Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Selection-Useful Interpretation
This book includes a thematic selection of Jewish texts from all of the important sources of Tradition, the bible, the Talmud, and the more recent scholars works.Hertzel provides excellent if brief interpretation.My one gripe is that each selection is not necessarily introduced, but just flows with the book. ... Read more

Product Description
Straightforward introduction to Judaism and its customs, ceremonies, and theology for daily living.Chapters include the Sabbath, festivals, lifecycle events, aspects of faith, the Jewish home, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great job, will purchase from again
It was wonderful doing business with them. Shipping was on point, great quality book and wonderful packaging!

Reader Friendly Guide into Judaism
If you are a Christian or anybody else that wants to know more about Judaism, then this book is for you.The authors lay out the calendar, then an explanation of each feast and how it is celebrated.The information if for celebrating in the home, but it also goes over what you would see at a synagogue celebration and why it is done that way.There is a chapter on how to convert to Judaism, but the book is not designed to convince anyone to join, but simply to state how, just in case that is why you brought the book.The book briefly goes over Judaism's view of God, but has a bibliography so that someone could acquire other books if the desire was to go deeper.The main emphasis of the book is on how to create the Jewish spirit or atmosphere in ones home.Another interesting chapter of the book deals with the diffences and similarities between Orthodox, reform, conservative, and reconstructionist Jews.There is a great glossary of terms at the back of the book, but all terms are defined in the book as you go.The chapters are short and reader friendly.If you are looking for a good brief overview, this will definately serve that purpose.

An Excellent Introduction to Judaism
This book truly is Every Person's Guide to Judaism. It was well thought out, easy to understand and set out nicely too. The text was just the right size and was seperated just well enough to make it easy to read. If you had a particular question in mind, you could easily skip to that section but you can just as easily read it from front to back, which is what I did.

This book is a must for anyone interested in the basics of Judaism from it's major holidays, to what the Torah and Midrash are, to Judaic views on Adoption, Birth Control, Abortion and other ideas. It talks about thye Mezuzah, Jewish Dietary Laws, Traditions, Rituals, Converting, Zionism, The Holocaust and the different Modern movements. (Orthodox, Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist. With a through glossary and all words that are in the glossary in italics through out the text, this is a worthwhile book to read or even purchase.

Good Reference for a quick answer
This book provides a concise review of the Judaism.The book is well laid out to find answers to questions.Sometimes a little more depth would be nice, but the book would then be too big.I used it for gifts to friends interested in Judaism.

It was very interesting.
I had to do a report about Judaism, and I looked up this book in the library. It gave me a lot of interesting information on this topic. It helped me a lot, thanks! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (7)

Maybe not for me
Let's be candid.I'm a Christian and a gentile.I read the book to learn more about Judaism.For that purpose I likely picked the wrong book.Gelernter didn't write the book for me.He wrote it to expound on the beauties of an orthodox life, and (to borrow his imagery) sound a shofar, calling the less faithful home.He develops four themes:1) Separation of the covenant and chosen people from the rest of mankind, 2) The veil that separates man from God, 3) Men and women have different roles and are incomplete, one without the other, and 4) The essential, personal, internal, spiritual pilgrimmage.

The themes are developed using images, analogies, and scripture. Observance of the law is what ties the observant to his past, present, and future, and to "transcendence".Gelernter is passionate in his love for his faith.I would enjoy hearing him speak; however at the slower pace of the written word, he was at times too passionate, too poetic, and too enthusiastic.Image is piled on image, and allegory on metaphor fast and furious, until the entire structure collapses in a rapturous heap.

While I enjoyed the book and learned a great deal, I lost my connection to him in the appendices, specifically when Gelernter expounds on the flaws of Christianity (an area in which I do have first hand experience). From his perspective, meekness, turning the other check, reserving judgement, and failure to argue a point, are the attributes of misinformed Christian sissies.I'm left with the bitter aftertaste of a 5th theme, the arrogance of the True Believer.

Things You Never Learned in Hebrew School
Gelertner's book, written from a modern orthodox standpoint, attempts to offer answers to some key questions regarding Judaism: Why are there so many rules observant Jews are supposed to follow? (and kashruth is just one of them), how can Jews believe in a God whose name and image are hidden from them?, what about inequities between men and women in Judaism?, and finally, why has God allowed so many bestial things to happen to Jews and all of mankind throughout history? His answers are thought provoking, and things you probably never learned in Hebrew School.

A Jewish Way of Living
No biblical Judaism: no Christianity. Thus "A Way of Being," by David Hillel Gelernter is an essential work for anyone who embraces revelatory monotheism. As a staunch adherent of strict Judaism, Gelernter has written an important book for those who aim to grow in their religious knowledge and commitment in addition to those who desire to learn more about the views of modern robust non-moderate Judaism.

Herein the reader will learn about:

- The Creation
- Life's aims based upon the infinite ontological foundation (God)
- The Sabbath
- The Jewish High Holidays
- Numerous typographical interpretations of major events recorded in the Torah and Tenach (some interesting and fanciful interpretations, moreover many fall into the realm of eisegesis).
- Jewish moral law including application regarding countless realms from betrothals and funerals to civil law.
- A theology that declares that God can be abstract, indescribable, yet loving and personal.

In "Judaism" the reader finds an engaging and appealing book filled with potent truths about one of the world's most important religions. This volume is an excellent resource for Jewish people as well as Christians and other non-Jewish people looking to learn about one of history's most fascinating religious groups.

Student opines: "For non-Jews, or Jews who have no experience of observance, Gelernter's little volume offers a window into the living core of Jewish life. Look carefully at the lives of strictly observant Jews in the United States, and you will see the original that Gelernter seeks to portray. What emerges vividly from Gelernter's picture are the nuances, the small but definitive acts of devotion, that together make up the sum of religious Jewish life."

"The Mishnah tells us we should not judge the importance of any particular action based on its attendant reward or punishment; rather, we should strive to fulfill all the Mitzvot. Gelernter applies this injunction to the spiritual evaluation of observances, according equal weight to the commands made explicit in the Bible and to minor contemporary requirements. In presenting Judaism, he shows how their performance resonates with those who fulfill them. If Orthodox Jews today incorporate a practice into religious observance, Gelernter values it in terms of its artistic significance, regardless of its historical origin or theoretical underpinning."

"Gelernter's Judaism is a religion that draws strength from its interpretation by the committed yet unlearned adherent. He is enthralled by the details of religion and the spiritual impact of even minor practices. In presenting a theology of religion as it is practiced, Gelernter has captured the spiritual sensibility of Orthodox Jews in early twenty-first-century America" (Gil Student).

God Does Exist!: Defending the faith using presuppositional apologetics, evidence, and the impossibility of the contrary

Good For Non-Jews Also
I'm not Jewish, but am interested. This book won't tell you why Jews do certain things or explain any rituals or holidays. It will tell you what Jews believe as far as certain things like, does Judaism put down women, or why does God let bad things happen.
If you're looking for something about Judaism but don't want a list of whys and holidays, you'll like this book.

alt subtitle: Judaism, an emergent system
Gelernter's goal in writing this book was to explain a few of the themes within Judaism and get the reader to "superimpose" them in his or her mind, and so get a more sophisticated understanding of Judaism and Jewish being. He is very successful at describing the themes...I am not as sure about the synthesis. But the difficulty may be with Judaism and not with the writer - Judaism explains through analogy and suffers several apparent contradictions that no one can resolve in a single book, no matter how well written.

