Recommended Reading List

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Judaism 101: Recommended Reading List This list was created with Introduction to Judaism students in mind, but can serve as a resource to any Jew-curious individuals. Our Coursebook: On One Foot, Rabbi Adam Greenwald Aleph Isn’t Tough: An Introduction to Hebrew for Adults, Linda Motzkin For more Information about Judaism Living Judaism, Wayne D. Dosick A Short History of the Jewish People, Raymond P. Scheindlin Jewish Literacy, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin The Book of Jewish Values, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin Here All Along, Sarah Hurwitz For Your Personal Journey: Choosing a Jewish Life, Anita Diamant Living a Jewish Life, Anita Diamant The How To Handbook for Jewish Living, Kerry M Olitzky and Ronald H Isaacs I Am Jewish, ed. Judea and Ruth Pearl The Book of Life, Michael Strassfeld Jewish Prayer A Guide to Jewish Prayer, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz My People’s Prayerbook, Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman Entering Jewish Prayer, Reuven Hammer Making Prayer Real, Rabbi Mike Comins Theology and God I and Thou, Martin Buber Sacred Fragments, Neil Gillman God in Search of Man, Abraham Joshua Heschel When Bad Things Happen to Good People, Harold Kushner The Jewish Approach to God: A Brief Introduction for Christians, Neil Gillman Holidays and Shabbat The Sabbath, Abraham Joshua Heschel The Jewish Holidays, Michael Strassfeld This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared, Rabbi Alan Lew Women in Judaism Engendering Judaism, Rachel Adler Standing Again at Sinai, Judith Plaskow Sisters at Sinai, Rabbi Jill Hammer Spirituality and Wellness A Responsible Life, Rabbi Ira Stone Be Still and Get Going, Rabbi Alan Lew The Wisdom of Not Knowing, Estelle Frankel .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Shabbat Program Shabbat Program
SHABBAT PROGRAM SHABBAT PROGRAM May 10 and 11, 2019 / 6 Iyar 5779 Parashat Kedoshim Atsma’ut Shabbat ֽא־תִשׂ�נָא אֶת־אָחִי בִּלְבָבֶ ... ו�אָֽהַבְתָּ לְ�ֽעֲ כָּמוֹ אֲנִי ה': "You shall not hate your fellow human in your heart… Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Eternal!" (Leviticus 19:17-18) 1 Welcome to CBST! ברוכים וברוכות הבאים לקהילת בית שמחת תורה! קהילת בית שמחת תורה מקיימת קשר רב שנים ועמוק עם ישראל, עם הבית הפתוח בירושלים לגאווה ולסובלנות ועם הקהילה הגאה בישראל. אנחנו מזמינים אתכם\ן לגלוּת יהדוּת ליבראלית גם בישראל! מצאו את המידע על קהילות רפורמיות המזמינות אתכם\ן לחגוג את סיפור החיים שלכן\ם בפלאיירים בכניסה. לפרטים נוספים ניתן לפנות לרב נועה סתת: [email protected] 2 MAY 10, 2019 / 6 IYAR 5779 ATSMA’UT SHABBAT- PARASHAT KEDOSHIM הֲכָנַת הַלֵּב OPENING PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS *Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu Mosh Ben Ari (Born 1971) עוד יבוא שלום עלינו 101 (Peace will yet come to us and to everyone) L’chah Dodi Mordechai Zeira (1905-1968) לְכָה דוֹדִי Program Arr. Yehezkel Braun (1922-2014) *(Candle Blessings Abraham Wolf Binder (1895-1967 הַדְ לָקַת נֵרוֹת שׁ�ל שׁ�בָּת 38 *(Shalom Aleichem Israel Goldfarb (1879-1956 שׁ�לוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם 40 קַבָּלַת שׁ�בָּת KABBALAT SHABBAT / WELCOMING SHABBAT *L’chu N’ran’na Reuben Sirotkin (Born 1933) לְכוּ נְ�נְּנָה (תהלים צה) 52 (Psalm 95) (Yir’am Hayam (Psalm 98) Yoel Sykes (Born 1986 י��עַם הַיּ�ם (תהלים צו) 54 Nava Tehilah (Jerusalem)* *Mizmor L’David (Psalm 29) Yoel Sykes (Born 1986) מִזְמוֹר לְדָו�ד (תהלים כט) 62 *L'chah Dodi (Shlomo Alkabeitz) Kehilat Tsiyon (Jerusalem) לְכָה דוֹדִי 66 Kol Haneshama
