The Jewish Eye - Jewish Thought & Philosophy

The Jewish Eye

Index - Jewish Thought & Philosophy
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The Biblical View of Man, by Leo Adler.
Rabbi Adler argues that the Bible is more about human beings than about God, and insists that in the biblical view, what human beings need is not so much wisdom or grace but rather their own free will to fulfill the obligations that a loving God has bestowed upon them in order to allow them to prove and improve themselves.
Book of Beliefs and Opinions, by Saadiah Gaon.
A philosophical classic, Rosenblatt called Saadiah's magnum opus "the first systematic presentation of Judaism as a rational body of beliefs."
Covenantal Imperatives, essays by Walter S. Wurzburger.
This collection of essays selected from the nearly six decades of Rabbi Walter Wurzburger's illustrious career, combines the author's mastery of Halakhah with a deep understanding of Jewish philosophy.
Created Equal: How the Bible Broke with Ancient Political Thought, by Joshua A. Berman.
In this book, Berman answers a question that has bothered Bible readers for centuries - "Why was the Bible written?"
Dignity Beyond Death: The Jewish Preparation for Burial, by Rochel U. Berman.
This is a moving, informative, and respectful book that discusses a very sensitive topic - how one should treat a dead body, and how the body is prepared for burial. Also included is a detailed discussion of the time-honored Jewish ritual known as tahara.
Dybbuks and Jewish Women in Social History, Mysticism and Folklore, by Rachel Elior.
This work examines how and why people thought they were possessed by the soul of a deceased person, called a dybbuk, and what happens to the possessed individuals.
The Essential Zohar: The Source of Kabbalistic Wisdom, by P. S. Berg.
The central text of Kabbalah, the Zohar is a commentary on the Bible's narratives. Rav Berg decodes its teachings on evil, redemption, human relationships, wealth and poverty, and more, from a contemporary perspective.
The Ethical Imperative (Chapter 4), by The Jewish Observer. (Book Excerpt)
Torah Perspectives on Ethics and Values.
Floating Takes Faith, by Rabbi David Wolpe. (Book Excerpt)
Our Own Prisons is an excerpt from Floating Takes Faith. This is a collection of Rabbi Wolpe's essays that explore Jewish life in the Modern World.
Great Jewish Letters, by Rabbi Moshe Bamberger.
This is a collection of classic and inspirational letters written by leading Torah scholars, which have been translated into English and enhanced by brief biographies of the authors.
Great Torah Lights from Great Torah Minds, by Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Goodman.
In this five-volume set, Rabbi Goodman has incorporated the teachings and wisdom of some of the greatest Torah scholars of all times, including HaRav Pinchas Friedman of Belz, in this innovative and highly accessible commentary on the Chumash.
How to Do Good & Avoid Evil, by Hans Kung and Rabbi Walter Homolka.
Explore how the principles of a global ethic can be found in Judaism and how they can provide the ethical norms for all religions to work together toward a more peaceful humankind.
Inventing New Beginnings: On the Idea of Renaissance in Modern Judaism, by Asher D. Biemann.
Between 1890-1938, German Jewry experienced a Jewish Renaissance, that saw many Jews rebel against the assimilation practices that were prevalent in Germany during this period. This resulted in many Jews returning to Judaism, at least on a cultural level. Inventing New Beginnings is a detailed study of this phenomenon.
The Jewish Body, by Melvin Konner.
An eclectic survey of Jewish physical and spiritual concepts related to the body, and its relationship to Jewish culture, history, and identity.
Jewish Philosophy in the Middle Ages, by Raphael Jospe.
This book introduces readers to all of the important Medieval Jewish philosophers, including Saadiah Gaon, Isaac Israeli, Solomon ibn Gabirol, Bachya ibn Paquda, Abraham ibn Ezra, Judah Ha-Levi, Abraham ibn Daud and, Moses Maimonides, and provides an overview of Jewish philosphy during the Middle Ages and the factors that influenced it.
Joyous Torah Treasures, by Sam Friedman, M.D..
This two volume set contains a 'Collection of Rabbinic Insights and Practical Advice for Daily Living'.
Judges for Our Time: Contemporary Lessons from the Book of Shoftim, by Rabbi Steven Pruzansky.
This book examines the Book of Shoftim (Book of Judges), both as an historical record and as a guidebook providing guidance on how Jews should live today.
The Kuzari: In Defense of the Despised Faith, by Yehudah Halevi.
When the king of the Kuzars decided to adopt a religion, planning to choose between Judaism, Christianity, Islam and philosophy. He invited a representative of each of the four groups and discussed their views with them. This book chronicles the debate between the king and the Jewish representative.
The Lion Cub of Prague: Thought, Kabbala, Hashkafa from Gur Arye, The Maharal of Prague - Genesis, by Moshe David Kuhr.
The Gur Arye is full of surprises, brimming with unique thoughts and diversions into rarely discussed Torah ideas. Kabbala is seamlessly woven into his text, and his work delves into such issues as What was God Thinking at the Moment of Creation, The Genesis of Evil, The Secret of Burial, The Navel of the Earth, and Man at the Catalyst of Harmony in the Universe.
Listen To Your Messages (Chapter 4), by Rabbi Yissocher Frand. (Book Excerpt)
And other observations on contemporary Jewish life.
Maimonides, by Sherwin B. Nuland.
Maimonidies was one of the most influential Jewish philosophers of his day. In this book, Nuland provides an accessible and intriguing overview of Maimonides' life, and thought.
Maimonides: A Guide for Today’s Perplexed, by Kenneth Seeskin.
Seeskin has written this book with the aim of making Maimonides understandable to modern readers. He does so by writing in clear English and by clarifying each point with examples from modern life.
Maimonides after 800 Years: Essays on Maimonides and His Influence, edited by Jay M. Harris.
This volume of sixteen thought-provoking and very informative essays is a collection composed by Maimonides scholars to commemorate the eight hundredth year since Maimonides’ death in 1204.