Don't let that stop you from buying it! The book made me think long and hard, and I've read it multiple times. It's very interesting from the perspective of the "whys" of Jewish observance, the mindset behind the rules. For anyone who has struggled with rabbinical/talmudic style thought, you may enjoy Gelernter's Western, academic, yet true-believer take on things. ... Read more

Product Description
Most studies of how early Judaism related to the non-Jewish world and how it was perceived by others start no earlier than the Hellenistic period. Joseph Blenkinsopp argues that we must go further back, to the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and its temple and the liquidation of the political and religious infrastructure — monarchy, priesthood, scribalism, prophecy — which had sustained the Judean state for centuries./ Moving beyond the ideologically driven approaches of scholars over the past two centuries, he explores such pragmatic issues as the emergence of a distinctive group identity in the aftermath of the fall of the Judean state, the degree of continuity-discontinuity between national identity before the exile and competition among distinct group for legitimacy after it, and the historical realities behind the idea of a “restoration” in a fundamentally different world, with neither monarchy nor statehood and a much-diminished temple. / Judaism, the First Phase is a fresh — and potentially stunning — look at Jewish origins, tracing the legacy of Ezra and Nehemiah. Ideal for scholars and students. ... Read more

Product Description
Why have thousands of young Jews, otherwiseunengaged with formal Jewish life, started more thansixty prayer communities across the United States?What crucial lessons for all Jews can these grassrootscommunities provide?
Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, one of the leaders of this phenomenon, offers refreshingly new analysis of ageold questions of how to build Jewish community by examining the independent minyan movement and its relevant lessons on prayer, community organizing,volunteer leadership and how they impact wider issuesin American Judaism.

Covers Communities in:* Atlanta* Boston* Chicago* Denver* Los Angeles* New Haven, CT* New York* San Francisco* ... and more ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Empowered Judaism: What Empowered Minyanim..
Very thought provoking. Chapters 7 and 8 (?) are pure gold. Earlier chapters are very anecdotal but interesting. Fits in well as post-havurah writing

A pick not only for Jewish collections, but for any serious spirituality collection
Empowered Judaism: What Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us About Building Vibrant Jewish Communities discusses why thousands of young Jews have started over sixty new prayer communities across the country, growing an independent minyan movement as a solution to Jewish problems and concerns. These approaches to enlightened spirituality embrace Jewish learning and technology as well as more effective leadership examples, making this a pick not only for Jewish collections, but for any serious spirituality collection.

The recent trend of Independent Minyanim and the ethos behind them
Rabbi Kaunfer explains the origins of Kehilat Hadar and Yeshivat Hadar which he helped found and the Independent Minyanim movement which has grown in recent years.His discussion of the decisions made as to why and how to start and run Hadar and his explanation of the ethos of Hadar (the minyan and the yeshiva) are interesting and/or instructive to others.

I would recommned this book for anyone interested in founding a similar group, to anyone looking for new ideas for an existing group as well as to anyone who is interested in one of the more recent phenonemon of modern Judaism.

I am not sure that I agree 100% with how he differentiates Hadar (and its offshoots) with the Havurah movement and some of his comments about mainstream congregations.Personally, I think he is too generalized with a couple of his comments in these areas but this is a minor quibble and should not dissuade you from buying this book.I do fully agree with Rabbi Kaunfer that it benefits the Jewish community to have the best educated (and "empowered") Jews it can.

FWIW, my guess is that many Hadar (and other similar urban 20-something populated independent minyan) alumni will probably over time migrate to mainstream shuls and their experience at Hadar will be an asset to these shuls.

Disclaimer: I know the author and have attended Kehilat Hadar services and their shavuot retreat.

Information that can help vigorate Judaism
Probably when the first synagogue was established, which may have occurred sometime between 200 BCE and 70 CE, a sizable percentage of Jews who attended the services objected to something they saw or heard. This is human nature. Whenever a large group is involved in something, many will dislike what they see and hear. Thus, for example, the president of the United States is considered to be well liked if 60 percent of Americans favor him.
This disapproval of the synagogue services frequently happened for good reasons. Many people recognized that the way that the services were conducted failed to satisfy a large percentage of the attendees. As a result, the alienation from the synagogue and from Judaism is large, and the intermarriage rate among Jews is over fifty percent. Thus, Rabbi Elie Kaunfer's book about creating minyanim, prayer groups, that are relevant and that interest congregants is important.
Rabbi Kaunfer readily admits everyone will not agree with his concerns or his solutions; in fact different minyanim have different solutions. This is fine. What is significant is that the rabbi is trying to do something about this Jewish problem. Even if readers may disagree with some of his answers, they will still be stimulated by the concerns he raises and encouraged to act when they read his ideas.
Rabbi Kaunfer notes that "more than sixty independent minyanim have been started in the past ten years" and more than 20,000 Jews in their twenties and early thirties are involved. He describes how the groups differ from each other in their approaches to the community, to prayer, and to Jewish life. Each seeks its own way to find meaning, how to answer critical life questions, and how to increase the engagement of Jews in the services.
Should a synagogue have a cantor? Are peer-led services better than having a rabbi? Should congregants rush through prayers? How much English makes the services relevant? Does too much English make the prayers non-Jewish? How do people add spiritual meaning to a service? How do we define "spiritual"? How do we create a sense of community? How can a congregation increase the number and percentage of satisfied attendees? How are boundaries set while, at the same time, being open?
Rabbi Kaunfer describes how the minyanim used volunteers, including people who read from the Torah scroll. He tells how they balanced tradition and creativity in their egalitarian services, including adding prayers about women, and how the group taught melodies to people who did not know them so that they would participate in the services, and how the sermon is limited to five minutes.
One chapter of the book describes seven minyanim in the US and in Israel, their concerns and how they resolved them. Another addresses Rabbi Kaunfer's key interest, the creation of "a meaningful, spiritual prayer experience, and offers a couple of dozen ways that minyan attendees can reach this goal. Still another describes Yeshivat Hadar, an egalitarian school that he and others established to teach Judaism in 2006.

