical concepts, and walks readers step-by-step through complicated texts.”—Rabbi Oren J. Hayon, senior rabbi, Congregation Emanu El Houston“Kari Tuling takes you by the hand and guides you to an understanding and appreciation of Judaism’s most profound teachings about God. Thinking about God is an invaluable resource for the university and adult education classroom.”—Gila Safran-Naveh, department head, Judaic Studies, McMicken College of Arts and SciencesTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction Part 1. Is God the Creator and Source of All Being—Including Evil? 1. What Does It Mean to Say That God Created the World? 1.1. A Biblical View: In the Image of God 1.2. From the Liturgy: God Renews Creation Day by Day 1.3. A Rabbinic View: The Trouble with Angels 1.4. A Medieval View: Ibn Pakuda’s Logical Analysis 1.5. A Modern View: Green’s Divine Helpmate 1.6. A Modern View: Kushner’s Sermon 1.7. Summary of Views 1.8. Meaning of the Seven-Day Creation Narrative 1.9. Intended Role of Humanity 2. How Does Evil Exist in a World with a Good God? 2.1. A Biblical View: Romping in the Garden of Eden 2.2. From the Liturgy: The Soul You Have Given Me Is Pure 2.3. A Rabbinic View: The Impulse to Good and the Impulse to Evil 2.4. A Medieval View: Maimonides on Adam’s Sin 2.5. A Modern View: Cohen on God’s Holiness 2.6. A Modern View: Kushner on Bad Things That Happen 2.7. Summary of Views 2.8. The Question of Free Will 2.9. Why Does God Allow Evil to Exist? Part 2. Does God Have a Personality—or Is God an Impersonal Force? 3. Is God Like a Person? 3.1. A Biblical View: Moses Asks to Behold God’s Presence 3.2. From the Liturgy: Forgiveness and God’s Body 3.3. A Rabbinic View: Where Is God’s Place? 3.4. A Medieval View: Maimonides and the Attributes of Action 3.5. A Modern View: Buber’s Dialogic Approach 3.6. A Modern View: Green’s Non-Dualism 3.7. Summary of Views 3.8. Thinking of God as a Person 3.9. Imagining a Personal God vs. Imagining God as an Impersonal Force 4. Does God Have a Gender? 4.1. A Biblical View: What Does Gender Have to Do with It? 4.2. From the Liturgy: Our Father, Our King 4.3. A Rabbinic View: God’s Fire and the Patriarchy 4.4. A Medieval View: Scholem Explains the Rise of the Shekhinah 4.5. A Modern View: Plaskow’s Feminist Critique 4.6. A Modern View: Adler and the “Pudding Stone” 4.7. A Modern View: Falk’s Poetic Rewrite 4.8. Summary of Views 4.9. Implications of Masculine Images of God 4.10. Rethinking the Meaning of Traditional Texts with Male Imagery 5. What Does It Mean to Declare God Is One? 5.1. A Biblical View: Hear, O Israel 5.2. From the Liturgy: The Shema and Its Blessings 5.3. A Rabbinic View: A Deathbed Shema 5.4. A Medieval View: Maimonides’ Meditation 5.5. A Modern View: Schneerson’s Explicit Mysticism 5.6. A Modern View: Soloveitchik Is Ever the Rationalist 5.7. A Modern View: Schachter-Shalomi’s Embodied Prayer 5.8. Summary of Views 5.9. The Meaning of Bearing Witness to God’s Oneness 5.10. Praying as One (Community) Part 3. Does God Redeem—or Might God Not Redeem? 6. Does God Intervene in Our Lives? 6.1. A Biblical View: Hannah Prays for a Son 6.2. From the Liturgy: A Tkhines for Pregnancy 6.3. A Rabbinic View: Hannah Persuades God to Act 6.4. A Medieval View: Ibn Pakuda Argues for Predetermination 6.5. A Modern View: Heschel’s Partnership with God 6.6. A Modern View: Kaplan’s Rejection of Supernaturalism 6.7. Summary of Views 6.8. Does God Act on Behalf of the Jewish Community? 6.9. Is the Creation of the State of Israel Evidence of Divine Providence? 7. Does God Intervene in History? 7.1. A Biblical View: What Was Meant for Evil, God Meant for Good 7.2. From the Liturgy: The Martyrdom of Jewish Sages 7.3. A Rabbinic View: Why Does Suffering Happen? 7.4. A Medieval View: Meir ben Baruch Memorializes the Talmud 7.5. A Modern View: Cohen and the Suffering Servant 7.6. A Modern View: Rubenstein and the Death of God 7.7. A Modern View: Jonas Offers a New Mythic Structure 7.8. A Modern View: Greenberg Senses God’s Suffering 7.9. Summary of Views 7.10. Why Was God Silent during the Holocaust? 7.11. Suffering and the Human-God Relationship Part 4. Is God a Covenantal Partner and Lawgiver—or Might These Roles Be Rethought in the Modern Age? 8. What is the Relationship between God and Israel? 8.1. A Biblical View: Enacting a Covenant 8.2. From the Liturgy: Shabbat Reenacts the Covenant 8.3. A Rabbinic View: Where Is the Evidence of God’s Love? 8.4. A Medieval View: Halevi’s Defense of the “Despised Faith” 8.5. A Modern View: Soloveitchik’s Mathematical Approach 8.6. A Modern View: Borowitz’s Metaphorical Covenant 8.7. A Modern View: Fishbane’s Hermeneutical Theology 8.8. A Modern View: Hartman’s “Autoimmune Disease” 8.9. Summary of Views 8.10. Meaning of Enacting the Covenant 8.11. Covenant as Metaphor 9. Is It a Binding Covenant? 9.1. A Biblical View: Preparing for Revelation 9.2. From the Liturgy: With Great Love 9.3. A Rabbinic View: God Holds Sinai over Their Heads 9.4. A Medieval View: Ibn Pakuda and the Duty to Obey 9.5. A Modern View: Rosenzweig’s Universal Love 9.6. A Modern View: Novak’s Concern for Human Rights 9.7. Summary of Views 9.8. Is the Covenant Binding if the Bible Was Not Revealed by God? 9.9. Existing Peacefully in a Pluralistic World 10. How Should the Revealed Law Be Understood? 10.1. A Biblical View: It Is Not in Heaven 10.2. From the Liturgy: This Is the Torah 10.3. A Rabbinic View: Halakhah according to the Rabbinic Majority 10.4. A Medieval View: Saadia on Why Prophecy Is Needed 10.5. A Modern View: Steinberg on Who Is Fit to Interpret Revealed Law 10.6. A Modern View: Heschel’s Understanding of Revelation 10.7. Summary of Views 10.8. Accounting for the Rise of Literalism 10.9. Reimagining a Foundational Document Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index
