Jonathan Goldstein reimagines and recasts the Bible's greatest heroes and answers such age-old questions as : Wouldn't a person get bored living in a whale? How did Joseph explain Mary's pregnancy to the guys at work? And what was Cain's problem anyway? --back cover.

"This book is a history of the Near East from the point of view of a single nation, covering not only what is known about the prophets themselves--including Elijah, Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel--but also the stories of King David, King Saul, and how the ancient Israelites were affected by the great Near Eastern empires that surrounded them. Layered into this work of history is a piece of extraordinary literary criticism. Podhoretz's very close reading of the verse and imagery used by the biblical prophets restores them to the top reaches of the poetic pantheon, for these books contain some of the greatest poetry ever written. The historical chronicle and the literary criticism will transport readers to a time that is both exotic and familiar and will evoke a distinct and original world. But the third perspective of The prophets is that of moral philosophy, and it serves to bring the prophets' message into the twenty-first century. For to Norman Podhoretz, the real relevance of the prophets today is more than the excitement of their history or the beauty of their poetry: it is their message. Podhoretz sees, in the words of the biblical prophets, a war being waged, a war against the sin of revering anything made by the hands of man--in short, idolatry. In their relentless battle against idolatry, Podhoretz finds the prophets' most meaningful and enduring message: a stern warning against the all-consuming worship of self that is at least as relevant in the twenty-first century as it was three thousand years ago"--Jacket

What an Impact! Your Shabbos table will never be the same after picking up this book, guaranteed! Shabbos Table Impact features short, powerful stories corresponding to each week's parsha; this fifth in the Impact series is full of humorous, inspiring and thought-provoking stories perfect for your Shabbos table. The spicy, insightful comments are ideal discussion starters for your seuda, entertaining and always on the mark. For an even greater Shabbos Impact, Rabbi Kaplan shares a wealth of practical guidelines and helpful tips that will transform your Shabbos table from ordinary to extraordinary. Rabbi Kaplan renowned rebbe, educator and sought after lecturer keeps audiences worldwide spellbound with his captivating stories and lectures, presented in his inimitable, witty style. This book will give you a sampling and have you eagerly anticipating more.

In the years between 1929 and 1939, when Itzik Manger wrote most of the poetry and fiction that made him famous, his name among Yiddish readers was a household word. Called the Shelley of Yiddish, he was characterized as being "drunk with talent." This book -- the first full-length anthology of Manger's work -- displays the full range of his genius in poetry, fiction, and criticism. The book begins with an extensive historical, biographical, and literary-critical introduction to Manger's work. There are then excerpts from a novel, The Book of Paradise, three short stories, autobiographical essays, critical essays, and finally, Manger's magnificent poetry -- ballads, bible poems, personal lyrics, and the Megilla Songs. These works, which have the patina of myths acquired ages ago, also offer modern psychological insight and irrepressible humor. With Manger we make the leap into the Jewish twentieth century, as he recreates the past in all its layered expressiveness and interprets it with modernist sensibilities.