Knowing the Kotzker Rebbe
347241
There are a lot of books about Chasidism, but not about this interesting character.  In "A Passion for Truth", Abraham Joshua Heschel shows the deep and intricate personality of one of the most significant  Chasidic Rabbis: Menajem Mendl of Kotzk. One of the most important things  in this book is the link that Heschel establishes between the Kotzker Rebbe  and the Danish theologian Soren Kierkegaard.  Throughout this amazing book,  Heschel shows the semblance and differences of these two important figures  of the Nineteen-century. "A Passion for Truth" is a book that  everyone who wants to know about Chasidism and the Kotzker-trend system has  to read.
432044
A pastor of 28 years, I've taken 8 semesters of Biblical Hebrew, and even with that amount of study its hard to keep up with vocabulary/grammar and a busy pastor's schedule.  Kohlenberger's Interlinear is a good answer to this problem, allowing the pastor quicker access to the Masoretic Text and a reliable English translation.  Not to be used as a "cheat sheet" or "easy way out" of serious study of Hebrew, Kohlenberger nevertheless gives the preacher insights into the text that cannot be found by study of the English translations alone.

A must for any pastor serious about biblical exegesis and study of the Hebrew Scriptures!
2568554
This book provides a Chassidic explanation of the progression of the Israelites from Pesach to Shavous. Rabbi Jacobson explains the meaning of each of the Kabbalistic Spheres and their containment in each other ...  from Hesed (kindness) and Gevurah (focus) to Malkut (actualization and  voluntary subjugation).
This is a piece of the Kabbalah that should not  be missed.
1603274
Rabbi Alfred J. Kolatch, author of The Second Jewish Book of Why, has such a winning way with the written word that he has managed to turn out one  appealing book after another 34 times!  The Second Jewish Book of Why is  his 26th, and five years after its publication, still available.  My  college student nephew recommended Kolatch's `books of why,' and I picked  The Second because the questions and answers in The First were more  familiar.  The Rabbi's second book left me feeling as if I had had a very  good appetizer, satisfying enough, but ready for more, much more.
While  many answers struck me as complete, others did not.  I was glad to learn  why the philosopher Baruch Spinoza was excommunicated:  because he "argued  that God and Nature are one..." which, the Rabbi asserts, "ruled out  belief ... in God's transcendence...[and] any interplay between God and man." I  would have liked to learn how the Rabbi managed to conclude that "Spinoza  was not terribly upset" in 1656, when his Sephardic community  excommunicated him.  Also, I would like to order Rabbi K's 6th book (now  out of print), "Who's who in the Talmud." It followed his first Jewish Book  of Why, published in 1981.
Fortunately, the indexing is excellent, as  many fascinating tidbits are hidden.  For example, I was thrilled to learn  the origin of "Sephardim," the root of which is the Hebrew name for Spain,  and Ashkenaz "being the Hebrew name for Germany."  But this is buried in  his answer to the question, Why is the term "Oriental Jew" sometimes  confused with "Sephardic Jew"?  The index in The Second Jewish Book of Why  also includes its predecessor, which as of this writing, occupies the  8,370th  place in popularity of purchases at Amazon.
A grab-bag of some  of the delights of this volume would have to include mention of the many  Purims enumerated in the Rabbi's answer to his question, "Why do some Jews  fast on days other than those in the Jewish calendar?" In his response, we  learn that it is customary to fast before Purim, and that there are  communal fasts before all (!) Purims.  Then he lists five additional  Purims, the most recent being "the Purim of Casablanca (called Purim  Hitler), established in 1943 ...on the occasion of Jews having been saved  from Nazi occupation."
1325459
This book is built around two sets of comparison. In the first the Baal Shem Tov is compared to Menahem Mendl of Kotzk. The sharp contrasts between the two are highlighted. The Baal Shem came to the world to bring it light and blessing. He raised the spirits of the disheartened and depressed Jewish people, and gave them a new hope, a new sense of joy, a new sense of their own value a new sense of their love of God and God's love of them. The Kotzker came into the world in search of truth. The expansive generous all - inclusive spirit of the Baal Shem is contradicted by the harsh truth- seeking sarcastic and often bitter soul of the Kotzker. As the Baal Shem opens worlds the Kotzker closes them. The Baal Shem spread joy and the Kotzker lived the last twenty years of his life in the seclusion of his own depression and disappointment.
The second part of the book compares the Kotzker with Kierkegaard. Putting doctrinal Jewish and Christian differences aside Heschel focuses on the great similarities between these two truth- seekers. Sarcastic at times, filled with irony towards themselves and humanity they each in his own way seek a religion of Truth. They both seek a religion of higher purity. Kierkegaard condemns Christendom as making little room for the true individual inward subjective Christian- the Kotzker cuts himself off from the masses  seeking his guidance, and searches for truth by himself alone. These two individuals each of whom praises a kind of solitude and solitary quest for truth set themselves apart from the mass of mankind. Kierkegaard's renunciation of ordinary married life, his rejection of his fiancee Regina , are paralleled by the Kotzker's withdrawal into his own study away from the ways of the world. Still there are strong differences between the two. The Kotzker does not deny the importance of family life, is not devoid of friends and supporters. Still what fascinates Heschel is the integrity of the two truth- seekers, their uncompromising search to find the true way in worship of God.
Heschel writes this book with astounding clarity and beauty. It is clear in his largely loving tone to all the major figures that he himself bears the Hasidic spirit of his grandfather , the Apter Rebbe, who was called 'The Lover of Israel'.
I found this to be a profound study which at the same time was clear and beautiful.
A holy book from a holy writer.
1099467
This work is a masters brilliant and innovative understanding of a core teaching of Lurianic Kabbalah. Using the idea of epochal evolution, Reb Zalman masterfully reads the doctrine of tzimtzum  through the ages, applying the idea to different theological frames.
4046807
Are you exploring Judaism and heard about the fascinating yet complicated concept of kashrut or kosher? Are you Jewish but need a review on the concept of kosher? Are you a student doing some research on kosher? In any case, I got some great news for you, this book is for you. If you want a concise, clear introduction to Kosher, this book is a must have. Ideal for all levels of observance, it gives a good grasp on the concept of kashrut. Very easy to read, understand and follow, best of all, easy to carry with you.

