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The #1 bestselling inspirational classic from the nationally known spiritual leader; a source of solace and hope for over 4 million readers. When Harold Kushner’s three-year-old son was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that meant the boy would only live until his early teens, he was faced with one of life’s most difficult questions: Why, God? Years later, Rabbi Kushner wrote this straightforward, elegant contemplation of the doubts and fears that arise when tragedy strikes. In these pages, Kushner shares his wisdom as a rabbi, a parent, a reader, and a human being. Often imitated but never superseded, When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a classic that offers clear thinking and consolation in times of sorrow. Read more

Elegant, passionate, and filled with the love of God's creation, Abraham Joshua Heschel's The Sabbath has been hailed as a classic of Jewish spirituality ever since its original publication-and has been read by thousands of people seeking meaning in modern life. In this brief yet profound meditation on the meaning of the Seventh Day, Heschel introduced the idea of an "architecture of holiness" that appears not in space but in time Judaism, he argues, is a religion of time: it finds meaning not in space and the material things that fill it but in time and the eternity that imbues it, so that "the Sabbaths are our great cathedrals."Featuring black-and-white illustrations by Ilya Schor Read more

The national bestsellerFrom one of our country’s most prominent rabbis, an inspiring book about the power of community based on one of her most impactful sermons.In a time of loneliness and isolation, social rupture and alienation, what will it take to mend our broken hearts and rebuild our society?Sharon Brous—a leading American rabbi—makes the case that the spiritual work of our time, as instinctual as it is counter-cultural, is to find our way to one other in celebration, in sorrow, and in solidarity. To show up for each other in moments of joy and pain, vulnerability and possibility, to invest in relationships of shared purpose and build communities of care. Brous contends that it is through honoring our most basic human instinct-- the yearning for real connection-- that we reawaken our shared humanity and begin to heal. This kind of sacred presence is captured by the word amen, a powerful ancient idea that we affirm the fullness of one another’s experience by demonstrating, in body and word: “I see you. You are not alone.” An acclaimed preacher and story-teller, Brous pairs heart-driven anecdotes from her experience building and pastoring to a leading-edge faith community over the past two decades with ancient Jewish wisdom and contemporary science. The result is a clarion call: the sense of belonging engendered by our genuine presence is not only a social and biological need, but a moral and spiritual necessity.With original insights and practical tools, The Amen Effect translates foundational ideas into simple practices that connect us to our better angels, offering a blueprint for a more meaningful life and a more connected and caring world. Read more

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Olga Lengyel relates one of the most terrifying stories of all time, honestly and without apologies. This authentic, recorded account is a personal, day-by-day account of a lovely woman who lived through the horrors of Auschwitz and Birchenau. This book serves as an essential reminder of one of the most heinous chapters in human history. It had been an eye-opening experience. It's a startling novel. Read more

The classic and beloved guide to the cultural and spiritual treasures of Judaism; Living a Jewish Life is a primer on Jewish vocabulary, holidays, life cycle events, as well as a handbook for how to make Jewish choices for yourself in our ever-changing modern world.Living a Jewish Life describes Judaism as not just a contemplative or abstract system of thought but as a blueprint for living fully and honorably. This new edition builds on the classic guide, which has been a favorite among Jewish educators and students for years. Enriched with additional resources, including online resources, this updated guide also references recent changes in the modern Jewish community, and has served as a resource and guide for non–Jews as well as Jews.Addressing the choices posed by the modern world, Living a Jewish Life explains the traditions and beliefs of Judaism in the context of real life. It explores the spectrum of liberal Jewish thought, from Conservative to Reconstructionist to Reform, as well as unaffiliated, new age, and secular. Celebrating the diversity of Jewish beliefs, this guide provides information in ways that readers can choose how to incorporate Judaism into their lives. There are no “shoulds” in Living a Jewish Life, just the foundation needed to understand the whys, supported by the Torah, traditional Jewish Law, interpretive texts such as the Midrash, and the sweep of Jewish historyReaders will learn how to choose the right synagogue, and discover the meaning and significance of lighting Sabbath candles. "Shabbat," "Torah," "kosher," "mitzvah" and other key words are all defined in all of their complex and potent meanings.On the most basic level, this book explains the essential Jewish vocabulary, but more importantly, Living a Jewish Life is a sensitive and comprehensive introduction that reveals the timeless nature of Jewish tradition, rich with history and relevant in the modern world. Read more

