The Jewish Eye - Jewish Thought & Philosophy

The Jewish Eye

Index - Jewish Thought & Philosophy
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Abraham Maimonides' Wars of the Lord and the Maimonidean Controversy, by Abraham Maimonides.
This book was written by Abraham Maimonides, in defense of his father, Moses Maimonides. Beyond the clarity of the response per se and its reflection of the personality of Rabbi Abraham, the book serves as a guidepost for every individual in his fulfillment of daily mitzvot as well as in his development of the moral and ethical personality, leading to human perfection.
All These Vows, edited by Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman.
People who attend no other services go out of their way to be present on Yom Kippur eve... This book explains the meaning and importance of the Kol Nidre prayers.
Baseless Hatred, by Rene H. Levy.
What is hatred? What is baseless hatred? And how does this basic human emotion affect our relationships, our communities, and our world? These and more questions are answered in this timely book.
Between Rashi and Maimonides, edited by Ephraim Kanarfogel and Moshe Sokolow.
This is a collection of fifteen scholarly articles discussing the two great sages Rashi (1040-1105) and Maimonides (1138-1204) who lived almost exactly a century apart and who had radically different views about virtually everything related to Judaism.
The Bible: The Greatest Marketing Tool Ever Written, by Bernard Beck.
In this book, Beck concludes that the Bible's authors wanted to enable the nascent Hebrew tribes to coalesce into a nation, and compares their efforts to the recommendations of top modern-day marketing authorities, illustrating the prescient marketing effort in the Bible.
Beyond Appearances, by Aryeh Wineman.
Stories from the Kabbalistic Ethical Writings.
Biblical Prose Prayer: As a Window to the Popular Religion of Ancient Israel, by Moshe Greenberg.
Greenberg finds in this rich life of private prayer a setting for the high religious ideas--and the scathing critique of worship--that characterized the "genius" of the prophets of the eighth and ninth centuries B.C.
The Biblical View of Man, by Leo Adler.
Rabbi Adler argues that the Bible is more about human beings than about G-d, 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 G-d 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."
A Caring Presence, by Rabbi Simeon Schreiber.
Bringing the Gift of Hope, Comfort and Courage - Guidelines for Bikur Cholim Visitation.
Change & Renewal, by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.
Offering insights into the holidays that will enhance your understanding, appreciation, and celebration of the various events in the Jewish calendar.
Chovas HaTalmidim and Sheloshah Ma'amarim, by Hagaon Rav Kalonymus Kalmish Shapira.
In the unspeakable tortures of the Warsaw Ghetto, a bright light shone: the guidance and holiness of the Piaseczna Rebbe. His saintly insight is preserved and presented in this beautiful volume, the work of a team of Torah scholars, who have rendered it into English.
Confronting Scandal, by Dr. Erica Brown.
How Jews Can Respond When Jews Do Bad Things. Jews seem to be in the news today for all of the wrong reasons. The Jewish community has yet to take stock of what these breaches of civil law and Jewish ethical teachings mean for us as a people. How do we manage collective discomfort and shame?
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.
Creating Lively Passover Seders, by David Arnow.
This innovative, interactive guide will help encourage fresh perspectives and lively dialogue. As an intriguing Haggadah companion, it offers thematic discussion topics, text study ideas, activities and readings that come alive in the traditional group setting of the Passover Seder.
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.
The Dimension Beyond, by Rabbi Yisrael Lorberbaum.
The author simplifies complex concepts, melding them with the words of Torah scholars throughout the ages to explain such things as the purpose of time, the nature of the spiritual world, and the journey of the soul.
Does the Soul Survive, by Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz.
Near-death experiences? Past-life regression? Reincarnation? Are these sorts of things Jewish? With a blend of candor, personal questioning, and sharp-eyed scholarship, Rabbi Elie Kaplan Spitz relates his own observations and the firsthand accounts shared with him by others.
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.
Empowered Judaism: How Independent Minyanim Can Teach Us about Building Vibrant Jewish Communities, by Rabbi Elie Kaunfer.
Rabbi Kaunfer offers a refreshingly new analysis of the age-old question of how to build strong Jewish community. He explores the independent minyan movement and the lessons it has to teach about prayer, community organizing and volunteer leadership.
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.
For the Love of Israel and the Jewish People, by Nathan Lopes Cardozo.
Essays and Studies on Israel, Jews and Judaism.
Freedom Journeys: The Tale of Exodus and Wilderness Across Millennia, by Rabbi Arthur O. Waskow and Rabbi Phyllis O. Berman.
