"Rimonim is a richly woven tapestry of poetry meant for use. From a time of rupture and uncertainty, beloved movement poet Aurora Levins Morales brings us a prayer book for the street, for reconstituting the future through our gestures in the present. In these poems of devotion and protest, Levins Morales speaks across and through time with an undeniably prophetic voice. Written in collaboration with various communities looking to honor, unravel, and rebuild Jewish liturgies, Rimonim is a book of lyric in the most immediate sense--of poems that are meant to be read and sung. Rooted in tradition and flowering in the tumultuous present, these poems will both accompany specific Jewish practices and offer inspiration for the sacred work of human liberation, where joy meets justice."--Page 4 of cover.

Albert M. Hyamson (1875-1954) was born in London. After attending Beaufort College, he started working for the post office in 1895. Once World War I broke out, Hyamson began writing a great deal in support of Zionism, much of it published by the British Palestine Committee and media outlets like the New Statesman. By 1917, Hyamson became the editor of The Zionist Review. Then Hyamson he became active in Department of Information's Jewish Bureau, and among other things, wrote for The American Hebrew and American Jewish Chronicle, to drum up interest in Zionism. Hyamson began working for the Administration of Palestine and was in charge of immigration applications. However, since he refused to let anyone else assist with the work, he single-handedly created a backlog of nearly a year, until he was replaced. Hyamson moved into making policy and working with the tenuous position that Jews, Arabs and others in Palestine found themselves in. He helped created the Hyamson-Newcome proposal in 1937 which proposed a independent Palestinian state which gave full autonomy to all citizens, recognized Arab ownership of the area, and allowed for Jewish immigration to rise to 50% of the total population. This was rejected by some Zionist leaders, but Hymanson went on to write and advocate against political Zionism and was one of the seven founders of The Jewish Fellowship. He continued to seek out Jewish-Arab co-operation for a unified Palestine, but his efforts were continually rebuffed. He wrote a great deal on other topics, including: A Dictionary of Artists and Art Terms (1906), The Humour of the Post Office (1909), Palestine Old and New (1928), and A Dictionary of International Affairs (1946). This new edition is dedicated to the memory of Seymour Martin Lipset, great scholar and teacher.

Most studies about women, Jewish and otherwise, are usually confined to the domestic sphere: the home, the family, the bed. Yet women were present at all historical events, and it is not only the presence but also their significance for these events which should be recognized. All the sources seem to militate against an approach which assumes the presence of women in public events: When dealing with politics, war and religion, scholars can ignore women, confining themselves instead to the woman's role in the domestic sphere. Tal Ilan here seeks to discover women in the public spaces and main events of Second Temple Judaism. The main principle guiding her is that if by chance women are mentioned in the sources, they should not be treated as a means for explaining the event but rather as an end in themselves. Thus sources showing women as remote or obscure turn out to yield much relevant material. Ilan investigates women's association with the Pharisees and other sects. She analyzes women's roles in the writings of Josephus, Ben Sira, and other important sources. Furthermore she discusses famous women like Beruriah and Berenice. The Dead Sea Scrolls play an important role in her study.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The latest in Jacob Neusner's informative series on the theology and hermeneutics of Rabbinical Judaism, The Emergence of Judaism offers insight into the development of Judaism in antiquity. Based on the author's lectures, this volume focuses on the social setting of Judaism, the Babylonian Talmud, and the Bavli.

"The legendary Akiva ben Yosef has fascinated Jews for centuries. One of and arguably the most important of the Tannaim, or early Jewish sages, he lived during a crucial era in the development of Judaism as we know it today, and his theology played a major part in the development of Rabbinic Judaism. Reuven Hammer details Akiva's life as it led to a martyr's death and delves into the rich legacy Akiva left us.That legacy played an extraordinarily important role in helping the Jewish people survive difficult challenges and forge a vibrant religious life anew and it continues to influence Jewish law, ethics, and theology even today. Akiva's contribution to the development of Oral Torah cannot be overestimated, and in this first book written in English about the sage since 1936, Hammer reassesses Akiva's role from the period before the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE until the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 135 CE. He also assesses new findings about the growth of early Judaism, the reasons why Akiva was so outspoken about "Christian Jews," the influence of Hellenism, the Septuagint, and the canonization of the Hebrew Bible. Ultimately, Hammer shows that Judaism without Akiva would be a very different religion"--

Topics discussed in this book include government policy toward Jews and conversos , the image and self-image of Jews and conversos in relation to the surrounding society, the dynamics of Jewish poetics and philosophy on the Iberian Peninsula, and the role of women in the transmission of converso identity from generation to generation.

