Editorial Review

There's something to be said for a book that makes you wish you'd been part of a poor immigrant family living in New York's upper east side on the eve of World War I. Sydney Taylor's time-honored classic does just that. Life is rich for the five mischievous girls in the family. They find adventure in visiting the library, going to market with Mama, even dusting the front room. Young readers who have never shared a bedroom with four siblings, with no television in sight, will vicariously experience the simple, old-fashioned pleasures of talk, make-believe, and pilfered penny candy.The family's Jewish faith strengthens their ties to each other, while providing still more excitement and opportunity for mischief. Readers unfamiliar with Judaism will learn with the girls during each beautifully depicted holiday. This lively family, subject of four more "all-of-a- kind" books, is full of unique characters, all deftly illustrated by Helen John. Taylor based the stories on her own childhood family, and the true-life quality of her writing gives this classic its page-turning appeal. Read more

Reviews (74)

Sweet story for girls into historical fiction
My daughter just received this book and just loved it.I read it as well.The general plot has been well outlined by other posters, but what I wanted to add was that it's a great read for girls who are interested in historical fiction.For intance, my daughter has loved all the American Girl stories. This story takes place at the turn of the century, about when the American Girl "Samantha" story takes place.Samantha and the All-of-a-kind Family girls live at the same time in the same city, they just come from very opposite socio-economic backgrounds, which makes for an interesting and educational read.I liked that my daughter could read about different religious traditions than our own in simple terms that explain holidays and customs in age appropriate ways.Even though the family is poor and has no money for luxuries we don't get the feeling that anyone is going without food or proper care.The family may be poor, but the mother is portrayed as a strong proud woman nevertheless.I'm sure to look for the other books in this series.

A respite for girls
I had heard good things about this book and since we're going to the Lower Eastside later this week, I thought my daughter might enjoy it.I picked it up at the library and worried, when I saw it, that she might not be terrifically interested in it:the cover art is old fashioned and I was afraid she might think it was too "young" for her.We read the first couple of chapters together and then, on her own, she devoured the rest of it and asked me to find all of the sequels.It's a beautiful book: simple and affecting and a fascinating source of information about Jewish life and culture, although not in any way preachy or didactic.I was so grateful for this book, such a nice break in the long line of books written for 9-12 year olds these days--good, well-written novels--that seem to focus chiefly on loss:a dying mother, a missing father, a loss of a childhood friend...I think the book was deeply comforting for my girl and I recommend it highly.

Family Values Of Yesteryear
I ordered this book so that my children and grandchildren could have the same experience I had as a little girl in Mississippi in the 1950's reading about a close family of young Jewish girls in New York.This book (and the series related to it) has lost none of its charm and pull to the heartstrings!Thanks, Ms Taylor and Amazon for helping me find a lost part of my childhood! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Family - General    5. Family life    6. Fiction    7. Historical - United States - 20th Century    8. New York (N.Y.)    9. Religious - Jewish    10. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Reviews (1)

Someone with a passing interest in spiritual development
This is a powerful book about opening your heart. Rabbi Lew combines Eastern philosophy with Jewish wisdom so that the reader enjoys the best of both worlds. The basic approach is that the Jewish High Holy Days provide us with an annual opportunity to acknowledge the dark shadows in our soul, accept our inevitable flaws, failings and transgressions, and emerge from the process fresh, whole and reinvigorated. Rabbi Lew writes beautifully and the message hits home. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. High Holidays    2. Holidays - Jewish    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - General    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Repentance    8. Spiritual life    9. Religion / Christian Life   

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Biography - Old Testament    3. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - Old Testament    4. Bible - Study - Old Testament    5. Bible.    6. Introductions    7. O.T    8. O.T.    9. Religion    10. Religion - Biblical Studies    11. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    12. Old Testament   

Reviews (13)

A Classic Work in Jewish Meditation
Rabbi Kaplan, did not live long enough in his short life, to enable all of his knowledge to be shared with us all. But during those short years of his life, he was a most prolific writer. He was an Orthodox Jew who was able to straddle and live in both the secular and Orthodox Jewish worlds with relative ease. He was on the "Who is Who" in Physics, as well as, being a respected Rabbi and teacher for many in the Orthodox Jewish community.
Fascinating and helpful
In this work, the late Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan explores the Jewish roots of meditation, as well as a practical on how to meditate according to Jewish tradition.
A good introduction to the subject of Jewish Meditation
The first part of this book is a well- written introduction to the subject of Jewish Meditation including a historical survey of the subject. The second part consists in describing and evaluating various meditation techniques. As I do not 'meditate' myself I cannot be a proper judge of how effective the second part of the work is. The first part did however give me some understanding of what I understand to be a subject one must really ' experience' to know. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism    2. Judaism - General    3. Meditations    4. Prayerbooks - Jewish    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Mysticism    8. Religion / Meditations   

