For the first time in 500 years, the commentary of Don Yitzchak Abarbanel on the Torah and Prophets has been translated from its original Hebrew into another language. This is not a supercommentary, the opinion of some modern writer as to what Abarbanel said, this is Abarbanel, in his own words, merely rendered into readable English. His references to other writings are now clearly cited. His famous question and answer style is preserved, each question cross-referenced with its answer.
"An intellectual biography of Don Isaac ben Judah Abravanel, a 15th century Portuguese rabbi, scholar, Bible commentator, philosopher, and statesman"--
In the spirit of Nechama Leibowitz’s classic, "New Studies in the Weekly Parsha," Rabbi David Kasher offers 54 essays exploring the vast but understudied genre of Jewish literature known as parshanut, or Torah commentary. From the masters of midrash who began the tradition, to the medieval commentators who defined the style, on down to the scholars of the modern age, Kasher leads an impassioned and engaging tour through the history of Jewish Biblical interpretation. “With engaging clarity and vivacity, Kasher presents a wide range of traditional commentaries on the biblical text. In each chapter, he poses a central question which then becomes a field for vigorous discussion, pursued in a contemporary conversational tone. Kasher arrives at sometimes provocative resolutions and the reader is drawn into the work of parshanut, of biblical interpretation, which is clearly a passion for him, and irresistibly becomes a passion for the reader too.” – Dr. Avivah Gottleib Zornberg, Author of "Genesis: The Beginning of Desire" “Rabbi David Kasher has written a magnificent commentary on the Torah. With echoes of Nechama Leibowitz, the work beautifully synthesizes traditional commentaries with creative insights. Intellectually deep and yet accessible to all. A masterful book.” – Rabbi Avi Weiss, Founder of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah & Yeshivat Maharat “To read this book is to get a front row seat in the classroom of a master teacher. Rabbi Kasher’s voice is as accessible as his insights are profound. From the most learned reader to the true beginner, Rabbi Kasher leaves us enriched and wiser, granting us access to our own sacred inheritance.” – Rabbi Sharon Brous, Founder and Senior Rabbi, IKAR “If a student approached me and said: “I will read one book, but only one book, on the Torah. If I fall in love, I’ll stay. If it falls flat for me, I’m out” – this is the book I would tell them to read.” – Rabbi Benay Lappe, President and Rosh Yeshiva, SVARA
In this second volume of his long-anticipated five-volume collection of parashat hashavua commentaries, Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks explores these intersections as they relate to universal concerns of freedom, love, responsibility, identity, and destiny. Chief Rabbi Sacks fuses Jewish tradition, Western philosophy, and literature to present a highly developed understanding of the human condition under Gods sovereignty. Erudite and eloquent, Covenant Conversation allows us to experience Chief Rabbi Sacks sophisticated approach to life lived in an ongoing dialogue with the Torah.
This book traces the Polish Chassidic Dynasties of Lublin, Lelov, Nikolsburg, and Boston. Based on the Hebrew, Shalsheles Boston, this fascinating and uplifting book includes the biographies of the major Polish Chassidic figures and their teachings. With a foreward by the Bostoner Rebbe, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Horowitz.
Exploring the subtle political philosophy within the Biblical narrative, this book presents enduring insights that complement Ancient Greek philosophy for contemporary political distinctions – uncovering overlooked socio-political ideologies to provide a unique perspective alongside the classical philosophical tradition. By adopting a sociological approach, Ronen Shovel interprets the Bible as a reflection of perspectives and ideologies, emphasizing the intricate dynamics between rulers and subjects, balancing justice, and power within societies. A key focus is the examination of holiness as a distinct political category, influencing institutions, ethics, justice, and even the use of force. This perspective challenges traditional religious scholarship, merging sociology with the concept of holiness. Holiness and Society enriches political philosophy, religious studies, and sociology, broadening their boundaries and offering fresh perspectives, serving as a bridge between antiquity and modernity, providing valuable insights into contemporary political thought.
Brought down in fire and set in stone, the commandments are inscribed, too, in the soul of every Jew. This fascinating work reveals the magnificence of Jewish living as experienced through mitzvah observance. The author presents profound insights into many of the commandments that define and enrich Jewish life. Topics include: tzitzis, mikveh, arbah minim, kashrus, and lashon hara.
According to a commonplace narrative, the rise of modern political thought in the West resulted from secularization—the exclusion of religious arguments from political discourse. But in this pathbreaking work, Eric Nelson argues that this familiar story is wrong. Instead, he contends, political thought in early-modern Europe became less, not more, secular with time, and it was the Christian encounter with Hebrew sources that provoked this radical transformation. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Christian scholars began to regard the Hebrew Bible as a political constitution designed by God for the children of Israel. Newly available rabbinic materials became authoritative guides to the institutions and practices of the perfect republic. This thinking resulted in a sweeping reorientation of political commitments. In the book’s central chapters, Nelson identifies three transformative claims introduced into European political theory by the Hebrew revival: the argument that republics are the only legitimate regimes; the idea that the state should coercively maintain an egalitarian distribution of property; and the belief that a godly republic would tolerate religious diversity. One major consequence of Nelson’s work is that the revolutionary politics of John Milton, James Harrington, and Thomas Hobbes appear in a brand-new light. Nelson demonstrates that central features of modern political thought emerged from an attempt to emulate a constitution designed by God. This paradox, a reminder that while we may live in a secular age, we owe our politics to an age of religious fervor, in turn illuminates fault lines in contemporary political discourse.