£25.19
Jewish Publication Society A New Hasidism Branches
Book SynopsisA New Hasidism: Branches breaks new ground in treating Neo-Hasidism as a contemporary approach to Jewish living. Beginning with two defining credos, it goes to discuss such issues as halakhah, leadership, the role of women, ecology, and more from a Neo-Hasidic perspective. Trade Review"A New Hasidism describes the renewal of Jewish life that I and so many of our colleagues have found to be meaningful. It draws us into an important conversation that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we touch as teachers and rabbis."—Rabbi Laura Geller, CCAR Journal: The Reform Jewish Quarterly“After reading these two intellectually informative and spiritually rich works, we ask how indeed twenty-first-century Jews living in comfort, in freedom, in modernity in an age of feminism and egalitarianism, at a time when they draw close to those who have been ‘other’ will adapt the spiritual teaching of their eighteenth- and nineteenth-century ancestors. Judaism will be much enhanced by such adaption as has been this reader.”—Michael Berenbaum, Jewish Journal “In two sequential volumes, the diamonds of Hasidic spiritual teaching have been skillfully recut and set to offer seekers of all backgrounds entry into a challenging and soul-expanding opportunity. You are invited to enter a multigenerational conversation, deeply engage with the most inspiring teachings of Hasidic and contemporary teachers, build upon these insights, and carry them forward.”—Rabbi Marcia Prager, director and dean of the ALEPH Ordination Program and author of Path of Blessing: Experiencing the Abundance of the Divine“The impact of Neo-Hasidism on contemporary Jewish life cannot be overstated; its influence has penetrated farther and wider than is usually acknowledged. Yet what is Neo-Hasidism, really—what are its main teachings and where do those ideas stem from? Here, brought together for the first time, are the essential texts of Neo-Hasidism, from forebears like Hillel Zeitlin and Abraham Joshua Heschel and from recent and contemporary thinkers like Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Arthur Green. Whatever their own relationship to Neo-Hasidism, students of Jewish thought and contemporary religious life cannot afford to miss these volumes. They are a veritable feast for seeker and scholar alike.”—Rabbi Shai Held, president and dean of the Hadar Institute and author of The Heart of Torah: Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion“For more than a hundred years, people in search of religious renewal who are not Hasidic have found inspiration in Hasidism. Now Arthur Green and Ariel Mayse, both scholars of Hasidism and committed spiritual seekers, have assembled critical texts for the fashioning of Neo-Hasidism in the twenty-first century. The result is a landmark contribution to Jewish spirituality.”—David Biale, Emanuel Ringelblum Distinguished Professor of Jewish History at the University of California, Davis, and editor in chief of Hasidism: A New History“A New Hasidism is a treasure for the heart and mind. With this superb two-volume anthology in hand, contemporary seekers and scholars have a broad spectrum of spiritual wisdom with which to contemplate the history and contemporary character of Neo-Hasidism. The first volume provides the ‘roots’ of the modern reinterpretation of Hasidism in Europe and America; the second displays the ‘branches’ spreading over Jewish life in the United States and Israel in our times. Together, they mark a major moment of our Jewish religious renaissance.”—Michael Fishbane, Nathan Cummings Distinguished Service Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Chicago“Over the past century, a number of creative spirits have reimagined Hasidism—infusing it with new energy, liberating it from its insularity and dynastic power structure, and translating its radical wisdom into a modern idiom. Now, for the first time, one of those creative spirits, together with his brilliant disciple, have chronicled that transformation and assembled its foundational documents (or ‘roots’) along with many of its recent literary ‘branches.’ Dip into these volumes to experience the renewal of Jewish spirituality.”—Daniel Matt, author of The Essential Kabbalah and the annotated translation, The Zohar: Pritzker Edition“Just when we are in such dire need of old/new tools for truth telling and loving kindness (chesed ve’emet), we receive these wise, passionate, intellectually compelling essays that continue the unfolding of the Neo-Hasidic revolution in our own times. These volumes will open minds, hearts, and even souls.”—Rabbi Lisa Goldstein, executive director of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality“Green and Mayse have masterfully crafted a living tree of neo-Hasidic worldview and practice spanning the sources of Neo-Hasidic thought and their manifestations in contemporary neo-Hasidism. These two wonderfully innovative volumes reveal a creatively alive Judaism informed by a deep legacy.”—Melila Hellner-Eshed, senior research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute and author of A River Flows from Eden: The Language of Mystical Experience in the Zohar “Arthur Green and Ariel Mayse invite us to sit more, read more, think more, and garment more of our blessings. Roots and Branches are two walking sticks with which we can walk this Creation with wonder and humility. Your mind and heart will coil and uncoil as you enter these crevices of love, faith, devotion, and challenge on a journey to the depths of your being.”