The Sayings of Menahem Mendel of Kotzk

The Sayings of Menahem Mendel of Kotzk PDF Author: Simcha Raz
Publisher: Jason Aronson, Incorporated
ISBN: 1461631815
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 226

Get Book Here

Book Description
To find more information on Rowman & Littlefield titles, please visit us at www.rowmanlittlefield.com.

The Sayings of Menahem Mendel of Kotzk

The Sayings of Menahem Mendel of Kotzk PDF Author: Simcha Raz
Publisher: Jason Aronson, Incorporated
ISBN: 1461631815
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 226

Get Book Here

Book Description
To find more information on Rowman & Littlefield titles, please visit us at www.rowmanlittlefield.com.

Reader's Guide to Judaism

Reader's Guide to Judaism PDF Author: Michael Terry
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135941505
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 745

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Reader's Guide to Judaism is a survey of English-language translations of the most important primary texts in the Jewish tradition. The field is assessed in some 470 essays discussing individuals (Martin Buber, Gluckel of Hameln), literature (Genesis, Ladino Literature), thought and beliefs (Holiness, Bioethics), practice (Dietary Laws, Passover), history (Venice, Baghdadi Jews of India), and arts and material culture (Synagogue Architecture, Costume). The emphasis is on Judaism, rather than on Jewish studies more broadly.

Pondering the Imponderable

Pondering the Imponderable PDF Author: Martin Sicker
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 1450217443
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 217

Get Book Here

Book Description
Pondering the Imponderable explores the philosophical and theological problems of God and their implications from a Judaic perspective including the attempts at knowing the unknowable and naming the unnamable that have been articulated over the course of some two millennia, as well as how the chasm between man and God is bridged through revelation and the implications of these ideas for the ultimate question of what takes place after death, resurrection, immortality of the soul, or transmigration or reincarnation. In discussing these issues, the non-specialized reader will be introduced to the vast corpus of rabbinic literature written over a period of some two millennia to the present day and to many works that have never been translated into English.

Studies of the Narratives in the Book of Genesis

Studies of the Narratives in the Book of Genesis PDF Author: Martin Sicker
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1984563874
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 439

Get Book Here

Book Description
The stories in the book of Genesis have been studied intensely for more than two millennia, providing a virtual mountain of commentary on every aspect of the narratives contained therein. Viewed from a traditional perspective, the stories related in Genesis are essentially graphic philosophical and theological narratives designed to convey profound ideas and insights that would otherwise be found only in tomes designed for students of philosophy and theology. A close substantive examination of these narratives, as presented in the Masoretic text but often lost in translation where the subtleties of the Hebrew wording are glossed over, will reveal a treasure trove of insights into the fundamental issues of religious belief, the divine-human relationship, freewill and determinism, the complex nature of humankind, and theodicy, to name a few of the issues dealt with in the narratives. The present work contains four “deep dive” studies of key interrelated narratives in the first twenty-two chapters of Genesis that address the questions of the nature of man and his relationship to God and, most critically, the distinction between divine justice and human justice. It is the hope and expectation of the author of these studies that the reader will come away from them with even more questions about the biblical texts than they had before. As will be seen, there has always been little consensus over the centuries about the meanings of these essentially right-brained texts, primarily because they are constructed and written in a manner that tends to challenge left-brained analysis. Nonetheless, they remain intellectually important because the topics they deal with are of great pertinence to contemporary society.

Aspects of Jewish Metarational Thought

Aspects of Jewish Metarational Thought PDF Author: Martin Sicker
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595350348
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 208

Get Book Here

Book Description
Judaism has always had adherents that, driven by both awe and love of God, strove to penetrate the mystery of divine wisdom and grasp what the philosopher deemed to be beyond the reach of man's rational faculty, as well as to explore other mysteries that seem to leap out from the pages of Scripture. These metarational leaps of intellect and imagination generally fit into the categories of the exoteric and the esoteric, referring to teachings traditionally considered suitable for public instruction and those deemed inappropriate for such purpose. The exoteric includes those attempts at intellectually and spiritually bridging the gap between God and man, that one finds strewn throughout the pages of the classical literature of Judaism. The esoteric includes those speculations and practices that have been more or less systematized and formulated and presented as mystical doctrines, that have been characterized since the Middle Ages as Kabbalah. The opening chapters of Aspects of Jewish Metarational Thought consider the question of the relationship between finite man and the unknowable God, and how the divine-human communication essential to that relationship takes place. Other chapters consider the purpose behind human existence and the critical aspects of the biblical account of the creation, issues relating to the idea of a visionary ascent to the celestial realm, the influence of metarational considerations on normative Jewish religious practice, and the special attributes believed to inhere in the Hebrew language and the role that these have played in metarational biblical interpretation from antiquity to the present.

