Joseph Friedman, Biblical scholar and lawyer, gives a refreshingly different and exciting approach to the oldest story in the world, which has universal appeal. The Inside Story:Biblical Personalities contains themes of feminism, wholeness, wellness, and above all, how to connect with our Creator. The book analyzes nineteen popular Biblical stories. It explores Judaism’s feministic roots while stating that all life contains a duality of physical and spiritual existence. The reader will develop a better understanding of Judaism as well as a deeper appreciation of the role women play in organized religion.
An exciting expansion of the Vilna Gaon's powerful ideas on the purpose of Creation, the Jewish people and its history and destiny, the coming of the Messiah.
This volume of essays is concerned with ancient and modern Jewish and Christian views of the revelation at Sinai. The theme is highlighted in studies on the Dead Sea Scrolls, Paul, Josephus, rabbinic literature, art and philosophy. The contributions demonstrate that Sinai, as the location of the revelation, soon became less significant than the narratives that developed about what happened there. Those narratives were themselves transformed, not least to explain problems regarding the text's plain sense. Miraculous theophany, anthropomorphisms, the role of Moses, and the response of Israel were all handled with exegetical skills mustered by each new generation of readers. Furthermore, the content of the revelation, especially the covenant, was rethought in philosophical, political, and theological ways. This collection of studies is especially useful in showing something of the complexity of how scriptural traditions remain authoritative and lively for those who appeal to them from very different contexts.
The Path of Life is a collection of weekly Shabbos speaches given by the famed Rabbi Avigdor Miller. His devouted pupil transcribed these lectures and had Rabbi Miller look over his manuscripts to assure their accuracy. It is a compilation of pure un-adulterated Rabbi Miller.
The closed, secret world of matchmaking in contemporary Israel provides the titillating pivot for a story of uncommon proportions. In Ruchama King's skillful hands, Seven Blessings maps out the complicated lives of five expatriate women and men whose search for a soul mate, in many ways, mirrors their search for God. At the center of this fascinating novel is Beth, who at age thirty-nine longs to be married but despairs she ever will be. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, he has what she believes to be an insurmountable flaw. Can she overcome her repugnance in order to forge a new life? Binyamin, a talented painter and student, lacks the humility to identify a worthy wife. He strains the matchmakers' patience until his search for perfect love finally becomes ridiculous, even to himself. Tsippi and Judith, the matchmakers, are stumbling themselves, with marriages that need propping up. In this land of miracles, seeking the right match, whether between singles, husband and wife, student and teacher, or man and God, becomes a quest that opens the Bible to us in a new way. Rich characters, an intriguing setting, writing that offers unique nuances, and ultimately a story that keeps you turning the pages all combine to introduce a remarkable newcomer. Seven Blessings redefines the Jewish experience, with a story that will ring with truth for anyone who's ever considered getting married.
