Philosophy
Each year on Yom Kippur, fast days, and the days leading up to the High Holidays, Jews around the world recite the Thirteen Midot:
"HaShem, HaShem, El Rahum veHanun, Erekh Apayim, veRav Hesed veEmet, Notzer Hesed laAlafim, Noseh Avon vaFesha veHata'a veNakeh."
In His Mercy examines the Thirteen Midot and their philosophical underpinnings through the lenses of the Talmud, the Midrash and major commentaries. It offers an insightful introduction, and concise, illuminating essays on each Mida. Based on a series of lectures given over twenty years by Rabbi Ezra Bick, a leading scholar at Israel's Yeshivat Har Etzion, In His Mercy is the first English edition of this special work.
For several decades, informed readers sought out Rabbi Berel Wein's opinion column in his weekly Destiny Foundation blog, in the Jerusalem Post, and other publications to gain his perspective on current issues. The products of his highly educated and sensitive mind, the essays were uniquely "Wein" - always original, always refreshing in their candor, and subtly thought provoking. Who else could experience uplift from an orchid plant or discover the core values of the Jewish nation in the words of Israel's taxi drivers? His sweeping gaze simultaneously takes in past, present, and future. he looks at an empty field in the Land of Israel and sees not only the farmer with his plow today, but one who worked the same land two thousand years ago. And with heartfelt faith and a vibrant awareness of ancient prophecy, he envisions those who will harvest that field in the future. In this troubled, insecure age of ours, he proves that one can, one must, be a realist and an optimist at the same time. If you are a fan of Rabbi Wein's writing, you will feel as though you are encountering an old friend. If you are not already familiar with Rabbi Wein's take on life, you are in for a treat. you will feel as though you are encountering an old friend. If you are not already familiar with Rabbi Wein's take on life, you are in for a treat. you will feel as though you are encountering an old friend. If you are not already familiar with Rabbi Wein's take on life, you are in for a treat.
Torah Essays by Rav Hershel Schachter & Rav Mayer Twersky on Fundamental Halachic and Hashkafic Issues Organized by the Weekly Parsha
“The divrei Torah anthologized in this volume ... seek to address many serious, seminal halachic and hashkafic topics and issues in a timeless, yet timely, fashion without sacrificing the requisite breadth or depth.” —Rav Mayer Twersky
This volume is comprised of Torah essays, by Rav Hershel Schachter and Rav Mayer Twersky, which not only provide insight into the parsha and halacha, but also teach us what the Torah’s attitudes are and how we should apply them to the many challenges we encounter throughout our lives. The approach which has educated and uplifted talmidim of Rav Schachter and Rav Twersky for decades is captured here for all of us to learn and grow from.
TorahWeb (a not-for-profit, volunteer organization) was created in 1999 to provide unfettered access to the guidance of leading talmidei chachamim. This sefer is the latest vehicle through which TorahWeb is pursing that mission.
Fascinating Zmanim and Calendar Calculations Which Shemoneh Esrei was last recited in the year 1994, and won't be recited again until 2089? Why is it that some people's nineteenth Hebrew birthday does not fall out on the same day as their civil birthday? On the night of his bar mitzvah, a boy flies from Australia to Los Angeles, where it is a day earlier. Does he become "un-bar mitzvah"? Is a person's first yahrtzeit commemorated on the yom hamisah or the yom hakevurah? Why are seventeen pesukim in the Torah sometimes not read at all during the course of the year? When is the only time a klaf is rolled backward in the middle of the haftorah? In The Intriguing World of Jewish Time, you'll find the answers to these questions and many others. The Jewish calendar and zmanei hayom are complex, but Rabbi Dovid Heber makes the topic clear and easy to understand in this book. Written in a reader-friendly question-and-answer format, The Intriguing World of Jewish Time provides fascinating answers to 150 zmanim- and luach-related questions, many of which touch upon important halachic issues. Add meaning to often unnoticed special events and times in the Jewish year. With The Intriguing World of Jewish Time, your perception of the Jewish calendar will be immeasurably enhanced. By Rabbi Dovid Heber
Introspection, Teshuva, Personality, & Change: A Map
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What is it about us that makes variety pleasurable and change less desirable?
