Reviews (21)

True Kabala
Cosmology is enlightening, this is one of the books you definitely need to get started in the Kabalistic view on the Creation. It is sometimes a bit technical, it gives you the information but you'll need other books by the same author and author Shlomo Weiss to further understand and appreciate what is being presented, if you really want to read Shlomo Weiss it would be helpful to read A Brief History of Time by S. Hawking (no mathematics in any of these books don't worry). The wholeKabalistic Theory is just out of this world literally, if you start down this path your life will change.

Very informative book
This book is extremly profound and Kaplan does a wonderful job as usual.He has selected the most authoritative version of the Sefer Yetzirah.This is an invaluable book and I very much enjoyed this book and will read it over and over.

Uncreative
It is a shame that even though it was advertised, the hebrew text is missing ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabala    2. Early works to 1800    3. Judaism - General    4. Judaism - Sacred Writings    5. Meditation    6. Mysticism    7. New Age    8. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    9. Religion    10. Sefer Yezirah    11. Sefer Yeòzirah    12. Jewish studies    13. Judaism    14. Other prose: classical, early & medieval   

Reviews (5)

An Eye Opening Approach
I recently purchased Alter's Five Books of Moses, and decided to follow that up with some of his earlier works.The book was a real eye opener for me in the way it presented the use of various narrative and literary techniques in the Bible.I think this book will prove insightful for anyone looking to appreciate the Bible as something to be read, rather than merely as a "text" to be analyzed for historical layers.I'm not sure that higher criticism does much for the average person once you've seen it; a literary approach allows for modern scholarship to be applied in a meaningful way.

The literary approach deepens our understanding of the Bible
This is a pioneering work. Robert Alter uses the techniques of literary criticism to deepen our understanding of the Biblical text. He shows us methods and themes which illuminate the text in a way we have not seen before. This is not in my opinion a question of his having found the right interpretation, but rather of revealing yet another of the ' panem' the various faces, seventy, traditionally through which the Biblical text is interpreted.
Art of Biblical Narrative by Alter
This work begins with connecting archaeological discoveries toRead more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Topical Studies    3. Bible as literature    4. Bible.    5. Language, Style    6. Narration in the Bible    7. O.T    8. O.T.    9. Religion    10. Religion - Biblical Studies    11. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    12. Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts    13. Hebrew    14. Judaism    15. Literary studies: classical, early & medieval   

Editorial Review

The 72 names of God were originally decoded from letters found in a biblical passage describing Moses' miraculous parting of the Red Sea. Rabbi Yehuda Berg translates these 72 names into familiar spiritual concepts, and shows readers how to these names can be useful creeds on the journey toward enlightenment. He explains that "the mystical power of the Hebrew letters that parted those waters can likewise part whatever Red Sea now confronts you in your own life." The letters may be ancient, but Berg's names read like modern catchphrases: "Angelic Influences," "Soul Mate," "Dumping Depression," and "Sexual Energy."Each one gets its own elegantly designed chapter and high impact graphic. Like most Kabbalah teachers, Berg emphasizes the importance of taming ego. Yet Berg also discusses how to keep the ego in check while still attaining sexual satisfaction and prosperity—tricky, but possible. With its stylized presentation and contemporary language, this makes a unique and inviting book on the Kabbalah. --Read more

Reviews (38)

The 72 Names-- A Critical Review
The 72 Names of God--A Critical Review
A wonderful book!!!

A spiritual book for everybody.
The "72 Names of God" is a beautiful book and full of easy to understand wisdoms.I have found much peace in meditating on the symbols and reading their meaning. The book explains that we have the power to heal our lives within ourselves. This applies to all religions and ethnic groups. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cabala    2. General    3. Jewish Mysticism    4. Judaism    5. Judaism - General    6. Judaism - Kabbalah & Mysticism    7. Mysticism    8. Religion - Judaism    9. Self-Help    10. Spiritual life    11. Magic & alchemy    12. Mind, Body, Spirit   

Reviews (18)

Assumes too much...
While Dennis Prager makes some good points, he doesn't so much explain his ideas as state them as fact. From the very first chapter: Morality is impossible without a God. In the next few pages, he states that, to paraphrase, "every leading moral philosopher agrees" with that statement. I bought the book hoping for an objective view on Judaism and God. I don't feel that's what I'm getting.

