New Titles
A Year with Martin Buber: Wisdom on the Weekly Torah Portion
Rabbi Jack Abramowitz loves answering questions and it's what he does best. Now "Rabbi Jack" has hand-curated the most urgent, eternal, and in some cases bizarre questions he's received in twenty years at the job, and collected them here for the first time. If you've ever wondered what Judaism has to say about Zionism, Chosenness, Social Justice, Gun Rights, Marijuana, DNA testing, Environmentalism, Tattoos, Witchcraft, Ghosts, Aliens, Alternate Dimensions, Zombies, COVID-19, then this book is for you.
Not every single question out there has an answer that we can grasp, but if the answer is out there, Rabbi Abramowitz likely will have it. - Allison Josephs, Founder, Jew in the City
Rabbi Jack's answers are thought-provoking and balanced, and often blended with a touch of wit and humor. Most of all, his writings are nuanced and informed by Torah values. And if you're an experienced educator looking for optimal ways to teach traditional values in the classroom or from the pulpit, here's the book you've been waiting for. It's great to have questions. But it's better to have answers. Now's the time to Ask Rabbi Jack!
Rabbi Abramowitz is a Judaic treasure and I know that you will love his new book of Jewish answers to questions we all have. - Rabbi Steven Burg, CEO, Aish HaTorah
Rabbi Jack Abramowitz is a virtuoso of Torah teaching. He conveys Torah concepts that require years to master in language that is understandable and enjoyable. - Rabbi Gil Student, Editor-in-Chief, Torahmusings.com
Building for Eternity: Life and Legacy of Reb Moshe Reichmann
"When you left his study, you didn’t just have a generous check: you had dignity, respect, and a new sense of pride in what you were doing."
"I’ve seen people for whom Margaret Thatcher showed respect, and I’ve seen people for whom Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky stood up. But I have known only one man for whom Rav Yaakov would express admiration, and toward whom heads of state would bow. "
It’s the story of a journey to spiritual greatness, to faith, humility, and extraordinary generosity, a story that takes us through construction sites and boardrooms as well as the hallowed halls of yeshivos and batei midrash.
Aristocratic in conduct and speech, Reb Moshe Reichmann treated other people in a way that left them feeling that they had brushed with royalty, elevating himself and those around him. The kindness and attention he invested in his family flowed outward to impact every corner of the Torah world, conveying respect and encouragement along with his donations.
The most respected financiers on earth were in awe of him, yet this same Mr. Reichmann would bow deferentially when speaking to Torah scholars. He was patron to institutions and individuals, giving not just money, but time, attention, and genuine concern. Yisroel Besser, author of many bestselling books, including the unforgettable Just Love Them, brings us a story that will make us newly sensitive to the potential to give that lies within us.
Coming to Terms with America: Essays on Jewish History, Religion, and Culture
Coming to Terms with America examines how Jews have long "straddled two civilizations," endeavoring to be both Jewish and American at once, from the American Revolution to today.
In fifteen engaging essays, Jonathan D. Sarna investigates the many facets of the Jewish-American encounter--what Jews have borrowed from their surroundings, what they have resisted, what they have synthesized, and what they have subverted. Part I surveys how Jews first worked to reconcile Judaism with the country's new democratic ethos and to reconcile their faith-based culture with local metropolitan cultures. Part II analyzes religio-cultural initiatives, many spearheaded by women, and the ongoing tensions between Jewish scholars (who pore over traditional Jewish sources) and activists (who are concerned with applying them). Part III appraises Jewish-Christian relations: "collisions" within the public square and over church-state separation.
Originally written over the span of forty years, many of these essays are considered classics in the field, and several remain fixtures of American Jewish history syllabi. Others appeared in fairly obscure venues and will be discovered here anew. Together, these essays--newly updated for this volume--cull the finest thinking of one of American Jewry's finest historians.
Jonathan D. Sarna is University Professor and the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, as well as the director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University. He is also the chief historian of the National Museum of American Jewish History. Sarna has written, edited, or coedited more than thirty books, including JPS: The Americanization of Jewish Culture 1888-1988 and American Judaism: A History, and is the winner of six awards, including the National Jewish Book Award's Jewish Book of the Year.
The foundational text of Judaism, the Five Books of Moses, has been read, studied, and interpreted in every generation. In this unique edition, the world-renowned scholar Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz highlights the bird s-eye perspective on the Torah and how its parts fit together. With a faithful, accessible translation of the entire Torah, A Concise Guide to the Torah: A Study Edition of the Torah enables every person to understand our holiest book and develop original insights. Features: - Topical subdivisions with explanations and summaries - Introductions to the Torah portions (parashot) - Detailed table of contents by story and topic - Images and maps that aid comprehension - Full integration with other Concise Guide volumes The Erez Series is comprised of the Concise Guides to the full gamut of Jewish thought, from the Torah to modern halakha (Jewish law) and Mahshava (Jewish philosophy). The late Rabbi Adin Even Israel Steinsaltz zt'l was one of the leading thinkers of the modern age and the most prolific author of Jewish thought and commentary since the middle ages. The Erez Series distills the essence of 4 of the principal schools of the Jewish tradition Torah, the Sages (Hazal), Halakha, and Mahshava as a tool for review or introduction to the world of Jewish thought.