Engaging, Intelligent, and Incredibly Helpful
Rabbi Kaunfer masterfully interweaves his personal narrative, his vision for creating an engaged Jewish community, and practical steps to bring that vision into fruition. He also carefully articulates how Hadar and communities like it fit into the the broader context of the Jewish landscape. This is both an interesting study of the sociology of the independent minyan movement, and an incredibly useful guide to help people create empowered Jewish communities. ... Read more

Product Description
"An admirable and impressive work of synthesis that will give insight and satisfaction to thousands of lay readers."
THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD
In this stunningly intelligent book, Karen Armstrong, one of Britain's foremost commentators on religious affairs, traces the history of how men and women have perceived and experienced God, from the time of Abraham to the present. From classical philsophy and medieval mysticism to the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the modern age of skepticism, Karen Armstrong performs the near miracle of distilling the intellectual history of monotheism into one superbly readable volume, destined to take its place as a classic.
Amazon.com Review
Armstrong, a British journalist and former nun, guides usalong one of the most elusive and fascinating quests of all time--thesearch for God. Like all beloved historians, Armstrong entertains uswith deft storytelling, astounding research, and makes us feel agreater appreciation for the present because we better understand ourpast. Be warned: A History of God is not a tidy linearhistory. Rather, we learn that the definition of God is constantlybeing repeated, altered, discarded, and resurrected through the ages,responding to its followers' practical concerns rather than to mysticalmandates. Armstrong also shows us how Judaism, Christianity, and Islamhave overlapped and influenced one another, gently challenging thesecularist history of each of these religions. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (221)

FASTER than DOC Holiday
Haven't had an opportunity to read this one yet...It's the only entree and I'm the only one at the table!!

Investigating the Mysteries of Religion
Karen Armstrong unravels the history of religion in A History of God:The 4,000 - Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.This exploration of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam explores the similarities and differences as well as the growth and intercnnectivity of these three monotheistic religions.Armstrong delves into historic inaccuracies of commonly held beliefs of religion while explaining the origins of those beliefs.Anyone wishing to better understand their own religion or the religions of others will be well-served by reading A History of God. Armstrong brings her theology backgraound to this well-researched, interesting, and enlightening book.

interesting
Not a history buff, I'm slowly wading my way through this book. And I actually love it. I live for the philosophical declarations that are sprinkled through the text. I like the big picture perspective, and I'm enjoying pondering the subjective, but not in any way unimportant, nature of god through the ages. I highly recommend it for those who actually love history as well as religious philosophy and sociology. If it's biased, it must be in the same way that I am, because I can't see it.

HISTORY OF GOD
I received a book that was underlined in pencil and ink and highlighted in pink. The book was advertised as new. I am very disappointed in the merchant,The Green Earth, and will not order from them again. The other four books ordered from different merchants arrived as expected.

Ambitious
MS Armstrong does a very credible job of exploring the topic, in detail and specifics that make the study compelling.I ejoyed the read.
Amazon delivered on time and in great condition. ... Read more

Product Description
In the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century, Christian scholars portrayed Judaism as the dark religious backdrop to the liberating events of Jesus’ life and the rise of the early church. Since the 1950s, however, a dramatic shift has occurred in the study of Judaism, driven by new manuscript and archaeological discoveries and new methods and tools for analyzing sources. George Nickelsburg here provides a broad and synthesizing picture of the results of the past fifty years of scholarship on early Judaism and Christianity. He organizes his discussion around a number of traditional topics: scripture and tradition, Torah and the righteous life, God’s activity on humanity’s behalf, agents of God’s activity, eschatology, historical circumstances, and social settings. Each of the chapters discusses the findings of contemporary research on early Judaism, and then sketches the implications of this research for a possible reinter-pretation of Christianity. !

Still, in the author’s view, there remains a major Jewish–Christian agenda yet to be developed and implemented. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Valuable Summary
The stated goal of Nickelsburg's Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins is to answer two questions: "How have the Dead Sea Scrolls and revolutions in the methodology of biblical scholarship in the past two generations changed our perceptions of Judaism in the Greco-Roman period, and how do-or should-these developments lead us to rethink the origins of Christianity?" (xv). Nickelsburg argues that NT scholars ignore or neglect the rich harvest of early Jewish studies, much to their and their students' detriment. His thesis is that, within a history-of-religions perspective, the insights from the study of early Judaism necessitates a reevaluation of our understanding of earliest Christianity. While it is the case that many groundbreaking discoveries and advances of the last fifty years challenge our understanding of ancient Judaism, the degree of reassessment of early Christianity, and Christian theology in particular, is still an open question.

Each chapter of the work is divided into two main sections: the first outlines the findings of contemporary research in early Judaism while the second considers some of the implications of these findings for the origins of Christianity. In chapter one ("Scripture and Tradition") Nickelsburg takes up the complex field of biblical interpretation and formation. In chapter two ("Torah and the Righteous Life") he considers the contentious issue of the relationship between the law and righteousness in first-century Judaism. This complex of issues bleeds over into Nickelsburg's discussion of "God`s Activity in Behalf of Humanity" and "Agents of God`s Activity" (chapters three and four respectively). The heightened eschatological expectation in all its varieties within postbiblical Judaism forms the content of chapter five ("Eschatology"). And chapter six ("Contexts and Settings") considers the social, ideological, and political situation within which the documents of postbiblical Judaism were written.

Finally chapter seven ("Conclusions and Implications") draws these insights together to argue that there are many more similarities between Judaism and Christianity than more polemic paradigms allow. This is a very important work produced by a eminently respected scholar (see the new two volume Festschrift: George W. E. Nickelsburg in Perspective: An Ongoing Dialogue ofLearning [Leiden: Brill, 2003]). And though working from a history-of-religions perspective, it should be read by all serious students of the NT in order to correct an outdated understanding of first-century Judaism and its relationship to early Christianity. The work will benefit upper level university students and postgraduates along with scholars in other fields as an introduction to this complex set of issues. The two major shortcomings of the work are the lack of an extended bibliography for further research and the lack of a subject index. ... Read more

Product Description
While the Hebrew Bible is the cornerstone of Judaism, it is the Talmud that provides many central values for living. The Talmud sets out specific guidelines and lyrical admonitions regarding many of life's ordinary events, and offers profound words of advice for life's most intractable dilemmas.

This accessible introduction to the Talmud explores the essence of Judaism through reflections on the words of the rabbinic sages, from one of American Judaism's foremost teachers and writers, Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins. Dr. Elkins provides fresh insight into ancient aphorisms and shows you how they can be applied to your life today. Topics include:

• Kindness through Giving,
• Welcoming and Sharing
• Human Relationships
• Personal Values
• Family Values
• Teaching and Learning
• Life's Puzzles

Customer Reviews (5)

A Must Read
Rabbi Elkins has written an easy to read book of attitudes/wisdoms on a variety of topics.His writing style is smooth, interesting and makes you want to "keep on reading".This is a fascinating, interesting book for the person who is new at delving into Jewish ideas as well as the learned of Jewish beliefs.A must read!!

Needs refining
At first scan this appears to be a wonderful book and a very inspiring read which is why I bought it.And I'm sure it will live up to my first impression.However, I am a little disappointed as I have only read the first six pages and I have found 2 errors already.On page "XIX" in the introduction it says "...earning a living is similar in difficulty to parting the Reed Sea."Reed Sea? H-m-m?And then on page 3 we read, "...in Genesis God clothes the naked - God covers Adam and Eve with a leaf.."I'm no scholar, but I believe Adam and Eve covered themselves with leaves and God covered them with "garments of skin" (Gen. 3:21)!I am a Christian who is attempting to understand the Jewish interpretation of the Old Testament.I have bought only 3 books printed by Jewish publishers so far and all 3 have had defects of some type.This one I have already explained; another had pages coming unglued from the binding falling apart in my hands less that a week old; and a Jewish Study Bible had a page folded over on itself and when I unfolded it it had been miscut so that it protruded annoyingly from the rest of the book.I had to trim it down myself. Up until now I was under the impression that the Jews were sticklers for details and fine craftsmanship based on the care they took in preserving the scriptures over the centuries but I'm wondering if this has since been lost.