Dr. J.Martinez
3427504
Mendell Lewittes, a RIETS ordained Modern Orthodox Rabbi, has written a concise book on the development of halakhah ("Jewish law"), covering everything from the Torah to the Tanya, from the Zohar to Zionism.  The book starts with the traditional view of Abraham, Moses, and the revelation by God to Moses at Mount Sinai. The rationale for accepting the mitzvot as binding, and as the source for all Jewish law, is discussed in depth, and illuminated by generous, albeit uncritical, quoting from our tradition's greatest sages. The importance of the Oral Law as well as the Written law is given a clear treatment, and is illustrated by demonstrating the development of early schisms in Judaism - the split between the Pharisees (progenitors of rabbinic Jews) and Sadducees (who rejected the Oral law).

From here, the book moves into the era of the Tannaim and the Mishnah, and the development of the Talmud. Further topics include the development of the Gezerah, the Takkanah ("legal ordinance"), and Minhag ("custom"). From the Rishonim to the Acharonim, Lewittes tells the story of Ashkenazi and Sephardi rabbis who worked to reconcile Talmudic law with their changing world, and shows us the development of the many codes of Jewish law, particularly the Shulchan Aruch.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this work lies in the discussion of the development of the Chasiddic movement, and the response of the mainstream Jewish community to the Chassids. Covering the most controversial part of Jewish history, we are then exposed to the effects of the Emancipation and Haskalah (Enlightenment movement), which set the stage for the development of the modern Jewish denominations, Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism.

Unfortunately, makes an unprofessional and untenable jab at Conservative Jews when he states that Rabbi Isaac Klein's A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice is not a code of Jewish law.  He comes to this conclusion through circular reasoning, a flaw which he only demonstrates when discussing non-Orthodox Jews.  Lewittes claims that a code of Jewish law is a code that is accepted as halakhic by observant Jews.  Since (he claims) observant Jews don't accept Klein's code, it therefore isn't a code at all.  He only can force himself to reach this conclusion by defining any genuinely observant Jew as Orthodox, therefore concluding that all non-Orthodox Jews are not observant (a falsehood, and also an ad homenim attack.)

Ironically, many of his interpretations of Jewish law are in line with that of Conservative rabbis of the mid 1950s, and some of his views on celebrating the existence of the modern State of Israel are rejected by most Orthodox Jews, and accepted only by Conservative Jews.

A useful feature of this book is the parallel structure of the chapters. Each successive chapter covers a given time period, and within each chapter it covers not only Ashkenazi history, but also Sephardi history. Paragraph by paragraph we get to see how different Jewish communities dealt with changing historical conditions.

