Search results for ""author dan cohn-sherbok""

This is a comprehensive history of Jewish religion and philosophy, its traditions and practices, magnificently illustrated with over 500 photographs and paintings. It is an in-depth introduction to the religion and its rich cultural and spiritual heritage. It describes the different aspects of Orthodox and Reform, and of mysticism and kabbalah. This book highlights biblical teaching and traces its development across the centuries from earliest and rabbinic times to the present day. It presents all the festivals of the year, such as Yom Kippur, Hanukkah, Purim and Passover. It covers teachings about rites of passage including marriage, bar and bat mitzvahs. Blending authoritative information with superb pictures of Jewish life and culture, this book brings together a vast amount of knowledge for students and general readers. For nearly 4,000 years, Judaism has been a living monotheistic faith. This book offers an account of the faith, its core beliefs and practices, and the way of life of Jewish people today. The book is divided into three sections: Jewish Traditions covers the history of Jews from the biblical period to the present; Jewish Belief introduces the reader to the concept of God and his relationship with Israel as the chosen people; and Jewish Practice embraces all aspects of worship and personal piety. This comprehensive picture of Jewish life, thought and heritage, with its 500 stunning illustrations, is a fascinating reference guide to every aspect of this complex religion.

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The Jewish religion is grounded in belief about the nature of God and his relation to the world, and this expertly written volume offers an accessible account of the Jewish faith, its core beliefs and practices. It introduces the reader to the God of the Jews, describing his transcendence, omnipotence and goodness, and his eternal covenant with Israel. The main festivals, celebrations and practices are explored in depth, including Sabbaths, home ceremonies and personal piety, as well as rites of passage and Jewish high days and holidays. With over 300 informative photographs, this is a fascinating guide to an immensely rich and complex religion.

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Have you ever wondered what Adam really said to Eve? Or what God said to Job? Learning Hebrew can be easy - and fun. This book shows you how to master the essentials of the language in clear, simple steps - starting right from scratch with the Hebrew alphabet on how to read passages from the Bible itself. There are simple exercises (including answers), a word list, and plenty of examples throughout. Whether you are studying in a group or by yourself, this book will make the words of the Bible come alive in a way you never imagined before. 'For learning Hebrew, the best way is to have an expert by your side. Here is the next best thing - Hebrew without such an aid and without tears! I commend the book warmly.' Lord Coggan (formerly Archbishop of Canterbury).

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Traditionally, 'kabbalah' refers to the teachings of Jewish mystics, their reflections on the Divine and their experiences of God: through Kabbalah, we embark upon a spiritual quest to discover God, our souls and the nature of the world. In this fascinating anthology of Jewish mystical texts, Dan Cohn-Sherbok traces the tradition's development from the early rabbinic period to its present day resurgence. Beginning with an illuminating introduction to its history, this book presents the important texts which underpin Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, with supporting explanations provided to help readers unfamiliar with the subject. Essential for a deep understanding of this esoteric spiritual quest, Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism will captivate the interested reader and student alike.

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Anti-Semitism has featured in the history of Western civilization since the Greeks. What the twentieth century has seen through the lens of the holocaust has been happening for over 3000 years. Dan Cohn-Sherbok traces the origins of anti-Semitism and its manifestations, from political opposition to racial persecution and religious and philosophical justification for some of history's most outrageous acts. Against this background of intolerance and persecution, Cohn-Sherbok describes Jewish emancipation from the late eighteenth century and its gradual transformation into the parallel political and nationalistic ideal of Zionism. This book offers a clear and readable account of why anti-Semitism has featured so strongly in world history and provides extensive discussion of the issues. Unlike most studies of the subject, it does not focus exclusively on Christian anti-Semitism, but explores the origins of Arab and organized communist anti-Semitism and Nazi racism. It is essential reading not only for history students and theologians, but anyone interested in finding out why the Jews have been hated and murdered.

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For nearly four thousand years the wisdom of Judaism has supported people through exile and suffering, good times and bad. Founded on the universal principles of justice, integrity and righteousness, its message is as relevant today as ever, and has much to offer all members of the global community, regardless of race or creed. Contained within this beautiful little book are some of the most profound and pertinent extracts from Jewish writing. Addressing a multitude of timeless themes, from the nature of God to family life, the passages are drawn not only from the scriptures, but also from the work of great Jewish thinkers ancient and modern, male and female. For solace, for inspiration, or simply for browsing through at moments of quiet, this exquisite anthology will be treasured by readers as a source of perpetual wisdom.

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Where was God during the Holocaust? And where has God been since? How has our religious belief been changed by the Shoah? For more than half a century, these questions have haunted both Jewish and Christian theologians. Holocaust Theology provides a panoramic survey of the writings of more than one hundred leading Jewish and Christian thinkers on these profound theological problems. Beginning with a general introduction to Holocaust theology and the religious challenge of the Holocaust, this sweeping collection brings together in one volume a coherent overview of the key theologies which have shaped responses to the Holocaust over the last several decades, including those addressing perplexing questions regarding Christian responsibility and culpability during the Nazi era. Each reading is preceded by a brief introduction. The volume will be invaluable to Rabbis and the clergy, students, scholars of the Holocaust and of religion, and all those troubled by the religious implications of the tragedy of the Holocaust. Contributors include Leo Baeck, Eugene Borowitz, Stephen Haynes, Abraham Joshua Heschel, Steven T. Katz, Primo Levi, Jacob Neusner, John Pawlikowski, Rosemary Radford Reuther, Jonathan Sarna, Paul Tillich, and Elie Wiesel.

