A welcoming introduction to the most important ideas in Judaism.
In an age of fluid identity, many people are honestly asking the question ‘Why be Jewish?’ What in this religious and ethnic legacy is worth preserving? Does Judaism have something unique to offer a contemporary seeker free to choose a way of life and a system of values?
Here is the answer of a leading spiritual teacher who has faced these questions in conversation with generations of students. With warmth, humor, personal and rabbinic stories and down-to-earth explanations, Arthur Green presents the ideas in Judaism that kept him loyal to the tradition passed on to him. The result is an enticing look into timeless Jewish wisdom that will encourage you to explore further and search out the riches of Judaism for yourself.
Mục lục
Introduction 1
1. Simh. ah—Joy 3
Happiness as a Religious Precept
2. Tzelem Elohim—Creation in God’s Image 9
What Are We Doing Here?
3. Halakhah—Walking the Path 19
A Community of Doers
4. Tikkun ‘Olam—Repairing the World 29
Being God’s Partner
5. Shabbat—Getting Off the Treadmill 37
The Secret of Shabbat
6. Teshuvah—Returning 47
Faith in Human Change
7. Torah—The People and the Book 57
Text and Interpretation
8. Talmud Torah—’Teach Them to Your Children’ 65
The Role of Education
9. L’H. ayyim—To Life! 75
Accepting Death, Affirming Life
10. Eh. ad—Hear O Israel 85
There Is Only One
Notes 93
Suggestions for Further Reading 95
Giới thiệu về tác giả
Arthur Green, Ph D, is recognized as one of the world’s preeminent authorities on Jewish thought and spirituality. He is the Irving Brudnick professor of philosophy and religion at Hebrew College and rector of the Rabbinical School, which he founded in 2004. Professor emeritus at Brandeis University, he also taught at the University of Pennsylvania and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where he served as dean and president.Dr. Green is author of several books including Ehyeh: A Kabbalah for Tomorrow; Seek My Face: A Jewish Mystical Theology; Your Word Is Fire: The Hasidic Masters on Contemplative Prayer; and Tormented Master: The Life and Spiritual Quest of Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav (all Jewish Lights). He is also author of Radical Judaism (Yale University Press) and co-editor of Speaking Torah: Spiritual Teachings from around the Maggid’s Table. He is long associated with the Havurah movement and a neo-Hasidic approach to Judaism.