Editorial Review

So often, day books are vaguely fancy calendars that seem afraid to commit to any one particular year, the sort of well-meaning gift one never really cracks open. Of course, Abrams' Read more

Reviews (1)

A small treasure
I have had the pleasure of visiting the 'Israel Museum' inJerusalem many times. Thus it was a delightful surprise to come across this volume which excellently provides reproductions of its most important holdings. The Museum is very rich in Archaeology of the Holy Land, in Jewish enthnography and culture. The illustrations here are beautifully done. The accompanying texts are informative in regard to describing the artifacts themselves.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art, Jewish    2. History - General History    3. Jewish - General    4. Jewish art and symbolism    5. Jews    6. Judaism    7. Judaism - History    8. Liturgical objects    9. Middle Eastern    10. Religion    11. Jewish studies    12. Religion / Judaism / History   

Editorial Review

Richard Zimler's Read more

Reviews (45)

Intriguing thriller with vivid historic details
In 1496, King Manuel of Portugal decides to convert the Portuguese Jews to Christianity rather than expelling them from Portugal. He didn't want to loose the main pillars of the country's commerce activities. However, these New Christians, as they were called, secretly persisted in their beliefs praying in Hebrew and keeping the Sabbath and as much of their rituals as was possible.
Highest Marks for Mystical Mystery
If the histororical intrigue doesn't keep the pages turning (and have you checking some of the authors sources); if the religious tightrope isn't taunt and narrow enough for you; if the mystery itself doesn't at least make you head for the back page faster than you should... I'd be suprised. Excellent work!Much more enjoyable and much more "historic" than The DaVinci Code or Angels and Demons.None of Brown's "hidden agenda" stuff either.You can either account this author's historical take as fully valid or not, but you're going to have to do some REAL history research to get there.Historical fiction is much more enjoyable when its not being squished out of murky controversy and alterior motive, and The Last Kabblist is a perfect blend of pacing, mystery and oh so much more!

Murder and a history lesson
"The last kabbalist of Lisbon" is a man named Berekiah Zarco, a jew living in Lisbon in the beginning of the 16th century. During that year's Passover celebration, the christian population in Lisbon revolted against the jews, and many atrocities were commited. Zarco's uncle, Abraham, a powerful jew and kabbalist, was involved in many irregular activities. During the riots, Berekiah's life is turned upside down, and, among other things, his beloved uncle is murdered, under mysterious circumstances.

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Historical    3. Historical - General    4. Mystery fiction    5. Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

Essential for learning Talmud
Unless you are fluent in hebrew and aramaic this book is essential for any serious student of Talmud.It is the only book by a non Orthodox Jewish scholar used in every English speaking yeshiva in the world. Whether you are a beginner or a Torah scholar (which means you already own Jastrow) this is an essential part of any Jewish library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries - General    2. Judaism - Sacred Writings    3. Reference    4. Religion - Judaism   

Reviews (3)

The Courage to Consider Both Religion and Science
Rabbi Natan Slifkin has written a remarkable series of books, using modern science to iluminate Jewish tradition. This volume, a much revised and expanded version of his earlier The Science of Torah, continues in that line. Rabbi Slifkin asks the hard questions that many believers prefer to ignore: Can the accounts of a 6-day creation in Genesis be reconciled with modern cosmogeny, which portrays a universe formed incrementally over many billions of years? And how should the Bible's two versions of divine creation of all living things be viewed in light of the incontrovertible evidence of evolution on earth? Drawing on classical Jewish sources (including Maimonides, Malbim, and others), Rabbi Slifkin demonstrates that these questions are neither new nor obstacles to belief in a divine Creator. And he does it by giving appropriate weight to both science and tradition. As the introduction notes, this book is aimed at those people who have been troubled by the apparent conflict between science and belief, not those whose faith leads them to dismiss out of hand the challenges of science. It is erudite (as are all his works), judicious, and ultimately extremely satisfying. And a good read.