The Advanced(but concise)Guide to the religion of Moses,Benny Leonard,Barney Ross and Herman Wouk and...
For anybody thinking of converting to Judaism-or for anybody who considers himself a maven on the subject of Judaism-this is the first book I recommend.And that includes Herman Wouk's 'This Is My God';Wouk,who wrote the forward to this book-and the blurb on the cover,'The Intelligent Skeptic's Guide To Judaism'-seems to agree.For anyone interested in slugging it out in the religious tradition of Benny Leonard and Barney Ross,this book is indispensible and co-authored by a talk-show host who really is a "maven"(Prager)-and probably today's most indispensible,accesible Orthodox rabbi(Telushkin).

Great Introduction
This little number is great for an individual who has little knowledge of Judaism.Displays in a readable way the differences between Christianity and it's parent faith; Judaism.Great read for anyone wishing an introduction into a very misunderstood faith, especially looking on from an outsider.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Addresses, essays, lectures    2. Jewish - General    3. Jewish way of life    4. Judaism    5. Judaism - General    6. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    7. Orthodox Judaism    8. Religion    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Religion / Judaism / General   

Reviews (2)

Great team of writers makes for a great spiritual & fun experience!!
I am very pleased to see such a unique collaborative group produce a very useful meditative & informational book.
The Mystical 22 Letters of the Hebrew Alphabet
"As kabalists have said for thousands of years, we humans are a microcosm of the universe. This is a reference to the fact that there are 22 letters in the Hebrew language, and 22 chromosomes in the human body-there's even a myth that God actually created the human being using the letters of the alphabet." - From the companion booklet Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Cards - Playing / Tarot    3. Divination - General    4. Judaism - Kabbalah & Mysticism    5. New Age    6. Spiritual    7. Spirituality - General    8. Body, Mind & Spirit / New Age   

Reviews (3)

Essential documents
The work contains essential documents of Jewish history from 1700 to 1948. The question of its political balance is however areal one, and I felt perhaps wrongly a ' tilt left'. It seems to me too there was too scanty coverage of Zionism.

This is a collection of articles
This book is a collection of articles and excerpts from many of the main sources of Jewish History from the 1700's until present.The articles are grouped by topic.The topics start with emancipation and end off with Zionism and the Holocaust. Each article has a nice mini-biography at the end telling who the author of the article was ( or is ), and includes explanatory notes for those who aren't familiar with that era of Jewish History.The editors were quite even handed and give all sides space in their book, the only group over represented is converted Jews.After all less than .25% of all Jews converted in the 1800's.My only complaint is that they neglected two subjects.One, the Tshuva movement of the 70's to present and also the Shas phenamana of the 80's and 90's.

Filled with great articles
You needn't read this book cover to cover. The book is a series of articles starting in the 1600's and progressing to recent times. Gives perspectives of people "dealing" with the Jews and perspectivesof Jewish people. An article by the commandant of Auschwitz is followed byan article from a prisoner. Both will stay with me forever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1789-1945    2. 17th century    3. 18th century    4. General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Jewish - General    8. Jews    9. Sociology    10. Sources    11. History / Jewish    12. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    13. History, World | Modern    14. Jewish studies    15. Judaism    16. Modern period, c 1500 onwards    17. World history   

Reviews (49)

