Philosophy

Everyone hears an internal voice within their soul, especially as the High Holidays approach. We want to be better. OK - So let us say one wants to "do Teshuva", the Jewish approach of Return (often mistranslated as Repentance). The question is, "How?" How best to achieve Teshuva? What does the word Teshuva and "doing Teshuva" really mean? This work is intended to provide practical steps to achieve true Teshuva. We will explore and provide suggestions as we follow along the emblematic teaching of the Talmud that describes the seven levels of Teshuva.

The Shema is the central prayer of the Jewish faith. Jews utter this single sentence, affirming God's unity as their final words before dying, as well as at the beginning and ending of each day. Using the Shema as his focus, Lamm, prominent Orthodox scholar and long-time president of Yeshiva University, explores the relationship between spirituality and law in Judaism. Dr. Norman Lamm is the author of The Shema: Spirituality and Law in Judaism.

Song of Riddles is an inquiry into the meaning behind the metaphors that animate the Song of Songs, based on a wide range of source materials and scholarship. The core question prompting this inquiry into the Song of Songs is whether, given the opaque literary confines of the text, it is possible to access the Song's intended subtext, using the text itself as a guide in uncovering its underlying theological message. The nexus between metaphor and meaning in the Song lies at the point at which the three planes of dream-fantasies, riddles, and love wisdom intersect. Understanding how the Song functions simultaneously on these independent trajectories is the first step toward arriving at the concealed meaning of the Song's seemingly impenetrable metaphors.
The research presented in this book demonstrates the Song to be part of the rare literary genre of riddles and points to the two lovers in the Song as hinting to the Temple keruvim. These angelic figurines were the sequestered keepers of the Holy Ark and the Divine law, as well as the representatives of the nation of Israel before the Divine presence. The approach to understanding the Song presented in Song of Riddles seamlessly and authentically merges the traditional rabbinic allegorical approach to the Song with the plain sense of the text.

Song of Riddles is an inquiry into the meaning behind the metaphors that animate the Song of Songs, based on a wide range of source materials and scholarship. The core question prompting this inquiry into the Song of Songs is whether, given the opaque literary confines of the text, it is possible to access the Song's intended subtext, using the text itself as a guide in uncovering its underlying theological message. The nexus between metaphor and meaning in the Song lies at the point at which the three planes of dream-fantasies, riddles, and love wisdom intersect. Understanding how the Song functions simultaneously on these independent trajectories is the first step toward arriving at the concealed meaning of the Song's seemingly impenetrable metaphors.
The research presented in this book demonstrates the Song to be part of the rare literary genre of riddles and points to the two lovers in the Song as hinting to the Temple keruvim. These angelic figurines were the sequestered keepers of the Holy Ark and the Divine law, as well as the representatives of the nation of Israel before the Divine presence. The approach to understanding the Song presented in Song of Riddles seamlessly and authentically merges the traditional rabbinic allegorical approach to the Song with the plain sense of the text.

This is the only English translation of the esteemed Rav Kook's book on repentance and self-improvement

Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook's seminal work on repentance, Oros HaTeshuvah, is recognized as a classic of Jewish thought but has, because of its difficult language and its theological depth, remained inaccessible to many. This book presents readers with the original Hebrew text of Oros HaTeshuvah with a new translation into English, as well as expert commentary in English from Rabbi Moshe Weinberger. Weinberger draws on his extensive knowledge of Jewish philosophical and inspirational literature to provide profound, moving, and fresh insights into the text, richly explicating the ideas in Oros HaTeshuvah in an accessible and clear but not superficial manner. Readers will come away with a firm grasp on the profound truth at the heart of Kook's classic work: that teshuvah--repentance--is not a somber process of self-deprivation but a joyful journey back to God and to the core of each individual. This volume covers chapters 14 through 17 of Oros HaTeshuvah and is the final volume in this series.

In a time where radical and extreme religion threatens to destroy the entire world, Rav Kook's spiritual revolution provides a much needed answer, combining a deep love of God with an uncompromising compassion for all human beings Rav Kook (1865-1935) was one of the most spiritual and open minded leaders in all of Jewish history. He combined a deep love of God with an uncompromising compassion for all of human beings.

A person who reads the writings of Rav Kook will discover a man who rejected superficial labels of religious verses secular, right wing verses left wing. Rav Kook was one of the most spiritual and open minded thinkers in modern Jewish history. God's presence in the world was so real to Rav Kook that he believed spirituality must focus on the transformation of the individual, the nation, humanity, and all of existence.

Rav Kook (1865-1935) was one of the most influential thinkers in Jewish history, but his revolutionary writings are mostly unknown to the general public. This book contains many new and accessible translations, as well as an in-depth spiritual biography. Each chapter is introduced and broken up into a variety of topics, including the individual, Torah, God, teshuvah, prayer, creativity, Zionism, science, and vegetarianism.

