This is the first of two volumes of edited sermons spanning the greater part of the second half of the twentieth century, and the first major collection of sermons from a Liberal Jewish point ofview produced in Britain since Claude G. Montefiore's Truth in Religion of 1906. It combines forthrightly radical thinking with spirituality, love of Jewish tradition, and an abundance of carefully documented "ations from classical Jewish sources. This combination yields many fresh insights into the interpretation of Scripture, as examined in Part I, and the significance ofthe Jewish festivals dealt with in Part II, and brings out the relevance of both to present-day intellectual and social issues. Both Parts will be found to contain many original ideas, novel formulations, and occasional touches of humour.

This collection, mainly of more recent sermons and lectures is a summation of the author's life as a preacher and teacher. It is now offered to a wider public than the relatively small audiences to which they were originally addressed. If there is a common thread that runs through this volume, it is its emphasis on the gentler and more outward-looking values of Judaism, which are not much in evidence today. By cultivating and exemplifying these values Jews can best contribute to humanity as it struggles to shake off its present troubles and yearns to find again the road map to justice and peace, not only in the Middle East but everywhere. This is a fitting tribute to a man whose pastoral care and love of Judaism stretch far beyond the confines of his community and reach out to followers of all religious traditions.