This book calls us to rethink the story of Pharaoh, the Exodus, and the wilderness to learn from it ways we can address our modern-day enslavements that echo the ancient ones...
A Gathering of Angels: Angels in Jewish Life and Literature, by Rabbi Morris B. Margolies.
A look at three thousand years of Jewish literature and lore in an enlightening exploration of the angels, who shape and reflect Jewish beliefs, hopes, and fears.
G-d of Me, by Rabbi David Lyon.
There is no easy prescription for how to know G-d, yet everyone can pursue a personal relationship with G-d, just as our patriarchs and matriarchs did in their lives. How we come to know G-d, however, is unique to each of us...
The G-d Who Hates Lies, by David Hartman with Charlie Buckholtz.
In this deeply personal look at the struggle between commitment to Jewish religious tradition and personal morality, Dr. David Hartman, probes the deepest questions at the heart of what it means to be a human being and a Jew.
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.
The Guide to Serving G-d, by Abraham the son of Maimonides.
Famed for his appointment as Rais al-Yahud, leader of the Jews, at the age of eighteen, Rabbeinu Avraham was the undisputed leader of the Jewish people of his time. In this masterpiece, he directs the reader in how to attain the level of chasid, a person who strives to go beyond the minimal requirements of the law to experience a strong sense of closeness and intimacy with G-d.
The High Ways to Perfection of Abraham Maimonides, by Samuel Rosenblatt.
"Although our treatise bears no special name in the manuscripts but is designated merely as a part [the ninth] of the 'Comprehensive guide for the servants of G-d', which, in the words of our author is supposed to be a book based on the foundations of fear, and love of G-d, yet we have entitled it 'The high ways to perfection' because that phrase best describes the nature of its contents."--p. 10.
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.
I'm G-d - You're Not, by Lawrence Kushner.
Observations on Organized Religion & Other Disguises of the Ego.
Innovation in Jewish Law, by Michael J. Broyde.
Havineinu, an abridged version of the daily prayer (Shemoneh Esreh), was once a useful, well known prayer said in pressing situations. Yet, over the last several hundred years, the recitation of Havineinu has functionally ceased. This book addresses the legal analysis used to explain that change.
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 Mysticism and the Spiritual Life, edited by Lawrence Fine, Eitan Fishbane, and Or N. Rose.
In this unique volume, leading scholars and teachers of the Jewish mystical tradition share their favorite texts - and explore why they think these materials are meaningful and relevant to contemporary life.
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.
Jewish Theology in our Time, edited by Rabbi Elliot J. Cosgrove.
A New Generation Explores the Foundations and Future of Jewish Belief.
Joseph ibn Kaspi's Gevia Kesef: A Study in Medieval Jewish Philosophic Bible Commentary, by Basil Herring.
Herring makes a significant contribution to the rational understanding of the Bible by in his extensive introduction to the thoughts of Joseph ibn Kaspi and his English translation of one of his writings.
Journey to Heaven, by Leila Leah Bronner.
What happens when we die? How did the Jewish view of the afterlife develop? What are the biblical and talmudic foundations of our understanding of the afterlife? These and more questions are answered in this compelling book.
Joyous Torah Treasures, by Sam , 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.
Law, Reason, and Morality in Medieval Jewish Philosophy, by Jonathan Jacobs.
An examination of three medieval Jewish philosophers Saadia Gaon, Bahya ibn Pakuda, and Moses Maimonides who each made significant contributions to moral philosophy in ways that remain relevant today.
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 G-d 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.
Listening to G-d, by Rabbi Shlomo Riskin.
See the divine in every human encounter. Be receptive to G-d's voice. Act out of faith. These are just a few of the life lessons Rabbi Shlomo Riskin imparts in this collection of personal stories.
The Lonely Man of Faith, by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik.
The Lonely Man of Faith is a philosophical and religious classic that was first published in 1965. This revised edition translates Hebrew words, adds references, restores the original chapter division, and contains an introductory essay by Reuven Ziegler.
Love and Terror in the G-d Encounter, by David Hartman.
Dr. David Hartman's penetrating analysis of Rabbi Soloveitchik's work reveals a Judaism committed to intellectual courage, integrity, and openness.
Morality for Muggles, by Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg.
Ethics in the Bible and the World of Harry Potter. Whether you are a student of religious learning, a fan of Harry Potter or just someone who likes to consider the important questions of life this book is for you!
The Neshamah Should Have an Aliyah, by Rabbi Tzvi Hebel.
This practical and inspirational Torah guide will show you how to help your departed loved ones in the most meaningful way possible ... and find profound comfort in the process.