Science and Torah
Slifkin's meticulous writing and well researched facts builds to a comprehensive and powerful message that presents a crystal clear picture of science complementing and showcasing the age-old philosophical convictions of a single God who is continuously involved in our lives and nature.
Wonderful Book
"The Challenge of Creation" is a lucid, scholarly and painstakingly judicious examination of the conflicts - or lack thereof - between orthodox Judaism and modern science, focusing on the age of the universe and the origins of life, species and mankind.I found satisfying, and refreshing, Rabbi Slifkin's combination of a valid, authentic Torah outlook with solid secular research, undogmatic honesty and unswerving commitment to locating the real truth, wherever and whatever it may be.The book is also a thoroughly enjoyable read; nicely written and really quite fascinating.I should probably give it 5 stars, but I'm too much of a perfectionist. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism - Orthodox    2. Religion    3. Religion & Science   

Reviews (5)

Great night time book!
This is very nice bed time reading that makes you want to stay awake and read on to the next entry. I love the different angles for each Torah portion which gives the feeling of a very good Torah discussion. All the insightful commentary in this book brings out the beauty of the Torah. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about Judaism and anyone who wants add more insight to their weekly Torah study.

I don't ordinarily comment on what another reader says, but...
I was stunned by Mr. Hinkle's criticism that this book is "Judeacentric."Well, a Rabbi writing about a book that is central to our religion - what did he expect?If he wants a balanced viewpoint, he should read a comparable book by an academic scholar of religion. I would never dream of criticizing a Christian scholar for writing from a Christian standpoint, a Buddhist writing from a Buddhist standpoint, etc.Allow we Jews the same courtesy, Mr. Hinkle.

Insights into contemporary Jewish theology
As a Christian, the Old Testament, including the Torah, is part of my heritage. I purchased this book to glean more interpretive insights into these pivotal five books from someone who did not interpret them through the lens of Christianity, but from a pure Jewish perspective, in order to broaden my horizons. While gleaning much of worth, the book is so Judeaocentric that I felt more like an eavesdropper than an engaged reader. I found it interesting that Christians haven't cornered the market on guilt-mongering, because there is plenty of that here, directed toward the more religiously lax Jews. Until an enterprising rabbi can write an exposition on the Torah for a general (not just Jewish) readership, this book will have to fit the bill. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible.    3. Holism    4. Judaism - General    5. Judaism - Sacred Writings    6. Meditations    7. O.T    8. O.T.    9. Pentateuch    10. Religion    11. Religion - Judaism    12. Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts    13. Health & Fitness / Holism    14. Judaism   

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars - Judaism    3. Judaism - General    4. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (1)

The Study Companion
The title is a smoke screen to purchase an item that is not needed should you have the Commentary itself. All of the essays are duplicated from the back of the Commentary itself and thereby making the book redundant. I was highly disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - Commentaries - General    2. Bible - Study - Old Testament    3. Judaism - Conservative    4. Judaism - Sacred Writings    5. Reference    6. Religion    7. Religion - Biblical Studies    8. Religion - Judaism    9. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    10. Books of the Old Testament   

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Inspiration & Personal Growth    3. Judaism - Kabbalah & Mysticism    4. Mysticism    5. New Age    6. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    7. Body, Mind & Spirit / Personal Transformation    8. Religion: general   

Subjects:  1. Inspiration & Personal Growth    2. Inspirational - General    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - General    5. Meditations    6. Nature    7. Prayerbooks - Jewish    8. Religion    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Religious aspects    11. Seasons    12. Spiritual life   

Reviews (1)

Terrific!
This book is an inspiration.Ron Wolfson presents excellent ideas to change the synagogue (or church) to become a more welcoming, engaging and spiritually uplifting place of worship.Anyone who cares about their religious community can learn from this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fellowship    2. Hospitality    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - General    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism    7. Religious aspects    8. Spiritual Healing    9. Spirituality - General    10. Synagogues   

Subjects:  1. Judaism - Kabbalah & Mysticism    2. Meditation    3. Meditations    4. Mysticism    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions   

Reviews (5)

A LANDMARK TRANSLATION
Jacob Neusner's translation of the Mishnah (which he undertook in collaboration with several of his pupils) was first published in 1988. It is a landmark among modern popular translations of ancient Rabbinic texts, and has rapidly become a standard work, taking its place alongside the earlier English translations by Herbert Danby and Philip Blackman.
Good for the beginner
The great advantage of this work is that it has the entire Mishnah in one volume. It is also by and large readable. However it is no substitute for the Hebrew original and certainly not a proper tool for in- depth learning. The translation is not always completely accurate. I do not want to show ingratitude for at one point this work helped me a lot. I do however believe it is a tool for a stage in ' learning' and that the deeper understanding awaits those who will at some point be able to meet with the Hebrew original and its many great commentators.