—Rabbi Reb Mimi Feigelson, Mashpiah Ruchanit (spiritual mentor) and senior lecturer of Talmud and Chassidic Thought at the Schechter Institutes, JerusalemTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface Introduction Part I. Ahavat ha-Shem, The Love of God: Theology and Faith 1. Zalman Schachter-Shalomi–The Thirteen Aspirations of Faith 2. Arthur Green–A Neo-Hasidic Credo 3. Nehemia Polen–Touches of Intimacy: Leviticus, Sacred Space, Torah’s Center 4. Don Seeman–The Anxiety of Ethics and the Presence of God 5. Or N. Rose–Hasidism and the Religious Other: A Textual Exploration and Theological Response 6. David Seidenberg–Building the Body of the Shekhinah: Re-enchantment and Redemption of the Natural World in Hasidic Thought Part II. Ahavat Torah, The Love of Torah: Practice and Devotion 7. Ariel Evan Mayse–Neo-Hasidism and Halakhah: The Duties of Intimacy and the Law of the Heart 8. Nancy Flam–Training the Heart and Mind Toward Expansive Awareness: A Neo-Hasidic Journey 9. James Jacobson-Maisels–Neo-Hasidic Meditation: Mindfulness as a Neo-Hasidic Practice 10. Jonathan Slater–Neo-Hasidism for Today's Jewish Seeker: A Personal Reflection 11. Estelle Frankel–Sacred Narrative Therapy: Hasidism, Storytelling, and Healing Part III. Ahavat Yisra’el, The Love of Israel: Leaders and Communities 12. Ebn Leader–Does A New Hasidism Need Rebbes? 13. Shaul Magid–Shlomo Carlebach: A Trans-National Jew in Search of Himself 14. Arthur Green–A Rebbe for Our Age?: Bratslav and Neo-Bratslav in Israel Today 15. Naama Zifroni, Bambi Sheleg, Arthur Green, and Ariel Horowitz–Spiritual Awakenings: An Interview with Haviva Pedaya 16. Elhanan Nir–The Turn to Hasidism in the Religious Zionist Israeli Yeshiva 17. Jordan Schuster–A Closing Conversation with the Editors Contributor Biographies Notes
£23.99
Jewish Publication Society The Sabbath Anthology
Book SynopsisBack by popular demand, the classic JPS Holiday anthologies remain essential and relevant in our digital age. The Sabbath Anthology delves into one of the earliest Jewish institutions - the holiday the prophet Isaiah characterized as ""the day of delight"" - elucidating its history, laws, customs and traditions, religious and ethical insights, and observances in different eras.Trade Review“Throughout my long career as a rabbi, the JPS holiday anthologies have been an essential resource. All the core background is in one place. If I need a holiday story, the anthologies contain a wide range of choices. And sections on celebrations worldwide provide new approaches to festivals.”—Rabbi Steven Bob, author of Jonah and the Meaning of Our Lives “This reissue is good news! I read this rich, varied, and classic series with pleasure and collected the volumes avidly when they first appeared.”—Rabbi Reuven Hammer, author of Akiva: Life, Legend, LegacyTable of ContentsList of Illustrations A Note from the Publisher Preface Acknowledgments BOOK I: THE SABBATH IN PRACTICE THE TRADITIONAL SABBATH THE SABBATH IN THE HOME HOME SERVICE FOR THE SABBATH THE SABBATH HOUR FOR CHILDREN THE SABBATH IN THE SYNAGOGUE THE ‘ONEG SHABBAT THE LAW OF THE SABBATH SABBATH SPICE BOOK II: THE SABBATH IN LITERATURE, ART AND MUSIC THE SABBATH IN THE BIBLE THE SABBATH IN JUDAEO-HELLENISTIC LITERATURE THE SABBATH IN THE TALMUD AND THE MIDRASH THE SABBATH IN MEDIEVAL JEWISH LITERATURE THE SABBATH IN MODERN JEWISH LITERATURE THE SABBATH IN THE SHORT STORY THE SABBATH IN JEWISH POETRY THE SABBATH IN MUSIC THE SABBATH IN ART BOOK III: THE SABBATH IN HISTORY THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SABBATH THE STRUGGLE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE SABBATH THE JEWISH SABBATH AND THE CHRISTIAN SUNDAY SABBATH OBSERVANCE IN THE FAR-FLUNG JEWISH COMMUNITIES MUSIC SUPPLEMENT THE SABBATH SERVICES ZEMIROT GRACE AFTER MEALS ‘ONEG SHABBAT SONGS CANTILLATION MODES ON THE SABBATH Glossary Bibliography Notes
£19.79
Jewish Publication Society The Hanukkah Anthology
Book SynopsisDelves into the stories and messages of Hanukkah as they have unfolded in Jewish literature over the past two thousand years: biblical intimations of the festival, post-biblical writings, selections from the Talmud and midrashim, excerpts from medieval books, home liturgies, laws and customs, observances in different nations, stories and poems, art, and recipes.Trade Review“Throughout my long career as a rabbi, the JPS holiday anthologies have been an essential resource. All the core background is in one place. If I need a holiday story, the anthologies contain a wide range of choices. And sections on celebrations worldwide provide new approaches to festivals.”—Rabbi Steven Bob, author of Jonah and the Meaning of Our Lives “This reissue is good news! I read this rich, varied, and classic series with pleasure and collected the volumes avidly when they first appeared.”—Rabbi Reuven Hammer, author of Akiva: Life, Legend, LegacyTable of ContentsList of Illustrations A Note from the Publisher Preface Acknowledgments HANUKKAH AND ITS HISTORY HANUKKAH IN THE BIBLE HANUKKAH IN POSTBIBLICAL WRITINGS HANUKKAH IN TALMUD AND MIDRASH THE MEDIEVAL SCROLL OF THE HASMONEANS HANUKKAH IN JEWISH LAW HANUKKAH IN MODERN PROSE HANUKKAH IN ART A HANUKKAH DRAMA HANUKKAH IN MANY LANDS HANUKKAH IN POETRY HANUKKAH IN THE SHORT STORY HANUKKAH ODDITIES HANUKKAH SIDELIGHTS THE HANUKKAH CUISINE CHILDREN’S STORIES FOR HANUKKAH CHILDREN’S POEMS FOR HANUKKAH HOME SERVICE FOR HANUKKAH HANUKKAH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES DANCES FOR HANUKKAH MUSIC FOR HANUKKAH Notes Glossary of Hanukkah Terms Bibliography
£19.79
Jewish Publication Society Modern Musar Contested Virtues in Jewish Thought
