The moving story of Professor Shaul Harel’s life from darkness to light, from Holocaust survivor to world expert in pediatric neurology and child development.This is the story of Prof. Shaul Harel, formerly Charlie Hilsberg, who lost his shadow in 1942 at only five years old, when he was separated from his family and surroundings and saved from the furnaces of Auschwitz by the Belgian resistance.This book reveals his story, from his time as a “hidden child” in France and Belgium during the Holocaust, through his experiences in orphanages, his immigration to Israel, the serious injury he sustained in his military service, the choice to study medicine, and lastly the mark he has made in the field of pediatric neurologyand child development in Israel and in the world.A story of overcoming impossible trauma and reaching professional and personal success against all odds. The book channels a universal message of survival, optimism, and hope. Read more

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Toward a Meaningful Life is a spiritual road map for living based on the teachings of one of the foremost religious leaders of our time: Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Head of the Lubavitcher movement for forty-four years and recognized throughout the world simply as “the Rebbe,” Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who passed away in June 1994, was a sage and a visionary of the highest order.Toward a Meaningful Life gives people of all backgrounds  fresh perspectives on every aspect of their lives—from birth to death, youth to old age; marriage, love, intimacy, and family; the persistent issues of career, health, pain, and suffering; and education, faith, science, and government. We learn to bridge the divisions between accelerated technology and decelerated morality, between unprecedented worldwide unity and unparalleled personal disunity. Although the Rebbe’s teachings are firmly anchored in more than three thousand years of scholarship, the urgent relevance of these old-age truths to contemporary life has never been more manifest.             At the threshold of a new world where matter and spirit converge, the Rebbe proposes spiritual principles that unite people as opposed to the materialism that divides them. In doing so, he continues to lead us toward personal and universal redemption, toward a meaningful life, and toward God. Read more

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Elie Wiesel’s classic look at Job and seven other Biblical characters as they grapple with their relationship with God and the question of his justice.“Wiesel has never allowed himself to be diverted from the role of witness for the martyred Jews and survivors of the Holocaust, and by extension for all those who through the centuries have asked Job's question: ‘What is God doing and where is His justice?’ Here in a masterful series of mythic portraits, drawing upon Bible tales and the Midrashim (a body of commentary), Wiesel explores ‘the distant and haunting figures that molded him’: Adam, Cain and Abel, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Job. With the dramatic invention of a Father Mapple and the exquisite care of a Talmudic scholar, Wiesel interprets the wellsprings of Jewish religious tradition as the many faces of man’s greatness facing the inexplicable. In an intimate relationship with God it is possible to complain, to demand. Adam and Eve in sinning “cried out” against the injustice of their entrapment; Cain assaulted God rather than his brother; and Abraham's agreement to sacrifice his son placed the burden of guilt on Him who demanded it. As for Job, Wiesel concludes that he abdicated his defiance as did the confessing Communists of Stalin’s time to ‘underline the implausibility’ of his trial, and thus become the accuser. Wiesel’s concern with the imponderables of fate seems to move from strength to strength” (Kirkus Reviews). Read more

“A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the world of Hasidim. . . . based on extensive interviews [and] solid research.” —Kirkus ReviewsIn this “absorbing read” (Booklist), veteran New York Times journalist Joseph Berger takes us inside the notoriously insular world of the ultra-Orthodox Jews known as Hasidim to explore their origins, beliefs, and struggles—and the social and political implications of their expanding presence in America.Though the Hasidic way of life was nearly extinguished in the Holocaust, today the Hasidim—”the pious ones”—have become one of the most prominent religious subcultures in America. Berger traces their origins in eighteenth-century Eastern Europe, illuminating the dynamics and core beliefs that remain so enigmatic to outsiders. He analyzes the Hasidim’s codified lifestyle, revealing its fascinating secrets, complexities, and paradoxes, and provides a nuanced and insightful portrayal of how their all-encompassing faith dictates nearly every aspect of life—including work, education, food, sex, clothing, and social relations—sustaining a sense of connection and purpose in a changing world.From the intense sectarian politics to the conflicts that arise over housing, transportation, schooling, and gender roles, The Pious Ones also chronicles the ways the fabric of Hasidic daily life is threatened by exposure to the wider world and also by internal fissures within its growing population. “Mr. Berger, who has reported on Hasidic communities for thirty years, plays the role of mythbuster. . . . a nice primer on Hasidim.” —The Wall Street Journal“Although sympathetic, Berger does not romanticize the [Hasidim]. . . . His book takes us on a remarkable journey into the complexities of their lives.” —Jewish Week Read more

