Fascinating Insight into the World of Messianic Jews
341171
As a Christian living in the US, I had no real insight into the struggles faced by Messianic Jews in Israel. This book is a fascinating look into that world as told by a gifted story teller. What makes this book work particularly well is how the author weaves her personal experience with reflections of scripture. This is the kind of book that would lend itself to religious discussion for Jew and Christian alike.
4794134
I decided to buy this book after reading the reviews of it here.

"The Messiah" has been a fascinating read for me.
Mr. Bennett documents his research with plenty of Endnotes and goes very deep into the subject.
There are deeper meanings in the Hebrew texts. The untranslated Aleph Taw is the best example.

In this book the author examines the many patterns in Scripture that relate to the Messiah. There are also many links in gematria and time spans.
The "Branch" also has a deeper meaning that Mr. Bennett shares in this book.

Some of my favorite chapters are:
Chapter 20-"Hellenization". This an excellent history lesson!
Chapter 23-"The Birth". This particular chapter is full of intriguing subjects such as the magi, Yahusha's genealogy, and the astonomy(stars or signs)that the magi saw.

This is a thought-provoking book that I highly recommend for anyone that has an interest in learning about the patterns and prophecies about the Messiah. I learned a lot reading this book.
Todd Bennett's books are always a solid choice and "The Messiah" may be his best book so far!
4009149
For my anthropology class we were given a choice of books to read; I selected this one (living in Brooklyn I was somewhat familiar with the subject of the book). For an assignment book this one provided many interesting insights into the Hasidic community.  The author uses interviews, and what is referred to as being a "participant-observer."

While their was an occasional slow spot or two I found it an altogether engaging reading.
985074
I just finished reading Salvation Is From the Jews. I loved it. It contains some fascinating historical information from both ancient times and the recent past. Helped me understand more deeply how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of Messiah. And that is not all. The conversion stories of several Jewish men were fascinating. Whether you are Jewish or Catholic this book will be informative and increase our love and understanding of each other.
705266
This scholarly yet easy reading book consolidates and builds upon research efforts over centuries of just who the writers of the first eleven books of the Bible (Torah and histories) were. Presented with clarity and simplicity, it also leads us, like a good mystery does, to anticipate who the writers might be until finally assembling the clues to reveal each writer (as much as possible). Moreover, the framework that the investigation reveals is the crisis events of the Hebrews up to the beginning of the second temple period, including how the resulting socio-political forces influenced the perspective of the writers. Fascinating and edifying how those perspectives of the several writers were artfully pieced together over about a thousand years to create a whole much greater than the parts. I am eagerly anticipating how this knowledge will enhance my subsequent reading and understanding of these Old Testament books.
3167984
This unusual compilation of character sketches of the rabbinic personalities who fashioned Judaism into the ethical-intellectual post-sacrificial religion we know today is a valuable and unique contribution to the field of rigorously researched but elegantly accessible Jewish studies. Laypeople, scholars, students of Torah can all richly appreciate Rabbi Lau's book. This volume in the multivolume series introduces a new translator, whose gifted hand is clearly evident in these pages. The writing is smooth and the character portraits vivid. Strongly recommended for shul, school, and personal libraries.
3025263
What an interesting book, dealing with the famous Writer of commentary and his family.  Terrific insight into what life might have been like for the daughters of this illustrious man and the community of Troyes , France. in the year 1069 CE. the author leads us through daily life and  the way that the students in a yeshiva  were  taught and how Rashi might have inspired his daughters to learn Talmud and Torah.
We also learn about the making of kosher wine and how sheepskins were cured for writing.
It also includes history of the Church at that time and King of France.
A great read.
487031
Wonderful dialogue on by two learned scholars with two disparate world views. It will help a Jewish seeker to better understand these two spheres and be challenged to consider the merits and liabilities of each perspective. I enjoyed the Talmudic references and the challenges to each of the writers conclusions. I recommend this to anyone seeking to get a better understanding of Jewish thought both for today and historically.
3815023
This is a fascinating and detailed examination of the evolution of Israel from the perspective of early Zionist aspirations, through to the Hagannah and the IDF.  Morris clearly has access to high quality IDF intelligence and archives. While many reviewers have focused on the Arab vs. Zionist sections of the book - presumably because these tensions feed naive political emotions - the text itself devotes a large amount of space to the double dealing by Britain that sowed the seeds of much of the current conflict.  In my opinion, an understanding of international subterfuges plotted against, and subsequently thwarted by, a nascent Israel is proably the primary added value of this text.  Irrespectove of one's ideological stance, Morris draws together a compelling account of the injustices directed at the early state of Israel (Yishuv).  Well worth reading. Packed with detail and certainly not propaganda.
4251405
Rabbi Wernick writes in a clear and easily understandable manner and makes an interesting subject even more fascinating. I loved reading about the history and beliefs of the Jewish people. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in religion from either a faith based or scholarly background.
3288445
Michener at his best, with insight into human and spiritual ethics that are unparalleled.  He looks through the eyes of modern and ancient peoples of the Middle East as though he was alongside them.  A virtual roadmap of the beginnings of civilization as seen through the Holy Land.  He wraps the concepts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam around their basic singular origin, and shows how these three major religions are from One Family.  He shows the struggles that leads followers to preserve each faith with respect, dignity and reverence, and their inter-connectedness in the devotion of faith.  Any Jewish, Christian or Muslim scholar or person of plain, simple knowledge will benefit by reading this.  A wonderful gift for anyone who loves mankind!
4632147
This book is less about the man, Sabbatai Sevi, than it is about the Kabbalah movement and its impact on the Jewish people.  This book is not a "popular" history book.  For example, the author spends the first 100 pages of the book discussing the history and fundamental principals of Kabbalah. (Perhaps the discussion was shorter in the original Hebrew as it would not surprise me that the translator needed to "digest" many of the concepts for the English readers.)

