Philosophy
Emunah With Love and Chicken Soup Story of Henny Machlis
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
A follow-up to his widely acclaimed The Jewish Encyclopedia of Moral and Ethical Issues, this is a comprehensive reference book on Jewish ethics for contemporary times. The topics addressed in this work include Jewish attitudes toward homosexuality, stem cell medical procedures, the environment, Internet piracy, and more. Gleaning from the Bible and classic Jewish texts, as well as later authorities such as Maimonides, Nachmanides, Rashi, and the Code of Jewish Law, this work is accessible to readers of all backgrounds.
A follow-up to his widely acclaimed The Jewish Encyclopedia of Moral and Ethical Issues , this is a comprehensive reference book on Jewish ethics for contemporary times. The topics addressed in this work include Jewish attitudes toward homosexuality, stem cell medical procedures, the environment, Internet piracy, and more. Gleaning from the Bible and classic Jewish texts, as well as later authorities such as Maimonides, Nachmanides, Rashi, and the Code of Jewish Law, this work is accessible to readers of all backgrounds.
"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
Esther Unmasked:Solving Eleven Mysteries of the Jewish Holidays and Liturgy
Mitchell First is a very talented Jewish scholar. He is able to challenge traditional assumptions and reach new, often groundbreaking, conclusions. His articles are meticulously researched, relying both on rabbinic sources and historians of antiquity. A main article explains how both Achashverosh and Esther can be identified in ancient sources.The entire volume consists of eleven articles that address mysterious aspects of the yearly cycle of Jewish holidays and liturgy: what is the meaning of the cryptic phrase in the Sukkot liturgy Ani ve-Ho? what motivated Antiochus to persecute the Jews? what is the origin of Taanit Esther? how many questions were there in the original Mah Nishtannah? why does pe precede ayin in the acrostics of the book of Eikhah?, and more.
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
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.
Future Tense: Jews, Judaism, and Israel in the Twenty-First Century
We are in danger, says Rabbi Sacks, of forgetting what Judaism's place is within the global project of humankind. The Jewish people exist for a reason, and it is not for themselves alone. They must recommit themselves to their foundational purpose: to the task of creating a just world in which the divine presence can dwell among us all. Without compromising one iota of Jewish faith, Rabbi Sacks declares, Jews must stand alongside their friends--Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and secular humanist--in defense of freedom against those who desecrate life. And they should do this not to win friends or the admiration of others but because it is what a people of God is supposed to do. Rabbi Sacks's powerful message of tikkum olam--using Judaism as a blueprint for repairing an imperfect world--will resonate with people of all faiths.
We are in danger, says Rabbi Sacks, of forgetting what Judaism’s place is within the global project of humankind. The Jewish people exist for a reason, and it is not for themselves alone. They must recommit themselves to their foundational purpose: to the task of creating a just world in which the divine presence can dwell among us all. Without compromising one iota of Jewish faith, Rabbi Sacks declares, Jews must stand alongside their friends—Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and secular humanist—in defense of freedom against those who desecrate life. And they should do this not to win friends or the admiration of others but because it is what a people of God is supposed to do. Rabbi Sacks’s powerful message of tikkum olam—using Judaism as a blueprint for repairing an imperfect world—will resonate with people of all faiths.
Introducing the Fellig edition of Shaar Habitachon (Gate of Trust) from Chovot Halevavot (Duties of the Heart)—the classical and timeless work authored by the eleventh-century Spanish scholar Rabbeinu Bachya ibn Pekuda.
Published by Kehot Publication Society in partnership with Chayenu, this exciting new book features the Hebrew text with a new English translation, classical commentary, a fresh infusion of Chasidic and mystical teachings, and "bottom line" takeaways to help guide the reader.
The world seems to be in turmoil, with so much at stake and so many things operating beyond our control.
Aside from global unease, our day-to-day lives run at a frenetic pace; there is so much to accomplish, so much to worry about, and so much could "go wrong." How do we remain calm, relaxed, and focused at the most trying moments? How do we enter into a state of tranquility and live from a place of worry-free existence?
Gate of Trust takes us on a transformational journey towards genuine trust, guiding us to a state of tranquil reliance on the all-powerful and compassionate G-d. Studying this vital work shows us how to confront and even transform unpredictable and challenging events by exercising and implementing the messages of genuine unyielding trust in G-d.
God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism
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.
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
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.