Judaism in a Nutshell


Book Description




God


Book Description

Imagine a cross between a biography of God and a guide to developing a personal relationship with the source of all existence.




Judaism in a Nutshell


Book Description

With this book, award-winning author Shimon Apisdorf turns his sights and insights to the Jewish homeland. For over three millenia, Israel has been a focal point for the Jews everywhere, and for the past century it has been on the center stage of world history. This book clearly explains why -- why Israel is so central to Judaism, how the modern State of Israel arose, and why Israel has fought so many wars with its neighbors and found peace to be so elusive. Book jacket.




Jewish History in 100 Nutshells


Book Description

How does this Jewish history book differ from all others? Instead of burdening the reader with endless details about every single aspect of Jewish history, Pasachoff and Littman provide essential information, easily digested by readers of all ages, that chronicles only the major events and people of the past. The history of the Jews covers a period of over 3,500 years, with an overwhelming number of countries and lands. It is a microcosm of the history of the world. Consequently, even a one-volume work can be difficult to read from cover to cover to gain the sweep of Jewish history. This book speaks to the reader who is interested in individual topics or periods and wants a quick-reference guide to the people and places that truly shaped Jewish history. At the same time, if read from beginning to end, these 'nutshells' will provide a chronological history of the Jews.




The Jewish Intellectual Tradition


Book Description

The Jewish intellectual tradition has a long and complex history that has resulted in significant and influential works of scholarship. In this book, the authors suggest that there is a series of common principles that can be extracted from the Jewish intellectual tradition that have broad, even life-changing, implications for individual and societal achievement. These principles include respect for tradition while encouraging independent, often disruptive thinking; a precise system of logical reasoning in pursuit of the truth; universal education continuing through adulthood; and living a purposeful life. The main objective of this book is to understand the historical development of these principles and to demonstrate how applying them judiciously can lead to greater intellectual productivity, a more fulfilling existence, and a more advanced society.




Letters to Josep


Book Description

This book is a collection of letters from a religious Jew in Israel to a Christian friend in Barcelona on life as an Orthodox Jew. Equal parts lighthearted and insightful, it's a thorough and entertaining introduction to the basic concepts of Judaism.




What Do Jews Believe?


Book Description

A lively exploration of Jewish ideas and beliefs. "Anyone who seeks to know what Judaism is really all about will be in his debt" (David Wolpe, author of Why Be Jewish?). In this fresh and lucid study, Ariel presents the fundamentals of Jewish thought on the profound issues of God, human destiny, good and evil, Torah, and messianism, guiding the reader toward a definition of the beliefs that shape Jewish identity. This lively exploration of Jewish ideas and beliefs provides a rationale and stimulus for anyone seeking to understand or reconnect to the rich and diverse spiritual tradition of Judaism.




Judaism


Book Description




What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank


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A viciously funny and intelligently provocative play about family, friendship and faith, adapted by the author from his Pulitzer-finalist short story. Who in your life would you trust to keep you alive? And who do you know who would risk their own life for yours? Debbie and Lauren were best friends until Lauren became ultra-Orthodox, changed her name and moved to Jerusalem. More than twenty years later, husbands in tow, their Florida reunion descends with painful but hilarious inevitability into an argument about parenthood, marriage, friendship and faith. If you really want to ensure a Jewish future, you should be like me. Good, old-fashioned afraid. Nathan Englander's serious comedy, adapted for the stage from his Pulitzer-finalist short story, received its European premiere at the Marylebone Theatre, London, in October 2024.




Ceremony & Celebration


Book Description

When did Rosh HaShana, the anniversary of creation, become a day of judgement? How does Yom Kippur unite the priest's atonement with the prophet's repentance? What makes Kohelet, read on Sukkot, the most joyful book in the Bible? Why is the remembrance of the Pesah story so central to Jewish morality? And which does Shavuot really celebrate the law or the land? Bringing together Rabbi Sacks's acclaimed introductions to the Koren Sacks Mahzorim, Ceremony & Celebration reveals the stunning interplay of biblical laws, rabbinic edicts, liturgical themes, communal rituals and profound religious meaning of each of the five central Jewish holidays.