Judge Not...
"Judge not another until you are in that person's position."God gives wisdom to those who already have it.Language is a critical tool in the battle of persuasion.Love that is not dependent on a motive is called "unconditional love."It will endure forever.Someone with whom you can have fun.Someone to dream with.

Life is meant to be spent with someone with whom you share interests, ideas, values, hopes and dreams.Like attracts like.A person needs to have a modicum of intelligence and wisdom to absorb more wisdom.Albert Einstein said, "there are only two ways to live your life.One is as though nothing is a miracle.The other is as though everything is a miracle."Issues, fears, life situation plus rituals, customs and observances are all included in this wisdom.The Jewish are decendants of Aaron and brother of Moses.Jesus was called the King of the Jews.

Elkins gives the values and traditions and reminds us that there must be commitment in relationships with other human beings."Judge not that you not be judged."Now, we know where Jesus learned his parables and stories.

Belongs of the Jewish "Top Ten"
Most general books on "Jewish wisdom" are superficial, slapped together collections of platitudes, bowdlerized poppycock designed to convince readers that Judaism is really just Thomas Jefferson, but in Hebrew. Elkins' book stands out--and is easily well worth the price. I am buying a carton of them to give as gifts.

THE WISDOM OF JUDAISM: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VALUES OF THE TALMUD by DovElkins is brilliant. Elkins is easily the leading Jewish anthologist alive and all of his books are worthwhile. This one is no exception. A great introduction. THE WISDOM OF THE TALMUD belongs on the top ten lists of modern Jewish classics.

For rabbis, non-rabbis, and everyone else
I wrote this review for fellow rabbis.But I think it's quite obvious that everything I am saying is applicable to anyone who is interested in being stimulated by the great ethical ideas of Judaism."The Wisdom of Judaism" is a great read - and you might wind up being a better person for having read it!

So here is what I sent to my rabbinic colleagues: If you're like me, you spend a fair amount of time thinking about sermons.There's one -- or, for many of us, two -- that we are required to give week in and week out.In addition, there are, for most of us, the monthly devar Torah for the Board, and periodic divrei Torah for the Sisterhood or for the local meeting of some organization or other.And there is the monthly bulletin article.And we are called upon to teach a 45-minute lesson at a USY meeting or regional convention.And on and on.


Sometimes the well runs dry.I often wish I had a book of Talmudic and midrashic sayings, accompanied by, say, 2-page commentaries that were written in the way that people actually speak.If I were compiling in my mind the ideal kind of such book, the topics would include such important and practical matters as Fairness, Personal growth, Humility, Flexibility, Marriage, Community, Self-improvement, Criticizing others.These are the topics that are the bread and butter (now that Pesach is over) of what we should and do speak about.These are the topics that I would love to have arranged for me in a handy volume, with the sayings all laid out and the commentary already supplied.


Well, this particular dream has now been fulfilled for us.That is exactly what "The Wisdom of Judaism" is all about.Dov has compiled approximately 60 subjects, all of them pertinent to the way that our congregants live their lives, that we can use and adapt for the many occasions that we are called upon to offer some wisdom of Judaism.

To anyone reading this: I support the notion of listening to rabbis.However, if you acquire Rabbi Elkins' "The Wisdom of Judaism," you can have a portable rabbi of your own!


... Read more

Product Description
This book introduces the reader to the fundamental aspects of Judaism by exploring the ritual and cultural symbols of this religion.Rabbi Marc-Alain Ouaknin offers insightful commentary, and basic questions are answered clearly and concisely.Why is the yarmulka worn?Why are the scrolls of the law written by hand?Each chapter details also the various religious holidays and feasts according to the Jewish calendar. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Symbols of Judaism
This book presents the symbols associated with Judaism in an interesting format.Each symbol has photos to provide illustrations for the text.

Beautifully Done
Ouaknin. Marc-Alain. "Symbols of Judaism," Barnes and Noble, 2003.

Beautifully Done

Amos Lassen

"Symbols of Judaism" by Rabbi Marc-Alain Ouaknin is the English version of the book that has been a bestseller in France. We get a very good look on different aspects of the Jewish religion including the customs and rituals of the Holy Days and a guide to the holy texts and objects that play a part in the observance of the faith. The book consists of 30 chapters each concentrating on one symbol and accompanied by a beautiful full color photograph. Objects such as the Brit Millah (the circumcision ceremony), the synagogue, and the holidays are beautifully explained. It is pure pleasure to look through the book and the commentaries are excellent.
The text is studious but fundamental and the introduction to the basic aspects of the religion answers many questions readers may have. It is a pleasure to both the eyes and the mind.

Beautiful Book
This book is wonderfuly done. It is full of beautiful photographs depicting the symbols described. The accompanying passages are simply written, easy for someone not familiar with Judaism to understand.

Beautiful and thoughtful
This book has two advantages : first, it is so magnificently illustrated that it will be a pleasure to your eyes and second, its text is well writen and provides good information about Judaism and its symbols, although mostly at a beginner's level.

I do have a quite large library on the topic, but after I read it, I decided I had to buy a copy, for this book is really a must have for everyone interested in Judaism. ... Read more

Product Description

The oldest of the world’s major faiths, Judaism as practiced today represents a tradition that goes back nearly 6,000 years. Accessible and wide-ranging, Judaism: The Basics is a must-have resource covering the stories, beliefs and expressions of that tradition.

Key topics covered include:

• the Torah
• Israel – the state and its people
• Passover
• Reform Judaism, Orthodox Judaism and Zionism
• the impact of the Holocaust.

With a glossary of terms and extensive suggestions for further reading, Judaism: The Basics is an essential guide through the rich intricacies of the Jewish faith and people.

Customer Reviews (1)

Text
Bought for my daughter for school, she passed the class, so I honestly can't review the book other than that! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Fascinated
A fascinating collection of lectures.The discussion of some of the more bizarre, and yet intellectual followers of Shabtai Zvi into the 20th century is amazing.I had never understood antinomianism, but Scholem explains the thinking and rationale behind it brilliantly.

Jews gone wild
The first half of this book discusses the evolution and decay of the Sabbatai Zevi messianist movement: not just of its birth (discussed in more detail in Scholem's book Mystical Messiah) but also of its slow decay.(For readers unfamiliar with Zevi, a brief summary: in the mid-1660s, Jews throughout the world came to believe Zevi was the Messiah; after being threatened with execution by the Ottoman Empire, Zevi converted to Islam.Nevertheless, some Jews continued to believe in him until the 19th century).