Rabbi Nachman's tales are considered the peak of his creative life for their form, content, and profound, underlying ideas. Transcribed by Rabbi Natan (Sternharz) of Bratslav, Rabbi Nachman's chief desciple, they are a mixture of intellectual and poetic imagination, fairy tales rooted in Kabbalistic symbolism and Biblical and Talmudic sources. The Tales of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav features select pieces from the original work together with Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz's elucidating commentary to help the reader discover layer upon layer of meaning in this classic work.

Where do we turn to better understand ourselves? For many people, the insights of modern psychology provide a way to be in touch with the inner-workings of their minds. However, for those familiar with traditional Jewish literature, the penetrating psychological insight of the Talmudic Sages provides a framework for spiritual and personal growth through profound self-understanding. In this volume, Ethan Eisen, a Yeshiva University-ordained rabbi and clinical psychologist, explores the seeds of contemporary psychology that are woven through the pages of the Talmud and its commentators. Based on passages from Maseches Berachos, Rabbi Dr. Eisen takes the reader on an illuminating journey through many topics-procrastination, bullying, mindfulness, and microaggressions, among many others-bringing traditional Jewish sources side by side with findings of modern psychology. He concludes each chapter with a life-enhancing practical lesson that emerges from these two mutually enriching sources of knowledge and wisdom.

The stirring sound of the shofar, munching on a bagel and cream cheese sandwich, passing windows with lit menorahs, and spotting a kippah in an unexpected place ... There are so many reasons to celebrate Jewish life. The popular Instagram series, That Jewish Moment, has earned the affection of thousands of Jews of all ages, backgrounds, and parts of the globe. They unite by the vivid and heartfelt images of moments in Jewish life. As the readers turn the bright pages in this book, feelings of nostalgia, excitement, and pride will fill their hearts. This collection contains over 250 original illustrations and captions featuring the special Jewish moments in life, along with behind the scenes stories, interactive activities, and a bunch of never-been-seen-before drawings. Welcome to That Jewish Moment.

The 8 Chapters of the Rambam: Shemonah Perakim Discover eight chapters of wisdom, 800 years old. The Rambam's Shemonah Perakim, his classic introduction to Pirkei Avos, has long been considered an essential of Jewish thought and ethics. Now, you too, can tap into his wisdom with this first-ever, masterful English translation from Rabbi Yaakov Feldman that elucidates core Jewish beliefs, ethics, and principles of character development crucial to our growth as Torah Jews.

A must read on the subject of Moshiach, "The Alternative" is a halachic analysis of the unfolding global and empirical Messianic events involving Yisrael and the nations. Rabbi Yehuda Schwartz, the author, presents a significant alternative to the rallying call of "We want Moshiach Now," delving into the halachic implications of the State of Israel's resurrection in 1948 on its ancient homeland. Until now, most students of the Redemption have only been taught half the possibility for Redemption, which is the achishena, the "hastened" mode, mainly because of political exigency. Within halachic parameters, "The Alternative" describes the be'itoh probability, "in its proper time," and as verified by empirical events of the last six decades of the State of Israel. The new school of thought no longer speaks of the "coming of Moshiach." Rather, modern understanding supports the probability that the Jewish nation, returned to its homeland through a series of "natural" events, is now preparing its infrastructure for the eventual appointment of the King of Israel by the future Sanhedrin. Rabbi Schwartz, for 30 years a student of the Gaon Harav Chaim Zimmerman, zt'l, has built this book based on the end of the Gemara Sota describing "the End of Days" and the depiction of the ikvata de'Meshicha, "the footsteps of Moshiach," and the beginning of the Gemara Megilla describing the atchalta de'Geula, "the beginning of the Redemption," and the logical process that follows that beginning. The significant difference in the language used and its implications for all mankind form the basis for this book.

Rabbi Moshe Cordovero s Tomer Devorah is a 16th century Torah classic, and its fundamental first chapter demonstrates how heaven and earth dynamically and positively influence one another whenever we exhibit compassion as we emulate each of the Creator s Thirteen Attributes of Mercy.

The ELUCIDATED TOMER DEVORAH provides a brilliant commentary to this essential first chapter, elaborating upon the difference between each of these 13 distinct aspects of compassion.

Through real-life examples, illuminating stories and insights from rabbinic sages, the author develops a practical blueprint for truly optimizing interpersonal relationships.

The text concludes with an essay of profound significance. Entitled Olam Katan (The human being is a microcosm of the universe), it discusses how the entire universe operates in response to man s deeds, which in turn, wield a great influence over everything that transpires in heaven and on earth. Written in a language and style that makes these lofty concepts engaging, accessible, and meaningful to all readers, the ELUCIDATED TOMER DEVORAH will alter and elevate the way you live and look at life.