Philosophy
The year 2001 began as the United Nations Year of Dialogue between Civilizations. By its end, the phrase that came most readily to mind was 'the clash of civilizations.' The tragedy of September 11 intensified the danger caused by religious differences around the world. As the politics of identity begin to replace the politics of ideology, can religion become a force for peace?
The Dignity of Difference is Rabbi Jonathan Sacks's radical proposal for reconciling hatreds. The first major statement by a Jewish leader on the ethics of globalization, it also marks a paradigm shift in the approach to religious coexistence. Sacks argues that we must do more than search for values common to all faiths; we must also reframe the way we see our differences.
A new English translation of the 11th-century ethical classic. Vowelized Hebrew text with facing English.
Living a full Jewish life involves more than compliance to a broad range of practices and traditions. It calls for the development of a full, rich inner, spiritual life, where one creates an ever-evolving, personal relationship with God.
This demands conscientious study and reflection, and there is no better road map to all such matters of heart & mind than the 11th century classic, Duties of the Heart.
Among the topics explored in the text s ten, progressive stages are the unique oneness of God, the wonders of creation; service, trust, sincerity, reflection, gratitude, devotion, humility, love of God, and more. Weaving awareness of these concepts into the fabric of our daily lives elevates the soul as we develop an authentic, ongoing relationship with our Creator.
This masterful, new English translation of a timeless classic presented in an easy-to-follow, bi-lingual edition offers all readers an ideal text for daily study, insight, contemplation, and personal growth.
In this revealing book, David Patterson explores Fackenheim's rigorous pursuit of a philosophical response to the tragedy of the Holocaust. Fackenheim's writing sheds light on the tensions between Jewish thinking and German philosophy, illustrating how elements of the latter were used by the Nazis to justify Jewish annihilation.
Emunah With Love and Chicken Soup Story of Henny Machlis
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The Machlis family hospitality is legendary. Every Shabbos they fit 150 or more people in their small Jerusalem living room, preparing for their guests over 40 chickens, three different kugels, countless salads, four desserts, and, of course, gefilte fish, chicken soup, and cholent-- both traditional and vegetarian.
Brooklyn-born Henny Machlis was at the heart of this amazing weekly adventure. But, as author Sara Yoheved Rigler, bestselling author of Holy Woman and a friend of Henny's, discovered as she interviewed Henny's fourteen children, relatives, students, and friends, the Shabbos hospitality was just one glowing facet of the multi-faceted diamond that was Rebbetzin Henny Machlis.
A master of prayer, a virtuoso in chesed, an adept in childrearing, a wise Torah teacher, an expert at working on middos, and a successful shadchanit, Henny Machlis regarded a life of Torah and mitzvos as a great treasure that she was eager to share with everyone.
And her emunah, her faith in Gd's love and providence? That was where her light shone the most brightly. She lived on the Planet of Emunah, a place where miracles were everyday occurrences, because she knew, really knew, that only Hashem is in charge and He can do anything. And, for Henny, He often did.
Like a steaming bowl of chicken soup, this book will satisfy you. Comfort you. And heal you - in a way that only Rebbetzin Henny Machlis could. Sip it. Savor it. And be inspired and transformed.
Encyclopedia of Jewish Thought 3 Vol. Set
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"Several years ago, shortly before publishing my first sefarim, entitled Keitz Meguleh, I had the zechus to bring a copy of the manuscript to Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlit" a. Before I even handed it to Rav Chaim, he said to me, 'Ihr vaist az mir halt shoin bei der Keitz Megulah? Do you Know that we are already at the Keitz Megulah? '"-Excerpt from Chapter 28, The End Illuminated
A Talmudic exegesis by the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. Adapted from two siyumim delivered by the Rebbe (on tractates Makkot and Yoma), Of Tears and Laughter focuses on two moving Talmudic stories that occurred in the aftermath of the destruction of the second Beit Hamikdash. With his unique, holistic approach to Torah study, the Rebbe explores the positions taken by the leading Sages of that time, and examines their lives and teachings. With a spotlight on Rabbi Akiva and his response, the Rebbe searches the Talmud for laws taught by Rabbi Akiva, his life's story and allusions to the composition of his very soul, to provide a comprehensive and insightful reasoning for Rabbi Akiva's optimism. In the final analysis the Rebbe provides a breathtaking mosaic of the leaders of the Jewish people in the post second Beit Hamikdash era.