Complimentary..
This book's greatness is a quantitative one [ie a single volume;] it's attempts to offer an extremely literal translation of the original hebrew text, and emulate the terseness that the hebrew has, can lead the uninitiated reader to many dead-ends in understanding. The truth is that minor literal variations from the actual intent of the hebrew simply do not appear to the all-english reader; nothing can make up for looking back to the actual hebrew when a difficulty arises in the presentation of the text. So, if you have a knowledge of hebrew, hebrew grammar, and are looking for a text to either compliment your library or saturate the desires of the completely uninitiated individuals you come into contact with until they realize that they need to work on their hebrew comprehension, then this book could be what you're looking for; if, on the other hand, you speak/read only english and are trying to get close to the text despite your current difficulty, then you should realize that to become a "master of the mishna" you will eventually have to learn hebrew, something you should be working on continually anyway, and until you have learned hebrew [,a thing that happens gradually,] you'll want a book, or a set of books, that addresses your growing needs and potentials, something this book does not, something The Philip Blackman Set certainly does as well as providing a form of the text of the mishna that's incredibly easier to follow, by means of notation and blocked-text and the orginal hebrew [to reference increasingly as your comprehension of the language increases,] than the bulleted form offered by Neusner. Lastly, if you're Just looking for the cheapest way to get an entire english translation of the mishna into your hands, then you have the wrong attitude, one you'll regret as your learning increases. So, While this book, [Neusner's Mishna,] is wholly a translation of the text, in combination with another book [or set of books] containing English commentary on the Mishnah and then another book, [or set of them,] containing a completely hebrew version of the Mishnah, it could prove itself to be of substantial value. Neusner's scholarship and skill as an intensely technical and descriptive author, and thoroughly learned individual, shouldn't be questioned for an instant; he's a wonderfully intellegent man [ something that's evidenced in the introduction and foreward he provides in the book, to the book. But, this is simply a translation -- something that doesn't allow his true understanding of these issues to shine through to one who can't understand the myraid meanings and implications that abound in the entire canon of Jewish Religious Literature.] Ultimately, I feel as though this translation's truest value is when it's in the author and his immediate students' own hands, [eg as a sort of classroom text, referrenced in conference and consort with the other book(s) I mentioned.] ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism - Sacred Writings    2. Religion    3. Religion - Judaism    4. Jewish studies    5. Judaism    6. Religion / Judaism / Sacred Writings    7. Sacred texts   

Reviews (7)

The best guide on the subject I know
This is the best guide on ' Jewish Death and Mourning' I know. It is clearly written. It presents the Halachic aspects of the process in a good way. It shows sympathy and understanding. It will answer most if not all of the procedural questions the person has who is in the process of mourning.
Moving and thoughtful
My father had just died and I was given this book by his synagogue. As I spent the week sitting shivah with my family I read through it. It was comforting, informative and very very helpful. I think it would be helpful not only to Jewish mourners but to anyone who has lost a loved one.

Indispensable (unfortunately)
I turned to this book when my father died.I found it to be a comprehensive and indispensable guide.I still take it with me whenever I visit the cemetary so that I can use its text for graveside prayers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - General    2. General    3. Jainism    4. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    5. Religion    6. Religion - Christian Life    7. Family & Health    8. Jewish studies    9. Judaism   

Subjects:  1. Bible - Meditations - Old Testament    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Devotional    4. Religion    5. Religion - Biblical Studies    6. Christianity    7. Religion / Christian Life    8. Sacred & religious music   

Reviews (2)

A great gift for B'nai Mitzvah
We give this book as a gift at the completion of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, from our Temple Brotherhood.

My favorite Bar/Bat Mitvah gift
We use this book as our family siddur.It has prayers in hebrew and english for _all_ occasions.It has meditations and readings for stressful times.It is much more useful than the traditional siddur for home events. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English    2. Hebrew    3. Judaism    4. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    5. Prayer-books and devotions    6. Prayerbooks - Jewish    7. Reform Judaism    8. Religion   

Reviews (4)

Fear-free!
As a child, I tried to learn and it didn't stay with me. What did stay was a fear that understanding prayerbook Hebrew was something I couldn't do. Well, judging by the excellent reviews, I bought this book. And lesson one made me sigh with relief. I *can* learn this! Book is good; tapes could be better
I bought both the book and the accompanying tapes. Very Easy-to-Learn Hebrew Manual
This book does not require any complicated grammatical prerequisites.You don't have to have headache to cram up the declension and the conjugation of the nouns and verbs.If you just follow the lessons, you will soon beaccustomed to the practical Hebrew liturgy.This is a well designed excellent manual for learning Hebrew for the beginners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibles - Hebrew    2. General    3. Grammar    4. Hebrew    5. Hebrew language    6. Judaism - General    7. Religion    8. Religion - World Religions