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The Torah for Dummies‰ http://www.servantofmessiah.org 01_173459 ffirs.qxp 11/26/07 11:15 PM Page i The Torah FOR DUMmIES‰ by Arthur Kurzweil http://www.servantofmessiah.org 01_173459 ffirs.qxp 11/26/07 11:16 PM Page ii The Torah For Dummies® Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc. 111 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774 www.wiley.com Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published simultaneously in Canada No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permis- sion of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400, fax 978-646-8600. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department, Wiley Publishing, Inc., 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, 317-572-3447, fax 317-572-4355, or online at http://www.wiley. com/go/permissions. Trademarks: Wiley, the Wiley Publishing logo, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, A Reference for the Rest of Us!, The Dummies Way, Dummies Daily, The Fun and Easy Way, Dummies.com and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Wiley Publishing, Inc., is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. LIMIT OF LIABILITY/DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: THE PUBLISHER AND THE AUTHOR MAKE NO REP- RESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS WORK AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NO WARRANTY MAY BE CRE- ATED OR EXTENDED BY SALES OR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS. THE ADVICE AND STRATEGIES CON- TAINED HEREIN MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EVERY SITUATION. THIS WORK IS SOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PUBLISHER IS NOT ENGAGED IN RENDERING LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. IF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED, THE SERVICES OF A COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL PERSON SHOULD BE SOUGHT. NEITHER THE PUBLISHER NOR THE AUTHOR SHALL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ARISING HEREFROM. 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Library of Congress Control Number: 2007941222 ISBN: 978-0-470-17345-9 Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 http://www.servantofmessiah.org 01_173459 ffirs.qxp 11/26/07 11:16 PM Page iii About the Author Arthur Kurzweil is one of the most popular lecturers and teachers on the Torah, Talmud, Kabbalah, and other topics of Jewish interest in synagogues and at other Jewish gatherings across the United States and Canada. He is a direct descendant of Rabbi Chaim Yosef Gottlieb (1790–1867), Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz (1555–1630), and Rabbi Moses Isserles (1530–1572), three illustrious and revered rabbis and teachers of the Torah. Arthur is the author of Kabbalah For Dummies (Wiley) and On the Road with Rabbi Steinsaltz: 25 Years of Pre-Dawn Car Trips, Mind-Blowing Encounters, and Inspiring Conversations with a Man of Wisdom (Jossey-Bass). He’s also the author of the best-selling classic From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Genealogy and Family History (Jossey-Bass), coeditor of The Hadassah Jewish Family Book of Health and Wellness (Jossey-Bass), and editor of Best Jewish Writing 2003 (Jossey-Bass). He also wrote My Generations: A Course in Jewish Family History (Behrman House), which is used in synagogue schools across America. Arthur is the recipient of the Distinguished Humanitarian Award from the Melton Center for Jewish Studies at The Ohio State University for his unique contributions to the field of Jewish education. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies for his trailblazing work in the field of Jewish genealogy. A member of the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Arthur frequently performs his one-man show “Searching for God in a Magic Shop,” in which he blends the performance of magic tricks with a serious discussion of Jewish theological ideas. Arthur lives with his wife, Bobby, in a suburb of New York City. Visit Arthur’s web site at www.arthurkurzweil.com. http://www.servantofmessiah.org 01_173459 ffirs.qxp 11/26/07 11:16 PM Page v Author’s Acknowledgments My goal in these acknowledgments is to recognize those people who have helped me, in many different ways, to think I’m qualified to write this book. Who am I to write a book on such a sacred subject as the Torah? And who helped me have the nerve to claim I have the qualifications? I think I know. But before I acknowledge them, I take full responsibility for this book. Any errors are mine. Many years ago, when my children were young, I asked my teacher, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, for some advice: How do I teach my children the Torah? He told me to speak with them about the most difficult and abstract spiritual ideas I knew to exist. I took his advice, and the result has been extraordinary. For the past quarter of a century, I have had the deepest religious discussions, sharing amazing words of Torah with my three children. My decision to enroll my children full time in schools of Torah study (with full secular studies as well) created three knowledgeable Torah teachers surrounding me daily. The experience has been mind-blowing — for me. My Torah education has unfolded every day from the process of learning from my children, each of whom is my teacher. I have insisted upon it. My greatest thanks, appreciation, love and gratitude go to: Miriam Kurzweil: You will surely see how important your help with this book has been because there is clear evidence of your hard work, knowledge of the Torah, and eager, unfailing assistance on so many of these pages. I hope and pray you also know how precious, deep, intimate, and profound our countless hours of conversations have been to me over the years. You’re awesome. Moshe Kurzweil: If I were asked 20 years ago to dream my wildest dreams and express what I would hope for in a son, I would have described the person you’ve become. You’re a spiritual searcher and teacher, kind and articulate, gentle, strong, and wise. You and I can speak about God forever. And I hope we will. As I write this, you are in the Holy Land for a year of advanced Torah study. Please keep teaching me. Malya Kurzweil: As you know, when a question of Torah comes up among some of our family members, the first words spoken are, “Let’s ask Malya.” You have deservedly earned the reputation of having Torah knowledge that is broad and deep and so often profound. And you have proven to so many people that your talents as a teacher of Torah are on the highest level. How rare and priceless have your words of Torah been for me. You are a treasure. Heartfelt thanks are also due to: Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: You are the Light of our generation. I’m just one of so many who simply don’t know where we would be without you. If I have one http://www.servantofmessiah.org 01_173459 ffirs.qxp 11/26/07 11:16 PM Page vi wish for this book it is that its readers will seek out your books and learn from your endless wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Saul Kurzweil: My extraordinary father. You personify the spirit of the Talmud. You were always in my mind as I wrote this book and as I tried to anticipate your rich flow of deep and important questions. Evelyn Kurzweil: My beautiful mother. You personify the words of Hillel when he taught the essence of the Torah, and you are a role model of patience, kindness, empathy, and refinement. Your Hebrew name, Zisil, captures you perfectly. My editors: Georgette Beatty, Mike Lewis, Elizabeth Rea, and Rabbi Alan Kay. Georgette, your firm and wise guidance, your delicious laughter, and your genuine warmth made the whole process an uplifting one. Mike, thank you for your vision and for your confidence in me. Elizabeth, every question, suggestion, and insight from you enhanced this book. Alan, it is no surprise that your participation inspired me to be more sensitive to others; you are a rare gem. Because I have been in the world of publishing for 30 years, I know the kind of magic that talented editors perform.
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