The common thinking as to why change is less attractive holds the belief that we are creatures of habit. Taken a step further, we know that personal attitudes towards change can vary greatly. Some changes, like buying a new hat or tie are relatively easy. Unquestionably, we are most resistant to change when it involves changing our own habits, beliefs, or behaviors.
So, don't buy this book for someone else. Its purpose is to help you change yourself. Better to read this before personal distress forces us to make dramatic changes in our lives.
The premise of this book is that introspection and teshuvah, Judaism's formula for self-change, not only change our spiritual trajectory, they allow us to enhance and enrich our lives. These powerful vehicles can also transform personal change into a life-giving habit.
Facing personal tragedies, diseases, natural disasters, and the death of young people - even children and babies - causes a loss of faith. It's not surprising that we ask ourselves: Where is God?
This book is an exploration of these fundamental questions.
In plain and simple language, the author tries to open the reader's eyes to all that is about us, and to provide a framework for clearly addressing the important issues of human existence. Nondenominational in approach, addressed to a wide audience, Coincidence closes the distance so many adults have put between themselves and God, encouraging a wholesome and authentic perspective on life.
Brightly illustrated with well-chosen, fascinating images, this exploration of the created world and our place in it will be of interest to any thinking person who wants to live a meaningful life.
The Jewish intellectual tradition has a long and complex history that has resulted in significant and influential works of scholarship. In this book, the authors suggest that there is a series of common principles that can be extracted from the Jewish intellectual tradition that have broad, even life-changing, implications for individual and societal achievement. These principles include respect for tradition while encouraging independent, often disruptive thinking; a precise system of logical reasoning in pursuit of the truth; universal education continuing through adulthood; and living a purposeful life. The main objective of this book is to understand the historical development of these principles and to demonstrate how applying them judiciously can lead to greater intellectual productivity, a more fulfilling existence, and a more advanced society.
Jewish Law as a Journey: Finding Meaning in Daily Practice
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The 21st Century has seen a dramatic increase in the number of books published on practical halakha. As a result, Halakhic observance has never been more accessible. But how does increased commitment to halakhic detail accomplish its goal of personal and ethical refinement? Halakhic practices are meant to be spiritual entry points for divine encounters. Commitment to Jewish ritual should mold one's character and help facilitate a life guided by divine ideals. In fact, adherence to Jewish law without a parallel understanding of the meaning behind the law runs the risk of transforming halakha into a formulaic set of rules without any larger spiritual vision. Jewish Law as a Journey is a valuable companion to published works of practical halakha. It explores virtues and ideals foundational to daily halakhic practice. Moreover, it offers a systematic exploration of the mitzvot one encounters in a given day and the transformative religious messages that underlie them.
The 21st Century has seen a dramatic increase in the number of books published on practical halakha. As a result, Halakhic observance has never been more accessible. But how does increased commitment to halakhic detail accomplish its goal of personal and ethical refinement?
Halakhic practices are meant to be spiritual entry points for divine encounters.
Commitment to Jewish ritual should mold one's character and help facilitate a life guided by divine ideals. In fact, adherence to Jewish law without a parallel understanding of the meaning behind the law runs the risk of transforming halakha into a formulaic set of rules without any larger spiritual vision.
Jewish Law as a Journey is a valuable companion to published works of practical halakha. It explores virtues and ideals foundational to daily halakhic practice. Moreover, it offers a systematic exploration of the mitzvot one encounters in a given day and the transformative religious messages that underlie them.
What does it mean to be a Jew? How does one begin to answer so extensive a question?
In this insightful and completely updated tome, esteemed rabbi and bestselling author Joseph Telushkin helps answer the question of what it means to be a Jew, in the largest sense. Widely recognized as one of the most respected and indispensable reference books on Jewish life, culture, tradition, and religion, Jewish Literacy covers every essential aspect of the Jewish people and Judaism. In 352 short and engaging chapters, Rabbi Telushkin discusses everything from the Jewish Bible and Talmud to Jewish notions of ethics to antisemitism and the Holocaust; from the history of Jews around the world to Zionism and the politics of a Jewish state; from the significance of religious traditions and holidays to how they are practiced in daily life. Whether you want to know more about Judaism in general or have specific questions you'd like answered, Jewish Literacy is sure to contain the information you need.