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The Blackwell Dictionary of Judaica contains more than 7,000 concise entries and nearly half a million words on every aspect of Jewish history, civilization and religion. It will prove invaluable not only for students and teachers, but also for everyone who is interested in the fascinating richness of the Jewish tradition. In a single volume, the wealth of the Jewish heritage is uncovered in direct and simple words. This is a vital reference work for everyone who wishes to know about the development of Judaism from ancient times to the present day, and it deserves a place in every library and every Jewish home.

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This book offers an account of the 4,000-year history of the Jews, from the ancient Patriarchs and Kings through to modern times. It also explores the Jewish faith, its traditional beliefs and practices, its festivals and celebrations, and the way of life of Jewish people today. Divided into two volumes, The History of the Jews, details how the Jewish people flourished over time, creating the Hebrew Bible, before enduring centuries of persecution, culminating in the mass migration from Europe to America, and the eventual return to the Promised Land of Israel. The second volume, Judaism, explores the variety of religious forms of Jewish existence. The central tenets of Jewish belief are outlined and all aspects of religious life are described including the Sabbath, festivals, and home ceremonies.

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Life expectancy is going up. Our parents are increasingly likely to be living into their eighties and nineties. Many find themselves in the position of caring for their parents when they are already retired themselves, or not in good health, or still have children to support financially. What can we do for the best in these situations? Do you feel your parents are a burden? Do they feel that? How do we cope with the huge costs of geriatric care? How do we manage this conflicting tangle of interests? This is a practical book that looks at the range of alternatives and provides realistic solutions. It also recognizes the negative and ambivalent feelings that plague families on all sides. Extreme old age is not easy. We need to help our parents through the difficulties they inevitably face during their final years, and balance those needs with equally pressing ones elsewhere. Dan and Lavinia Cohn-Sherbok, drawing on their own experiences, here provide a succinct overview of the problems and answers for all with elderly parents.

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This ground-breaking book contains contributions from 12 different religious traditions: Hinduism, African Traditional Religion, Judaism, Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Shintoism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Unitarianism and Bahá'í. Interfaith worship and prayer can be complex, but this book demonstrates that in a world of many cultures and religions, there is an urgent need for religions to come together with trust and communication, especially when there is a crisis. Full of insights and examples of practice, the book demonstrates how religions can be a powerful means of unity and compassion. The book opposes the 'clash of civilisations' model as a way of interpreting the world and promotes peace, hope, and the possibility of cooperation. Religious believers can be sincere and committed to their own faith, while recognising the need to stand firmly together with members of other religious traditions.

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An updated edition of this best-selling introduction to the conflict. With coverage of all the recent events, the new edition of this best-selling book gives a thorough and accessible account of the history behind the Palestine-Israeli conflict, its roots, and the possibilities for the future. New material outlines recent developments, while an updated conclusion consists of a direct debate between the two authors, which raises many issues, yet offers real solutions to which future peace talks may aspire.

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In this clear and authoritative guide, Lavinia and Dan Cohn-Sherbok concisely examine the Jewish faith and its practices and explore what it really means to be a Jew today. From the nature of God to the divisions within Judaism and from worship to everyday customs, this introduction covers all the topics essential to an informed understanding of this highly influential 3000-year-old faith and its enduring traditions.

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The essential guide that allows both sides to be heard Rabbi Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok presents the Israeli perspective, while Dr Dawoud El-Alami presents the Palestinian perspective Updated to cover the most recent events, including the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the May 2021 fighting in Gaza, this bestselling introduction explores the history, motivations and people behind the Palestine–Israel conflict – and assesses the prospects for peace after almost eighty years.

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What is the role of scripture in illuminating the lives of the faithful today? In this book, three experts in Judaism, Christianity and Islam respectively discuss and debate this question, by exploring the core messages of the Torah, Bible and Qu'ran. Taking a deeper look at the wide range of theological, political and social issues that divide (and sometimes unite) their religions, they reveal how inspiration and guidance can be drawn not only on life's big questions such as sin and the afterlife, but also on societal issues including war, suffering, marriage and justice.

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Christians, Muslims and Jews all stem from one man, Abraham, and yet relations between them are so often strained. Three men of faith - one Jew, one Muslim and one Christian - debate the differences between them. The result is a compelling discussion: What do their faiths teach on the big issues of life? What can be done to make for better relationships in the future? What can be done on the big global areas of conflict and tension? How can they get along? For hundreds of years, many of the biggest global conflicts have been fuelled by religious hatred and prejudice. It is evident, in the early part of the 21st century that not much has changed. Whether it is fundamentalist Muslims waging jihad in Afghanistan and Pakistan, or the perpetual low scale hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians, to the man in the street, religion seems to make people more likely to fight each other, not less. Why is this? Why Can't They Get Along? is a powerful and much needed account. Current, passionate and compelling it is essential reading.

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