Book SynopsisModern Musar explores the diverse ways Jews understand ten virtues: honesty and love of truth; curiosity and inquisitiveness; humility; courage and valor; temperance and self-restraint; gratitude; forgiveness; love, kindness, and compassion; solidarity and social responsibility; and justice and righteousness. Trade Review“By expanding musar literature to include not only the texts of the Musar movement and those influenced by them but also liberal and secular Jewish thinkers, Claussen forces the fields of modern Jewish thought and ethics to rethink their boundaries.”—Yonatan Y. Brafman, assistant professor of religion, Tufts University“Geoffrey Claussen’s Modern Musar is a major contribution to the contemporary literature of musar. Having assembled more than a simple anthology, Claussen takes excerpts from both the traditional and the most contemporary musar authors and places them in conversation with one another, guided by his own explanations and evaluations of the material. His willingness to broaden the conversation to include those who might not consider themselves musar writers is not only refreshing but also illuminating. It suggests the breadth of ethical writing within Judaic sources and invites the growing number of folks drawn to musar to take a similarly broader view of the field.”—Rabbi Ira F. Stone, Rosh Yeshiva, Center for Contemporary Mussar“A mind-expanding view of Jewish ethical character development and a pedagogic tour de force. In juxtaposing contrasting perspectives—rather than a single ‘paradigmatically Jewish’ view of moral virtue—on many ethical issues, Professor Claussen compels us to consider divergent views of qualities of soul. This work will become an indispensable text for students of mussar and of Jewish tradition in general.”—Rabbi Amy Eilberg, author of From Enemy to Friend: Jewish Wisdom and the Pursuit of Peace and senior faculty, the Mussar Institute“How clearly and emphatically Professor Claussen proves that Jewish thinkers of varying time periods, religious orientations, and genders understand Jewish virtues differently. With the diverse (and even quite troubling) primary textual sources he provides and clarifies, readers are bound to join the discourse and define their own Jewish understandings of virtues they hold as central in their own lives.”—Rabbi Vanessa Ochs, professor in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Virginia“Casting a wide net in the Jewish ethical canon and offering his invariably lucid commentary, Claussen illuminates the diversity of modern Jewish moral thought. Modern Musar will be an invaluable resource for scholars and general readers alike.”—Elias Sacks, director of the Program in Jewish Studies, University of Colorado Boulder“With this deeply learned study, Geoffrey Claussen opens an inspiring vista of Jewish ethical thinking through a series of debates and a range of diverse views. His lucid explanations make this book a fabulous introduction to Jewish ethics.”—Susannah Heschel, Eli M. Black Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies, Dartmouth CollegeTable of ContentsForeword by Louis E. Newman Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Honesty and Love of Truth (Yosher/Ahavat ha-Emet) 2. Curiosity and Inquisitiveness (Sakranut/Ḥakranut) 3. Humility (Anavah) 4. Courage and Valor (Ometz Lev/Gevurah) 5. Self-Restraint and Temperance (Shelitah Atzmit/Metinut) 6. Gratitude (Hakarat ha-Tov) 7. Forgiveness (Salḥanut) 8. Love, Kindness, and Compassion (Ahavah/Ḥesed/Raḥmanut) 9. Solidarity and Social Responsibility (Arevut/Aḥarayut) 10. Justice and Righteousness (Tzedek) Conclusion List of Source Texts Source Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Subject Index Index of Classical Texts
£25.19
Jewish Publication Society Thinking about Good and Evil
Book SynopsisThe most comprehensive book on the topic, Thinking about Good and Evil traces salient Jewish ideas about why innocent people seem to suffer, why evil individuals seem to prosper, and God’s role in matters of (in)justice, from antiquity to modernity. Trade Review"Illuminating analysis. . . . Allen produces a nuanced, vital exploration. . . . Allen's work as a congregational rabbi enables him to imbue this sophisticated yet accessible guide with heartfelt emotion. This remarkable guide will be of interest to any Jewish reader contemplating God's role in suffering."—Publishers Weekly"Allen believes it's important to understand Jewish philosophical thought about good and evil in order to better realize the importance of what he calls the 'two quintessential Jewish values: justice and goodness.' He challenges readers to see where they agree or disagree with each philosopher, which may help them to devise their own personal theology. His book would work well in a classroom setting or for a discussion group about theology. Anyone interested in the subject of good and evil should enjoy this interesting and provocative work."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Reporter“Rabbi Wayne Allen translates a lifetime of deep reflection about the most vexing question posed for Jewish faith, and indeed all religious faith, into an exceptional encounter with the myriad thinkers who have struggled with it.”—James A. Diamond, author of Jewish Theology Unbound“Thinking about Good and Evil is impressive for its comprehensiveness, scholarship, accessibility, and originality—dealing with sources largely if not completely ignored, usually because they have never before been translated into English.”—Rabbi David Novak, author of Jewish Justice“A comprehensive, learned, and clear exploration of Judaism’s many answers to the most difficult question: why does God permit evil? Both novices and scholars will find much here to stimulate their thoughts and stir their souls.”—Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple, Los AngelesTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Good and Evil in the Bible and Apocrypha 2. Rabbinic Approaches to Good and Evil 3. Good and Evil in Medieval Philosophy 4. Kabbalah and the Problem of Evil 5. Hasidic Masters on Evil and Suffering 6. Early Modern Thinkers on Good and Evil 7. Modern Thinkers on Good and Evil 8. The Special Problem of the Shoah Conclusion Notes Bibliography General Index Index of Texts