Scholem proposes two possible causes for the survival of Sabbatianism after Zevi's apostasy.First, 17th-century kabbalah (the Jewish mystical tradition) saw Messianic renewal not just as a nationalist rebirth of a Jewish state, but as a more spiritual process transforming all of creation, ultimately leading to Messianic deliverance.Scholem speculates that kabbalism made it easier for Jews to trust their own personal experiences over historical reality; as a result, some Jews could not admit "that their own personal experience had been false and untrustworthy."Moreover, many Jews had left countries (most notably Spain) where they were forced to practice Judaism in secret; thus, they found it easy to believe that Zevi was doing the same.

Scholem also addresses the Sabbatians' split-up into multiple factions."Moderate" Sabbatians continued to follow halacha (Jewish law) believing that they were bound to do so until Messianic deliverance reappeared.But more radical Sabbatians either followed Zevi's lead by apostasizing, and/or by secretly rejecting halacha (Jewish law).The radicals believed that since the Messiah had come, the commandments of the Torah were abrogated, based on the idea of a "mystical Torah" of absolute freedom predating creation.Some radicals even suggested that Zevi (or even later Sabbatian leaders) was an incarnation of God.But as the memories of Zevi grew fainter and fainter, Sabbatianism decayed; some Sabbatians assimilated into Christianity and Islam, while in the 19th century, others embraced secularism or Reform Judaism.

Like Sabbatians, Hasidim embraced mysticism.But they focused on individual redemption rather than universal social redemption, thus reducing the temptation to expect imminent messianic deliverance.Scholem also points out that both Sabbatians and Hasidim embraced the concept of leaders "descending in order to rise" into the world of the less-holy.Where Sabbatians saw the "descent" of their Messiah as apostasy or as violations of halacha, Hasidim saw their rebbes "descending" into the realm of the mundane by teaching and leading their flock (rather than engaging in solitary communion with the Divine).

Most of the last third of the book is less interesting than Scholem's essays on Sabbatianism and Hasidism; to a greater extent than the first few, they focus on issues which require a very high level of cultural literacy (such as a book review of a now-obscure book, or a discussion of Martin Buber's German translation of the Torah).A fortunate exception is Scholem's essay on the Star of David; he shows that the hexagram was not a purely Jewish symbol until the 14th century, when the Jews of Prague placed it on a flag (perhaps because its use on magical amulets was then common).The symbol did not spread to eastern Europe until the 19th century, when the emancipated Jews of Europe wanted to show their respectability by having a symbol in their synagogues as simple to understand as the Christian cross.

Discourse on Messianic Judiasm
The large majority of this book discusses the rise and fall of messianism through the medieval period and how it affects Judaism today. There are also other essays present that discuss the history of the Star of David symbolism and the mystical golems.

The author presents the case of how Sabbatianism and Hasidism influenced the messianic themes that are prevalent in today's Judiasm. Some of the more interesting readings cover the notion of Sabbatianism and its transformation to a sect that believes in a messiah that pointed the way to redemption through sin as a result of its heretical leadership.

Identifying some of the religious inadequacies of Sabbatianism and how they gave rise to Hasidism and the notion of a messianism that focuses on self and personal redemption, the author presents a plausible argument worthy of serious debate for years to come.

Messianism, Antinomianism, and Jewish Spirituality
Gershom Scholem, recognized as one of the foremost academic scholars of Jewish mysticism of the 20th century, presents here an excellent series of essays exploring the crises caused by fits of messianism in Judaism, especially the Sabbatian crisis.

The essays include:

Toward an Understanding of the Messianic Idea in Judaism- details the concept of the messiah (mosiach) in the Hebrew exoteric traditions throughout history.

The Messianic Idea in Kabbalism- explores the origins of kabbalistic messianism in Isaac Luria and how this paved the way for Sabbatai Zevi.

The Crisis of Tradition in Jewish Mysticism- discusses the antinomian tendencies of messianic movements (esp. in the Sabbatians and post-Sabbatians, such as the Frankists and the Donme) and how Jewish law is abridged by proclamations of a new law, which is further advanced in the next essay,

Redemption through Sin- a more thorough look at antinomianism in Judaism, and how it stems from the idea of Spiritual Torah vs. Written Torah.

Further essays explore the Donme movement in greater detail, takes a look at a rare Sabbatian will from a Sabbatian who lived in New York in the 1800's, further essays on Hasidism and it's retort to Messianism, as well as the mystical aspects of Devekut (Hasidic "Cleaving to God"), and further essays in Jewish scholarship and an essay on the birth of the Star of David as a Jewish symbol.

Highly recommended to all parties interested in more advanced scholarship in Kabbalah and Jewish Heresy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

"What does it mean to be a Conservative Jew?"
Compiled by Neil Gillman (Aaron Rabinowitz and Simon H. Rifkind Associate Professor of Jewish Philosophy, The Jewish Theological Seminary of America), Conservative Judaism: The New Century is a informed and informative collection of anecdotes, testimonies, black-and-white photographs, and more covering the history of Conservative Judaism, its interaction with the Reform and Orthodox branches of Judaism, its influence within the nation of Israel, and a great deal more. A highly recommended addition to personal and academic Judaic Studies reference collection and supplemental reading lists, Conservative Judaism is a welcome and extensive history and combined with individual insights providing as thorough an answer as possible to the difficult question, "What does it mean to be a Conservative Jew?"

Not Orthodox, Not Reform
Rabbi Gillman provides a fascinating history of the origins and development of the Conservative Movement, including its struggles to articulate a philosophical/theological basis for its position somewhere between Orthodox literalism and Reform individualism.I was unaware that the Reconstructionist Movement had its origins in those struggles (and indeed that Reconstructionist thought still plays a significant role in the Conservative articulation of its mission).I found the chapters on Conservative decision-making (concerning the admission of women to the rabbinate and the drafting of Emet Ve-Emunah) particularly enlightening in the emphasis on the role of the community and the viability of minority positions.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the origins of the modern American Jewish movements, as well as anyone interested in the Conservative Movement in particular.Rabbi Gillman admits that he is a partisan of the Conservative solution to the dilemma of practicing Judaism in the modern world, but he is generally fair and unbiased in his discussion of the other movements (although like most non-Orthodox he is unhappy with the role of the Orthodox rabbis in Israel).The book is well written and engaging, striking just the right balance between theoretical discussions and "mini-biographies" of the leaders of the Movement.Rabbi Gillman's ultimate concern is with how to nurture a community of committed Jews in the modern world, and that concern informs every page of this informative and thought-provoking book.