The Essential Talmud is a masterful introduction by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz to the great repository of Jewish wisdom, the Talmud. A book of profound scholarship and concise pedagogy, The Essential Talmud succinctly describes the Talmud's history, structure, and methodology. It summarizes the Talmud's main principles, demonstrates its contemporary relevance, and captures the spirit of this unique and paradoxical sacred text as a human expression of divine law. Read more

A profound, startling new understanding of Jewish life, illuminating the forgotten heart of Jewish theology and practice: love.A dramatic misinterpretation of the Jewish tradition has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is the religion of love, and Judaism the religion of law. In the face of centuries of this widespread misrepresentation, Rabbi Shai Held―one of the most important Jewish thinkers in America today―recovers the heart of the Jewish tradition, offering the radical and moving argument that love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity. Blending intellectual rigor, a respect for tradition and the practices of a living Judaism, and a commitment to the full equality of all people, Held seeks to reclaim Judaism as it authentically is. He shows that love is foundational and constitutive of true Jewish faith, animating the singular Jewish perspective on injustice and protest, grace, family life, responsibilities to our neighbors and even our enemies, and chosenness.Ambitious and revelatory, Judaism Is About Love illuminates the true essence of Judaism―an act of restoration from within. Read more

Cuando su hijo fue diagnosticado a los tres años de edad con una enfermedad degenerativa que acortaría su vida en la adolescencia, Harold Kushner se enfrentó a una de las preguntas más angustiantes en la vida: ¿Por qué, Dios? Años más tarde, el rabino Kushner escribió esta contemplación sencilla y elegante de las dudas y temores que surgen cuando una tragedia nos golpea la puerta. Kushner comparte su sabiduría como rabino, como padre, como lector y como ser humano. Con múltiples imitaciones que no han logrado superar este original, Cuando a la gente buena le pasan cosas malas es un clásico que nos ofrece pensamientos claros y consolación en períodos de dolor y tristeza. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION "The #1 bestselling inspirational classic from the nationally known spiritual leader; a source of solace and hope for over 4 million readers. When Harold Kushner’s three-year-old son was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that meant the boy would only live until his early teens, he was faced with one of life’s most difficult questions: Why, God? Years later, Rabbi Kushner wrote this straightforward, elegant contemplation of the doubts and fears that arise when tragedy strikes. In these pages, Kushner shares his wisdom as a rabbi, a parent, a reader, and a human being. Often imitated but never superseded, When Bad Things Happen to Good People is a classic that offers clear thinking and consolation in times of sorrow." Read more

In July 2008, a front-page story in the New York Times reported on the discovery of an ancient Hebrew tablet, dating from before the birth of Jesus, which predicted a messiah who would rise from the dead after three days. Commenting on this startling discovery at the time, noted Talmud scholar Daniel Boyarin argued that "some Christians will find it shocking-a challenge to the uniqueness of their theology".Guiding us through a rich tapestry of new discoveries and ancient scriptures, The Jewish Gospels makes the powerful case that our conventional understandings of Jesus and of the origins of Christianity are wrong. In Boyarin's scrupulously detailed account, the coming of the messiah was fully imagined in the ancient Jewish texts. Jesus, moreover, was embraced by many Jews as this person, and his core teachings were not at all a break from Jewish beliefs and teachings. Jesus and his followers, Boyarin reveals, were simply Jewish. What came to be known as Christianity came much later, as religious and political leaders sought to impose a new religious orthodoxy that was not present at the time of Jesus's life.In the vein of Elaine Pagels' The Gnostic Gospels, here is a brilliant new work that will break open some of our culture's most cherished assumptions. Read more

Your plain-English guide to JudaismWhether you're interested in the religion or the spirituality, the culture or the ethnic traditions, Judaism For Dummies explores the full spectrum of Judaism, dipping into the mystical, meditative, and spiritual depth of the faith and the practice. In this warm and welcoming book, you'll find coverage of: Orthodox Jews and breakaway denominations; Judaism as a daily practice; the food and fabric of Judaism; Jewish wedding ceremonies; celebrations and holy days; 4,000 years of pain, sadness, triumph, and joy; great Jewish thinkers and historical celebrities; and much more. Updates to the "recent history" section with discussions of what has happened in the first decade of the twenty-first century including: the expansion of orthodox political power in Israel; expansion of interfaith work; unfortunate recent anti-Semitic events; and other newsExpanded coverage of Jewish mysticism and meditation, which has become increasingly popular in recent yearsNew coverage on Jewish views of morality, including birth control, homosexuality, and environmental concernsRevised recipes for traditional Jewish cooking, updated key vocabulary, and Yiddish phrases everyone should knowJews have long spread out to the corners of the world, so there are significant Jewish communities on many continents. Judaism For Dummies offers a glimpse into the rituals, ideas, and terms that are woven into the history and everyday lives of Jewish people as near as our own neighborhoods and as far-reaching as across the world. P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you�re probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Judaism For Dummies (9781118407516). The book you see here shouldn�t be considered a new or updated product. But if you�re in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We�re always writing about new topics! Read more