£25.19
Jewish Publication Society Contested Utopia
Book SynopsisThe first volume to examine the Jewish state through the lens of Jewish utopian thought from its biblical beginnings to modernity, Contested Utopia illuminates a kaleidoscope of conflicting utopian visions influencing Israel.Trade Review"Fascinating."—Rabbi Robert Orkand, reformjudaism.org"[Contested Utopia] provides a fascinating look at the variety of utopian visions that abounded before the creation of the state of Israel."—Rabbi Ron Kronish, Jerusalem Report“In this fascinating study of the utopian roots within both traditional Judaism and Zionism, Rosenstein offers a lens into the identity struggles of the modern Jewish state. An important contribution to the Israeli bookshelf.”—Yossi Klein Halevi, author of Like Dreamers“Rosenstein takes readers on a stimulating excursion through a fascinating cluster of utopian visions that anticipated what subsequently became the State of Israel. His juxtaposition of these competing versions of ‘what might be’ with the realities that emerged is well worth pondering.”—Deborah Dash Moore, professor of Judaic Studies, University of Michigan“Contested Utopia will help to shape discourse around the future of the Jewish state for a long time.”—Rabbi Lisa Grant, director, Rabbinical Program, Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion, New YorkTable of ContentsList of Maps Preface: Envisioning a Jewish State Acknowledgments Introduction: The Jewish State as Utopia How to Use This Book for Discussion Part 1. Lands of Milk and Honey: Jewish Utopian Visions 1. The Eternal Quest for Utopia 2. Paradise Lost, Remembered, and Promised 3. Utopia, Apocalypse, Messiah Part 2. A Jewish State: Zionist Utopian Visions 4. A Torah Society 5. Holy Community 6. A National Home 7. Statehood and Power 8. Enlightenment and Normalization 9. Promised Borders 10. A Model of Social Justice Part 3. The Modern State of Israel: Reality Meets Utopia 11. Visions in Collision 12. A Utopian Travel Blog Notes Bibliography Index
£21.59
Jewish Publication Society Choosing Hope
Book SynopsisThe first book to plumb the depths of Judaism's abundant reservoir of hope, Choosing Hope journeys from biblical times to our day to explore nine fundamental sources of hope in Judaism.Trade Review"Former clinical psychologist Arnow . . . unearths the hopefulness baked into Judaism in this stimulating [work]."—Publishers Weekly"Theologically enriching and hope-producing. . . . Could easily function as a reference book, especially for preachers, who wish to draw upon Jewish wisdom in teaching about hope, but it is also . . . worthy of spending time simply reading it cover to cover. . . . There is wisdom here that is worth exploring. . . . As a Christian, I receive this wisdom with gratitude."—Word & Way"A powerful and impactful aid in affirming our hope and transmitting it to the next generation, suffering more than in any recent time in our history."—San Diego Jewish World"An absorbing, insightful, thoughtful and thought-provoking study that is impressively well organized and presented, Choosing Hope: The Heritage of Judaism is an ideal, timely, and unreservedly recommended addition to synagogue, community, college, and university library Judaic Studies collections."—Midwest Book Review"A thoroughly researched . . . book . . . [which] includes insights into prayer and human potential, the Jewish past and messianic future, Hasidic rabbis and secular thinkers."—Long Island Jewish World/Manhattan Jewish Sentinel “This book is a blessing, a sublime meditation on hope, an erudite feast of Jewish wisdom, and a wellspring of surprising, subversive, deeply satisfying epiphanies about the relationship between hope and all the emotions and experiences that comprise a life of meaning. Doubt, despair, anger, activism, memory, humor, love, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, the Holocaust, and the State of Israel are among the topics explored by David Arnow in his masterful illumination of the purpose and power of hope.”—Letty Cottin Pogrebin, author of Deborah, Golda, and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America“Choosing Hope is not only a profound exploration of the meaning and claim of hope but a wonderfully inspiring interpretation of the Jewish tradition. Drawing on meticulous reading of vast sources and teachings, this extraordinary book bears witness to the core idea of Jewish faith itself: as an awakening to confront our sorrows and despair with the personal and communal ongoing task of tikkun.”—Moshe Halbertal, John and Golda Cohen Professor of Jewish Thought and Philosophy at the Hebrew University“David Arnow guides us gently, engagingly, and insightfully to see hope where we never noticed it before.”—Rabbi Judith Hauptman, E. Billi Ivry Professor Emerita of Talmud and Rabbinic Culture, Jewish Theological Seminary“This vital book challenges us to think about hope in a new way—as a response to life in which we are partners in the ongoing work of imagining and creating a better world. Through its nuanced readings of biblical, classical, and mystical texts, Choosing Hope offers a deep and refreshing understanding of the centrality of hope not only in Jewish theology, prayer, and ritual; Jewish values; and even contemporary Israel but also in our own lives. So dive in—and choose hope.”