[Show full text]
Wordplay in Genesis 2:25-3:1 and He
Vol. 42:1 (165) January – March 2014 WORDPLAY IN GENESIS 2:25-3:1 AND HE CALLED BY THE NAME OF THE LORD QUEEN ATHALIAH: THE DAUGHTER OF AHAB OR OMRI? YAH: A NAME OF GOD THE TRIAL OF JEREMIAH AND THE KILLING OF URIAH THE PROPHET SHEPHERDING AS A METAPHOR SAUL AND GENOCIDE SERAH BAT ASHER IN RABBINIC LITERATURE PROOFTEXT THAT ELKANAH RATHER THAN HANNAH CONSECRATED SAMUEL AS A NAZIRITE BOOK REVIEW: ONKELOS ON THE TORAH: UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE BOOK REVIEW: JPS BIBLE COMMENTARY: JONAH LETTER TO THE EDITOR www.jewishbible.org THE JEWISH BIBLE QUARTERLY In cooperation with THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE JEWISH AGENCY AIMS AND SCOPE The Jewish Bible Quarterly provides timely, authoritative studies on biblical themes. As the only Jewish-sponsored English-language journal devoted exclusively to the Bible, it is an essential source of information for anyone working in Bible studies. The Journal pub- lishes original articles, book reviews, a triennial calendar of Bible reading and correspond- ence. Publishers and authors: if you would like to propose a book for review, please send two review copies to BOOK REVIEW EDITOR, POB 29002, Jerusalem, Israel. Books will be reviewed at the discretion of the editorial staff. Review copies will not be returned. The Jewish Bible Quarterly (ISSN 0792-3910) is published in January, April, July and October by the Jewish Bible Association , POB 29002, Jerusalem, Israel, a registered Israe- li nonprofit association (#58-019-398-5). All subscriptions prepaid for complete volume year only. The subscription price for 2014 (volume 42) is $60. Our email address: [email protected] and our website: www.jewishbible.org .
[Show full text]
The Synagogue and Prayer Service
SYNAGOGUE SKILLS: HANDS ON AND BEYOND THE SYNAGOGUE AND PRAYER SERVICE Torah lays out religion based on one Temple located in Jerusalem and a system of daily, weekly, monthly communal sacrifices as well as personal offerings. Even in the earliest times, there was tension between a religion that could only be practiced in one place and Jews living far away. Some tried to build lesser temples but by the time of King Josiah of Judah in the seventh century BCE, the exclusivity of the Temple is firmly established. A new institution began to arise. There were places where it was clearly understood that no sacrifices could or would be offered. No one knows for certain when the synagogue and its alternate form of practice began. One plausible suggestion ties it to the Babylonian exile when the Temple had been destroyed. We have archeological and literary evidence for synagogues as early as the third century BCE in the diaspora and the first century BCE in Israel. The earliest descriptions of synagogues suggest that they were places of study and where knowledge of the Torah was disseminated. An inscription on the floor of a first-century synagogue in Jerusalem describes itself as a place “for reading the law and studying the commandments, and as a hostel with chambers and water installations to provide for the needs of travelers from abroad.” According to Reuven Hammer, “Even at the beginning, the synagogue was a revolutionary institution.” It: Provided for communal worship divorced from sacrifice Could be anywhere; did not have to be in a special or sacred spot.