Rabbi Telushkin's expert knowledge of Judaism makes the updated and revised edition of Jewish Literacy an invaluable reference. A comprehensive yet thoroughly accessible resource for anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of Judaism, Jewish Literacy is a must for every Jewish home.
Mysticism, which transcends the boundaries of time and space and refers to a reality not grasped by means of ordinary human cognition, is one of the central sources of inspiration of religious thought. It is an attempt to decode the mystery of divine existence by penetrating to the depths of consciousness through language, memory, myth, and symbolism. Delving deep into the psyche, mystics strive to redeem perceived reality from its immediate meaning. Mystical texts constitute a history of this religious creativity, of man's attempt to reveal the divine structure underlying the chaos of reality and thereby endow life with hope and purpose. By offering an alternative perspective on the world that gives expression to yearnings for freedom and change, mysticism engenders new modes of authority and leadership; as such it plays a decisive role in moulding religious and social history. For all these reasons, the mystical corpus deserves study and discussion in the framework of cultural criticism and research. This study is a lyrical exposition of the Jewish mystical phenomenon. It is based on a close reading of the hundreds of volumes written by Jewish mystics and incorporates mystical testimonies drawn from the different countries and cultural environments in which Jews have lived. Rachel Elior's purpose is to present, as accurately as possible, the meanings of the mystical works as they were perceived by their creators and readers. At the same time, she contextualizes them within the boundaries of the religion, culture, language, and spiritual and historical circumstances in which the destiny of the Jewish people has evolved. The author succeeds in drawing the reader into a mystical world. With great intensity, she conveys the richness of the mystical experience in discovering the infinity of meaning embedded in the sacred text; teasing out the recurring themes, she explains the multivalent symbols. Using copious extracts from Jewish mystical sources, she illustrates the varieties of the mystical experience from antiquity to the twentieth century. She succeeds in eloquently conveying how mystics try to decipher reality by penetrating beyond its apparent boundaries: how they experience spiritual powers symbolically, imaginatively, or visually; how hidden truths are revealed in visions or dreams, in an epiphany or as 'lightning'; how they are 'engraved' in the mind or illuminate in the soul. Most of the texts she draws on are written in very obscure language, but the skilful translations communicate the mystical experiences vividly and make it easy for the reader to understand how Elior uses them to explain the relationship between the revealed world and the hidden world and between the mystical world and the traditional religious world, with all the social and religious tensions this has caused.
Rabbi Menahem Mendl was a Hassidic master renowned for his wisdom throughout Europe. The spiritual leader of the Jews in a small stetl called Kotzk in a corner of Poland, he was nevertheless so famous that he was he was referred to far and wide as the Kotzker. His wise sayings--about human nature, how to live, and the world of the spirit--were repeated and passed around, and, though he kept no records, they have been savored and preserved through the years. This beautifully produced collection gathers more than 130 of his sayings and joins them with elegant cut-paper illustrations by the rabbi's great-great-great-grandson, the illustrator Gabriel Lisowki, who has also provided an introduction about his ancestor. Jewish Wisdom for Daily Life is a treasure for spiritual seekers or anyone who enjoys life's lessons distilled into trenchant and memorable aphoristic gems. Here are a few: Everyone has something to teach, even a thief. If he fails he tries again. If he finds nothing of value, he takes what he finds. There is nothing more whole than a broken heart. Angels are God's favorite creatures. It's easy to see why. They are not jealous and they like to sing. Whoever believes in miracles is an imbecile. Whoever does not is an atheist.
Rabbi Menahem Mendl was a Hassidic master renowned for his wisdom throughout Europe. The spiritual leader of the Jews in a small stetl called Kotzk in a corner of Poland, he was nevertheless so famous that he was he was referred to far and wide as the Kotzker. His wise sayings — about human nature, how to live, and the world of the spirit — were repeated and passed around, and, though he kept no records, they have been savored and preserved through the years. This beautifully produced collection gathers more than 130 of his sayings and joins them with elegant cut-paper illustrations by the rabbi's great-great-great-grandson, the illustrator Gabriel Lisowki, who has also provided an introduction about his ancestor.