Enlightening, thorough and objective history�
"Reader from Stony Brook" and "William Adam Friedman" (reviewers here) have summarized this volume `dead on.'They missed a couple of things that impressed me, however. First, the selection of photographs and illustrations (all in black and white) is astounding.These flawlessly complement the adjacent text, and deserve special mention for their historical relevance.(Rabbi Gillman gives appropriate credit in the Acknowledgements!).As a work of history this volume is excellent - those outside Conservatism (and outside of Judaism) will find it of permanent reference value.A second feature I liked is that the significant figures of modern Judaism get both photos (or equivalent) and historical sidebars (set outside the text as if Talmudic commentary).From the 19th century peer the faces of Moses Mendelssohn, Zechariah Frankel, Samson Raphael Hirsch, Isaac Mayer Wise, Alexander Kohut, and Sabato Morais. A dozen more figures from the 20th century American Judaism appear on these pages in their chronological turn.Third, readers should be aware that Rabbi Gillman is on the faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and served on the commission that drafted the 1988 Statement of Principles of Conservative Judaism.Consequently he personally knew many of the giants of the Conservative movement - his insights into personalities and events are keen (and sometimes sharp!).And finally, there is, interestingly enough, quite a lot about Reform, Orthodox, and Revisionist figures and ideas.When Rabbi Gillman's explains how Conservative Judaism diverges from other currents (sometimes forcefully) he is fair and factual in describing these differences.He even spends several pages elucidating the origins of the Union for Traditional Judaism, which split from the Conservative movement in 1990.This book is a bargain; having read it I would have paid triple the price (though I'm glad I didn't!)

The best popular history of Conservative Judaism
This book answers every question you wanted to know about how Conservative Judaism developed, what its theological and legal principles are, and how it differs from the other Jewish movements (Reform, Orthodox andReconstructionist).More importantly, it starts off with a summary of howall how the Jewish movements we know today developed. Many readers willbe surprised to learn that Orthodox Judaism isn't the oldest movement -Reform Judaism is!Reform Judaism developed in the early 1800s in reactionto the Enlightment movement and Emancipation.Due to the radical positionstaken by its founders, a reaction took place in the rest of the Jewishcommunity.One reaction led to Samson Rapahel Hirsch developingNeo-Orthodoxy, the progenitor of Modern Orthodox Judaism.Another led toAgudah Yisrael and Haredism (Ultra-Orthodox).And most importantly (forthis reader), the next step was the most vital.In response to theextremes taken by both the Reformers and Orthodox, Positive-HistoricalJudaism was then developed by Zechariah Frankel (Germany). Thiswas theprogentor of Conservative Judaism.Indeed, the Conservative movement isstill sometimes called the Positive-Historical school of Judaism. This bookis written by an insider, a professor of philosophy at the movement'sprimary seminary, and it is surprisingly frank and objective.Themovements inherent tensions, strengths and weaknesses are all analyzed anddiscussed.Issues such as Zionism, women as rabbis, homosexuality, and theobservance of the laity are discussed in an open fashion. For those whoenjoy this book, or are interested in Conservative Judaism, I would alsostrongly suggest these two books:"A Guide to Jewish ReligiousPractice" by Rabbi Issac Klein,and,"Conservative Judaism: Ourancestors to our descendents", published by the United Synagogue ofConservative Judaism (USCJ), by Rabbi Elliot N. Dorff ... Read more

Product Description
This all-encompassing textbook is an unrivalled guide to the history, belief and practice of Judaism, written by a scholar and rabbi who is also an experienced university teacher. Beginning with the ancient Near Eastern background, it covers early Israelite history, the emergence of classical rabbinic literature and the rise of medieval Judaism in Islamic and Christian lands. It also includes the early modern period, and the development of Jewry in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Extracts from primary sources are used throughout to enliven the narrative and provide concrete examples of the rich variety of Jewish civilization. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great one-volume survey
This text is the primary text for a course I teach on Modern & Contemporary Judaism, at a university primarily set up for military personnel to get their education via distance education.It is ideally suited for a course in Judaism, as it is divided into three broad sections (history, belief, and practice) which are each in turn subdivided into short chapters easily digested by students, linking together well both within the sections and across the three principle divisions.

The longest section is the history section, and Cohn-Sherbok begins in ancient Mesopotamia, drawing on archaeological evidence and chronicles of other ancient peoples as well as biblical sources for his development of the people who came to be called the Jews.Cohn-Sherbok presents both the popular and/or biblical accounts of the history as well as areas of divergence and controversy where archaeological and other data may conflict or be missing.This is true at different key periods such as the Exodus and conquest of Canaan, but occasionally this part is missing (for example, there are scholars who doubt the historicity of the figure David, due to lack of extra-biblical evidence; Cohn-Sherbok does not address this controversy).

Further into history, things become a bit more clear, and Cohn-Sherbok's discussion of the post-Babylonian development through the Hellenistic, Roman, Islamic, and European experiences is very solid.The discussions of the nineteenth and twentieth century include topics such as the Zionist movement, the increasing Diaspora throughout the world, the rise of Anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, the advent of the state of Israel, and a few speculations on the future of Judaism in the world.Being more than a religion or an ethnic identity, the future of Judaism looks to be as rich and complex as its past.

The second section of the text deals with beliefs.This is looks at some pointedly theological issues (the unity of God, providence, revelation, etc.) as well as some issues that point toward identity (the idea of a chosen people, the promised land).There is also a good discussion of messianic ideas in Judaism, and what is though about issues such as the afterlife.Cohn-Sherbok avoids the fairly common practice of discussing these ideas in relation to Christianity, to keep both the issue and discussion grounded in the Jewish context.

The third section is devoted to Jewish practice.Tying these two latter sections together, Cohn-Sherbok states that this `explores Judaism both as a religion and way of life, providing essential information on Jewish family and community customs as well as on the beliefs and traditions that have shaped the Jewish faith throughout nearly four thousand years of history.'Practices here refers both to religious rituals (worship, Sabbath, high holy days, etc.) as well as life-cycle and community practices that are incorporated into the way of life for Jews around the world.

This is a great one-volume survey of Judaism.It is comprehensive, accessible, interesting, well-illustrated with maps and pictures, and organised in a good way.Perhaps the most helpful feature is the inclusion at the end of each chapter excerpts from original texts, letters and documents from the history, liturgical works, literary creations, and more.This gives a great sense of the flavour of Judaism apart from the words of a single author, and provides a more direct connection with the ideas and peoples discussed.

Another great benefit of the book is the accompanying free companion website, which provides more material, guides, maps, and other helpful pieces for students and general readers.This is a great text, and one I will continue to use for my courses.
... Read more

Product Description
Find spiritual strength for healing in the wisdom of Jewish tradition.
Whether you are facing illness yourself, serving as a caregiver, providing pastoral care, or simply wondering where God is when we get sick, the teachings and wisdom of Jewish tradition can help you cope with the difficulties of illness and infirmity.
With a format designed to accommodate the stressful life of people dealing with illness, Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler helps you focus on spiritual well-being as an essential aspect of physical healing and wholeness. He provides comfort and inspiration to help you maintain personal balance and family harmony amid the fear, pain, and chaos of illness. Combining the stories of real people with insights from Jewish sources, he offers practical advice and spiritual guidance for:
* Reaching inward to the soul when the body fails
* Reaching outward to provide strength, comfort, and compassion to the ill or infirm
* Reaching upward to God through prayer and daily gratitude