[Show full text]
1 2 Excerpts from a Year with the Sages: Wisdom on the Weekly
2 Excerpts from A Year with the Sages: Wisdom on the Weekly Torah Portion By Rabbi Reuven Hammer Media inquiries: Suzanne Selengut, [email protected] Book orders: https://jps.org/books/a-year-with-the-sages/ 1. Excerpt #1: Fear of Killing or Being Killed (from Va-yishlaḥ - Jacob’s Dilemma - Genesis 32:4-36:43) 2. Excerpt #2: (for Yom ha-Atzmaut) - Land of Milk and Honey (from Yom ha- Atzmaut, Deuteronomy 26:1-12) Fear of Killing or Being Killed By Rabbi Reuven Hammer “Jacob was greatly frightened and troubled…” – Rabbi Judah b’reb Elai said, “Are not ‘frightened’ and ‘troubled’ the same thing? Rather it means: he ‘was greatly frightened’ that he might kill and ‘troubled’ that he might be killed. [Jacob] thought, “If he overpowers me he will kill me and if I overpower him, I will kill him!” Therefore he “was greatly frightened” that he might kill and “troubled” that he might be killed. - Genesis Rabbah 76:1-2 The verse stating that Jacob was afraid seems to have bothered the Sages. First of all they wondered why he should have been afraid when he had God’s assurance that God would protect him. In fact, he had been so awestruck by his vision of the stairway to heaven that he had proclaimed he was in the very abode of God and in the gateway to heaven. And he had indeed come safely through all the events in Laban’s house, difficult as they may have been. The Sages noticed that Moses also had been afraid.
[Show full text]
Final Copy of Dissertation
The Talmudic Zohar: Rabbinic Interdisciplinarity in Midrash ha-Ne’lam by Joseph Dov Rosen A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Joint Doctor of Philosophy with Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley in Jewish Studies in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in Charge: Professor Daniel Boyarin, Chair Professor Deena Aranoff Professor Niklaus Largier Summer 2017 © Joseph Dov Rosen All Rights Reserved, 2017 Abstract The Talmudic Zohar: Rabbinic Interdisciplinarity in Midrash ha-Ne’lam By Joseph Dov Rosen Joint Doctor of Philosophy in Jewish Studies with the Graduate Theological Union University of California, Berkeley Professor Daniel Boyarin, Chair This study uncovers the heretofore ignored prominence of talmudic features in Midrash ha-Ne’lam on Genesis, the earliest stratum of the zoharic corpus. It demonstrates that Midrash ha-Ne’lam, more often thought of as a mystical midrash, incorporates both rhetorical components from the Babylonian Talmud and practices of cognitive creativity from the medieval discipline of talmudic study into its esoteric midrash. By mapping these intersections of Midrash, Talmud, and Esotericism, this dissertation introduces a new framework for studying rabbinic interdisciplinarity—the ways that different rabbinic disciplines impact and transform each other. The first half of this dissertation examines medieval and modern attempts to connect or disconnect the disciplines of talmudic study and Jewish esotericism. Spanning from Maimonides’ reliance on Islamic models of Aristotelian dialectic to conjoin Pardes (Jewish esotericism) and talmudic logic, to Gershom Scholem’s juvenile fascination with the Babylonian Talmud, to contemporary endeavours to remedy the disciplinary schisms generated by Scholem’s founding models of Kabbalah (as a form of Judaism that is in tension with “rabbinic Judaism”), these two chapters tell a series of overlapping histories of Jewish inter/disciplinary projects.