Conspiracy Theorist
Simply type Hoffman's name into Google and discover that he's an amateur conspiracy theory blowhard. Hoffman recycles middle age Christian Anti-semitic myths about the Talmud here and thinks he's being original. For those who don't know: the Talmud is the Jewish commentary on the Hebrew Bible, it was never meant to replace it, it simply elucidates it. Saying Jews don't keep the Bible is like saying Christians don't either because they have a New Testament. We are, in fact, the only people on earth who are still faithful to the Hebrew Bible (old testament) as being the only revelation of G-d, one that never has been replaced. The Talmud simply tells us what the Bible means and elaborates on its laws. For example, the Bible says only to rest on the Sabbath, and the Talmud says rest is defined by not plowing, reaping, nothing creative etc. The Bible says an eye for an eye, and the Talmud says this is only meant figuratively. Many enlightenment figures like Milton and Locke and even John Adams studied Talmud to better understand the Bible. Hoffman thinks he makes a ground breaking discovery by telling us there are some statements in the 2 thousand year old massive enclyclopedia of the Talmud that aren't in tune with modern values. Hey Mike, think there are any Christian texts from that long ago that say weird things too? (like kill or non-believers, witches ie-women, blacks are inferior etc.) What Jew haters do is take something that's universal (like intolerance in ancient religious texts, or the fact that Israel isn't perfect as no country is) and highlight it as if it's unique to Jews alone, and this gives Jews some special cosmic sort of evil. This all resulted from early Christianity's attempt to seperate themselves from their Jewish roots and portray Judaism as evil, and itself as the replacement. Many Jews responded by viewing Christianity as evil and idolotrous. Nowadays of course, enlightened jews and christians realize they share more in common than people thought in the dark ages. Hoffman still lives in the dark ages. If Hoffman himself is Jewish, as his name seems to imply, he suffers from the age old mental disease known as self hatred. If not, he clearly is someone who's obssesed with Jews and Judaism and I guess I'm flattered but while Hoffman spends his every waking minute obssesing over the power and influence and mytique of the Jews I assure you none of us has ever payed more than one laughing minute being concerned over him or anyone like him. Long after he's dead and gone and his books collecting dust Jews will continue to study the Bible and the Talmud. Orthodox Jews are, in fact, the most direct line of tradition still maintaining the ancient Biblical tradition with all its laws from before Christianity came and said the laws of sabath and rituals don't apply anymore etc. If Jesus were alive today, he'd probably feel most at home in an Orthodox Jewish synagogue, because that most represents the kind of Judaism he grew up with (many scholars say this).

Very Good, though short and concise. Easy to digest for anybody new to subject matter (I am not new to it however)
I sent Mr. Hoffman, a fine Revisionist from Idaho
A complete Fraud
Having now read the words of this writer, it is truly shocking that even one person on this planet could possibly find some truth in what he has said. Read more

Subjects:  1. Religion    2. Religion / Judaism / Beliefs, Practices, Rituals    3. Religion / Judaism / History    4. Judaism    5. Judaism - Beliefs, Practices, Rituals    6. Judaism - History   

Reviews (40)

Ifyou are Considering Converting
I purchased this book because I find the writer to be fine author and, at first blush the book was directed towards Jews-by-choice and the complexities of conversion.
A nice place to start
This is a good general guidebook to begin with; it's informative and valuable without being too brief or too long.However, one shouldn't feel that one should only ever read this one conversion book, since there are so many other good ones out there, as well as ones that go into more in-depth and detailed territory than this one.It's not meant to be the be-all and end-all on this subject.There's a lot of valuable information in here, such as choosing a Hebrew name, adapting to a whole new personal history and outlook on life, the types of conversion ceremonies, which denomination you'd like to convert through, the wedding ceremony, and how to tell your family and friends about your decision.And yes, this book is written from a Progressive standpoint, but as Ms. Diamant points out in the introduction, that's not meant as an insult to the Orthodox world, but rather because, not only is it not her territory, but also because there is such a large gulf between the Orthodox and Progressive circles of Judaism when it comes to "who is a Jew."If someone were interested in an Orthodox conversion, s/he would have gone to a book like Maurice Lamm's 'Becoming a Jew,' not a conversion guidebook specifically geared towards those of more Progressive persuasions.
A concise beginners reader on the subject.
This book was written from an almost first hand persepective as the author experienced the conversion process her future husband was going through.The book explains this is about a reform conversion, but as such there is a lot here to be learned by anyone considering - or even just curious about - conversion to Judaism, whether reform, orthodox or in between.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Converts to Judaism    2. Judaism - General    3. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    4. Proselytes and proselyting, Jewish    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Judaism    8. Religion / Judaism / Beliefs, Practices, Rituals   

