Ortodoks jødedom

Peru u-revu is the sacred responsibility to have children. This responsibility is foundational to the human experience, and to the experience of being Jewish. Of Mirrors & Apple Trees: The Lomdus of Peru u-Revu comes to analyze: a. the philosophy of this mitzvah, b. how this philosophy is derived from analyzing the mitzvah's parameters, and c. how this philosophy is derived from analyzing the mitzvah's interrelationship with some of the Torah's other mitzvos.

Veteran New York Times journalist Joseph Berger takes us inside the fascinating, insular world of the Hasidim to explore their origins, beliefs, and struggles.Though the Hasidic way of life was nearly extinguished in the Holocaust, today the Hasidim?"the pious ones"?have become one of the most prominent religious subcultures in America. In The Pious Ones, New York Times journalist Joseph Berger traces their origins in eighteenth-century Eastern Europe, illuminating their dynamics and core beliefs, which remain enigmatic to outsiders. He analyzes the Hasidim's codified lifestyle, revealing its fascinating secrets, complexities, and paradoxes, and provides a nuanced and insightful portrayal of how their all-encompassing faith dictates nearly every aspect of life?including work, education, food, sex, clothing, and social relations?and helps them to sustain a sense of connection and purpose in a changing world.From the intense sectarian politics to the conflicts that arise over housing, transportation, schooling, and gender roles, The Pious Ones chronicles the ways in which the fabric of Hasidic existence is threatened by both exposure to the wider world and internal fissures within its growing population. What lies ahead for the Hasidim, and what lies ahead for American culture and politics as these ultra-Orthodox Jews occupy a greater place in our society?

The book of Exodus raises some ethical questions central to the Jewish faith. Too often, we learn these Biblical stories as children and never revisit them-or their ethical implications-once we have reached adulthood. In many cases, we realize that the explanations we learned in childhood call for further elucidation.Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg presents many traditional answers, explained in depth, as well as some original interpretations, to difficult ethical questions raised by the narrative of the book of Exodus, including: Can we understand Egyptian oppression as a forerunner to anti-Semitism?What does it mean that Pharaoh's heart was hardened? Is there an ethical problem in removing his free will?Did Jethro join the Jewish people out of righteousness or expediency? Do his motivations matter?What is the thematic relationship between the two halves of the Ten Commandments?Why do the interpersonal laws of Mishpatim precede the God-oriented laws of Terumah and Tetzaveh?Was Aaron's participation justified in the episode of the golden calf

In another collection of incisive essays on the weekly Torah reading and Jewish holidays, Rabbi Ari Kahn once again displays his remarkable ability to distill complicated philosophical, theological, and exegetical ideas into brief and accessible language for everyone at the Shabbat table. His writings are deeply steeped in Torah and rabbinic tradition, yet remain relevant to Jews across a broad spectrum of readership. Share these ideas at your Shabbat table, or study them beforehand to enhance your understanding of the parashah each week.

A River Flowed from Eden is the perfect addition to your Shabbat table. Rabbi Ari Kahn has collected 54 of his thought-provoking short essays, one for each of the weekly Torah portions, in a volume that is sure to spark interest and meaningful discussion. Rabbi Kahn's newest volume raises existential and philosophical issues and culls contemporary messages from the sacred, timeless text of the Torah while retaining fidelity to rabbinic tradition. Written in accessible, engaging language, each essay examines a single idea from the weekly Torah reading. Grappling with the challenges presented by the text, the trials and tribulations of Judaism's founding mothers and fathers, and the philosophical underpinnings of observance, Rabbi Kahn illuminates the remarkably contemporary issues of morality and faith, society and sanctity contained in each Torah portion.

The Passover Seder is probably the most broadly observed Jewish ritual, as the Exodus from Egypt remains at the forefront of the Jewish consciousness. Since the Torah relates many of its teachings to the bondage of Egypt, Jews are encouraged to internalize the oppression in Egypt, the Exodus through the Red Sea, and the transition from slavery to freedom. As If We Were There: Readings for a Transformative Passover Experience breathes new life in the Passover story by providing 21 daily readings, beginning with the first day of Hebrew month Nisan until the last day of Passover. Each day focuses on a specific aspect of the Exodus experience, as Rabbi Rothstein takes the reader on a journey of intellectual and spiritual development while we study, analyze, and ultimately internalize the events and messages of the Exodus story.In the second part of the book, a memoir of his father's Seder, Rabbi Rothstein utilizes humor and nostalgia to introduce the reader to a Seder that succeeded in finding ways for Jews to see themselves as if they had been redeemed from Egypt.

"Many of these essays appeared originally on my website, Torah Musings"--Volume 2, page 13

"Many of these essays appeared originally on my website, Torah Musings"--Volume 2, page 13

Combines powerful first-person accounts with incisive scholarly analysis to understand the phenomenon of ultra-Orthodox Jews who leave their insular communities and venture into the wider world.

A psychological study, based on extensive interview data, of Jewish adults who take on a devout lifestyle.