Jewish Wisdom for Daily Lifeis a treasure for spiritual seekers or anyone who enjoys life's lessons distilled into trenchant and memorable aphoristic gems. Here are a few:
Everyone has something to teach, even a thief. If he fails he tries again. If he finds nothing of value, he takes what he finds.
There is nothing more whole than a broken heart.
Angels are God's favorite creatures. It's easy to see why. They are not jealous and they like to sing.
Whoever believes in miracles is an imbecile. Whoever does not is an atheist.
In Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet, Dr. Erica Brown takes us on a journey over land and sea, in the footsteps of the Bible's most recalcitrant prophet. Melding traditional commentators, rabbinic literature, modern biblical scholarship, psychological sensitivity, and artistic imagination, Brown travels through the four chapters of Jonah's story tracing his call to leadership, his subsequent intransigence, his momentary rise to duty and his tragic resignation in an effort to discover God's ultimate lesson for him. With insight and feeling, Brown provides us with a glimpse into the tormented soul of the prophet as he grapples with the notion of a forgiving God who is concerned even with the welfare of Israel's strongest adversary. As God struggles to teach His prophet to expand his vision and take up his divine mission, we come to understand the Divine call given to each of us to rise up to the possibility of greatness. After all, if God can change His plan, we can change as well.
In Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet, Dr. Erica Brown takes us on a journey over land and sea, in the footsteps of the Bible's most recalcitrant prophet. Melding traditional commentators, rabbinic literature, modern biblical scholarship, psychological sensitivity, and artistic imagination, Brown travels through the four chapters of Jonah's story tracing his call to leadership, his subsequent intransigence, his momentary rise to duty and his tragic resignation in an effort to discover God's ultimate lesson for him.
With insight and feeling, Brown provides us with a glimpse into the tormented soul of the prophet as he grapples with the notion of a forgiving God who is concerned even with the welfare of Israel's strongest adversary. As God struggles to teach His prophet to expand his vision and take up his divine mission, we come to understand the Divine call given to each of us to rise up to the possibility of greatness. After all, if God can change His plan, we can change as well.
Judaism Alive: Using the Torah to Unlock Your Life's Potential
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In this introspective guide, Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn taps into the wisdom of the wisest of men - Abraham, Joseph, and Moses - to reveal ancient secrets of productivity and success. Along with passages from the Torah and quotes from noted Jewish scholars and leaders, Rabbi Einhorn incorporates thoughts and experiences from popular culture by citing the likes of the rock group Queen, Muhammad Ali, and inspirational speaker and author Tony Robbins, among countless others. With a wit and charm honed from his varied experiences as a rabbi, lecturer, and teacher, Rabbi Einhorn melds the ancient Jewish sources with the best of modernity to guide readers to a better, more fulfilled life. Discover a vibrant and spiritual way of life--a Judaism Alive!
A restatement of the fundamental differences between Judaism and Christianity.
Judaism Reclaimed Philosophy And Theology In The Torah
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Discussions in this unique work include: How is our understanding of Torah guided by philosophy? Can Jewish tradition combat Bible criticism? Why does God permit evil? Did Rabbi Akiva reject the Torah’s death penalty? Rabbinic law vs. the spirit of halachah Rambam’s Judaism and its relevance in a post-Aristotelian world In a scholarly though highly readable manner, Judaism Reclaimed examines a range of theological and philosophical discussions emerging from the Torah. Inspired by the approaches of Rambam, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, and other leading Jewish thinkers, the author analyzes both narrative and halachic areas of the Torah’s teachings. Drawing on a wide range of sources, he examines a number of challenges posed to Orthodox Judaism from the halls of academia and addresses them from the perspective of Jewish tradition. About the Author: Rabbi Shmuel Phillips has spent almost two decades studying in yeshiva and kollel. During this time, he has also completed a law degree from the University of London.
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.
