Six days or fifteen billion years? At first glance, the biblical and scientific accounts of the creation of the universe seem quite different. How then can there be modern twentieth century people who respect the methods and conclusions of science, yet take the Bible to be literally correct? The answer is given in this book. Dr. Andrew Goldfinger is a physicist by profession and a chasidic Jew by commitment. He takes the reader through the story of creation from both viewpoints.
The book PREPARATION FOR ETERNAL LIFE offers the reader plentiful advise, words of encouragement, and clarification regarding the purpose of life, the pursuit of the truth, character improvement, faith and trust in God, laws of proper conduct between man and his fellow, between man and the Creator, observing the Commandments, marriage, marital harmony, livelihood, etc. The book is largely based on the lectures of one of the greatest Mezake Harabim of our generation, in Israel and the-world, Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi Shlit'a. The book few in words but great in quality, is written in a clear refined language, suitable for all, providing guidance for those seeking a life of truth and faith.
Whether you are studying the Bible for the first time or you're simply curious about its history and contents, you will find everything you need in this "accessible, well-written handbook to Jewish belief as set forth in the Torah" (The Jerusalem Post). George Robinson, author of the acclaimed Essential Judaism, begins by recounting the various theories of the origins of the Torah and goes on to explain its importance as the core element in Jewish belief and practice. He discusses the basics of Jewish theology and Jewish history as they are derived from the Torah, and he outlines how the Dead Sea Scrolls and other archaeological discoveries have enhanced our understanding of the Bible. He introduces us to the vast literature of biblical commentary, chronicles the evolution of the Torah’s place in the synagogue service, offers an illuminating discussion of women and the Bible, and provides a study guide as a companion for individual or group Bible study. In the book’s centerpiece, Robinson summarizes all fifty-four portions that make up the Torah and gives us a brilliant distillation of two thousand years of biblical commentaries—from the rabbis of the Mishnah and the Talmud to medieval commentators such as Rashi, Maimonides, and ibn Ezra to contemporary scholars such as Nahum Sarna, Nechama Leibowitz, Robert Alter, and Everett Fox. This extraordinary volume—which includes a listing of the Torah reading cycles, a Bible time line, glossaries of terms and biblical commentators, and a bibliography—will stand as the essential sourcebook on the Torah for years to come.
The Strife of the Spirit explores such fundamental themes as the nature of the human soul, the path of the penitent, and the relationship between student and text. Rabbi Steinsaltz moves comfortably and effectively between essays and oral discourses, interviews and stories.
Most evangelical Christians believe that those people who are not saved before they die will be punished in hell forever. But is this what the Bible truly teaches? Do Christians need to rethink their understanding of hell? In the late twentieth century, a growing number of evangelical theologians, biblical scholars, and philosophers began to reject the traditional doctrine of eternal conscious torment in hell in favor of a minority theological perspective called conditional immortality. This view contends that the unsaved are resurrected to face divine judgment, just as Christians have always believed, but due to the fact that immortality is only given to those who are in Christ, the unsaved do not exist forever in hell. Instead, they face the punishment of the "second death"--an end to their conscious existence. This volume brings together excerpts from a variety of well-respected evangelical thinkers, including John Stott, John Wenham, and E. Earl Ellis, as they articulate the biblical, theological, and philosophical arguments for conditionalism. These readings will give thoughtful Christians strong evidence that there are indeed compelling reasons for rethinking hell.
From the teachings and advice of our sages, works of Chasidut and insights of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.Living a meaningful moral and inspired life of Torah principles.Every day of life we are all involved in four relationships: With G-d, with ourselves, with others and with the world around us.These four relationships comprise the arena in which we act out our lives.Each of these requires wisdom, guidance and insight that will help us navigate these relationships in a truthful, refined and successful manner.Within the Torah, there are teachings relevant to every one of these relationships. The wisdom of the Torah expresses itself not only in the laws of how to keep the mitzvot, but also encompasses timeless G-dly values that are expressed in the laws of personal conduct, proper character, and correct outlook - values to which every Jew should aspire. These are the vital ingredients for success in all of the four relationships.Eternal Values is a compilation of these values - a guide how to behave, how to view life, people, and situations.All are drawn from the Talmud, the works of Maimonides, the Shulchan Aruch, and works of Chasidut, as enlightened by the unique insights of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.
An internationally recognized scholar and theologian shares a Jewish mysticism for our times Judaism, one of the world’s great spiritual traditions, is not addressed to Jews alone. In this masterful book, Arthur Green calls out to seekers of all sorts, offering a universal response to the eternal human questions of who we are, why we exist, where we are going, and how to live. Drawing on over half a century as a Jewish seeker and teacher, he shows us a Judaism that cultivates the life of the spirit, that inspires an inward journey leading precisely toward self-transcendence, to an awareness of the universal Self in whose presence we exist. As a neo-hasidic seeker, he is both devotional and boldly questioning in his understanding of God and tradition. Engaging with the mystical sources, he translates the insights of the Hasidic masters into a new religious language accessible to all those eager to build an inner life and a human society that treasures the divine spark in each person and throughout Creation.
