Urim Publications Jerusalem · New York Summer 2016 TOPICS Bible Commentary Biography Children Contemporary Issues Education Encyclopedia Fiction Hebrew Historical Fiction History Holidays Holocaust After the Holocaust Inspirational the Bells Still Ring Israel by Joseph Polak Jewish Law foreword by Elie Wiesel Jewish Thought Winner of the National Jewish Book Award 2015 in the category of Biography/Autobiography Lifecycle “This gem of a book, 70 years in the making, is already a classic, Passover Haggadah riveting in what it reveals, in the questions it releases.” –Merle Feld Prayer “As one of the last witnesses to the Shoah, certainly one of Psychology and Judaism the youngest, Joseph Polak has written a memoir that is an essential contribution to the body of Holocaust literature . Science and Judaism This is a must read for anyone not afraid of grappling with the unfathomable.” –Blu Greenberg Tikkun Olam “. Joseph’s voice originates from within Bergen-Belsen, and Women and Judaism perhaps poses the questions and challenges to G-d that Anne [Frank] might have posed, had she survived. His story and Title Index her story merge. These two youngsters from Holland, Anne forever a teenager, Joseph approaching the status of elder, provide a perspective of unusual insight from within the Holocaust, and from within survival.” –Robert Krell, MD Publishing since 1997 Urim Publications, 2015, Hardcover, 141 pages $19.95 (70 nis), isbn 978-965-524-162-4 2 www.UrimPublications.com American Interests in the Holy Land Revealed in Early Photographs From 1840 to 1940 by Lenny Ben-David Although Jewish life in the Holy Land reawakened during the 19th century, photographs of Jews in Palestine and the life they lived there are scarce. Collecting photographs from the archives of the Library of Congress, the Ottoman Imperial Archives, the New York Public Library, libraries in universities and churches around the world, and in families’ albums, Lenny Ben-David provides a unique and visual history of the American fascination and dedication to a Jewish national home in the Holy Land. Photo essays include fascinating stories such as why Lincoln wanted to visit Jerusalem, how the U.S. Navy saved the Jews of Palestine in 1915, why the Chief Rabbi of Palestine visited the White House in 1924, why there was a Ferris wheel on the Holy Mount Zion, where did Mark Twain stay in Jerusalem, and much more. Urim Publications, 2016, Hardcover, $44.95 (180 nis) isbn 978-965-524-235-5 www.UrimPublications.com 3 Moadei HaRav Maimonides, Public Lectures on the Festivals by Between Philosophy Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Halakhah Based Upon Student Notes Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik’s Lectures by Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Pick on the Guide of the Perplexed edited with an introduction by Through a collection of essays and lectures, Rabbi Dr. Shlomo H. Pick provides insight on Rabbi Jo- Lawrence J. Kaplan seph B. Soloveitchik’s thoughts on Jewish festivals foreword by Dov Schwartz with focus on examples of Talmudic study. Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik was not only one of the This is the first and only comprehensive study outstanding Talmudists of the 20th century, but of the philosophy of Maimonides by the noted was also one of its most creative and seminal Jewish 20th-century rabbinic scholar and thinker, Rabbi thinkers. Moadei HaRav provides lectures by the Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Rav on the major Jewish holidays, such as Passover Based on a complete set of notes, taken by Rabbi and Sukkot, as well as Hanukah and Purim. An Gerald (Yaakov) Homnick, on R. Soloveitchik’s introductory essay analyzes the Rav’s works and lectures on Maimonides’ Guide of the Perplexed at interests in Judaism as well as his methodology of the Bernard Revel Graduate School, and edited Talmud analysis. by the noted scholar Lawrence Kaplan, this work constitutes a major contribution to our knowledge Urim Publications, KTAV Publishing, of both Maimonides and Soloveitchik. Over the and Bar Ilan University, 2016 course of these lectures, he develops a profound Hardcover, 278 pages, $29.95 (120 nis) and challenging overall approach to and interpre- isbn 978-965-524-219-5 tation of the Guide’s central and critical issue: the relationship between philosophy and divine law. Urim Publications and KTAV, 2016 Hardcover, 256 pages (includes index) 4 www.UrimPublications.com $28.95 (120 nis), isbn 978-965-524-203-4 The Good Rabbi The Wise Rebbetzin Leading with Compassionate Halachah Women with Leadership Authority According to Halachah by Rabbi Daniel Sperber by Rabbi Daniel Sperber The contemporary rabbi nowadays is influenced by the modern rabbinic establishments throughout The Wise Rebbetzin: Women with Leadership the world, especially the rabbinate in Israel. This Authority According to Halacha examines in monopoly on opinions and interpretations of detail the legitimacy for feminine leadership in Talmudic texts prevents individual rabbis from Jewish law. Exploring the various manifestations creating their own independent positions out