Product Description
Much more than a particular period in world history, modernity has fundamentally transformed how we think and live, and especially how we understand and relate to religious traditions. As the 'ghetto walls' have fallen, both empirically and metaphorically, Judaism is compelled to compete in an open marketplace of ideas. Jews can no longer count on an assumedly necessary Jewish identity or commitment, nor on the rallying force of anti-Semitism to ensure an individual and collective sense of belonging. Rather Jewish moral, spiritual and historical values and ideas must be read with new eyes and challenged to address modernity's proliferating array of questions and realities. The pertinent questions modern Jewry faces are how to embrace modernity as Jews and what such an embrace means for the meaning and future of Jewish life. This collection of essays, authored by scholars of the Shalom Hartman Institute, addresses three critical challenges posed to Judaism by modernity: the challenge of ideas, the challenge of diversity, and the challenge of statehood, and provides insights and ideas for the future direction of Judaism.Providing readers with new insights into Judaism and the Jewish people in contemporary times, the collection explores a wide range of issues that includes: the significance of Israel for the future of Judaism; the Jewish people as a people; the relationship between monotheism and violence; revelation and ethics; Judaism and the feminist challenge; and Judaism and homosexuality. ... Read more

Product Description
From Judaism's rich history of prophetic justice comes an inspiring call to action.

Why is it that Jews are so involved in causes dedicated to justice, equality, human rights and peace? Are these trends influenced by religion, history, sociology or something else?

In this provocative exploration, Rabbi Sidney Schwarz, founder and president of PANIM: The Institute for Jewish Leadership and Values, sheds light on the relationship between Judaism, social justice and the Jewish identity of American Jews. He traces how the idea of justice, as developed in the sacred texts of Judaism, conditions Jewish attitudes and behavior. In a fascinating portrayal of some of the major issues facing the Jewish community in the last fifty years, Schwarz explores a community torn between its instincts for self-preservation and its desire to serve as an ethical "light to the nations."

This powerful and empowering book will provide you with a starting point for meaningful engagement--and a new way to understand Jewish identity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A passionate emphasis on Prophetic Judaism
"Judaism and Justice" is a book that succeeds on different levels.

It is at once an inspiring call to service and social justice, an account of the history and evolution of Jewish organizational life in America, and a prescription for mainstream organizations.

Schwarz works from the framework of what he calls the Exodus and Sinai impulses of Jews. The Exodus impulse (i.e., AIPAC) refers to the Jewish impulse to rally together in the face of threats, while the Sinai impulse refers to Jews' marching orders to come to the aid of the poor and oppressed.

He makes the case that the largest Jewish organizations have drifted toward the Exodus pole, while young Jewish adults are leaning toward the Sinai pole. (As a Federation employee, I can tell you there is actually plenty of Sinai Judaism in our work.)

Schwarz cites both the explosive growth of progressive Jewish organizations in America, along with survey data showing that Jews regard a "commitment to social equality" as the most important part of their Jewish identity.

To me, though, the most valuable aspect of the book is its passionate emphasis and elaboration on the Prophetic tradition, a tradition that is in turn firmly rooted in Torah.

If the mark of a good book is one in which I've highlighted a section on virtually half the pages, then "Judiasm and Justice" is indeed a good book

Highly recommended.
Written by Rabbi Sidney Schwarz, Judaism and Justice: The Jewish Passion to Repair the World asks the questions: Why are Jews so often involved in causes central to justice, equality, human rights, and peace? Are they influenced by religion, history, sociology, or some other factor? Judaism and Justice examines the relationship between Judaism, social justice, and the Jewish identity of American Jews. From core values of the Rabbinic tradition, to the long history of Jewish struggles for civil rights, to the core and sometimes conflicting impulses to both survive (Exodus) and help the world become in accordance with a higher moral standard (Sinai), Judaism and Justice examines history with a keen account of missteps and falterings among Jews as well as their positive contributions to world history. Of especial interest is the chapter concerning Israel, and how the relationship of identification between American Jews and Israel has had to change in recent years, and is almost certainly not done changing. Highly recommended.

I Like the Talk... Now Let's See the Walk
I am giving this book five stars because I think it terribly important that Jews be reminded of their moral bearings and because we desperately need people like Rabbi Schwarz, rather than the usual mean, narcissistic lineup, to be speaking for the American Jewish community.Peace in the Middle East, and peace between the West and Arab and Islamic worlds, require it.