Key to the Locked Garden: Learning to Enhance the Shabbat Experience
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Key to the Locked Garden offers the reader teachings and instructions for Shabbat observance that once were available only to an elite few. The book is based on the teachings of Rabbi Moses Luria zt ”l, a Chasidic master of our times and a direct descendant of Rabbi Isaac Luria, the holy Ari z” l. Rabbi Luria's teachings brought divine service to an experiential level, shedding light upon the complex teachings of the Ari z ”l. Simcha Benyosef, the author, was commissioned by Rabbi Moses Luria, zt ”l, to further amplify these teachings to make them available, not only to Torah scholars, but also to the layperson. Rabbi Moshe Schatz, in his approbation to the book, notes, “Benyosef so brilliantly brought the Kabbalistic concepts to life, particularly for the layperson,
In this latest collection of essays, Rabbi Hayyim Angel continues to demonstrate the intellectual and spiritual benefits of the interaction between religious Jewish Tanakh learning and academic Bible scholarship. Throughout these twenty studies, Rabbi Angel introduces learning tools and implements them. The first seven essays explore significant areas of learning methodology and religious outlook, and the thirteen text studies put this methodology into practice. Rabbi Angel leads readers through the learning process so that they become involved as well. Rabbi Angel's erudite scholarship, transparency of method, and engaging style make this book-as well as all his others-a must-read for religious students of Tanakh as well as all those who are interested in the engagement of religious and academic approaches to Bible study. Mind, heart, and soul grow together through these learned and accessible studies.
| The Writings of the Rambam - Fascinating Classics from the Pen of the Great Master - Now in English! Enter the thought-world of one of the greatest Rishonim — and of other great Rishonim who discussed and critiqued his works. In Kisvei HaRambam, the writings of the Rambam are translated phrase-by-phrase, annotated, and elucidated with additional insights. It is informative, inspiring, and engrossing. Kisvei HaRambam includes the Rambam’s famous introduction to Cheilek, the Thirteen Principles of Faith, essays on the Afterlife, Providence and free will, relevant chapters from Mishneh Torah, a letter of encouragement to a struggling Jew, and much more. This new ArtScroll commentary to these classic writings brings them to life in English as never before. It’s basic and essential – and it’s a pleasure to read. |
| Product Details |
Catalog #KRAMH ISBN-10: 1422633020 ISBN #: 9781422633021 Format: Hardcover Pages: 584 Dimensions:7 x 10 inches / Weight:2.7 LBS |
A Torah Classic of Profound Meaning, Power & Chizuk
Especially for our Generation!
Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzattos Daas Tevunos is a classic of fundamental hashkafah and emunah.
In an orderly manner the Ramchal discusses the precise system through which HaShem directs every aspect of existence - addressing the oneness of HaShem, HaShem s concealment, the body-soul relationship, the way HaShem directs the world of good and evil, prophecy, the world s ultimate perfection, and much more.
With a superlative new translation, complete with extensive commentary and convenient summary sections, this beautiful, bi-lingual edition is a must-read sefer for those who wish to fortify their emunah and successfully face the challenging times in which we live.
Where its predecessor dwelt primarily upon the content, mode, and practitioners of Torah study, this volume focuses upon issues--some theoretical, others pragmatic; some current, others timeless--which concern the practice and implementation of Torah. It opens with an inquiry into whether, and to what extent, Halakhah recognizes the validity and value of an ethic which, in some sense, lies beyond its scope. This is followed by two essays--focused upon events in Israel but of more general significance, as well--which deal with the character--and bounds of Jewish polity. Tangentially related is the subject of the next chapter--straddling the communal and the personal--regarding the parameters of tolerance. The next several chapters treat more purely personal topics--response to suffering, Shabbat prayer, and shemittah. They are followed by discussions of aspects of the sensitive areas of conversion, abortion, and the Israeli chief rabbinate, commingled with two essays, more sociologically oriented, on Jewish self-identification and communal service, and an exchange concerning Baruch Goldstein. These are, in turn, followed by two chapters focused upon modern or centrist Orthodoxy, particularly. The volume concludes with a series of responses to major questions posed in various symposia, in which participants were asked, descriptively and prescriptively, both to evaluate the current Jewish scene and to chart a suggested course for its future direction.
The Chasidic classic Derech Mitzvosecha, by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch also known as the Tzemach Tzedek, the third Lubavitcher Rebbe (5549 [1789] - 5626 [1866]) translated to English.