Includes All 53 chapters of the Tanya in one book! An astoundingly clear adaptation of Tanya, one of the most influential works of Jewish spiritual thought ever written, penned by Chasidic Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812). This new translation and commentary, by best-selling author Chaim Miller, renders the text relevant for the contemporary reader with elegant simplicity. The Practical Tanya will guide you on the path of spiritual consciousness to a state of inner freedom and liberation. Read more

A unique daily personal guide that will lead you through a fascinating experience of emotional character refinement, with exercises for each of the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. This book will change your life as it guides you through a mystical yet accessible, practical 49-step journey through the human personality, refining and perfecting your emotions and behavior allowing you to grow and better cope with life's daily challenges. Read more

Gain a better understanding of the Kabbalah path to spiritual transformation and a deeper connection with the Jewish faithComing from the Hebrew root that means "to receive," Kabbalah is known as the "inner" or "esoteric" dimension of Judaism. Kabbalah for Beginners is your introduction to a great spiritual tradition that will help you deepen your experience of the Divine through Kabbalistic portals into the Eternal Present.Divided into four categories: theosophical, ecstatic, Hasidic, and contemporary, this book explores everything including ancient concepts, core teachings, practices and traditions, and even misconceptions of Kabbalah. Written in a contemporary tone and point of view, this beginner's guide brings this ancient discipline into the here and now.In Kabbalah for Beginners you'll find:God is existence—The Kabbalist method is that God is not a being, not even the most supreme being, but is rather Being itself.What is Kabbalah—Get inspired by interspersed quotes from the Torah and frequent sidebars that highlight the Kabbalah's relevance to readers' experiences.Spirituality simplified—Learn through a clear straightforward language to bring intuitiveness to deep philosophical concepts.Discover a contemporary guide to this ancient wisdom and move toward spiritual transformation. Read more

olume Three: Igeres Ha-Teshuvah (Letter on Repentance) An astoundingly clear adaptation of Tanya, one of the most influential works of Jewish spiritual thought ever written, penned by Chasidic Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812). Letter on Repentance is a one of the clearest and most enduring guides to repentance and spiritual rehabilitation, from the perspective of Kabbalah, Chasidus and classical Jewish sources. Volume Three is a complete and independent work which stands on its own and does not require the prior study of Volumes One or Two. Many readers, in fact, find this volume in particular the best gateway to the world of Chasidic thought. This new translation and commentary, by best-selling author Rabbi Chaim Miller, renders the text relevant for the contemporary reader with elegant simplicity. The Practical Tanya will guide you on the path of spiritual consciousness to a state of inner freedom and liberation. Read more

Discover the hidden secrets of Torah and Kabbalah through the captivating stories of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. “Rabbi Nachman’s stories are among the great classics of Jewish literature. They have been recognized by Jews and non-Jews alike for their depth and insight into both the human condition and the realm of the mysterious.”—from Aryeh Kaplan’s Translator’s Introduction For centuries, spiritual teachers have told stories to convey lessons about God and perceptions of the world around us. Hasidic master Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810) perfected this teaching method through his engrossing and entertaining stories that are fast-moving, brilliantly structured, and filled with penetrating insights. This collection presents the wisdom of Rebbe Nachman, translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and accompanied by illuminating commentary drawn from the works of Rebbe Nachman’s pupils. This important work brings you authentic interpretations of Rebbe Nachman’s stories, allowing you to experience the rich heritage of Torah and Kabbalah that underlies each word of his inspirational teachings. Read more