Maimonides and the Biblical Prophets, by Israel Drazin.
Revealing unknown but true facts about the prophetical books of the Bible, this book also addresses provocative questions that many Rabbis have avoided answering.
A Maimonides Reader, edited by Isadore Twersky.
Major selections from Maimonides' writings, including Guide to the Perplexed, Mishneh Torah, his essays, correspondence, and commentaries. The definitive one-volume English presentation.
Maimonides, Spinoza and Us: Toward an Intellectually Vibrant Judaism, by Rabbi Marc D. Angel.
This is an important book for people who want to understand the truth of Judaism, rather than the obscurantist notion that Jews must accept the views of authorities without asking questions.
Maimonides: The Exceptional Mind, by Israel Drazin.
An examination of the remarkable penetrating mind of Moses Maimonides and to his rational eye-opening thoughts on many subjects.
Maimonides: The Life and World of One of Civilizations Greatest Minds, by Joel L. Kraemer.
Kraemer has written a detailed and readable biography of Maimonides. In addition he has placed Maimonidies' life and thoughts within the context of the era in which he lived - the era of the crusades, the battles of Saladin, the clash of cultures, and the persecution of Jews by Christians and Muslims.
Maimonides: Torah and Philosophic Quest, by David Hartman.
In this book, Hartman departs from traditional scholarly views about Maimonides by offering a new way of understanding the great man and his work. This expanded edition contains Hartman's new postscript.
Our Wondrous World (Chapter 30), by Avrohom Katz. (Book Excerpt)
Perspectives on Maimonides: Philosophical and Historical Studies, edited by Joel L. Kraemer.
This book contains fifteen articles by leading, world-recognized Maimonidean scholars. These articles illustrate the radically different ways that scholars interpret Maimonides, and how much these experts have to teach us.
Philosophic Mysticism, by David R. Blumenthal.
Can a philosopher be a mystic? Classical scholarship on medieval Jewish thought answered this question, with few exceptions, in the negative. This book, a collection of essays written over a forty-year period by David R. Blumenthal, offers a forceful positive answer.
Putting Out the Fire: Your Unique Role in Bringing Jews Closer to Torah, by Aharon Ungar.
An exceptionally well-written book that offers the basic information that people need to know not only to bring Jews to Orthodoxy, but to draw people together in fellowship.
A Rational Approach to Judaism and Torah Commentary, by Israel Drazin.
This engaging and informative work presents a rational and thought provoking approach to the understanding of Judaism, and answers many questions such as: Does God want people to pray? Should people of one religious group, such as Jews, listen to the views of another religion? Is the concept of "sin" harmful and, if so, how?
Rejoice in Your Festivals: Penetrating Insights into Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, by Rabbi Zvi Dov Kanotopsky.
A collection of more than three dozen sermons on the three biblical holidays of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot.
Religious Zionism of Rav Kook, by Pinchas Polonsky.
In this book, Polonsky explains two of Rabbi Abraham-Yitzhak Kook's unique concepts. The first idea is that there are three ways that people should communicate with God: as an individual, as a nation, and via all of humanity. The second is the concept of "continuing revelation" and how God is revealed today.
Revelation Restored: Divine Writ and Critical Responses, by David Weiss Halivni.
Were the five books of Moses revealed to the Israelites by G-d? If it was revealed, is the text the same today, as the one that was revealed? Renowned Judaic scholar David Weiss Halivni answers the questions, and many more...
The Secret of the Jews: Letters to Nietzsche, by David Ben Moshe.
Why have Jews been able to survive for several thousand years when virtually all other civilizations, nations and cultures disappear after about five hundred years? David Ben Moshe, a psychiatrist, addresses this, and related questions, in The Secret of the Jews by means of sixteen imaginary letters to the non-Jewish philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
The Seven Questions You're Asked in Heaven, by Dr. Ron Wolfson.
In this charming, inspiring and wise guide to a well-lived life, beloved teacher Ron Wolfson provides an advance copy of the Seven Questions you'll be asked in heaven... The answers to these questions will help you shape a life of purpose and meaning on earth today.
Studies in Maimonides and His Interpreters, by Marc B. Shapiro.
More than 800 years after his death, the figure of Moses Maimonides—rabbi, philosopher, doctor, and communal leader—continues to fascinate. Studies in Maimonides and His Interpreters unites the traditional rabbinic approach and the modern academic perspective to forge a new understanding of this iconic teacher.
Templates For The Ages (Chapter 15), by Rabbi David Cohen. (Book Excerpt)
Historical perspectives through the Torah's lenses.
With Hearts Full of Faith (Chapter 11), by Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon and Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Reinman. (Book Excerpt)
Insights into faith and trust in Jewish life - A selection of addresses by Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon.
Why Observe Torah Laws?, by Israel Drazin.
Why Observe Torah Laws? A conversation between a nineteen-year-old young man and a Rabbi provides and edifying answer to the age old question.
The Wisdom of Maimonides: The Life and Writings of the Jewish Sage, by Edward Hoffman.
This book offers an accessible introduction to the life and wisdom of the famous twelfth-century philosopher-physician Moses Maimonides, along with a psychological analysis of Maimonides.
The Works of Philo, by Philo of Alexandria.
A contemporary of Paul and Jesus, Philo Judaeus, of Alexandria, Egypt, is unquestionably among the most important writers for historians and students of Hellenistic Judaism and early Christianity.

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