Rabbi Lewittes has written this book from a Modern Orthodox viewpoint, but I find that many of his basic arguments are similar to those motivating the Conservative movement. All in all, it is a well written, interesting - and occasionally provocative - elucidation of Rabbinic Judaism.
2068860
R Sokolow is a product of YU, and it's for a YU audience that this book is written. The author has allowed his hands to be tied by granting reverence to the beraita in Bava Batra as if its words were on stone.

If one wants to teach Tanakh to a purely Orthodox audience, one would be well-served by the pedagogical lessons presented. Otherwise, it's less of an "Owner's Manual" than an apology for a world where everything must meet a political correctness.
1431031
I am a Protestant pastor who also teaches a course on the world's religions.  This book is written so that someone outside the Jewish faith can readily understand what happens in each Jewish holiday and why.  I recommend it highly to anyone who wants to develop a better understanding of Rabbinic Judaism.
3630307
Rabbi Pinson at his best! There are simply no books in English that come close to offering the information he provides. Rav Pinson is one of the most important teachers of our generation.
1832165
Growing up in a kosher household and studying Hullin as part of my rabbinical studies - it becomes hard to see anything new - like seeing a forest. but not the beauty of each tree = Well. this book helps show the trees- it is very informative and clearly written. showing practical applications of the kashrut laws. Now. we need a cookbook to go with it
26107
The book has an Original way to clarify the tradional commentary of Rashi combined with the insights of the Rebbe
2697836
Not a traditional biography in the linear sense, this book nevertheless tells the story of the most influential Jewish leader in recent history. The Rebbe left his mark not only on Lubavitcher Chasidim but also on Judaism itself, for the better! A thoroughly documented book, with many of the references available online in video or audio format; many of the end notes are more than a traditional footnote and are as interesting as the text itself. One senses that this book could have been twice as long given the impact the Rebbe had on so many, including non-Jews, city, state and even federal government officials, as well as dignitaries from around the world. This book is a worthwhile read and leaves you wanting to know more about him, the faith, and how you can make the world a better place in much the same way this amazing man did, one day at a time. Bravo Jospeh Telushkin for dedicating years of your life to introduce this influential man to another generation who live in a better world because of his efforts.
3724709
Rabbi Yehiel Poupko has written a touching tribute to his granddaughter, Chana. The book provides a thoroughly researched, rich reading of the biblical Chana story. Rabbi Poupko's erudite and perceptive analysis of I Samuel 1-2 includes an exploration of related topics, such as "The Barren Women of the Bible," "The Jewish Understanding and Practice of Prayer," and the role of this story in the Rosh Hashanah liturgy. This book, full of scholarly and spiritual insights, has much to offer, especially during the Jewish New Year and surrounding Days of Awe.
2979195
This book is an essential tool on the bookshelf of any Reform Rabbi.
It represents the modern answer to the Responsa method, a millenia-old Jewish tradition of answering important contemporary questions which are not specifically treated by the Torah or its interpretive texts.  The methodology employed attempts to determine the principles underlying the source material and apply the principles to the issue presented.  As applied to present day questions within the Reform Jewish movement, typically a congregant of a synagogue whose rabbi is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis is referred to the Responsa Committee with the question which the member rabbi himself feels unqualified or uneasy in answering.  The question is then posed, perhaps in a more suitable reformulation, to the Responsa Committee by the Chairman, who then gathers the answers of the Committee members and synthesizes a draft of the Responsum which is circulated to the Committee members.
  When is abortion permitted? Should smoking be banned in the synagogue building? What are the sources for matrilineal and patrilineal descent? What is the Jewish reaction to AIDS? Do we recite `kaddish for a convicted criminal? May human blood be sold for medical purposes? 202 such questions are answered in this volume.
  My favorite question and response is "Does a clone have a soul?"  On the way to answering the question, the rabbi gives a thumbnail sketch of the mystical Jewish thinking on the soul, certainly food for thought.
  If you are a Rabbi, or just want to know how they think, this is the book for you.
4829417
This book by Rabbi Ashear,is amazingly  special on the subject  of Emunah.
../Bitachon

I read numerous  books in Israel as well as America, on this particular  subject ,and learned with rabbis  on this subject as well,

,but RABBI ASHEAR,REALLY GETS MORE THAN A 5 STAR, HE'S INCREDIBLY  RESOURCEFUL  AND MAKES A DIFFERENCE  IN PEOPLE LIVES.frkm this book.!

THANK YOU . RABBI

BTW I'VE HEARD HIS many excellent  LECTURES AS WELL. KEEP UP THE GOOD AVODA.RABBI.

TODA RABA .I REFERRED THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE ..BARUCH HASHEM

Kol hakovod Rabbi
Shoshana Berger