Philosopher, physician, and master of rabbinical literature, Moses ben Maimon (1135-1204) strove to reconcile biblical revelation with medieval Aristotelianism. His writings, especially the celebrated Guide for the Perplexed, exercised considerable influence on both Jewish and Christian scholasticism and brought him lasting renown as one of the greatest medieval thinkers.
This volume contains his most significant ethical works, newly translated from the original sources by Professors Raymond L. Weiss and Charles E. Butterworth, well-known Maimonides scholars. Previous translations have often been inadequate -- either because they were not based on the best possible texts or from a lack of precision. That deficiency has been remedied in this text; the translations are based on the latest scholarship and have been made with a view toward maximum accuracy and readability. Moreover, the long Letter to Joseph has been translated into English for the first time.
This edition includes the following selections:
I. Laws Concerning Character Traits (complete)
II. Eight Chapters (complete)
III. On the Management of Health
IV. Letter to Joseph
V. Guide of the Perplexed
VII. The Days of the Messiah
Taken as a whole, this collection presents a comprehensive and revealing overview of Maimonides' thought regarding the relationship of revelation and reason in the sphere of ethics. Here are his teachings concerning natural law, secular versus religious authority, the goals of moral conduct, diseases of the soul, the application of logic to ethical matters, and the messianic era. Throughout, the great sage is concerned to reconcile the apparent divergence between biblical teachings and Greek philosophy.
This volume contains his most significant ethical works, newly translated from the original sources by Professors Raymond L. Weiss and Charles E. Butterworth, well-known Maimonides scholars. Previous translations have often been inadequate -- either because they were not based on the best possible texts or from a lack of precision. That deficiency has been remedied in this text; the translations are based on the latest scholarship and have been made with a view toward maximum accuracy and readability. Moreover, the long Letter to Joseph has been translated into English for the first time.
This edition includes the following selections:
I. Laws Concerning Character Traits (complete)
II. Eight Chapters (complete)
III. On the Management of Health
IV. Letter to Joseph
V. Guide of the Perplexed
VII. The Days of the Messiah
Taken as a whole, this collection presents a comprehensive and revealing overview of Maimonides' thought regarding the relationship of revelation and reason in the sphere of ethics. Here are his teachings concerning natural law, secular versus religious authority, the goals of moral conduct, diseases of the soul, the application of logic to ethical matters, and the messianic era. Throughout, the great sage is concerned to reconcile the apparent divergence between biblical teachings and Greek philosophy.
A study of Jewish-Christian relations from medieval times through the eighteenth century. Both Jewish and Christian writers are represented.
The classic work of the Chazon Ish -- a must-read in these uncertain times!
With all the news headlines about the financial crisis currently rocking the globe, this powerful book by the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz, zt"l, (1878-1953) is vital reading for every Jew. In it, the Chazon Ish explains his approach to faith and trust in G-d. In a startling fashion, he strips away much of what has been written on these subjects and presents a totally fresh view.
This edition, the first English translation ever published of this seminal work, also contains the complete vowelized Hebrew text.
False Facts and True Rumors:Lashon Hara in Contemporary Culture
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In False Facts and True Rumors, Rabbi Daniel Feldman undertakes the vital task of examining the halakhic sources regarding lashon hara, derogatory speech, and applying them to today's technology-driven world. Combining erudite knowledge of rabbinic texts, philosophy, and psychology, Rabbi Feldman explores this uncharted territory of contemporary Jewish life. Among the questions addressed are: How can it be prohibited to convey facts that are true? How can the innocent be protected and society improved in the context of these laws? How do these laws affect areas such as dating and marriage, therapy, business interactions, and comedic performances? How are modern conceptions of privacy and confidentiality impacted? How has the culture of journalism, the Internet, and political campaigning affected, and been affected by, these laws? False Facts and True Rumors offers an essential guide for communicating in today's fast-paced world.
