Judaica

 The book of Job is the most challenging--and most engaging--of all the books in the Hebrew Scriptures. It challenges one's faith in the essential goodness of God and humanity. In this volume, Rabbis Kravitz and Olitzky provide an original, modern translation and commentary while also inviting classic rabbinic commentators of the past to provide insight to the text. Along with helping the reader to understand the original Hebrew sources, the authors also strive to answer some of the basic answers of human existence posed by religion: Why is there evil? Why do the good suffer? Why do those who do evil seem to go unpunished? Are acts of goodness rewarded? Written with Leonard Kravitz, published by Wipf and Stock Publishers

https://tinyurl.com/2p99tp8b

This edition presents a fresh, new approach to a Jewish classic. Editors Kravitz and Olitzky reinvigorate the study of Pirke Avot ( "Ethics of the Fathers") with bold new insights from many corners of the modern Jewish world. Written with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Behrman House. 

https://tinyurl.com/332uhunp

 Passages from Proverbs have worked their way into our siddur and Jewish vocabulary. Now the editors of Pirkei Avot: A Modern Commentary on Jewish Ethics and Shemonah Perakim: A Treatise on the Soul bring you a contemporary, gender-sensitive translation of Proverbs, based on recent advances in scholarship.Included in this new edition are:
-- The Hebrew text of Proverbs
-- A modern translation and commentary
-- Gleanings on related topics from other sources
-- Topical mini-essays Written with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Behrman House. 

https://tinyurl.com/5n7y3cz4

 An invaluable tool to bring the teachings of Torah to modern Jews. Organized around the weekly Torah portions, Sparks beneath the Surface is designed to designed to resemble the pages of the Talmud. In the center of each page the rabbis present the targum - the English translation of the phrase or verse being explored. The authors include material from great chasidic teachers, offer insights from Jewish tradition to add depth to the point under discussion, and provide sources for further study. Sparks beneath the Surface provides the student, whether experienced or new to Torah study, with what the authors refer to as 'psycho-spiritual' insights on the Bible. This work represents the first time chasidic insights have been brought to a liberal context without compromising either ideological framework. Written with Lawrence Kushner, distributed by Rowman and Littlefield. 

https://tinyurl.com/3uuwxc5t

 More than the centerpiece of Purim celebrations, the book of Esther is unique in the biblical canon, and raises as many questions as it answers. A rich source for text study, at Purim and throughout the year, this combination of traditional rabbinic views and contemporary criticism creates a readable and relevant commentary.  Written with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Behrman House. 

https://tinyurl.com/yckrjxn6

 Using commentary from the Targum, Rashi, and Ibn Ezra, as well as contemporary sources, Rabbis Kravitz and Olitzky shed new light on this ancient and often overlooked text. The book of Lamentations is about more than simply Jewish tragedy and a lament for the destruction of the Temples and subsequent tragedies marked by Tishah B'Av. It is about the centrality of Jerusalem in the history of the Jewish people. Rather than an elegy of a lost city, Lamentations thus becomes the central book on Jerusalem, reminding us of the city's unique role in our religious lives. The themes of this book are timeless and relevant at any point in the year.  Written with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Behrman House. 

https://tinyurl.com/tbur8h7d

  From the Jewish Book Council: We read the book of Jon­ah as the Haftorah dur­ing the Yom Kip­pur Min­chah ser­vice. This is most appro­pri­ate since it deals with repen­tance and we read it at a time when we are weary from fast­ing and, per­haps, less atten­tive to the mes­sage of the day...Using ancient texts, medieval com­men­taries, and mod­ern schol­ar­ship, the authors ana­lyze the book verse by verse. They also com­ment on the major themes of the book: false prophets, repen­tance, change, growth, jus­tice, and mer­cy. With these themes as a basis, the authors engage the read­er by ask­ing him or her to exam­ine the nature of God and human nature. They then note the impor­tance of teshu­vah and the fact that it requires peo­ple to take respon­si­bil­i­ty for their own lives and exam­ine the choic­es they have made. End­ing on a hope­ful note, they stress that God is mer­ci­ful and wants peo­ple to find the right path and fol­low it. This small book con­tains much wis­dom. It will be use­ful for Torah study groups and syn­a­gogue libraries. Written with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Behrman House. 

https://tinyurl.com/3tebyja8

  A chronicle of loss and despair, love, romance, and hope, the Book of Ruth includes themes and lessons applicable to the lives of contemporary readers: rebuilding a life after extreme loss; conversion to Judaism; women's roles, sexuality, and legal status; finding love again; and more. The authors incorporate interpretations from the Targum, Rashi, and Ibn Ezra, along with scholarly and contemporary sources to create an engaging and accessible modern commentary on this ancient text. Includes complete Hebrew text of the Book of Ruth, an original translation, commentary, gleanings, and topical essays, and is ideal for adult study, a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, and individual study. Written with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Behrman House.

https://tinyurl.com/mpddupxp 

 The Book of Ecclesiastes includes both some of the most familiar biblical quotes as well as some unfamiliar and even surprising texts. The authors guide the reader through the text with the help of commentary from both ancient and modern sources. This thoughtful translation provides an innovative manner in which to harvest the teachings of this work.  Written with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Behrman House. 

https://tinyurl.com/47t983jc

  Shemonah Perakim—also called Eight Chapters served as Moses Maimonides' introduction to his commentary on Pirke Avot. Focusing on such themes as virtue, vice, ethics, God, and free will, this edition not only adds further layers of meaning to the study of Pirke Avot but also gives valuable insight into the philosophy of Maimonides. Written with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Behrman House. 

https://tinyurl.com/5n76jv5f

 In this work, the authors juxtapose their own translation of this biblical text next to the original Hebrew. Their line-by-line analysis, which draws upon classic commentaries such as Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Gersonides, as well and contemporary scholars and essays, examines how "The Song of Songs" can be read as a love story between God and the people Israel. Written with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Behrman House. 

https://tinyurl.com/mes64n6c

 The Journey of the Soul: Traditional Sources on Teshuvah is dedicated to the process of self-discovery through Teshuvah (commonly translated as repentance). Teshuvah is the method, described by Jewish tradition, through which one literally turns or returns (as the term suggests) to the correct path in life and to God.
According to the Sages, one of the reasons that God created the world was to produce good. By granting man the opportunity to repent-to better himself-God adopts man as His partner in the effort to create and perpetuate this good. This in turn brings man closer to redemption. Repentance also makes it possible for the sinner to try again. One's intention to change and one's attempt at change bring the individual back on the path to God.
In the works from which selections were made for this collection, individual authors suggest that their writing is designed to assist one's exploration of the inner life. In keeping with the tradition of this literature, which includes works from Abraham bar Chiyyah, Bachya ben Joseph ibn Pakuda, and Maimonides, among others, this collection is a culmination of the efforts of these individual authors and is dedicated to the same purpose.
Performing Teshuvah requires constant attention through study, prayer, and good acts. This book is a vehicle specifically designed to guide the reader toward his or her own personal return to God, which will, in turn, bring the Jewish nation closer to redemption.
Edited with Leonard Kravitz, distributed by Rowman and Littlefield. 

https://tinyurl.com/yckvnu9f