Although the book primarily follows a chronological order the author often deviates from the chronology of the events and addresses tangential issues.  Scholem's knowledge of the times and issues are encyclopedic and it is not difficult for a reader to get lost in the details of the numerous tangents which the author pursues.

However, if one gets passed the "professor" like writing and the tangents one is rewarded with an amazing picture of the man and the times.

Scholem rarely cites other historians for conclusion but rather develops his ideas independently by reference to numerous primary sources.  For example, Scholem compares and analyses the different contemporary account of the events surrounding Sabbatai's apostasy that appear in the different historical accounts and by reference to primary sources, which were often not available or consciously omitted by the previous writers, debunks many myths surrounding this key event.  By following his sources the reader is given the opportunity to make up their own mind as to what might have "really" happened.

Scholem seeks to understand how the whole Jewish world could have been swept up in the euphoria of the Messiah, and not just the illiterate masses as many other historian have contended.  It was refreshing to see Sabbatai Sevi not being simply dismissed as a charlatan and a quack but the possibility of his "belief" in himself as Messiah honestly addressed.  Scholem does not simply sweep "problematic" facts under the carpet of history because it may be uncomfortable for some to believe how could both the lay and religious leaders all believe in the Messiah who, thanks to our hindsight, we "know" did not bring redemption to the Jewish people.

Although Scholem does not address this issue directly, after reading this book I now better understand how events surrounding the Sabbatian movement explain the initial reaction of the Jewish leaders to the Hassidic movement.  I also find this historical account instructive in understanding of the dangers of the current messianic strains in HaBaD and the current simplistic popularity of Kabbalah.

I would have given this book 5 stars, but I am giving it 4 as a caution to the readers because of its difficult reading style and length.
199548
This is thoughtful memoir of a woman searching to fulfill her spiritual needs.  It truly captures the experience of attending Jewish religious services and celebrations of Jewish holidays with keen observation, humor, and the desire to learn.  For anyone who is desiring a better understand of what is means to be Jewish this is a must-read.  I learned more from this book than I did growing up and attending Hebrew and Sunday school.  It is well-written, easy to read and follows the authors journey from dating a Jew to converting to the religion.
584878
This is a fascinating and unique devotional written by a rabbi and a theologian.  This devotional is made to last for the year with each week made up of six one-page devotions and questions to reflect on for the seventh day. Each devotion features a verse or two printed out, a larger portion written by the rabbi, and a paragraph written by the theologian.  The rabbi discusses a topic from the Jewish Bible, which is the Christian Old Testament, then the theologian will bring in New Testament references.

I really liked the insight I gained into Jewish culture and tradition as I read this.  Learning about the Jewish festivals, insight into words and grammar used, and interesting stories about Jewish history from thousands of years ago to the present make this not only entertaining, but informative.  I also felt challenged and encouraged in my walk with God.  While Christians and Jews would be especially interested in this book, I think anyone who wants to understand these two faiths more would really enjoy this.

I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
2156676
I read a lot of Zionist and early Israel literature. Few books have held my attention and interest as Dr. Uriel Bachrach's riveting account Hemed - The Israeli Science Corps. This was an aspect of Israel's early history that neither I, nor any others among my informed friends, knew anything about. Lovers of Israel have Dr. Bachrach and his colleagues to thank for their contribution to Israel's establishment; we also have Bachrach to thank for bringing this amazing story to light.

I plan to buy several copies and give them to my friends and colleagues.
1865029
This book although small in size, carries quite a punch.  Published in memory of Dov Indig by his family and friends it reads well and quickly.  In it excerpts are quoted from an extensive correspondence that Dov maintained with Talia at the beginning of the 1970s. At that time, Talia was a high school student, from a secular kibbutz in northern Israel and Dov was a student in a hesder yeshiva Kerem BYavneh, near Ashdod.  Hesder students combine Torah study in yeshiva with military service. In these letters, Dov provides Talia with honest and revealing answers to her questions about Judaism and Zionism, values and education.  This series of letters will provide readers with explanations for concepts that will demand much further contemplation.  I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to more fully understand Jewish concepts whether for their own enlightenment or so that they can better explain them to others. Truly, I could not put the book down.
1328165
The history of the Jewish diaspora has been told over centuries largely from a Western cultural perspective, omitting the movement of these communities eastward along the Silk Route into the furthest reaches of Asia. In this richly descriptive recounting of that neglected story, Rabbi Marvin  Tokayer and Dr. Ellen Rodman give readers a wealth of well researched, fascinating material about the interaction of little known Jewish communities and larger-than-life heroes with the cultures they encountered from 4th Century India, where a Jewish state was established under the protection of an Indian ruler, to the Holocaust era refuge granted Eastern European Jews by Japan. At a time when violent  religious conflicts are fracturing centuries old communities, creating the misery of new mass migrations, this book is full of little known stories that provide views of exotic, magical worlds of cooperation that really existed.