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Winner of the National Jewish Book Award's Lifetime Achievement AwardWinner of the Natan Fund’s 2024 Natan PrizeThe Triumph of Life is Rabbi Irving Greenberg’s magnum opus—a narrative of the relationship between God and humanity as expressed in the Jewish journey through modernity, the Holocaust, the creation of Israel, and the birth of Judaism’s next era. Greenberg describes Judaism’s utopian vision of a world created by a God who loves life, who invites humans to live on the side of life, and who enables the forces of life to triumph over death. The Bible proclaims our mission of tikkun olam, repairing the world, such that every human image of God is sustained in the fullness of our dignity. To achieve this ideal, Judaism offers the method of covenant—a realistic, personal, incremental partnership between God and humanity across generations in which human beings grow ever more responsible for world repair. Greenberg calls on us to redirect humanity’s unprecedented power in modernity to overcome poverty, oppression, inequality, sickness, and war. The work of covenant requires an ethic of power—one that advances life collaboratively and at a human pace—so that the Jewish people and all humanity can bring the world toward the triumph of life. Read more

Abraham Joshua Heschel was one of the most revered religious leaders of the 20th century, and God in Search of Man and its companion volume, Man Is Not Alone, two of his most important books, are classics of modern Jewish theology. God in Search of Man combines scholarship with lucidity, reverence, and compassion as Dr. Heschel discusses not man's search for God but God's for man--the notion of a Chosen People, an idea which, he writes, "signifies not a quality inherent in the people but a relationship between the people and God." It is an extraordinary description of the nature of Biblical thought, and how that thought becomes faith. Read more

Of the many works of Ramchal, Mesillas Yesharim stands out as his magnum opus and has enjoyed great renown since it was first published in 1740 in Amsterdam. This treasured classic, newly translated in 2005, includes the complete Hebrew text with facing English translation and shoulder captions for clarity; and revitalizes the study of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto's classic ethical work.The Path of the Just has long been regarded as the crown jewel of mussar study. The Gaon of Vilna constantly kept a copy of Mesillas Yesharim at his side, and yet the piercing wisdom of the Ramchal is just as relevant to our own lives. The author gently guides the reader through various levels of character refinement, shining a beacon of light on the path to perfection. Read more

"Valuable, wise, and quietly moving" (Chicago Tribune), This Is My God is Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Herman Wouk's famous introduction to Judaism. A miracle of brevity, This Is My God guides readers through the world's oldest practicing religion with all the power, clarity, and wit of Wouk's celebrated novels. "Anyone who wants to know what orthodox Judaism means to an informed and intelligent orthodox Jew, who is at the same time thoroughly American in outlook and culture, will do well to study this work." --New York Times Book Review Read more

The Hebrew language uses alternate letters in order when contrasted with the English language. The Hebrew alphabet is usually called the "alefbet," in light of its initial two letters. The Hebrew letter set comprises twenty-two letters. They are intriguing and captivating to learn about in light of the fact that each letter in the Alefbet contains various implications and imageries. Each letter is a symbol, brimming with numerous and more profound implications, from strict direct significance to internal otherworldly importance. Understanding the letters gives basic knowledge of the more profound implications of the Torah and the Holy book. The in and out the significance of the Hebrew letters goes beyond the sound for which they stand. The letters form the core of the Jewish language and that of the religion. The twenty-two (22) letters of the Hebrew letters have emblematic importance. Each letter in Hebrew likewise has a specific numerical value known as "Gematria." A profound investigation of the inciting implications of the letters can change, widen, and develop our learning and can also lead us to more profound levels of spiritual experience. This book is a small section point into a more extensive and more profound field of study, which could be followed for a lifetime. Read more

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato's (RaMChaL) Derech Hashem, is probably the most systematic exposition of Jewish fundamentals ever written, exploring Divine regulation of the world. This classic philosophical work explains our most basic beliefs regarding the existence of G-d and His purpose in creation, and goes on to present the concepts needed to understand all the other important teachings of Judaism. Translated into English by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, it was published in 1977. This extensively revised edition was published in 1997 with marginal notes by Rabbi Yosef Begun. Vowelized, facing Hebrew and English texts. Read more