[Show full text]
Directories Lists Necrology National Jewish Organizations1
Directories Lists Necrology National Jewish Organizations1 UNITED STATES Organizations are listed according to functions as follows: Religious, Educational 305 Cultural 299 Community Relations 295 Overseas Aid 302 Social Welfare 323 Social, Mutual Benefit 321 Zionist and Pro-Israel 326 Note also cross-references under these headings: Professional Associations 334 Women's Organizations 334 Youth and Student Organizations 335 COMMUNITY RELATIONS Gutman. Applies Jewish values of justice and humanity to the Arab-Israel conflict in AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR JUDAISM (1943). the Middle East; rejects nationality attach- 307 Fifth Ave., Suite 1006, N.Y.C., 10016. ment of Jews, particularly American Jews, (212)889-1313. Pres. Clarence L. Cole- to the State of Israel as self-segregating, man, Jr.; Sec. Alan V. Stone. Seeks to ad- inconsistent with American constitutional vance the universal principles of a Judaism concepts of individual citizenship and sep- free of nationalism, and the national, civic, aration of church and state, and as being a cultural, and social integration into Ameri- principal obstacle to Middle East peace, can institutions of Americans of Jewish Report. faith. Issues of the American Council for Judaism; Special Interest Report AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE (1906). In- stitute of Human Relations, 165 E. 56 St., AMERICAN JEWISH ALTERNATIVES TO N.Y.C., 10022. (212)751-4000. Pres. May- ZIONISM, INC. (1968). 133 E. 73 St., nard I. Wishner; Exec. V. Pres. Bertram H. N.Y.C., 10021. (212)628-2727. Pres. Gold. Seeks to prevent infraction of civil Elmer Berger; V. Pres. Mrs. Arthur and religious rights of Jews in any part of 'The information in this directory is based on replies to questionnaires circulated by the editors.
[Show full text]
The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly Provides Guidance in Matters of Halakhah for the Conservative Movement
Whether one is an Israelite or a Gentile, a man or a woman, a slave or maidservant, whoever does a mitzvah is rewarded for it. Yalkut Shimoni Lekh Lekha 76 The Status of Non-Jews in Jewish Law and Lore Today Rabbi Reuven Hammer This teshuvah was unanimously approved on April 21, 2016 (19-0-0). Voting in Favor: Rabbis Kassel Abelson, Pamela Barmash, Miriam Berkowitz, Noah Bickart, David Booth, Elliot Dorff, Baruch Frydman- Kohl, Reuven Hammer, Joshua Heller, Jeremy Kalmanofsky, Jane Kanarek, Gail Labovitz, Amy Levin, Jonathan Lubliner, Daniel Nevins, Micah Peltz, Paul Plotkin, Elie Spitz, and Jay Stein. Questions: What is the status of Gentiles in Jewish Law today?1 How should we deal with statements in traditional Jewish literature that are negative or discriminatory regarding non-Jews? 1 Background The Torah teaches the equality of all human beings created in the image of God and is positive toward non-Israelites. Rabbinic literature similarly contains numerous positive statements about Gentiles. Nevertheless it cannot be denied that there are passages in rabbinic literature, kabbalah and medieval philosophical works that depict Gentiles in negative terms, as inferior to Jews and sometimes even as less than human. Many of these negative statements and depictions can be explained as normal reactions to the exceedingly cruel treatment of Jews by non-Jews, be it the Roman Empire, the Church or others. Some, however, go far beyond that, positing an exclusivist theology. Dealing with discriminatory laws and negative texts when teaching our tradition to youth and adults can be problematic, to say nothing of how we deal with them when interacting with Gentiles.