—Rabbi Laura Geller, Rabbi Emerita of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills“This careful, thorough examination of hope in Jewish sources and thought will lift the spirits of all who read it.”—Rabbi Steven Bob, author of Jonah and the Meaning of Our LivesTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction What Hope Is and Why It Matters Judaism as a Reservoir of Hope Difficulty Tapping Jewish Sources of Hope A Way toward Hope About This Book Making the Most of This Book Notes on Translation and Gender 1. Repentance: The Gateway to Hope Introduction A Theology for Looking in the Mirror Prayer and Hope The Season of Teshuvah Seasonal Rituals Conclusion 2. Tikkun Olam: Turning Hope into Action Introduction Biblical Roots in Ecclesiastes Rabbinic Origins in the Mishnah An Intertextual Reading of the Sages and EcclesiastesAleinu’s Hope of Repairing the WorldTikkun Olam in the Mysticism of Isaac LuriaTikkun Olam Today Conclusion 3. Abraham and Sarah: Living in Hope Introduction Hope in God and Abraham’s Relationship Hope amid Abraham and Sarah’s Trials The Binding of Isaac as a Story of Hope Conclusion 4. The Exodus: Hope at the Heart Introduction Brueggemann’s Archetypical Tale of Hope Exodus as the Jewish Master Story Despair versus Hope in Midrash and Commentary Putting Exodus Memories into Practice Conclusion 5. The Covenant: Hope in Israel’s Relationship with God Introduction Covenantal Hope in the Morning Liturgy Covenantal Hope and the Ancient Trials of History The Post-Holocaust Conversation Conclusion 6. The Book of Job: Hope for Vindication Introduction Reframing Job Verses of Despair, Verses of Hope Hope for Vindication Conclusion 7. Jewish Eschatology: Hopes for the World to Come Introduction The Road to Resurrection in the Bible The Rise of the Rabbis and the Triumph of Resurrection The Messiah of the Rabbis Maimonides on the Messiah and the Afterlife Reform Judaism’s Hopes for the Afterlife Humans Fulfilling Hopes for Immortality? Conclusion 8. Israel: Hope in the Homeland Introduction Zionist Hope Fulfilling the Hopes of Statehood Reuven Rivlin’s Israeli Hope Snapshots of Israeli Hope: Israeli Activists Speak Conclusion 9. Jewish Humor: The Currency of Hope Introduction Humor and Hope The Beginning of Jewish Laughter Waiting for the Messiah The Schlemiel Laughing and Hoping in Hell God Laughs Too Conclusion Final Thoughts A Succinct Jewish Theology of Hope Finding Hope in Our Ancient Texts Hope Means Work Transmitting Our Heritage of Hope Notes Bibliography Subject Index Index of Texts
£999.99
Jewish Publication Society The Messiah Confrontation
Book Synopsis2023 Top Ten Book from the Academy of Parish ClergyThe Messiah Confrontation casts new and fascinating light on why Jesus was killed. Grounded in meticulous research on the messianism debates in the Bible and during the Second Temple period, biblical scholar Israel Knohl argues that Jesus’s trial was in reality a dramatic clash between two Jewish groups holding opposing ideologies of messianism and anti-messianism, with both ideologies running through the Bible. The Pharisees (forefathers of the rabbinic sages) and most of the Jewish people had a conception of a Messiah similar to Jesus: like the prophets and most psalmists, they expected the arrival of a godlike Messiah. However, the judges who sentenced Jesus to death were Sadducees, who were fighting with the Pharisees largely because they repudiated the Messiah idea. Thus, the trial of Jesus was not a clash between Jewish and what would become Christian doctrines but a confrontation between two Trade Review"Knohl suggests that Jesus would not have been convicted and executed if tried by Pharisees instead of Sadducees. Accessible prose makes parsing scriptural texts and placing them in historical and political context enthralling, even for those unfamiliar with biblical criticism. This thought-provoking work fascinates."—Publishers Weekly, starred review"This book really is a gift to those of us who wish to pursue Jewish-Christian dialog that allows for a conversation about Jesus. His book also helps us read the New Testament and its descriptions of the various religious parties and their interactions with early Christians. As such, The Messiah Confrontation offers us a helpful guide to the roots of Jesus’ own sense of calling and purpose, while allowing us to embrace the Jewish roots of the Christian faith more fully (especially the Pharisaic ones, to rehabilitate the Pharisees in the eyes of Christians)."—Word&Way"The Messiah Confrontation is an engaging, provocative book."—John J. Collins, Jewish Review of Books"Knohl's treatment of Isaiah, Hosea, Jeremiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Daniel, the Psalms of Solomon, and other important texts is astute and perspicacious. The writing is felicitous. . . . I teach a freshman seminar at USC on the history of the messianic idea, and I imagine I will be consulting this new volume periodically as I hone my lessons moving forward."—Joshua Garroway, CCAR Journal"Brilliant . . . detailed and scientific. . . . Knohl’s thorough analysis has far-reaching consequences for the relationship between Jews and Christians today. . . . The Messiah Confrontation unfolds like a fascinating mystery."