More and more observant Jews are crossing the Pacific every year, for both business and pleasure. Numerous questions arise, such as: · What day is Shabbos in Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, and Australia? At what point do I cross from one day to the other? May I fly from Asia to the US on Friday or Sunday? When crossing into “yesterday,” does one pray again? What about tefillin and sefiras ha'omer? What about crossing into "tomorrow"? Finding answers to these and many other significant questions is not a simple matter. The Gemara and the Rishonim do not explicitly discuss the dateline, and almost everything about it (including its very location) is widely disputed by contemporary poskim - and often misunderstood by laymen. And due to the unusual intricacies involved, even many rabbanim do not have clarity on these issues. Crossing the Dateline offers fresh analysis of the issues like never before: · Comprehensive, in-depth, and extremely well-researched and thought-out, it is a unique and indispensable resource for the rav and scholar. · Easy-to-read, with simple lists, tables, maps, and a Quick Reference Guide, it gives clear practical direction for the layman and traveler on the go. About the Author: Rabbi Mordechai Kuber is the rav of Congregation Nachlas Tzvi Ohel Avraham in Telz-Stone, Israel and a fixture in the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He is also a kashrus veteran, a writer, and a teacher, and travels frequently to the Far East. and a Quick Reference Guide, it gives clear practical direction for the layman and traveler on the go. About the Author: Rabbi Mordechai Kuber is the rav of Congregation Nachlas Tzvi Ohel Avraham in Telz-Stone, Israel and a fixture in the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He is also a kashrus veteran, a writer, and a teacher, and travels frequently to the Far East. and a Quick Reference Guide, it gives clear practical direction for the layman and traveler on the go. About the Author: Rabbi Mordechai Kuber is the rav of Congregation Nachlas Tzvi Ohel Avraham in Telz-Stone, Israel and a fixture in the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He is also a kashrus veteran, a writer, and a teacher, and travels frequently to the Far East.
CURRENT EVENTS WITHIN THE PROCESS OF THE GEULAH through the lens of Chazal Volume 2 includes all the chapters from The End Illuminated Sequel. "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 What exactly is the Keitz Megulah (lit. Revealed or Illuminated End) and what did Rav Chaim mean when he said that we're already "at the Keitz Megulah"? Topics of Volume Two Include: SECOND WAVE LOCKDOWNS DOR HAFLAGA ANTI-CHAREIDI RHETORIC AMALEK VACCINES DOR HAMABUL LIBERALISM THREE LEADERS EREV RAV PRESDENTIAL ELECTIONS GEZEIROS BEFORE THE GEULA RAV ELCHONON ON 5781 TUNNELS AND GEULAH ARABS AND PEACE EMBASSY IN YERUSHALAYIM POLITICAL TURBULENCE TZAROS TESHUVA RETURN OF MALCHUS TO YISROEL HITLERISM! GOOD PEOPLE SUFFERING by Rabbi Yisroel Moshe Sorotzkin
"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
Profound. Funny. Inspiring. Thought-provoking.
These 501 carefully chosen quotations are food for the mind!
Front Row Seat: Compelling stories about the lives of extraordinary people
Great Stories, Well Told: Another winning collection by C.B. Weinfeld Enjoy your front row seats as you prepare to meet… …Nossi the plumber, who learns that pipes and prayers are unexpectedly interconnected ... Amit, stranded on a sailboat in the Caribbean for 7 long weeks, who discovers incredible chesed when he's run out of options … Michoel, whose mother wouldn’t give up on him even when everyone else did. Why do C.B. Weinfeld’s legions of fans await her new story collections so eagerly? It’s because they know that in these stories, reprinted from Yated Ne’eman and Ami Magazine, they will read about “ordinary” people facing -- and triumphing -- over extraordinary challenges. They will read about other people, and they will find their own lives. From a U.S military base to a Covid-19 ward to a support group with a surprising twist -- you’ve got the best seats in the house, as you join C.B. Weinfeld in this new collection of amazing true stories.
Born in Prague to Holocaust survivors, Hadassah Lieberman and her family immigrated in 1949 to the United States. She went on to earn a BA from Boston University in government and dramatics and an MA in international relations and American government from Northeastern University. She built a career devoted largely to public health that has included positions at Lehman Brothers, Pfizer, and the National Research Council. After her first marriage ended in divorce, she married Joe Lieberman, a US senator from Connecticut who was the Democratic nominee for vice president with Al Gore and would go on to run for president.