Reviews (8)

How to read the Jewish sources
This work is a kind of reader's guide to reading traditional sources. One chapter for Torah, another for Tannach as a whole, another for Mishnah, another for Gemara. Then there are chapters on Kabbalah, Hasidut, the Siddur. Each of the chapters can be read individually. There are also helpful illustrations for instance of the text of the Gemara.
good stuff
Northrop Frye, Harold Bloom, and Robert Alter ALL say something good about this book on the back.Those are three giants, each to be listened to closely.

Excellent introduction to classic texts
"Back to the Sources" provides a superb introduction to the classic Jewish texts:the Bible, Talmud, Midrash, medieval Bible commentaries (legal codes are discussed in the chapter on Talmud), medieval philosophical works, Zohar and other kabbalistic works, Hasidic teachings, and the prayer book.Each chapter is written by a different scholar, who is an expert in the text or texts at hand.All of the authors write clearly for non-experts and provide superb guidance, whether you are planning to start reading the texts or simply want to know more about them.Each chapter ends with helpful suggestions for further reading (although these are now somewhat out of date, since the book was published in 1984).Read more

Subjects:  1. History    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - Sacred Writings    4. Reference    5. Religion    6. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    7. Sources    8. Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts    9. Religion / Judaism / General   

Reviews (7)

"One of the two best on Joseph!"
Although my favorite Joseph book is 'With Joseph in the University of Adversity: the Mizraim Principles', by Dr. Parks, this one is a close second! If you want a pastor's heart in the telling of the story--this one is best! If you want sound principles for everyday life that you or a graduate can use, and really well-organized--go with Parks (if you can get your hands on a copy!). Swindoll does this as part of a series, and it's excellent! These are the best two Joseph books around.

Awesome Knowledge!
Once again, Charles Swindoll has brought a biblical character to life.I felt as if I was going "through" with Joseph!Mr. Swindoll makes it easy to relate what happen to Joseph with his family relations to today's family.If you're having difficulty relating to the trials and tribulations your family faces, read this book and get a revelation from God!

Entertaining and Enlightening
This is only the second book by Swindoll that I have read. The first was "Intimacy with the Almighty". I liked this one much better. Swindoll did a fantastic job with the life of Joseph. He included a lot of details and perspective on issues, Jacob's poor parenting, geographic locations, etc. that really put you in Joseph's shoes. The book was an engaging page-turner, which I devoured and greatly enjoyed. I am looking forward to reading some of the other books in the series. (Moses, Daniel, etc.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Son of Jacob)    2. Bible - Biography - Old Testament    3. Bible - Study - Old Testament    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Joseph    7. Old Testament    8. Patriarchs (Bible)    9. Religion    10. Religion - Biblical Studies    11. Religious    12. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    13. Books of the Old Testament    14. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    15. Reference    16. Religion / Bible / Biography / Old Testament   

Subjects:  1. Bible - Stories - New Testament    2. Bible - Stories - Old Testament    3. Bible - Study - New Testament    4. Christmas    5. Holidays - Christmas    6. Jesus Christ    7. Nativity    8. Religion    9. Religion - Biblical Studies    10. Christian festivals   

Reviews (31)

Artscroll paperback Siddur: Possibly NOT for your eyes only !
I give it 5 stars for being "complete" (i.e., The idea of having services for every holiday and every day of the week in one volume is wonderful). Ultimately, however, I give it 2 stars because: This paperback edition is totally useless to me. If you need reading glasses and are thinking of ordering The COMPLETE ARTSCROLL SIDDUR (paperback edition), make sure to visit your eye doctor and get those bifocals before this book arrives!The description of this ARTSCROLL edition uses words like "clear"...and "crisp type..."... but it is only clear and crisp if you can read miniature words or you have young eyes that haven't gone through "the change" yet!