"Deeply personal and professionally inspiring.... Moving and yet practical ... helps us reach into our unique inner resources, out to our friends and community, and up to the ultimate Source of Healing and Wholeness."
--Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW, JBFCS/National Center for Jewish Healing; editor, Healing of Soul, Healing of Body: Spiritual Leaders Unfold the Strength & Solace in Psalms
"A rich resource for congregational bikkur cholim and caring committees, rabbis and chaplains, and anyone who has ever felt alone.... Speaks to our human need for relationship with God and with each other. A wonderful gift."
--Rabbi Ruth Alpers, Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor, Children's Hospital, Cincinnati
"Very accessible ... provides knowing companionship for those living with illness and the people who care for them. Reflecting on many dimensions of the experience of illness, he shares a universally human as well as a particularly Jewish wisdom."
--Nancy Flam, co-director of programs, Institute for Jewish Spirituality
"Reach out to others. Reach out to God. Reach inside yourself. Then reach for this book. In it, you will find healing and hope."
--Rabbi Kerry M. Olitzky, author, Jewish Paths toward Healing and Wholeness: A Personal Guide to Dealing with Suffering ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Judaic studies and spirituality libraries alike will relish this approach
Facing Illness, Finding God: How Judaism Can Help You and Caregivers Cope When Body or Spirit Fails provides a winning account of the spiritual and emotional needs of all affected by illness. His experience as a rabbi and his insights on Jewish traditions lend to an approach on addressing illness-related issues, from changed normalcy to caregiving and finding God in illness. Judaic studies and spirituality libraries alike will relish this approach.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Highly influential book by a world class scholar
Martin Hengel, considered one of the top biblical scholars in the world, published this book about 1970. It has since influenced a generation of scholars, being cited in hundreds of publications.The book was published in two volumes, with volume one being the book itself, and volume two being the notes and index.

The old History of Religions theory had crashed to an inglorious end when Hengel published this book. Hengel's conclusion was that "It is not possible to say that Judaism maintained a straight course through the Hellenistic period...Still less can it be claimed that it was completely permeated by the Hellenistic spirit" (p310).

The 'wisdom school' was influenced by Greek thought, which among the people took on a strong eschatological expectation.Still, Hengel insists that Judaism maintained its singularity. "The almost complete fusion of religion and nationalism... prevented any assimilation" (p 313).

Among the Greek influences were the 100 years Palestine was under the Ptolemies, Attic pottery, the Greek language, irrigation, and minted money."Interest in Hellenistic civilization, however, remained predominantly limited to the well-to-do aristocracy of Jerusalem" (p 56). So did that main pipeline of Hellenism, Greek schools.

Earlier schools among the Jews were "exclusive, status-conscious... scribal schools" (p 80). Among the Jewish people, even as Hellenism was influencing their elite, elementary schools were formed that had enormous impact on the common people. The idea was to educate every Jewish boy. Simeon b Setah ordered all Jewish boys to go to school. So did Jubilees.

"The school agewas set a 6-7...non-Jews and Samaritans were prohibited as teachers...Instead of Homer, the Hebrew Bible, especially the Pentateuch, held pride of place in instruction" (p 82).Instruction was to continue for 10 years. The Cynic philosopher Oenomaus said, "'Go and observe their synagogues and schools..you cannot succeed'" in changing the Jews, because of those schools and synagogues.

The result of this education system was a burst of literary creativity. "It is astonishing what creative forces were developed in their small and relatively remote Jewish temple state measuring barely more than twenty-four miles across, during the Persian and early Hellenistic period" (p 113).

Hengel argues that the Septuagint was influenced very little by Hellenism.And that Ben Sira "By asserting that all wisdom comes from the Lord...formulates a Jewish declaration of war against Hellenism" (p 138).
... Read more

Product Description
This exploration of the radical, yet ancient, idea that everything and everyone is God will transform how you understand your life and the nature of religion itself. While God is conventionally viewed as an entity separate from us, there are some Jews—Kabbalists, Hasidim, and their modern-day heirs—who assert that God is not separate from us at all. In this nondual view, everyone and everything manifests God. For centuries a closely guarded secret of Kabbalah, nondual Judaism is a radical reorientation of religious life that is increasingly influencing mainstream Judaism today.

Writer and scholar Jay Michaelson presents a wide-ranging and compelling explanation of nondual Judaism: what it is, its traditional and contemporary sources, its historical roots and philosophical significance, how it compares to nondual Buddhism and Hinduism, and how it is lived in practice. He explains what this mystical nondual view means in our daily ego-centered lives, for our communities, and for the future of Judaism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Wonderful Read for the Spiritually Inclined Thinker
For the traditional Jew on the spiritual path, there are few contemporary books that can help him or her find his way toward reconciliation of organized religion, rationality, and spirituality . This is one of them, and is a highly recommended read.

There are many different layers to this book. For one, the book can serve as a guide to other teachings and readings. Michaelson is clearly a scholar of this highest order, and the wealth of knowledge that he brings is vast. Every other page, I found myself looking up online another name, adding more and more books to my Amazon queue, as I try to take in the big picture of the spiritual path.

Second, after Michaelson explains the nature of non-dualism, he shares, with much detail, how non-duality within Judaism has a rich history. He shows how such an understanding follows the mystical traditions of Kabballah and the devotional inclinations of the Hasidic movement, and more. While non-duality may not be your mainstream Young Israel Judaism, it isn't beyond the pale either.

Last, Michaelson describes how a traditional observance of Halacha today is not entirely inconsistent with such a non-dual understanding. While Hasidic Rabbis were somehow able to reconcile a divine Torah and the commandments with non-duality, Michaelson's approach is very different and doesn't invoke a divinely given Torah -- he sees observance of Mitzvot as acts of love toward one's non-dual God. "Stupid" acts, he calls them, but valuable practices nonetheless.

This last section is the most practical one, and the one that left me with the most questions. While I respect Michaelson's approach and methods ofreconciliation, I doubt that it could work for many people other than philosophers of Michaelson's ilk. For the non-philosopher, such as myself, one's response is more likely to be, "ok, I get it, but still - wear tzitzit every day?"

In summary, the book led me to realize the devotional path to enlightenment (Bhakti) is well served by religion. But the path of knowledge (Jnana) is far more difficult. I still can't help but wonder - why would a seeker of spiritual truths choose, or stay with, Judaism? Are there not better systems -- Buddhism, Vedanta or better yet, non religious approaches such as Harding's Headless Way -- that are specifically geared toward helping a person along the spiritual path -- and that these might be better approaches? Why struggle to make it work in a religion where spirituality is a fringe movement and where one has to write a book whose title alone, incorporating the word "Radical", attests to the hoops that one must go through to make it work with the truth that one has come to discover?

This book is a wonderful read to those who have been "awakened" and have learned a bit, either through books or experiences, and are now looking to explore spirituality in the context of Judaism. I can't promise it holds all the answers for you, but it is a worthwhile part of the journey.