"In The Other Judaisms of Late Antiquity the late Alan F. Segal is at his very best. This reissued and expanded edition--now containing his celebrated "Heavenly Ascent in Hellenistic Judaism, Early Christianity, and Their Environment"--delineates the variegated nature of both Judaism and Christianity in their formative periods. As Segal demonstrates, it is more accurate to speak of Judaisms and Christianities. Through his deft deployment of social-scientific methods and due attention to Jewish primary sources from the Second Temple period, Segal is able to trace the intricate, internecine struggles among Jewish, Christian, and gnostic communities in the earliest days of the Common Era. In doing so, Segal masterfully validates the importance of inductive historical reconstruction and analytical comparative study for illuminating the complex religious world of the first three centuries"--back cover.

What has given the Jewish people their resilience, their power of survival, and their ability to adapt to radically new conditions without losing their identity? What combination of religious faith, social organization, intellectual toughness, and poetic imagination constitutes Jewishness? Eighteen eminent scholars address these questions in this richly illustrated survey of Jewish history from its earliest days to the foundation of Israel. Equal weight is given to Judaica and to the ways in which Judaism has coped with the challenges of modernity. This unparalleled work of scholarship is enhanced throughout by a plethora of superbly reproduced illustrations, from manuscript illuminations and liturgical objects to medieval prints and popular art. 436 illustrations, 135 in color. Edited by Elie Kedourie, a distinguished historian and political philosopher, the book includes essays by Haim Beinart, T. Carmi, Amnon Cohen, S. Ettinger, Shelomo Dov Goitein, A. Grossman, Oscar Handlin, Arthur Hertzberg, Arthur Hyman, Lionel Kochan, Hyam Maccoby, Jacob Neusner, H. W. F. Saggs, Amnon Shiloah, Ezra Spicehandler, David Vital, R. J. Zwi Werblowsky, and Zvi Yavetz.

This textbook aims to provide, in accessible form, a full history of Jewish religion and tradition. Within a broad outline of the history and religion of the Jewish people, this volume highlights cultural and spiritual developments which have shaped Jewish self-consciousness through the centuries. Beginning with an account of the history and religion of the ancient Near East, the book focuses on the influence of ancient Near Eastern civilization on the Hebrew scriptures. This discussion is followed by an outline of ancient Israelite history, emphasizing the role of the patriarchs, the exodus from Egypt, the rise of monarchy and the emergence of prophecy. The book then examines later biblical history, the development of Judaism in Hellenistic times, and the emergence of classical Rabbinic literature and theology. The Medieval period in Islamic and Christian lands is also investigated, giving special attention to the rise of Jewish philosophy, theology and mysticism. Turning to the modern period, the rise of Hasidism is examined as is the emergence of religious reform. Finally, the study concentrates on the development of Jewry in the 19th and 20th centuries, and concludes with a discussion of the future of Judaism as a living faith. Through this overview of the Jewish heritage, the reader is asked to approach Judaism in an appreciative spirit - to examine sympathetically its beliefs, doctrines and ideals in an historic context. The book aims to provide both factual information about the development of the Jewish tradition and a survey of a range of Jewish issues through the centuries to the present day.

"Reason to Believe is veritable tour de force in defense of Orthodox Jewish faith. The author, a veteran teacher of Judaic Studies, an internationally known rabbi and dayan, faces the tough questions and perennial doubts head-on and offers compelling evidence in favor of Orthodoxy from science, philosophy, history, and Jewish tradition. A valuable and timely resource for those who seek answers, Reason to Believe will also anchor and amplify the faith of those who feel secure in their Orthodox beliefs and lifestyle"--front flap.

According to historical teaching, a Jewish man should give thanks each day for ''not having been made a gentile, a woman, nor a slave.'' Yoel Kahn's innovative study of a controversial Jewish liturgical passage traces the history of this prayer from its extra-Jewish origins across two thousand years of history, demonstrating how different generations and communities understood the significance of these words in light of their own circumstances. Marking the boundary between ''us'' and ''them,'' marginalized and persecuted groups affirmed their own identity and sense of purpose. After the medieval Church seized and burned books it considered offensive, new, coded formulations emerged as forms of spiritual resistance. Owners voluntarily carefully expurgated their books to save them from being destroyed, creating new language and meanings while seeking to preserve the structure and message of the received tradition. Renaissance Jewish women ignored rabbis' objections and assertively declared their gratitude at being ''made a woman and not a man.'' Illustrations from medieval and renaissance Hebrew manuscripts demonstrate creative literary responses to censorship and show that official texts and interpretations do not fully represent the historical record. As Jewish emancipation began in the 19th century, modernizing Jews again had to balance fealty to historical practice with their own and others' understanding of their place in the world. Seeking to be recognized as modern and European, early modern Jews rewrote the liturgy to fit modern sensibilities and identified themselves with the Christian West against the historical pagan and the uncivilized infidel. In recent decades, a reassertion of ethnic and cultural identity has again raised questions of how the Jewish religious community should define itself. Through the lens of a liturgical text in continuous use for over two thousand years, Kahn offers new insights into an evolving religious identity and recurring questions of how to honor both historical teaching and contemporary sensibility.