see an optomotrist before you buy
the print is quite small. make sure you've got good eyes or a good pair of glasses if you buy this item

Buy it!
I'm a Gentile who has been raised as a Christian but who's more and more drawn to Judaism. I really love to use this prayerbook!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    2. Prayerbooks - Jewish    3. Religion    4. Religion - Judaism   

Editorial Review

Why are there kosher dietary laws, why must the chapter of curses in the Tora be read quickly in a low voice, and what's the point of visiting a body of water to empty pockets of crumbs on Rosh Hashana? Kolatch writes lucidly and knowingly, explaining the biblical, traditional and superstitious sources of thousands of questions pertaining to Judaism; the comprehensive index is expertly organized. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great Gift
Give a copy of this book to every kid whose Bar or Bat-Mitzvah you attend. It's a terrific reference for all those nagging little questions. A true classic and a great companion to your monetary gift. I'd also suggest it as a good gift for any non-Jew who'd just like to understand their Jewish friends a little better.

Sensible, Readable & Informative
This book's question-and-answer format makes for easy reading, and should be of equal interest to both Jews and non-Jews alike.Want to know about Jewish marriage, divorce and family life?How about holidays, rituals, differences between orthodox and reform branches, or after affects of the Nazi holocaust?The answers are found here in this slightly dated book, one that was soon followed by a sequel (the Second Book of Jewish Why).This is an informative and nicely readable reference - one can only hope that authors from other religions and traditions will write books with a similar format.

Basic answers
The book provides basic answers to the thousands of questions on Jewish relgious matters.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs and practices    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - General    4. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    5. Miscellanea    6. Religion    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Jewish studies    9. Religion / Judaism / Beliefs, Practices, Rituals   

Reviews (5)

Great Book
This book is written for the middle school ag.. hence the reason that the slang is so far off... (as noted in the previous reveiw) It is a great book about becoming a modern day Esther.

Esther 101
Esther's story is my favorite story in the Bible. She was a very strong woman who was fearless (she was not afriad to be herself). Lisa Ryan has done a great job applying this fabulous story to life as a young woman today. I found that the writing was somewhat silly (Mrs. Ryan sometimes used slang never spoken by anyone outside of middle school), but the message was awesome. Every girl should read this book!

Awesome book: two thumbs up!
This was a great book!!! Even thought I am still reading it, It's already making me think about who I am and what I should be working on I love this book! It tottally makes Gods word fun! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Stories - Old Testament    3. Bible.    4. Criticism, interpretation, etc    5. Esther    6. Esther,    7. Life Stages - Teenagers    8. O.T    9. O.T.    10. Queen of Persia    11. Religion    12. Religion - Christian Life    13. Religion - Inspirational    14. Religion / Christian Life    15. YOUTH/ YOUTH INTERESTS / CHRISTIAN LIVING   

Editorial Review

The Jewish prayer book, or Read more

Reviews (15)

Excellent and informative
I was raised in an orthodox household but always had questions about certain ritual affairs and activities that occured in a shul. Not only did this book answer many of my questions, it even went further and discussed the morning prayers. This book should be a MUST read. In fact, I liked it so much, I gave it to my younger brother and his wife (as PART of a larger wedding gift package). I truly recommend it.

True to Form
A very good explanation of the Siddur ... why certain items are included and their historical back drop. A nice discussion also of how the Sephardic tradition differs from the Ashkenazic.

To Pray as a Jew
A great help to understanding thetradition and reasons for the Prayer service as it is laid out today ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs and practices    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    4. Liturgy    5. Prayer    6. Religion    7. Religion - Judaism    8. Siddur    9. Religious rites & ceremonies   

Reviews (19)

She likes it, so it must be good
I got this book for my fiance on the recommendation of my Rabbi.She loves it.