In Hadassah, Lieberman pens the compelling story of her extraordinary life: from her family's experience in Eastern Europe to their move to Gardner, Massachusetts; forging her career; experiencing divorce; and, following her remarriage, her life on the national political stage. By offering insight into her identity as an immigrant, an American Jew, a working woman, and a wife, mother, and grandmother, Lieberman's moving memoir speaks to many of the major issues of our time, from immigration to gender politics. Featuring an introduction by Joe Lieberman and an afterword by Megan McCain, it is a true American story.Hijack for Freedom The Memoirs of Mark Dymshits: Soviet Pilot, Jew, Breacher of the Iron Curtain
Illuminating Jewish Thought: Faith, Philosophy, and Knowledge of God
Can we prove that God exists, and if we can't, why should we believe? What must we believe and what if we don't? What does the Torah say about the age of the universe? Why study philosophy? What is machshava? These are some of the questions Illuminating Jewish Thought seeks to answer by carefully studying traditional Jewish sources and considering their application to timeless and contemporary problems. We turn to the Torah to solve these queries because Torah is more than wisdom - it is light (Mishlei 6:23). Machashava, learned properly, illuminates our lives. Without it, we grope in darkenss - not only the darkness of ignorance, but utter darkenss in which we are blinded from living a meaningful religious life, and worse, darkness from loving encounters with our Creator. Illuminating Jewish Thought attempts to reveal some of that light by surveying the theological foundations of Jewish faith. This title is part of the RIETS Hashkafa Series.
Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth
North American Edition of the UK Bestseller
How identity politics failed one particular identity.
'a must read and if you think YOU don't need to read it, that's just the clue to know you do.' SARAH SILVERMAN
'This is a brave and necessary book.' JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER
'a masterpiece.'
STEPHEN FRY
Jews Don't Count is a book for people who consider themselves on the right side of history. People fighting the good fight against homophobia, disablism, transphobia and, particularly, racism. People, possibly, like you.
It is the comedian and writer David Baddiel's contention that one type of racism has been left out of this fight. In his unique combination of close reasoning, polemic, personal experience and jokes, Baddiel argues that those who think of themselves as on the right side of history have often ignored the history of anti-Semitism. He outlines why and how, in a time of intensely heightened awareness of minorities, Jews don't count as a real minority: and why they should.
In Judaism Straight Up, Moshe Koppel explores the central differences between traditional societies - including traditional Judaism - and contemporary cosmopolitan ones. He explains everything you always wanted to know about the subtleties of Jewish morality, tradition, and belief, and how these have unfolded to beat cosmopolitanism at its own game: advancing cooperation, fairness, and freedom. Written with incisiveness and droll wit and a scientific sensibility that draws on economics, game theory, and other disciplines, Judaism Straight Up reveals the secret of Jewish traditionalism's endurance.
Just Love Them: The Life and Legacy of Rabbi Dovid Trenk
Rabbi Dovid Trenk seemed to walk in a little cloud of simchah, energy and life, lifting spirits and souls as he walked. But reaching that lofty level took a lifetime of work, from a childhood in Boro Park, a community still discovering its own identity, to his first job teaching the boys no one else would have. <p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-bottom:6pt;">That's where he made his mark, driven by an unshakable belief in the power of a neshamah. The special way he looked at people -- seeing the greatness in them before they ever saw it themselves -- taught them to see the brilliance and splendor of their own neshamos. <p style="margin-top:6pt;margin-bottom:6pt;">This book will bring you into the exuberant world of Rabbi Trenk: He was a respected talmid chacham, a wise guide and master listener, but most of all, he was a builder of people. This work shows us the magic that lies inside - students, children, spouses and ourselves, bursting with stories that will allow you to hear the laughter, see the tears, and share the triumph of the human spirit. Meticulously researched, masterfully told, each delightful story will feel like a new gift- and the whole book, a guide on how to really start living, with joy, confidence and simple faith.
How did the 21-year-old newlywed from Meah Shearim form an immediate bond with street kids, gangsters, and hardened prisoners? How did he transform a crime-ridden city into a place of hope, learning, and Torah? How did he begin with 18 boys who needed a home, and create a vast empire of chesed for tens of thousands of children? How did Rav Grossman of Migdal HaEmek become a symbol of Jewish unity, revered by religious and non-religious alike, beloved by all of Klal Yisrael. How did he become a Living Legend? In one amazing story after another, bestselling author Rabbi Nachman Seltzer shows us the mesirus nefesh, compassion, vision and incredible siyata d’Shmaya that have always been a part of Rav Yitzchak Dovid Grossman’s life. And as we are entertained and engaged by these truly remarkable stories, we will also be learning just how he did it — through the incomparable power of absolute Ahavas Yisrael.
A man in white... A stranger at the Kotel... A mysterious doctor... A life-saving dream...
In a moment of need, a stranger appears, offers help, and then disappears, as if by magic. These are encounters with Elijah the Prophet, who, in the Jewish tradition, never died, but still roams the world, helping, teaching, and admonishing people. Meeting Elijah is a collection of amazing real-life encounters with Elijah - Eliyahu Hanavi - heard directly from the people involved or close friends and relatives. In other stories, we see how the "Spirit of Elijah" can move in and through people, bringing them to the right place at the right time, in order to help and deliver others, even without their own awareness. In all cases, these stories reveal the remarkable level of Divine providence that we can experience in our lives, at any moment and in any place
The stories in this volume are surprising, inexplicable, and inspiring. They remind us that the world is a mysterious place, and that God's deliverance can occur in the blink of an eye. They are stories that you will enjoy, and will want to share with your family.