YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Jewish Laws and Thoughts
- Serving Hashem, Mitzvot and Repentance
Dr. Kuhr and I go back a long way to our days in Monsey, New York, as a friend and as the pediatrician for many of my grandchildren. I find it exciting that a number of my former congregants and friends from Monsey, upon their aliyah/retirement here in Israel have devoted themselves to Torah study and authoring works of Torah commentary.
Elihu Levine has written a translation of Kli Yakar, one of the classical sixteenth century commentaries to the Bible and now Moshe Kuhr has created an English version of one the works of Maharal. As the rabbis taught us there are seventy facets to the Torah. Each of the great commentators to the Torah reveals to us one of those sparkling iridescent facets and thereby enables us to glimpse the grandeur and depth of Torah.
Communicating these wonderful commentaries to Torah to a broader English-speaking readership has been a project that has gained momentum over the past few decades. "The Lion Cub of Prague" is a welcome addition to this great educational Torah program.
The second book, "Journeys in Talmud" was authored by Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein, a noted scholar, teacher and lecturer. The book covers a number of subjects discussed in the Talmud, all relevant and pertinent to current practical, every day issues of life and Jewish observance. Each subject is treated clearly, concisely and with a light touch that makes for an easy read and a most enjoyable educational experience.
The book traces each subject on its route from the original Talmudic source through the commentaries and opinions of the great medieval scholars and then to the development of the normative practice as seen today in the Jewish religious world.
Many times the operation of Talmudic thought and the opinions of the decisors of Jewish practice appear to be arcane or even mysteriously magical to those of us who did not have the benefit of an intensive Talmudic education. This is a work that will help to unravel the mystery and enable the reader to gain a full understanding and grasp of important Talmudic subjects that shape our value system and Jewish life generally.
The piquant quality of the Bernstein family’s wit and wisdom shines forth from every page of the book. There are great translations and elucidations of the Talmud available today. But this book goes beyond the simple exposure of what the Talmud says, and brings the reader into the inner workings of Talmudic thought and halachic decision-making. It truly takes the reader on a journey over the famous sea of the Talmud.
As is common knowledge by now, the book industry generally is in trouble and the Jewish book industry is not as healthy as it should be either. There are many reasons for this situation – the internet, the general dumbing down of society, addictive television watching, the frenetic pace of life of the Western world, to name a few that come instantly to my mind. The Jewish religious market is a relatively small one and many of our publishers operate on a very fragile shoestring.
Many books that appear from Jewish publication companies are in reality self-published books with the author bearing most or all of the costs of publication. This situation naturally inhibits many authors with their potentially important books from being published and known. Thus, much of the Jewish publishing world is dependent on individual sponsors who are willing to dedicate a book and help defray the cost of its publication.
From looking over historical records of Jewish book publishing, it seems that this has pretty much always been the case, certainly over the past few centuries. It resembles the patron-artist relationship of the great masters of the Renaissance and the Dutch Masters period. The artist or author may secretly feel one’s self slightly demeaned by this relationship – all artists and authors must of necessity have an active ego – but apparently in the current climate of book publishing, it seems to be pretty much unavoidable. But we should all expend our best efforts to encourage the production of books of lasting worth and education such as the works I have noted above.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