Judaism has always been 'non-dual'.
While I have not read this book, I have lived in India and am familiar with the tendency of people to measure everything else from the perspective of the extensive experience and writing of India's spiritual traditions.It is unfortunate, however, to see someone who is obviously so unfamiliar with Jewish spirituality that he does not realize that Torah is the foundation of the knowledge that G-d is One, but not in a numerical sense.It is India that has many schools of thought regarding 'non-dualism'.Torah is very clear:There is nothing else besides G-d.We say it every day in our prayers.
I wish the author well in his search.
Eytan

A New Type of Judaism
Everything is God is a book with a great deal of heart.The reader can easily tell that Jay Michaelson is a very sincere thinker on Jewish matters and in the wider world of spirituality. With this in mind, it is easy to forgive the book some of its shortcomings.For one, the work is not overtly Jewish.Michaelson quotes Hindu and Buddhist sources far more than traditional Jewish ones. The reader gets the impression that Michaelson is more comfortable in that world.Second, the book is organized in a way that does not help the reader access this difficult subject matter.Michaelson should have thought more about the arrangement of his materials.With that said, this is a grounded and beautiful work.Michaelson presents a picture of God, spirituality, and Jewishness which appealing, productive and humane.

Nondual Judaism made accessible to all
There is a growing segment of Judaism which is nondual in nature -- it joins other nondual paths such as Buddhism, Vedanta Hindusim, Sufism, and nondual Christianity as a specific iteration of the universal.Nonduality is found at the summit of nearly every mystical tradition in the world.

Everything is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism is groundbreaking in its scope, intellectual honesty, and devotional fervor.The book is divided into two sections: theory, and practice.Throughout are many quotes from Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta, the Baal Shem Tov, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Rabbi Arthur Green, and other nondual luminaries.

Reading Everything is God is a blessing -- discovering the language and methods of nondual Judaism provides insights into delving deeper into other traditions, in particular Vedanta Hindusim.And, it is refreshing and rewarding to begin to understand that Judaism and other nondual paths are enriched, not impoverished, when they come in contact with other traditions.

Thinking About God
Michaelson, Jay. "Everything is God: The Path of Nondual Judaism", Trumpeteer, 2009.

Thinking about God

Amos Lassen


Jay Michaelson is one of my heroes and he wears many different hats. What I like most about him is how he thinks and the way he helped to shape a new Jewish culture as well as his work as a GLBT activist.
As Jews, most of us think of God as one supreme being and ourselves as separate beings, in other words, human take the "I" position and God takes the "thou". God gave us the charge to fulfill his mission and as Michaelson sees it God, self and the world are nondual sections of a greater unity. We must shed ego and self because we are only here temporarily and the nondual reality is very permanent.
Michaelson is a mystic and therefore many of his ideas come from the teachings in traditional Jewish mysticism on the neo-Hasidic movement. It is the masters who are the inheritors of Jewish tradition and this is in opposition to those who seek individuality and wrestled with their own personal answers of how to live in the modern world. Nondual Judaism shares with the neo-Hasidic movement the various areas of thought, action and feeling and these three can be seen in contemplative devotion and ritual as well as in the actions of spirituality. God is seen as poetic, erotic and blissful and the images that we have of God come from our won experiences with intimacy. This, in turn, allows us to reach a much higher outlook regarding nonduality and we notice that our human emotions are the source of our religious language. We need also appreciate experience by remaining open to all kinds and making experiences a part of our lives. However, religious experience relies on communal expression and hence a Jewish community that ascribes to traditional Judaism.
Nondual Judaism helps to create Jewish practice. Because there is the strong emotional bond of love of God. People tend to become more personal in the ay that God is looked at. Certain physical acts become a way of showing appreciation and love for God--the laying of tefillin, observing the dietary laws, and keeping the Sabbath.
Michaelson maintains that the time has come to stop seeking God and stop wrestling with the divine concept and thereby we will not bring new meaning into a religion that has manages to survive for as long as it has. It is our job to behave and to submit and to accept all of life. Tradition is actually saved by nondualism and by observing the writings of the Torah. We are honoring our physical needs. We perform the rituals of Judaism but we do not let them rule our lives.
When we break the code of Jewish law, we must also forgive ourselves because by keeping hold of the pain only slows us down. We are to accept ourselves as we are--with faults and with problems and we then can heal the pains that we feel.
The wedding of Asian philosophies of nonduality with traditional Judaism comes across as quite a novel and sensible idea. We can then embrace a spirituality which gives us a world view. Here are some fascinating ideas to think about and a way to reach an entire new level of understanding.
... Read more

Product Description
Conversion to Judaism provides information, advice, andsupport for individuals contemplating conversion to Judaism, as wellas those who have converted and the families affected by thisdecision. With sensitivity and compassion, Lawrence J. Epstein offersan informative volume that warmly welcomes the newcomer to Judaism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A very helpful book for those who are converting or thinking of converting
This book has helped me in understanding the conversion process.

I especially appreciated the author's even treatment of the different Jewish movements, mainly Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist.

He explains not only the conversion process in these different movements, but also gives the reader an introduction to the Jewish faith. He talks about Jewish beliefs, texts, and practices. He also gives a list of resources in the back of the book that appear to be quite helpful, especially for the new Jew.

Conversion to Judaism
Of all the books I have read concerning the subject of conversion, this one was perhaps the most enjoyable and informative.I love his antidotal style of writing and the inclusion of Lena Romanoff's story, Flowers for Shabbos.I also appreciate his ability to concisely explain Jewish thought and the reasons behind it, at times in contrast to popular Christian beliefs or mainstream social practices having their roots in Christianity.My copy is highlighted and tabbed so that I can re-read certain sections.This is the book that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in conversion and to their families and friends for greater understanding of conversion--the whys and the hows--and the Jewish people.

The book I was looking for
I have written and deleted about five review for this book already, since this is such a sensitive issue for me, I will keep it short, I hope you forgive me.

- The book does not take for granted that your main reason for learning about conversion is a romantic interest in a jewish person.

- It shares with the readers experiences of people who went through the conversion process as well as incredible histories that are wonderful and interesting even outside the scope of the book.

- The author does a great job at balancing the spiritual aspect of life after conversion with its practical implications.

- It has a extremely good amount of information regarding holidays and rituals.

The author is just a great writer.

I hope this helps.

An excellent book
Anyone interested in conversion should read this book. It lays out, plainly and very readably, the necessary information about why people convert, how to go about conversion, and what the convert is getting her/himself into. Jewish Literacy Revised Ed: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People, and Its History

Comprehensive and hopefully helpful guidebook to conversion
Conversion to Judaism is a complex process. Whereas many faiths actively proselytize Judaism's traditional posture has been to discourage converts. In this work Lawrence J. Epstein provides a very useful guidebook for those who would nonetheless persevere in the effort.
He provides important historical information and background in regard to conversion. He discusses the subject in general including the reasons why people convert. He provides personal stories as examples. He looks at the Conversion process from the point- of - view of the major Jewish religious denominations. Heanswers questions potential converts are most likely to have.
This work which was initially published in 1994 at Jason Aronson under the supervision of the person who contributed more than any other in the past half- century to the publication of English- language Judaica, Arthur Kurzweil is even more vital today than it was then. For the numbers of those who are potential candidates for conversion has increased.Also given the demographic crisis the Jewish people is presently facing a number of important figures, including Epstein himself are calling for the changing of general policy on Conversion in order to facilitate the process.
A highly valuable and much recommeded work. ... Read more