Every Day, Holy Day

Every Day, Holy Day PDF Author: Alan Morinis
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN: 0834822199
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 397

Get Book Here

Book Description
The myriad events and interactions that make up our everyday life provide a rich opportunity for us to examine our impulses and actions and grow spiritually, according to the Jewish practice of Mussar. Mussar is an eminently wise, practical, and effective way to cultivate awareness, gratitude, personal growth, and ethical action on a daily basis. The path has its origins in Orthodox Judaism but it has become popular with Jews of all affiliations who are interested in a practice that can infuse daily life with more purpose and meaning. This daybook will be an essential companion to anyone who wants to experience this life-changing contemplative practice. Using a "soul trait" such as honesty, courage, enthusiasm, honor, and equanimity as a starting point, each practice page includes: • a teaching that illuminates the trait of the day • an affirmation phrase focused on that trait • a practical exercise to expand our experience of the trait • a space for journaling about experiences with the trait To learn more, visit www.mussarinstitute.org.

The Torah's Seventy Faces

The Torah's Seventy Faces PDF Author: Simcha Raz
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1463470525
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 424

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Torahs Seventy Faces: Commentaries on the Weekly Sidrah Compiled by Simcha Raz Edited with an Introduction by Dov Peretz Elkins The weekly Torah portions have served throughout history as a treasure for teaching and preaching, for law and lore, for discussion and dialog. In each portion, one finds viewpoints and background which elevate the soul, give a sense of awe and wonder, spark encouragement in times of crisis, and motivate creativity and human action. It is no wonder that, over the course of generations, wells of wisdom have sprung from the depths of these weekly lections, from which we can sustain our spirit and slake our thirst, each person according to need and temperament. Pearls of wisdom, ethical lessons, parables, wise proverbs, and tales of parents and children: it is all there. * Our task in this collection of commentaries was to assemble a selection of these treasures, and to present to the reader choice nuggets from these hewn stones. Among the selections are sources from ancient rabbis, Talmudic scholars, and masters of the Midrash, as well as teachers from all periods of our history biblical commentators, Hasidic saints, pious educators and purveyors of ethical tales. The commentaries touch on a plethora of subjects, including relations among people, with our Maker, and with ourselves. In all this, we come to know that our holy Torah has never known boundaries. In every generation, the "people of the book" invested their thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs, recognizing that within these chapters of the Torah are embedded not only pathways that reach to the distant past, but also forms of expression for the harried present and for dreams of the future. (From the Preface)

Hasidism

Hasidism PDF Author: David Biale
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 0691202443
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 890

Get Book Here

Book Description
A must-read book for understanding this vibrant and influential modern Jewish movement Hasidism originated in southeastern Poland, in mystical circles centered on the figure of Israel Ba’al Shem Tov, but it was only after his death in 1760 that a movement began to spread. Today, Hasidism is witnessing a remarkable renaissance around the world. This book provides the first comprehensive history of the pietistic movement that shaped modern Judaism. Written by an international team of scholars, its unique blend of intellectual, religious, and social history demonstrates that, far from being a throwback to the Middle Ages, Hasidism is a product of modernity that forged its identity as a radical alternative to the secular world.

The JGuy's Guide

The JGuy's Guide PDF Author: Joseph B. Meszler
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
ISBN: 1580237215
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 210

Get Book Here

Book Description
What does it mean to be a young Jewish man? Who am I? How do I feel about myself? Do I seem cool? Do I fit in? These overarching teen boys' concerns are addressed head on through the voices of contemporary Jewish teens, men, and biblical and historical stories. The JGuy's Guide helps young teens see how Judaism can help them navigate the often choppy waters of adolescence while it strengthens Jewish identity and pride. This interactive book encourages personal reflection and discussion, making it ideal for the individual teenager as well as education and discussion groups. Its candid approach explores dilemmas boys face in their daily lives: the pressure to excel at sports, school and social life; the courage to speak up when friends make questionable choices or parents act hypocritically; and more. Like the Talmud, the book offers many perspectives and reflection questions to help boys find their own truths.

Revolution of the Jewish Spirit

Revolution of the Jewish Spirit PDF Author: Rabbi Baruch HaLevi, DMin
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 1580236782
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 218

Get Book Here

Book Description
Prepare to revive your Jewish community with the transformative power of the Divine spirit. "Rabbi Baruch HaLevi and Ellen Frankel have correctly identified Ruakh as a key missing ingredient in Jewish institutional life, especially in the synagogue. Their call is for a revolution of spirit, a rejuvenation of our purpose, our worship, even our sacred spaces. It is recognition that the craving for community can bring people back to our institutions, if we welcome, engage and inspire them." —from the Foreword by Dr. Ron Wolfson In this practical and engaging guide to reinvigorating Jewish life, Rabbi Baruch HaLevi and Ellen Frankel identify the difference between a living synagogue and a dying one, and offer methods for reviving the Jewish spiritual centers—federations, community centers, institutions and synagogues—that serve as the heart of Jewish tradition and your life. They offer practical strategies for sustaining and expanding transformation, including tips for providing impassioned leadership, inspired programming and inviting sacred spaces. Whether you are clergy, congregant or community member, this guide will help you awaken your spirit and enliven your journey to a Ruakh-filled life.