On Changes in Jewish Liturgy, by Daniel Sperber.
Although Jewish liturgy has its roots in antiquity, it evolved and developed throughout the ages to emerge in its present, largely standardized form. It is for this reason that this book attempts to delineate the parameters of halachically permissible changes in Jewish liturgy.
The Origin of the Seder, by Baruch M. Bokser.
The Passover and its rites are central in the history of Judaism. This book explain how the Passover evening celebration, the seder, became one of the most popular Jewish rituals.
Our Wondrous World (Chapter 30), by Avrohom Katz. (Book Excerpt)
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 G-d 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?
The Rav: Thinking Aloud, by David Holzer and Aryeh Holzer.
Transcripts of Personal Conversations with Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Have you ever wished you could spend time with Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik? Now for the first time, one of the Rav's shamashim gives you a backstage pass to his world.
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 G-d: as an individual, as a nation, and via all of humanity. The second is the concept of "continuing revelation" and how G-d is revealed today.
Repentance: The Meaning & Practice of Teshuvah, by Dr. Louis E. Newman.
In this candid and comprehensive probe into the nature of moral transgression and spiritual healing, Dr. Louis E. Newman examines both the practical and philosophical dimensions of teshuvah, Judaism's core religious-moral teaching on repentance, and its value for us—Jews and non-Jews alike.
Reasonable Doubts, by Cheryl Berman.
Reasonable Doubts is the memoir of a religious skeptic's endeavor to rediscover her source of faith, from the ground up.
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.
Silver from the Land of Israel, by Rabbi Chanan Morrison.
A New Light on the Sabbath and Holidays from Writings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Hakohen Kook. This book uses a clear, succinct style to provide the reader with a window into Rav Kook's original and creative insights.
Spinoza's Critique of Religion, by Leo Strauss.
Strauss articulates the conflict between reason and revelation as he explores Spinoza's scientific, comparative, and textual treatment of the Bible.
Stages of Spiritual Growth, by Batya Gallant.
R. Tzadok Hakohen of Lublin (1823-1900), Chassidic master of Torah, taught that spiritual growth follows a predictable sequence of stages: One's youth is most conducive to growth in love and kindness, one's middle years provide the best opportunity for learning submission to Divine authority, and one's later years are the optimal time for growth in truth-perception.
Talmudic Images, by Adin Steinsaltz.
This is a collection of 13 intimate portraits of select personalities from the Talmud, including Hillel, Shammai, Rabban Yohanan Ben Zakkai, Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Hananiah and others are accompanied by a glossary, annotated bibliography, and timeline.
Templates For The Ages (Chapter 15), by Rabbi David Cohen. (Book Excerpt)
Historical perspectives through the Torah's lenses.
A Time to Speak, by Martin Stern.
Controversial, thought provoking and provocative are some of the words used to describe Martin Stern's A Time to Speak. The author doesn't mince words with those who seek to dilute the beauty that Judaism has to offer.
Torah in the Observatory, by Menachem Kellner.
Revered among Jews as the author of a classic commentary on the latter books of the Bible, Kellner portrays Gersonides as a true Renaissance Man, whose view of Torah is vastly wider and more open than that held by many of those who treasure his memory.
Torah Umadda, by Rabbi Norman Lamm.
This classic work analyzes and embraces the tension between Torah study and secular learning by exploring the philosophies of Moses Maimonides, Samson Raphael Hirsch, Abraham Isaac Kook and other influential Jewish thinkers.
The Way into Jewish Mystical Tradition, by Lawrence Kushner.
For everyone who wants to understand the concepts of Jewish mysticism, this book shows the way into an essential aspect of Judaism, and allows you to interact directly with the sacred mystical texts of the Jewish tradition.
Where Justice Dwells, by Rabbi Jill Jacobs.
A Hands-On Guide to Doing Social Justice in Your Jewish Community.
Where's My Miracle, by Morey Schwartz.
Exploring Jewish Traditions for Dealing with Tragedy. Here is a fresh, new, thought-provoking approach to the eternal mystery of the miracle, based on the multiple texts found in Jewish tradition as well as lessons learned from experience.
Who Wants to Live, collected and edited by M. Weinbach.
101 Meshalim and Masterwords of the Chofetz Chayim.
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.
Wisdom of the Heart: The Teachings of Rabbi Ya'akov of Izbica-Radzyn, by Ora Wiskind-Elper.
Within the framework of traditional Jewish interpretation, and interweaving textual allusions to a vast library of revealed and concealed wisdom, Rabbi Ya'akov explored themes far beyond convention.
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.
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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