R. Menachem Mendel composed this work in his early adulthood. It focuses on many of the 613 mitzvos of the Torah. The Tzemach Tzedek begins his treatment of each mitzvah by quoting the Sefer Hachinuch, the landmark work that lists all 613 mitzvos and their motivating rationales. Occasionally, it cites other sources in Nigleh and briefly outlines the mystical secrets the Kabbalah associates with this Mitzvah. afterwards, he explains these ideas within the context of Chassidus and in the course of doing so, provides his readers with many fundamental concepts applicable in their Divine service.
Included in this volume:
Issur Sinas Yisrael, Mitzvas Ahavas Yisrael
Mitzvas Vidui U'Teshuvah
Mitzvas Tiglachas Metzora
Mitzvas Bircas Cohanim
Mitzvas Kiddush HaShem
Issur Chillul HaShem
Mitzvas Minui Melech
Mitzvas Binyan Mikdash
Mitzvas Tzitzis
A mystical prespective on the commandments by Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch the Tzemach Tzedek Included in this volume: Issur Sinas Yisrael, Mitzvas Ahavas Yisrael; Mitzvas Vidui U'Teshuvah; Mitzvas Tiglachas Metzora; Mitzvas Bircas Cohanim; Mitzvas Kiddush HaShem; Issur Chillul HaShem; Mitzvas Minui Melech; Mitzvas Binyan Mikdash; Mitzvas Tzitzis.
In this companion volume to his celebrated series Covenant & Conversation, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks mines the weekly Torah portions for insights into the nature of power, authority, and leadership. Based on the understanding that no man is born a leader, the book explores the principles, and perils, of becoming one. Profound, eloquent, and deeply inspiring, Lessons in Leadership reveals the biblical secrets of influence, as relevant now as they were three thousand years ago.
A linear exposition and commentary on the Tanya of R. Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad philosophy. First a weekly Yiddish radio program in 1960 by Rabbi Yosef Wineberg, which drew upon teachings received from Chasidic scholars at the renowned academies of Lubavitch in Europe and the writings of seven generations of Chabad Rebbes. it was examined, lecture by lecture, and amended by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, so that much of the material includes the Rebbe's insights and explanations. Guiding the reader through every phrase of the Tanya, it's authoritative and a well-lit, accessible gateway to the Tanya, illuminating the mystical, often elusive Talmudic, Kabbalistic, and Scriptural verses and concepts. It fills many gaps in what the terse Tanya text assumes to be the reader's background knowledge. In the 1980s, the lectures were translated and published in English. Now it's redesigned for a new generation of seekers.
We saw in Volume 1 of Let's Get Biblical! Why Doesn't Judaism Accept the Christian Messiah? how Christendom — beginning in the earliest epistles of the New Testament— deliberately altered the Jewish Scriptures in order to make these sacred Hebrew texts appear Christological. What else did Christians invent on the way to making Christianity into the religion it became? Christians find it perplexing that Jews don't accept Jesus as the messiah because it seems so obvious to them when they routinely refer to Jesus as "Christ" and "the messiah." Almost all Christians think that the prophets of the Jewish Bible frequently made predictions that the messiah would be the son of God, who would be born to a virgin in Bethlehem, be a great miracle worker, endure a brutal crucifixion, and rise from the dead . As a result of this widespread belief, many Christians are astounded that Jews refuse to believe in their religion. They wonder how Jews could possibly fail to accept their assertion that Jesus is the messiah. Can't they see the overwhelming evidence to support this claim? Are they just being stubborn? Is there some sort of veil over their hearts and eyes? How can a nation reputed to be the most intelligent people on earth be so hardheaded? After all, God chose the Jews to be the recipients and protectors of His sacred oracles. They received their instructions directly from the prophets, and are the only nation on earth that can read and comprehend the Jewish Scriptures in its original language. Can such a nation be so clueless? In essence, Christians are dumbfounded. They don't understand why the vast majority of Jews are unimpressed with their assertion that the central role of the Messiah was to die for the sins of the world. Christians wonder: Why don't passages in the “Old Testament” such as Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 convince the Jews that the messiah was to suffer and die for the sins of mankind? Don't these and other texts in the Hebrew Scriptures provide irrefutable proof that Jesus is the promised Jewish messiah? After all, these chapters appear prominently in their own Bible. There is a clear answer to this age-old question: The messiah is not mentioned in any of these passages. In fact, these texts do not refer to the messiah but to someone or something else. In Volume 2 of this series,