The Great Synagogue: A History of Sydney’s Big Shule is a beautifully designed illustrated history of Australia’s oldest synagogue and its congregation. Written by its emeritus rabbi, Raymond Apple, and members of the congregation, it spans the fascinating history of the Jews in Sydney, from their arrival on the First Fleet--sixteen of them as convicts--through to the construction of the synagogue in 1878 and up to the present day. Illustrated with numerous historical documents, paintings and photographs, this book brings to life the history of the most visited and visible Jewish building in Australia and its congregation.

Written by one of the foremost scholars of Jewish religion and culture in the 19th century, this book provides a detailed and authoritative account of the Jewish law as interpreted by Moses in the Old Testament. From the Ten Commandments to the dietary regulations, from the Sabbath to the jubilee year, Leeser offers a clear and insightful discussion of the key aspects of Jewish life and faith. Anyone interested in the history and theology of Judaism will find this book a valuable resource. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Analyzes the views of Jewish philosophers on the problem of evil and suffering of innocents, stressing their philosophical, not merely religious, responses to the problem. In ch. 10 (pp. 185-219), "The Holocaust", the views of post-Holocaust thinkers Elie Wiesel, Richard Rubenstein, Emil Fackenheim, Arthur Cohen, Eliezer Berkovits, and Ignaz Maybaum are examined, as well as some Christian reactions to the Holocaust. Traditional Jewish thought regards God as very remote from the human world; He gave human beings the Law and freedom of choice, but refrains from intervening in human matters. However, the enormity of the Holocaust in comparison to other Jewish disasters presents a serious problem - why did He not intervene in this special case? The philosophers answer basic questions - such as, does God intervene in history at all; where was He during the Holocaust; does He understand our sufferings; did He partake in the tragedy, and if so, what were His intentions - in different ways. They all insist, however, that we must not abandon Judaism. Criticizes weak aspects of each explanation.

Menaḥem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994) was the seventh and seemingly last Rebbe of the Habad-Lubavitch dynasty. Marked by conflicting tendencies, Schneerson was a radical messianic visionary who promoted a conservative political agenda, a reclusive contemplative who built a hasidic sect into an international movement, and a man dedicated to the exposition of mysteries who nevertheless harbored many secrets. Schneerson astutely masked views that might be deemed heterodox by the canons of orthodoxy while engineering a fundamentalist ideology that could subvert traditional gender hierarchy, the halakhic distinction between permissible and forbidden, and the social-anthropological division between Jew and Gentile. While most literature on the Rebbe focuses on whether or not he identified with the role of Messiah, Elliot R. Wolfson, a leading scholar of Jewish mysticism and the phenomenology of religious experience, concentrates instead on Schneerson's apocalyptic sensibility and his promotion of a mystical consciousness that undermines all discrimination. For Schneerson, the ploy of secrecy is crucial to the dissemination of the messianic secret. To be enlightened messianically is to be delivered from all conceptual limitations, even the very notion of becoming emancipated from limitation. The ultimate liberation, or true and complete redemption, fuses the believer into an infinite essence beyond all duality, even the duality of being emancipated and not emancipated--an emancipation, in other words, that emancipates one from the bind of emancipation. At its deepest level, Schneerson's eschatological orientation discerned that a spiritual master, if he be true, must dispose of the mask of mastery. Situating Habad's thought within the evolution of kabbalistic mysticism, the history of Western philosophy, and Mahayana Buddhism, Wolfson articulates Schneerson's rich theology and profound philosophy, concentrating on the nature of apophatic embodiment, semiotic materiality, hypernomian transvaluation, nondifferentiated alterity, and atemporal temporality.

Jews often consider Hinduism to be Avoda Zara, idolatry, due to its worship of images and multiple gods. Closer study of Hinduism and of recent Jewish attitudes to it suggests the problem is far more complex. In the process of considering Hinduism's status as Avoda Zara, this book revisits the fundamental definitions of Avoda Zara and asks how we use the category. By appealing to the history of Judaism's view of Christianity, author Alon Goshen-Gottstein seeks to define what Avoda Zara is and how one might recognize the same God in different religions, despite legal definitions. Through a series of leading questions, the discussion moves from a blanket view of Hinduism as idolatry to a recognition that all religions have aspects that are idolatrous and non-idolatrous. Goshen-Gottstein explains how the category of idolatry itself must be viewed with more nuance. Introducing this nuance, he asserts, leads one away from a globalized view of an entire tradition in these terms.

The book is divided into three sections. The Ffirst provides a general historical overview for the Jewish thought that follows. The second summarizes the variety of basic kinds of popular, positive Jewish commitment in the twentieth century. The third and major section summarizes the basic thought of those modern Jewish philosophers whose thought is technically the best and/or the most influential in Jewish intellectual circles.

How does the 'medieval' function as a bearer of Jewish identity in a changing secular world? Each chapter in this work addresses a different Jewish return to the medieval by using a language of renewal.