[Show full text]
Directories Lists Obituaries National Jewish Organizations1
Directories Lists Obituaries National Jewish Organizations1 UNITED STATES Organizations are listed according to functions as follows: Community Relations 431 Cultural 435 Overseas Aid 440 Religious, Educational 441 Social, Mutual Benefit 459 Social Welfare 461 Zionist and Pro-Israel 464 Note also cross-references under these headings: Professional Associations 474 Women's Organizations 474 Youth and Student Organizations 475 COMMUNITY RELATIONS l^e Middle East; rejects nationality attach- ment of Jews, particularly American Jews, AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR JUDAISM (1943). to the State of Israel as self-segregating, 298 Fifth Ave., NYC 10001. (212)947- inconsistent with American constitutional 8878. Bd. Chmn. Clarence L. Coleman, Jr.; concepts of individual citizenship and sep- Pres. Alan V. Stone. Seeks to advance the aration of church and state, and as being a universal principles of a Judaism free of principal obstacle to Middle East peace, nationalism, and the national, civic, cultu- Report. ral, and social integration into American . x ../-. ™ nnn^ T institutions of Americans of Jewish faith. AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE (1906). In- T**. „,. f ,u~ ,<„,„,.,•„„„ /-„, „.;; tn. i,,jn stitute of Human Relations, 165 E. 56 St., Issues ofthe American Council for Juda- 0121751 4000 Pres Then ism; Special Interest Report. V c.i i B ' v p ' i c i * * dore Ellenoff; Exec. V.-Pres. Ira Silver- AMERICAN JEWISH ALTERNATIVES TO man. Seeks to prevent infraction of civil ZIONISM, INC. (1968). 501 Fifth Ave., and religious rights of Jews in any part of Suite 2015, NYC 10017. (212)557-5410. the world; to advance the cause of human Pres. Elmer Berger; V.-Pres. Mrs. Arthur rights for people of all races, creeds, and Gutman.
[Show full text]
Siddur on the Hill
SSiidddduurr oonn tthhee HHiillll For Friday night Shabbat services at HAVURAH ON THE HILL AT THE VILNA SHUL TABLE OF CONTENTS ii. INTRODUCTION 2. CANDLE LIGHTING 3. KABBALAT SHABBAT 20. MA’ARIV 57. MEALTIME PRAYERS 60. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 60. SOURCES This book is a joint work of the following people and is under the copyright (2011) of: Malka Benjamin, Sue Gilbert, Dallas Kennedy, Michal Kennedy, Chelley Leveillee, Deborah Melkin, Robyn Ross, Atara Schimmel, Morris A. Singer, and Georgi Vogel Rosen. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License. The text of this license is available at (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/). No claim is made to any Hebrew text, nor any other work included herein that is used under license, as noted below. Interpretive readings are used under license. Translations to the following prayers are under the copyright of Rabbi Sam Secol and are used under license: Ana Bakoakh, Barkhu, Maariv Aravim, Ahavat Olam, Shma Yisrael, Ve’ahavta, Vayomer, Ehmeht ve’Ehmuna, Mi Khamokha, Hashkivehnu le’Shalom, ve’Shamru et ha’Shabbat, Tefilat ha’Amidah (holiday sections), Tefilat Ha’Amidah – Shalom, Yihyu Leratzon, Elohei Netzar, Vayikhulu, Al Kehn Nekaveh, Shalom Alekhem, and Kiddush. Rabbi Secol has licensed these translations under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/). Translations to the following prayers are derived from works under the copyright of Wikipedia and are used under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Copyrights): Lekha Dodi, Kaddish, Tefilat ha’Amidah, Magehn Avot, Alehnu Leshabeh’akh, Adon Olam, and Yigdal.
