Philosophy

Three of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan's notable essays: If You Were G-d, Immortality and the Soul, and A World of Love.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.