“One of the greatest religious biographies ever written.” – Dennis PragerIn this enlightening biography, Joseph Telushkin offers a captivating portrait of the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a towering figure who saw beyond conventional boundaries to turn his movement, Chabad-Lubavitch, into one of the most dynamic and widespread organizations ever seen in the Jewish world. At once an incisive work of history and a compendium of Rabbi Schneerson's teachings, Rebbe is the definitive guide to understanding one of the most vital, intriguing figures of the last centuries.From his modest headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the Rebbe advised some of the world's greatest leaders and shaped matters of state and society. Statesmen and artists as diverse as Ronald Reagan, Robert F. Kennedy, Yitzchak Rabin, Menachem Begin, Elie Wiesel, and Bob Dylan span the spectrum of those who sought his counsel.  Rebbe explores Schneerson's overarching philosophies against the backdrop of treacherous history, revealing his clandestine operations to rescue and sustain Jews in the Soviet Union, and his critical role in the expansion of the food stamp program throughout the United States. More broadly, it examines how he became in effect an ambassador for Jews globally, and how he came to be viewed by many as not only a spiritual archetype but a savior. Telushkin also delves deep into the more controversial aspects of the Rebbe's leadership, analyzing his views on modern science and territorial compromise in Israel, and how in the last years of his life, many of his followers believed that he would soon be revealed as the Messiah, a source of contention until this day. Read more

The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s colossal achievements in the service of world Jewry are well known. From his office in 770 Eastern Parkway, he initiated some of the most successful and innovative programming that the Jewish world has ever seen. What is not so well known is his scholarly prowess and his impressive mastery of the entire range of Torah disciplines. In this book, scholar Yosef Bronstein explores the philosophy and genius of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, zt”l.Engaging the Essence addresses abstract philosophical issues, such as the nature of the material world and free will, as well as pressing contemporary issues, such as the Rebbe’s approach to the State of Israel and the role of women in our generation. It also investigates the Rebbe’s exceptional perspective on and push for “the true and complete redemption.” Read more

Discovered in the rubble of the Warsaw Ghetto, Rabbi Kalonymus Kalmish Shapira’s wartime writings exemplify the faith of Hasidic Jewry under the unimaginable conditions of the Nazi occupation. Published in 1960 under the Hebrew title Aish Kodesh, the notes of Rabbi Shapira’s weekly Sabbath sermons and annotations have been studied by pious Hasidim and secular academics alike, seeking his answers to the searing theological questions posed by the war. Why do the righteous suffer? Where was God during the Holocaust? Torah from the Years of Wrath provides a new and essential scholarly contribution by placing Rabbi Shapira’s writings in their immediate historical context. Using a wide variety of primary sources, Abramson situates the sermons within the daily experience of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto, demonstrating that Rabbi Shapira’s often enigmatic discourses contained veiled messages—opaque to later readers, but readily understood by his congregants at the time—that related directly to the traumatic events endured by his Hasidim. Abramson’s reconstruction of the micro-history of the Ghetto reveals that Rabbi Shapira’s work represents a sustained act of spiritual heroism, helping his followers place their individual tragedies within the cosmic meta-history of the Jewish people, as expressed in the Torah itself. Torah from the Years of Wrath provides a new and essential scholarly contribution by placing Rabbi Shapira’s writings in their immediate historical context. Using a wide variety of primary sources in Yiddish, Hebrew, Polish and German, Abramson situates the sermons within the daily experience of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto, demonstrating that Rabbi Shapira’s often enigmatic discourses contained veiled messages—opaque to later readers, but readily understood by his congregants at the time—that related directly to the traumatic events endured by his Hasidim. Abramson’s reconstruction of the micro-history of the Ghetto reveals that Rabbi Shapira’s work represents a sustained act of spiritual heroism, helping his followers place their individual tragedies within the cosmic meta-history of the Jewish people, as expressed in the Torah itself. "Extraordinary." Rabbi Moshe Weinberger "A groundbreaking study, a great achievement and a major contribution." Dr. Daniel Reiser Read more

A highly-readable Hasidic program of spiritual growth, focusing on theory and practical exercises that employ visualization, contemplation and emotion. A twentieth century spiritual classic. Read more

In the vein of Prozac Nation and Girl, Interrupted, an electrifying memoir about a young woman's promiscuous and self-destructive spiral after being cast out of her ultra-Orthodox Jewish family Leah Vincent was born into the Yeshivish community, a fundamentalist sect of ultra-Orthodox Judaism. As the daughter of an influential rabbi, Leah and her ten siblings were raised to worship two things: God and the men who ruled their world. But the tradition-bound future Leah envisioned for herself was cut short when, at sixteen, she was caught exchanging letters with a male friend, a violation of religious law that forbids contact between members of the opposite sex. Leah's parents were unforgiving. Afraid, in part, that her behavior would affect the marriage prospects of their other children, they put her on a plane and cut off ties. Cast out in New York City, without a father or husband tethering her to the Orthodox community, Leah was unprepared to navigate the freedoms of secular life. She spent the next few years using her sexuality as a way of attracting the male approval she had been conditioned to seek out as a child, while becoming increasingly unfaithful to the religious dogma of her past. Fast-paced, mesmerizing, and brutally honest, Cut Me Loose tells the story of one woman's harrowing struggle to define herself as an individual. Through Leah's eyes, we confront not only the oppressive world of religious fundamentalism, but also the broader issues that face even the most secular young women as they grapple with sexuality and identity. Read more