In False Facts and True Rumors, Rabbi Daniel Feldman undertakes the vital task of examining the halakhic sources regarding lashon hara, derogatory speech, and applying them to today s technology-driven world. Combining erudite knowledge of rabbinic texts, philosophy, and psychology, Rabbi Feldman explores this uncharted territory of contemporary Jewish life. Among the questions addressed are: How can it be prohibited to convey facts that are true? How can the innocent be protected and society improved in the context of these laws? How do these laws affect areas such as dating and marriage, therapy, business interactions, and comedic performances? How are modern conceptions of privacy and confidentiality impacted? How has the culture of journalism, the Internet, and political campaigning affected, and been affected by, these laws? False Facts and True Rumors offers an essential guide for communicating in today s fast-paced world, where important information and petty gossip alike are exchanged instantaneously.
The incredible story of the Jewish people’s slavery and redemption from Egypt is so much more than just our history. It is a step-by-step guide to understanding ourselves, breaking free of our inner barriers, and reaching our fullest potential.
Weaving together classic Torah sources, Kabbalistic works, psychology, and the author’s experience in Jewish education and outreach, Rabbi Buxbaum uses the Exodus story to illustrate how to elevate our inner world—represented by fire, wind, water, and earth, liberate ourselves from self-imposed limitations, and achieve true inner freedom.
“This beautiful new work unlocks ancient wisdom regarding one’s personal life mission, providing practical, transformational guidance toward becoming truly free.”
Rabbi Judah Mischel, author of Baderech
“In this genuine masterpiece, [we] are gifted a holistic system…to help us accelerate our personal growth and spiritual development. Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum brilliantly demonstrates the way [earth, fire, wind, water] manifest throughout the Biblical narrative.”
Rabbi Yaakov Klein, author of Story of Our Lives
“Melding an understanding of human behavior with a message of hope, the author delivers a true gem and gift for those seeking a spiritual life and a taste of inner freedom.”
Menachem Poznanski, LCSW, author of Consciously
Rabbi Shlomo Buxbaum is a passionate Jewish educator, motivational speaker, and life coach in the Greater Washington DC area, working with both families and young adults from all different Jewish backgrounds. A student of Yeshivas Toras Moshe and the Mirrer Yeshiva, Rabbi Buxbaum received rabbinic ordination from Aish HaTorah and Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, zt”l. Rabbi Buxbaum was the rabbi of Aish HaTorah of Greater Washington for eight years before launching the Lev Experience together with his wife, Devorah, with the mission of empowering individuals to find greater meaning, purpose, and possibilities in life by deepening their connection to Jewish wisdom and values. Rabbi Buxbaum also hosts a weekly podcast called “The Empowered Jewish Living Podcast,” lectures for various other educational institutions in Maryland and is a frequent scholar-in-residence throughout America. Rabbi Buxbaum, his wife, and their six children live in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Gateway to Judaism delivers an engaging insider look at the mindset, values, and practices of contemporary traditional Judaism. Rabbi Becher demonstrates that Judaism today is anything but anachronistic rites and disjointed rituals. Rather, his book opens a portal to a vibrant lifestyle that brings joy and meaning to Jewish living. Based on years of answering thousands of challenging inquiries, Becher's work blends elements of Jewish philosophy and law with an intensely practical explanation of how Jews actually live.
A ground-breaking book that takes on skeptics from both sides of the cosmological debate, arguing that science and the Bible are not at odds concerning the origin of the universe. The culmination of a physicist's thirty-five-year journey from MIT to Jerusalem, Genesis and the Big Bang presents a compelling argument that the events of the billions of years that cosmologists say followed the Big Bang and those of the first six days described in Genesis are, in fact, one and the same--identical realities described in vastly different terms. In engaging, accessible language, Dr. Schroeder reconciles the observable facts of science with the very essence of Western religion: the biblical account of Creation. Carefully reviewing and interpreting accepted scientific principles, analogous passages of Scripture, and biblical scholarship, Dr. Schroeder arrives at a conclusion so lucid that one wonders why it has taken this long in coming. The result for the reader--whether believer or skeptic, Jewish or Christian--is a totally fresh understanding of the key events in the life of the universe.