[Show full text]
Directories, Lists, Necrology (1982)
Directories Lists Necrology National Jewish Organizations1 UNITED STATES Organizations are listed according to functions as follows: Religious, Educational 303 Cultural 297 Community Relations 293 Overseas Aid 301 Social Welfare 321 Social, Mutual Benefit 319 Zionist and Pro-Israel 325 Note also cross-references under these headings: Professional Associations 332 Women's Organizations 333 Youth and Student Organizations 334 COMMUNITY RELATIONS Gutman. Applies Jewish values of justice and humanity to the Arab-Israel conflict in AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR JUDAISM (1943). the Middle East; rejects nationality attach- 307 Fifth Ave., Suite 1006, N.Y.C., 10016. ment of Jews, particularly American Jews, (212)889-1313. Pres. Clarence L. Cole- to the State of Israel as self-segregating, man, Jr.; Sec. Alan V. Stone. Seeks to ad- inconsistent with American constitutional vance the universal principles of a Judaism concepts of individual citizenship and sep- free of nationalism, and the national, civic, aration of church and state, and as being a cultural, and social integration into Amen- principal obstacle to Middle East peace, can institutions of Americans of Jewish Report. faith. Issues of the American Council for Judaism; Special Interest Report. AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE (1906). In- stitute of Human Relations, 165 E. 56 St., AMERICAN JEWISH ALTERNATIVES TO N.Y.C., 10022. (212)751-4000. Pres. May- ZIONISM, INC. (1968). 133 E. 73 St., nard I. Wishner; Exec. V. Pres. Bertram H. N.Y.C., 10021. (212)628-2727. Pres. Gold. Seeks to prevent infraction of civil Elmer Berger; V. Pres. Mrs. Arthur and religious rights of Jews in any part of 'The information in this directory is based on replies to questionnaires circulated by the editors.
[Show full text]
Israel's Haredim Effect
ISRAEL’S HAREDIM EFFECT: THEOCRACY IN A DEMOCRATIC STATE A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of The School of Continuing Studies and of The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Liberal Studies By Shannan Butler Adler, B.A. Georgetown University Washington, D.C. April 1, 2014 ISRAEL’S HAREDIM EFFECT: THEOCRACY IN A DEMOCRATIC STATE Shannan Butler Adler, B.A. MALS Mentor: Ralph D. Nurnberger, Ph.D. ABSTRACT As the sole stable democracy in the Middle East and the only Jewish democratic country in the world, Israel faces unique challenges. The intersection of religion and civic responsibility has been a central internal conflict since Israel’s founding in 1948, and today has reached a critical breaking point. The Haredim are a rapidly growing insular Ultra-Orthodox segment of Israel’s Jewish population that have wielded disproportionate political influence since the birth of the nation. Refusing to seek jobs in a secular economy or participate in the military, these Jews perceive themselves as an independent religious community and actively seek to preserve that distinction. As Ultra-Orthodox, this community embraces only the most stringent interpretations of the Jewish bible, called the Torah, and insists that Israel’s democracy incorporate central tenets of biblical law within its governing bodies. The Haredim’s fervent rejection of the economic, educational, social, and military pillars that constitute the backbone of modern-day Israel comes at a high cost to the state. High unemployment rates and a refusal to participate in Israel’s conscription military place the Haredim at odds with the vast majority of Jewish Israelis who do not share their values and pay large sums of money to support them.
[Show full text]
1 Accepting the Non-Jew Yom Kippur 2019 Rabbi David J Fine, Phd The
Accepting the Non-Jew Yom Kippur 2019 Rabbi David J Fine, PhD The handful here who showed up at 8:30am on the two mornings of Rosh Hashanah may recall that I read the mishnah from tractate Sanhedrin 4:5 that our prayerbook selects for Rosh Hashanah morning. Since I dare say most of you were not here, I am going to read it again now. This should not be understood as a disincentive to show up on time. Just that I want to begin my remarks with that particular mishnah, because it is so important, and I feel bad that you may have missed it. The context of the mishnah is a speech that the judge is supposed to give to the witnesses in a capital case. Since false testimony in a capital trial can lead to wrongful execution, the judge is to impress upon the witnesses the value of human life. From this leads a sermon on the value of each and every life, and from that context we learn, (as translated in our Mahzor, Lev Shalem): The Bible relates that God created Adam, a single human being, as the ancestor of all humanity. This teaches us that to destroy a single life is to destroy a whole world, even as to save a single life is to save a whole world. That all people have a common ancestor should make for peace, since no one can say to anyone else: “My ancestor was greater than your ancestor.” That humanity began with a single human being is an answer to the heretics who could claim the existence of more than one Creator.
[Show full text]