This is indeed THE book to get
My fiance and I were looking for a book to explain Jewish wedding laws and customs.We bought a few different books, and I think this was by far the best. Excellent resource !My fiance has already read it twice!
I originally bought this book from amazon when I first got engaged.My fiance and I are both jewish and have been to many many jewish weddings, but I wanted to learn more.So, I found this book because of all the glowing reviews!And I would like to add another one!Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Ritual & Practice    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    4. Marriage customs and rites    5. Marriage customs and rites, Je    6. Marriage customs and rites, Jewish    7. Reference    8. Weddings    9. Reference / Weddings   

Reviews (43)

A wonderful book!!!

........
"The Way" -- with a title like that you'd think you were purchasing your very own spiritual epiphany.In less than one hundred pages if I remember correctly.
USE THE WISDOM OF THE WAY
Michael Berg wrote a wonderful introduction to Kabbalah. Anyone, from the beginner to the advanced will find this book useful.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternate Spirituality    2. Cabala    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - Kabbalah & Mysticism    5. Judaism - Sacred Writings    6. Self-Help    7. Spiritual    8. Spiritual life    9. Spirituality - General    10. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    11. Religion / Judaism / Kabbalah & Mysticism    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (6)

Easy reading for the lay person
I'm not a Bible scholar, so I'm basing my review on ease of use for the lay person.
Literally a revelation
I now realise that I had never really understood the Five Books of Moses before I read this superb translation. It is written in easy to understand, modern English but unlike say the "Good News" version it brings out the full meaning without oversimplification. Many Christians devalue the Old Testament and imagine that only the New Testament is worth studying.However, to those who think that the Laws of Moses are archaic and outmoded, or who imagine that "Love your neighbour as yourself" is solely a New Testament idea, I say read this and be amazed. The Old Testament God is as close to us and full of love for us as Jesus.

A Commendable Translation
Translating the Hebrew writings commonly and collectively known as the Old Testament is a complex task. Not only is the scholar faced with the absence of written vowels, leading to many uncertain words, but there are also thewide varieties of literary types (histories, poems, narratives, tales,songs, etc.) to not only translate but convey into an intelligible Englishthat preserves the meaning as well as the style of the original. Add tothis the intense religious importance of the work to the three majorreligions on the world and all the feeling that can accompany that and thetask is, to put it mildly, heroic. Moreover, some translations are madefrom the Masoretic text, others from the Septuagint, still others fromcombinations of the two. While the Septuagint is actually an older version,it is also in Greek. Thus the translator is faced with the choice betweenScylla and Charybdis when choosing a source document - the older Greek andthus twice removed, being a Greek translation of an older Hebrew or perhapseven Aramaic text, or the more recent (ninth century B.C.E.) Masoretic textthat is at least in Hebrew. Most often the result of all this textual andlinguistic juggling is the production of a mere shadow of the original. Inthe case of the JPS Torah, the result is better than average. Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibles - Hebrew    2. Judaism - Sacred Writings    3. Religion    4. Religion - Judaism    5. Biblical concordances & commentaries    6. Books of the Old Testament    7. Hebrew    8. Judaism    9. Sacred texts   

Reviews (1)

Magnificent achievement
Like all the other volumes in this series, Steinsaltz's Talmud presents a scholarly, clear translation of the Babylonian Talmud.Each page includes both a literal translation and an expanded, more understandabletranslation.On the sides and bottom are commentaries, Halakah,explanations, historical notes, bibliographies, and more.Rashi isincluded as well.Perfect for the scholar and the novice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Commentaries    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Religion    4. Talmud    5. Judaism    6. Religion / Judaism / General    7. Sacred texts   

Reviews (27)

An entertaining romp through 5000 years of Western Civilization
Jews, God and History is a sobering but very entertaining romp through 5000 years of Western Civilization, which as Dimont so carefully points out, is in many essential respects, the invention of Jews.