—Jerusalem Report“For Christians, rejecting the theological anti-Jewishness of their own tradition and embracing the Jewishness of Jesus require radical revisions of basic understandings. The Messiah Confrontation moves this project forward by showing that the defining conflict leading to the death of Jesus took place within Judaism, not against it. Knohl’s bold analysis is compelling, illuminating, and important for Christian and Jewish readers alike.”—James Carroll, author of Constantine’s Sword“A fascinating interpretation of two strands of biblical thought that developed over a millennium and collided in the trial of a Jew named Jesus of Nazareth. Erudite and a page-turner.”—Ronald Hendel, Norma and Sam Dabby Professor of Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies, University of California–Berkeley“The Messiah Confrontation is the product of meticulous research yet it takes away one’s breath. It can be seen as a key that allows us to understand messianic phenomena hundreds of years after the writing of biblical literature, and in reality until this very day. Knohl lays the foundation for the development of a narrative that allows us to classify, categorize, and evaluate key events throughout Jewish history in light of messianic tension. In essence, it provokes the reader and the scholar to develop a new narrative of Jewish history—one based entirely on the tensions between different messianic ideas.”—Dov Schwartz, professor of Jewish philosophy, Bar Ilan University“Knohl not only documents a series of transformations in Israelite messianism but also meticulously discusses their political ramifications. This thought-provoking work is a must-read for anyone interested in the biblical world as well as in Jewish thought and politics throughout history.”—Ishay Rosen-Zvi, chair of the Department of Jewish Philosophy and Talmud, Tel Aviv University“In The Messiah Confrontation, Israel Knohl, one of the leading Bible scholars of our time, proposes an original and provocative history of messianism from the Bible through ancient Judaism, culminating in a new interpretation of the trial and death of Jesus. This profoundly learned and accessibly written book will be of great interest to scholars and laypersons alike, and especially to all readers concerned with the fraught history of Judaism and Christianity and their many intersections.”—David Stern, Harry Starr Professor of Classical and Modern Hebrew and Jewish Literature, Harvard UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction 1. Birth of the Messianic Figure 2. Rejection of the Kingship Concept 3. Reconceiving the Messiah 4. Messianic Rise and Fall of “the Branch” 5. Shifting Sands of Torah Authority 6. Torah Distinctions between the Human and the Divine 7. Introducing Resurrection of the Dead into Jewish Thought 8. The Sadducees’ Denial of the Doctrine of Reward 9. Qumran Accounts of an Exalted and Suffering Messiah 10. The Pharisees’ Expectations of an Imminent Messiah 11. Jesus’s Messianic Conception 12. The Trial of Jesus Afterword Notes Bibliography Subject Index Scriptural Index
£22.79
Jewish Publication Society Halakhic Man
Book SynopsisHalakhic Man is the classic work of modern Jewish and religious thought by the twentieth century’s preeminent Orthodox Jewish theologian and talmudic scholar, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. This 40th Anniversary Edition features a new and extended preface, introduction, and scholarly apparatus that will help readers explore, appreciate, and learn from this groundbreaking work. Trade Review"Kaplan has done a tremendous service to the Rav's legacy in making one of his most important works much more understandable to those who . . . not only want to feel the gravitational pull of the Rav's thought, but to actually understand those thoughts as well."—Jewish Link“A signal contribution to the development of Jewish thought in this era, Halakhic Man shows Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik at his most brilliant, interacting with modern thought, synthesizing some of its insights with the tradition, and illuminating and turning traditional statements into profound analyses of the human condition. Among the great contributions to this new edition are an important preface by Lawrence J. Kaplan on the reception history of this essay and an introduction articulating his mature presentation of Soloveitchik’s thought—which may well be the finest exposition of his thinking thus far. Reading Soloveitchik through this augmented edition will lead to a well-deserved increased influence of his ideas in the field of religious thought, even beyond Judaism.”—Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, author of For the Sake of Heaven and Earth“We owe a deep debt of gratitude to Lawrence J. Kaplan for his brilliant and luminous introduction and exceptionally helpful annotations and glossary to the 40th anniversary edition of the magnificent work he wonderfully translated by one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of the twentieth century.”—Moshe Halbertal, professor in the Department of Jewish Thought, Hebrew UniversityTable of ContentsTranslator’s Preface 40th Anniversary Edition Translator’s Acknowledgments 40th Anniversary Edition Translator’s Introduction 40th Anniversary Edition Halakhic Man Original Preface and Text List of Errata to Original Edition Translator’s Annotations 40th Anniversary Edition Translator’s Glossary 40th Anniversary Edition Translator’s Bibliography 40th Anniversary Edition Index of Sources 40th Anniversary Edition Index of Names and Subjects 40th Anniversary Edition
£26.09
SPCK Publishing Chosen