God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism
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Abraham Joshua Heschel was one of the most revered religious leaders of the 20th century, and God in Search of Man and its companion volume, Man Is Not Alone, two of his most important books, are classics of modern Jewish theology. God in Search of Man combines scholarship with lucidity, reverence, and compassion as Dr. Heschel discusses not man's search for God but God's for man--the notion of a Chosen People, an idea which, he writes, "signifies not a quality inherent in the people but a relationship between the people and God." It is an extraordinary description of the nature of Biblical thought, and how that thought becomes faith.
This unique compact volume is perfect to give out at simchahs and organization dinners, or as a gift to a friend \ - or yourself! Each full \ -color spread includes a short quotation by a Torah great and a brief biographical note, against the backdrop of stunning visuals that offer another layer of meaning. By the author of Great Jewish Letters and Great Jewish Speeches, this is a treat for the eyes, the heart, and the mind. Includes benching and the berachos of bris and sheva berachos, with room for imprinting on the back cover.
This monument of rabbinical exegesis written at the end of the twelfth century has exerted an immense and continuing influence upon Jewish thought. Its aim is to liberate people from the tormenting perplexities arising from their understanding of the Bible according only to its literal meaning. This edition contains extensive introductions by Shlomo Pines and Leo Strauss, a leading authority on Maimonides.
This monument of rabbinical exegesis written at the end of the twelfth century has exerted an immense and continuing influence upon Jewish thought. Its aim is to liberate people from the tormenting perplexities arising from their understanding of the Bible according only to its literal meaning. This edition contains extensive introductions by Shlomo Pines and Leo Strauss, a leading authority on Maimonides.
How the rabbis of the Talmud transformed everything into a legal question--and Jewish law into a way of thinking and talking about everything
Though typically translated as "Jewish law," the term halakhah is not an easy match for what is usually thought of as law. This is because the rabbinic legal system has rarely wielded the political power to enforce its many detailed rules, nor has it ever been the law of any state. Even more idiosyncratically, the talmudic rabbis claim that the study of halakhah is a holy endeavor that brings a person closer to God--a claim no country makes of its law. In this panoramic book, Chaim Saiman traces how generations of rabbis have used concepts forged in talmudic disputation to do the work that other societies assign not only to philosophy, political theory, theology, and ethics but also to art, drama, and literature. In the multifaceted world of halakhah where everything is law, law is also everything, and even laws that serve no practical purpose can, when properly studied, provide surprising insights into timeless questions about the very nature of human existence. What does it mean for legal analysis to connect humans to God? Can spiritual teachings remain meaningful and at the same time rigidly codified? Can a modern state be governed by such law? Guiding readers across two millennia of richly illuminating perspectives, this book shows how halakhah is not just "law" but an entire way of thinking, being, and knowing.
The deep meaning of the mitzvoth as revealed by Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch!
Horeb is Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch's masterful presentation of Jewish laws and observances, with particular emphasis on their underlying ideas. It has proven in many ways to be Hirsch's most decisive work, representing a milestone in the return to halacha (Jewish law) as the pivot of Jewish life.
Hirsch won back the Jewish youth of his day by introducing them to the underlying ideas of Torah laws. He showed them that the Torah's religious commandments, or mitzvoth, are not mere "ceremonies" to be discarded at will, but Divine rules of life for the people of G-d, eternal and inviolable, that they are religious power-stations which create a spirit of holiness among the people of Israel.
Hirsch's words still ring true today. Horeb can serve to re-kindle your commitment to the Torah and mitzvoth. It is an important book for any thinking Jew.
Author: Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch
Translated by: Dayan Dr. I. Grunfeld
Hardcover | 6" x 9" | 800 pages | 0-900689-40-4
This accessible volume uses both personal experience and case studies to address such contemporary issues as substance abuse suicide premarital sex aging divorce AIDS and intermarriage.
Draws on the Jewish tradition to advise adolescents on making ethical decisions about death, family, sex, and other areas of life.
Join Joe Bobker in his humorous adventure through Torah and Talmud, history and halacha, law and lore, and much more. This enjoyable volume on Jewish practice and law serves, in the author s words, as an envelope to be opened from time to time in order to learn something new. Packed with nuggets of information, this pithy tome is a lighthearted introduction to the serious business of being Jewish.
Three of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's notable essays: If You Were G-d, Immortality and the Soul, and A World of Love.
Three of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's notable essays: If You Were G-d, Immortality and the Soul, and A World of Love.