of female leadership, whether as women rabbis of fear of critique. The current structure gives a or other forms of female halachic adjudication, negative impression on the rabbinic establishment. The Wise Rebbetzin responds to the standard The Good Rabbi tries to describe and delineate key criticisms leveled at the recent phenomenon of requirements for a good rabbi, i.e., one who can female authority within the Orthodox community. give socially acceptable halachic solutions within In this ground-breaking book, Rabbi Professor the parameters of Orthodox thinking. In order to Daniel Sperber argues the halachic, political, and do this, Sperber points out the halachic techniques sociological levels of female leadership in Judaism. and mechanisms that may be used toward this goal. These are illustrated with stories from rabbinic lit- Urim Publications, 2016 erature and examples from the responsa literature. Hardcover, $24.95 (90 nis) isbn: 978-965-524-246-1 Urim Publications, 2016 Hardcover, $24.95 (90 nis) isbn: 978-965-524-238-6 www.UrimPublications.com 5 Conversion, Carmel College in Intermarriage, and the Kopul Era Jewish Identity A History of Carmel College: September 1948–March 1962 (The Orthodox Forum) edited by Robert S. Hirt, by Rabbi Dr. Chaim Simons Adam Mintz and Marc Stern In 1947, Rabbi Kopul Rosen, a graduate of the Mir Yeshivah and the then Principal Rabbi of Questions of conversion have been amongst the the British Federation of Synagogues, began to most fraught issues on the internal Jewish agenda develop his dream of establishing a residential in Israel, the United States, and elsewhere. The boys school which would combine the ideals rifts have grown wider given increasing rates of of the British Public School with the study and intermarriage in the United States and the collapse practice of traditional Judaism. As a result, Carmel of opposition to intermarriage almost everywhere College was born. Despite financial problems and but the Orthodox community and some sections administrative obstacles, Rabbi Rosen succeeded of Conservative Judaism. The spectacular success remarkably well with his project. This is the story of the Soviet Jewry movement, and the critically of Carmel College during that time. important aliyah of roughly a million Soviet Jews, brought a new urgency to the problem. Urim Publications, 2016 This monograph represents the first collection Softcover, 670 pages, $39.95 (130 nis) of essays and articles by leading scholars and rabbis isbn 13: 978-965-524-236-2 on the topics of intermarriage, conversion, and Jewish identity. These issues stand at the forefront of the Jewish world in the 21st century. Yeshiva University Press, KTAV Publishing, and Urim Publications, 2015 Hardcover, 501 pages (includes index) $36.95 (150 nis), isbn 978-965-524-197-6 6 www.UrimPublications.com Nefesh HaTzimtzum, Nefesh HaTzimtzum, Volume 1 Volume 2 Rabbi Chaim Volozhin’s Understanding Nefesh HaChaim Nefesh HaChaim through the Key Concept of Tzimtzum with Translation and Commentary and Related Writings by Avinoam Fraenkel “Rav Fraenkel’s . translation and elucidation of the Nefesh HaChaim is outstanding.” –Rabbi Dovid Cohen “There is much pseudo-depth in this generation and it is a true pleasure and comfort to encounter a writer who invests maximal effort towards reaching the truth of the Torah and of wisdom.” –Professor Jonathan Garb “R. Avinoam Fraenkel . has proven at length . that everyone agrees that the concept of Tzimtzum is not to be understood literally . .” –Rabbi Yitzchok Meir Morgenstern “We owe Avinoam Fraenkel an immense debt of gratitude for a monumental labour of scholarship. Truly this is a work by which, at every level, we are enriched.” –Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks “Many will now begin to properly study this holy book [Nefesh HaChaim].” –Rabbi Hershel Schachter “Nefesh HaTzimtzum is a monumental work which truly explains the teachings and worldview of Rabbi Chaim Volozhin. Avinoam amazingly dispels the confusion [about Tzimtzum] by explaining the historical factors and providing scholarly proof.” –Rabbi Moshe Schatz Volume 1 Volume 2 Urim Publications, 2015 Urim Publications, 2015 Hardcover, 811 pages, $34.95 (120 nis) Hardcover, 757 pages (includes indexes) isbn 978-965-524-165-5 $34.95 (120 nis), isbn 978-965-524-177-8 www.UrimPublications.com 7 The Eyes of Isaac A Concise Code Medical and Halachic Perspectives of Jewish Law on Ophthalmologic Conditions for Converts edited by Norman Saffra, MD FACS Foreword by Alan Kadish, MD by Rabbi Michael J. Broyde A compilation of essays and studies from leading While the topic of conversion in Judaism has doctors, professors, and rabbis, The Eyes of Isaac been extensively covered, no one has explored the endeavors to connect important medical and particular laws related to post-conversion. In A psychological issues of ophthalmology with Jewish Concise Code of Jewish Law for Converts, Michael law. Rabbis and physicians navigate the daily chal- J. Broyde explores many topics and questions that lenges that visual disability presents for themselves revolve around the life of a Jewish convert.