Book SynopsisA spiritual journey from the Jewish faith to Christianity, told with whit and warmth.Table of ContentsContentsAcknowledgments 8Glossary of Hebrew terms 9Introduction 131 Of Pedigrees, Peers and Poverty 172 The Docta’s Bairns 413 Lessons in the Jewish Way of Life 734 A Very Anglican Education 1055 The Forbidden Books 1256 Unwelcome Revelations 1407 So Who Am I, Really? 1588 On the Streets 1759 Of Romance and Its Consequences 18710 In the Vicar Factory 21811 Mining, Striking and Finding Gold 22912 Sent to Coventry 25113 Of Work, Womanhood, Sex and Sensuality 27214 Auntie Beeb, the Blitz and Being in the Money 29215 In Red Rose County 30816 Let Children Be the Barometer 32017 The Years Roll By 339Some Favourite Traditional Recipes 351
£10.44
Boydell & Brewer Ltd The Song of Songs in English Renaissance
Book SynopsisTreatment of and reference to the Song of Songs by a variety of authors including Spenser and Milton.Many English Renaissance texts offer readings of the Song of Songs, by both well-known authors, such as Shakespeare, and the long neglected (William Baldwin, Robert Aylett, Abiezer Coppe and Lawrence Clarkson). This new study looks at the different traditions they represent, and most notably the balance in the tension of the Song of Songs as oral and written, carnal and spiritual. The introduction presents a historical and theoretical discussion of Canticles, using a Rabbinic model for juxtaposing orality and textuality; the author goes on to argue that from the time of ancient Sumer through medieval England motifs found in the Song of Songs are simultaneously sexual and spiritualjust as they are likewise oral and textual. By attempting to recover oral approaches to any text, we encounter a series of forces that act to balance an open, oral, and sexual understanding of the erotic biblical text against a more closed, textual and spiritual reading. This balance is then traced through works by Baldwin, Spenser, Aylett, Coppe, Clarkson and Milton. NOAM FLINKER is currently Chairperson at the Department of English, University of Haifa.Trade ReviewAn extremely informative book that contains fascinating readings of little-known works - and the inter-textuality existing between them and a number of major texts - in the light of one of the most beautiful and elusive of the Hebrew scriptures... Mature and seasoned scholarship... important book. * SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY NEWS *Impressive and wide-ranging... deftly explores the role of the Song of Songs in a series of English writers from William Baldwin to Milton, a role that has been often recognised but never given the extensive and nuanced treatment provided here. * YEAR'S WORK IN ENGLISH STUDIES *Table of ContentsWilliam Baldwin's "The Canticles, or Balades of Salomon" - the shaping of history, sexuality and subsequent English poetry; canticles, Baldwin and Spenser's "Amoretti"; canticles as erased convention in "Venus and Adonis"; the Spenserian canticles of Robert Aylett - the Protestant tradition continues; ranter sexual politics - canticles in the England of 1650; Adam's revisited rant with Eve; conclusion.
£76.00
Boydell & Brewer Ltd The Practice of Penance 9001050
Book SynopsisPenitential practice in the Holy Roman Empire 900-1050, examined through records in church law, the liturgy, monastic and other sources.This study examines all forms of penitential practice in the Holy Roman Empire under the Ottonian and Salian Reich, c.900 - c.1050. This crucial period in the history of penance, falling between the Carolingians' codification of public and private penance, and the promotion of the practice of confession in the thirteenth century, has largely been ignored by historians. Tracing the varieties of penitential practice recorded in church law, the liturgy, monastic practice, narrative and documentary sources, Dr Hamilton's book argues that many of the changes previously attributed to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries can be found earlier in the tenth and early eleventh centuries. Whilst acknowledging that there was a degree of continuity from the Carolingian period, she asserts that the period should be seen as having its own dynamic. Investigating the sources for penitential practice by genre, sheacknowledges the prescriptive bias of many of them and points ways around the problem in order to establish the reality of practice in this area at this time. This book thus studies the Church in action in the tenth and eleventh centuries, the reality of relations between churchmen, and between churchmen and the laity, as well as the nature of clerical aspirations. It examines the legacy left by the Carolingian reformers and contributes to our understanding of pre-Gregorian mentalities in the period before the late eleventh-century reforms. SARAH HAMILTON teaches in the Department of History, University of Exeter.Trade ReviewRichly documented study. CATHOLIC HISTORICAL REVIEW Stimulating study changing our perceptions of medieval penance. * HISTORY *A thoroughly researched book, well documentd and with many thought-provoking ideas, and it deserves a warm welcome. * SPECULUM *Table of ContentsThe church law of penance - the evidence of the collections; education and community - councils, synodal sermons and capitularies; penance and the regular life; the penitential liturgy - unity or diversity; the penitential liturgy - regional variations; penance and the wider world; afterword. Appendices: the distribution of the Romano-German pontifical; penitential rites outside the Romano-German pontifical tradition.
£85.50
University of Chicago Press From Ghetto to Emancipation Historical and
Book Synopsis
£17.66
WW Norton & Co How the Talmud Can Change Your Life
Book SynopsisA witty and wide-ranging exploration of a book that has perplexed and delighted people for centuries: the Talmud
£23.74
