About the Book
Timeless texts from classic Jewish ethical literature are combined with the authors' insightful commentary to address the ultimate human moral issue and the most intimate personal question: How can I best live the life God has entrusted into my care? Rabbis Sherwin and Cohen bring the genre of Jewish ethical literature from its origins in the ancient and medieval worlds straight into our twenty-first-century lives. They highlight a wide variety of classic texts, including selections from the Zohar, The Holy Letter, The Path of the Upright by Moshe Hayyim Luzzatto, Duties of the Heart by Bahya ibn Pakudah and Nachmanides's Commentary on the Torah. This manual for living, with teachings from rabbis across the ages, invites us to explore how to deal with ego, be wise, die, behave sexually, believe in God, study the Torah, treat our parents, be a parent, speak about one another anTimeless texts from classic Jewish ethical literature are combined with the authors' insightful commentary to address the ultimate human moral issue and the most intimate personal question: How can I best live the life God has entrusted into my care? Rabbis Sherwin and Cohen bring the genre of Jewish ethical literature from its origins in the ancient and medieval worlds straight into our twenty-first-century lives. They highlight a wide variety of classic texts, including selections from the Zohar, The Holy Letter, The Path of the Upright by Moshe Hayyim Luzzatto, Duties of the Heart by Bahya ibn Pakudah and Nachmanides's Commentary on the Torah. This manual for living, with teachings from rabbis across the ages, invites us to explore how to deal with ego, be wise, die, behave sexually, believe in God, study the Torah, treat our parents, be a parent, speak about one another and more. With expertise and passion, Sherwin and Cohen show us how these unusual texts not only inform but can transform our lives.
About the Author :
Dr. Seymour J. Cohen (z"l) opened up to English readers the previously little-known genre of medieval Jewish ethical literature through his masterful translations of its classics, including The Ways of the Righteous; The Book of the Righteous and The Holy Letter. He was president of the Rabbinical Assembly and the Synagogue Council of America.
Review :
"Jewish ethics is not simply 'being a good person.' It means understanding the Jewish sources. Precisely the right texts for attuning our lives to the way that God wants us to live . This is a treasure trove of wisdom."
Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, author, Being God s Partner: How to Find the Hidden Link Between Spirituality and Your Work
A self-help manual with a thousand years of Jewish wisdom to back it up. A wonderful tool for anyone wanting to grow as a person and a mensch.
Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, director, Department of Multifaith Studies and Initiatives, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
This is a book that contains wisdom, and not just information. We will turn to it many times for guidance, insight, and perspective.
Rabbi Jack Riemer, coeditor, Ethical Wills & How to Prepare Them: A Guide to Sharing Your Values from Generation to Generation
This is the book every rabbi and teacher has been waiting for to help stem the tide of apathy and assimilation among Jews who are not aware of how powerful the ethical thrust in Jewish traditional literature truly is.
Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, author, The Wisdom of Judaism: An Introduction to the Values of the Talmud
There are values and then there are Jewish values, i.e., the way we act as Jews and how we Jews act as human beings. I am delighted to see such a fine selection of combined text and comments, each informative, every one much needed.
Danny Siegel, lecturer, poet and author
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"Jewish ethics is not simply 'being a good person.' It means understanding the Jewish sources. Precisely the right texts for attuning our lives to the way that God wants us to live . This is a treasure trove of wisdom." Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, author, Being God s Partner: How to Find the Hidden Link Between Spirituality and Your Work
A self-help manual with a thousand years of Jewish wisdom to back it up. A wonderful tool for anyone wanting to grow as a person and a mensch. Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, director, Department of Multifaith Studies and Initiatives, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
This is a book that contains wisdom, and not just information. We will turn to it many times for guidance, insight, and perspective. Rabbi Jack Riemer, coeditor, Ethical Wills & How to Prepare Them: A Guide to Sharing Your Values from Generation to Generation
This is the book every rabbi and teacher has been waiting for to help stem the tide of apathy and assimilation among Jews who are not aware of how powerful the ethical thrust in Jewish traditional literature truly is. Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, author, The Wisdom of Judaism: An Introduction to the Values of the Talmud
There are values and then there are Jewish values, i.e., the way we act as Jews and how we Jews act as human beings. I am delighted to see such a fine selection of combined text and comments, each informative, every one much needed. Danny Siegel, lecturer, poet and author"
