Rabbi Besdin's first volume of "reconstructions" of the thought of "the Rav," Rabbi J.B. Soloveitchik, revered halakhic and spiritual mentor of centrist Orthodoxy, was widely acclaimed when first published and continues to be reprinted.
Rabbi Besdin's second collection dealing with such perennial themes as repentance, faith, reasons for mitzvot, transmitting the Mesorah, and more. There are also a number of chapters dealing with Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
"This first volume recounts the details of the lives of the Rav and his forebears. This volume and the next constitute a scholarly attempt to detail the quests and ideas of one of the major personalities of modern American Jewish Orthodoxy". -- Jacket.
Memories of a Giant is a work about Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. In addition to being a man of deep learning and powerful intellect, Rabbi Soloveitchik is presented here as a man of great chesed, profound personal piety and impeccable integrity. The eulogies (hespedim) collected in this volume, delivered by leaders of the Orthodox community, chronicle the impact of not only a brilliant philosopher and master pedagogue, but a caring, thoughtful and awe-inspiring teacher and role model. The volume contains 42 eulogies, about half of which appear here in print for the first time, including the hesped delivered at the Rav's funeral by his brother, Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik, zt l. The book also features an important introduction highlighting the Rav's life and major accomplishments by Michael Bierman, the editor, and an essay by Dr. David Shatz reflecting on the Rav's legacy.
"This first volume recounts the details of the lives of the Rav and his forebears. This volume and the next constitute a scholarly attempt to detail the quests and ideas of one of the major personalities of modern American Jewish Orthodoxy". -- Jacket.
The Rav here explores the crucial interface between living religious experience and halakhic norms. He analyzes the Amidah, the Shema and other liturgical texts, and considers the tension between human dependence and exaltation.
The story of two fathers and two sons and the pressures on all of them to pursue the religion they share in the way that is best suited to each. And as the boys grow into young men, they discover in the other a lost spiritual brother, and a link to an unexplored world that neither had ever considered before. In effect, they exchange places, and find the peace that neither will ever retreat from again.