Named one of "forty-three books to read before you die" by the Independent (UK)2015 National Jewish Book Award Winner 2016 Winner of the GLCA New Writers Award in NonfictionOne of Star Magazine's "Fab 5 Can't-Miss Entertainment Picks"A moving and revealing exploration of Hasidic life, and one man's struggles with faith, family, and communityShulem Deen was raised to believe that questions are dangerous. As a member of the Skverers, one of the most insular Hasidic sects in the US, he knows little about the outside world--only that it is to be shunned. His marriage at eighteen is arranged and several children soon follow. Deen's first transgression--turning on the radio--is small, but his curiosity leads him to the library, and later the Internet. Soon he begins a feverish inquiry into the tenets of his religious beliefs, until, several years later, his faith unravels entirely. Now a heretic, he fears being discovered and ostracized from the only world he knows. His relationship with his family at stake, he is forced into a life of deception, and begins a long struggle to hold on to those he loves most: his five children. In All Who Go Do Not Return, Deen bravely traces his harrowing loss of faith, while offering an illuminating look at a highly secretive world. Read more

“Excuse me, are you Jewish?” With these words, the relentlessly cheerful, ideologically driven emissaries of Chabad-Lubavitch approach perfect strangers on street corners throughout the world in their ongoing efforts to persuade their fellow Jews to live religiously observant lives. In The Rebbe’s Army, award-winning journalist Sue Fishkoff gives us the first behind-the-scenes look at this small Brooklyn-based group of Hasidim and the extraordinary lengths to which they take their mission of outreach. They seem to be everywhere—in big cities, small towns, and suburbs throughout the United States, and in sixty-one countries around the world. They light giant Chanukah menorahs in public squares, run “Chabad houses” on college campuses from Berkeley to Cambridge, give weekly bible classes in the Capitol basement in Washington, D.C., run a nonsectarian drug treatment center in Los Angeles, sponsor the world’s biggest Passover Seder in Nepal, establish synagogues, Hebrew schools, and day-care centers in places that are often indifferent and occasionally hostile to their outreach efforts. They have built a billion-dollar international empire, with their own news service, publishing house, and hundreds of Websites.Who are these people? How successful are they in making Jews more observant? What influence does their late Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson (who some thought was the Messiah), continue to have on his followers? Fishkoff spent a year interviewing Lubavitch emissaries from Anchorage to Miami and has written an engaging and fair-minded account of a Hasidic group whose motives and methodology continue to be the subject of speculation and controversy. Read more

In Bringing Heaven Down To Earth, Tzvi Freeman explored an original means to deliver the wisdom of a great sage of our times, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, known universally as simply "the Rebbe." Using pithy yet highly readable, brief meditations, that book unveiled for us a deeper meaning to life and provided practical guidance to weather its waves and storms. It is a book that changed tens of thousands of lives. Now, in Wisdom to Heal the Earth, Freeman continues with that winning format, this time along with complementary brief essays. But now he takes us yet further, peering toward the Rebbe's vision of a world towards which all humanity is headed, and demonstrating how the details of our everyday lives are vital, crucial, and today especially urgent in reaching that grand and ultimate destiny. In Jewish parlance we call this Tikun Olam-the notion that we all enter this world with a mission to accomplish: to repair and perfect our assigned share of the world, so that it can become the world its Creator meant it to be. Read more

Welcome to the Healing Tehillim Edition of Emuna Judaism Magazine.We noticed a need for a Tehillim guide on the go, and/or easily accessible.We wanted it to have selected Psalms known to bring miraculous healing.The edition needed to be easy for beginners, so everyone can daven in the Hebrew language.We wanted to include the English so you can translate what you are reading.Our hope at Emuna Judaism Magazine is to take you into a deeper walk with Hashem.We believe as you pray these Tehillim, you will see breakthroughs!Enjoy Tehillim for healing!Please note: the transliteration does not include grammar and punctuation. Read more