This book cleared up two big mysteries for me.Most people raised in a Christian tradition, as I was, wonder how Jews can see themselves as a light unto nations, as having a superior sense of right and wrong, as having a calling to raise the morality of the world. We look at the Old Testament and see behavior that is barbaric by the standards of today, and we remember that Jesus had powerful objections against Judaism.I saw an answer in this book: Judaism kept developing and it is the writings in the Talmud, the rabbinic wisdom that poured forth for hundreds of years after the time of Christ, that lifted and defined the Judaistic concept of morality. In chapter 8 where Schwarz articulates several of the core values of Judaism, he relies principally on the Talmud, not the Torah.

The second mystery for me was the drive that the Jews have topreserve their religion and culture and not be swallowed up in the world, to not assimilate, to not disappear as a distinct people.Rabbi Schwarz points out that Jews hear a calling to be "a nation apart".I was especially interested in his discussion of Jews in America, how they can be a part but also apart... that America is a cultural mosaic rather than a melting pot.That is an extraordinarily important observation as it points to how the Israelis might be able to make peace with the Palestinians - by sharing the land while maintaining social and family separation.I think the only chance now of peace between Israelis and Palestinians is a unitary binational state in which Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza are combined into one new state with equal rights for all.Rabbi Schwarz's observation shows that the "nation apart" calling need not be a show stopper.

I was distressed by several aspects of this book and will mention the most important one.Rabbi Schwarz ignores the elephant in the room, the behavior of Israel.The world sees how Israel oppresses the Palestinians, takes their land... and this behavior screams injustice and immorality.How can a book on Judaism and justice virtually ignore the very behavior that largely defines Jewish morality in the eyes of the world (and unfavorably)?Worse, how can this book ignore the very behavior that is driving the world towards a war between the West and the Arab and Islamic worlds? Perhaps Rabbi Schwarz has not set foot, in recent times, in the West Bank or Gaza and is ignorant of the behavior of Israel?Please Rabbi Schwarz, focus like a laser on Israel's shockingly bad behavior and demand that it change.Jews talk of being a light unto nations... they talk the talk, now walk the walk.Show us... or we'll think it all hypocrisy.

RabbiSchwarz points out that the Exodus impulse (the fear, survival concerns, and aggressiveness) and the Sinai impulse (the high moral calling and social concern for all people) are in tension, that they point in opposite directions.I think this has changed.Jews' safety everywhere is now jeopardized by the aggressive and oppressive behavior of Israel.I see a resurgence of anti-Semitism against world Jewry, fueled by Israel's behavior.Not a pretty picture.So the Jews' future security (the Exodus concern) now depends on demanding that Israel change its behavior and give voice to the Sinai impulse.Sinai behavior, not Exodus behavior, will ensure your safety and survival.

Rabbi Schwarz, please write another book, but this time, address the elephant and reconcile the Exodus and Sinai impulses.Morality calls you; peace calls you. ... Read more

Product Description
No longer controlled by a handful of institutional leaders based in remote headquarters and rabbinical seminaries, American Judaism is being transformed by the individual spiritual decisions of tens of thousands of Jews living in all corners of the United States. A pulpit rabbi and American Jew, Kaplan follows this religious individualism from its postwar suburban roots to the hippie revolution of the 1960s and the multiple postmodern identities of today. From Hebrew tattooing to Jewish Buddhist meditation, his book describes the remaking of historical tradition in ways that channel multiple ethnic and national identities. While pessimists worry about the vanishing American Jew, Kaplan focuses on the creative responses to contemporary spiritual trends that have made a Jewish religious renaissance possible. The result is an exciting transformation of what it means to be a religious Jew in twenty-first century America. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A great read from Dana Kaplan
Contemporary American Judaism: Transformation and Renewal

First, a disclaimer.I personally have known the author for many years.Although we do not keep in touch regularly, I consider Rabbi Kaplan a good friend, and we have agreed to disagree on many issues.

Rabbi Kaplan writes extremely well.His thoughts are clearly put forth, and generally he avoids editorializing in this work.He is careful to identify his own thoughts when they do appear, and mostly writes as an impartial observer on the outside looking in.I do sense, however, a pronounced feminist bent in some of the chapters.It seems that Rabbi Kaplan treats the traditional roles of the sexes in Judaism (as opposed to general, secular society) as a flaw in Judaism that has finally been fixed in our time.Many traditionally observant Jews would take issue with that approach.Similarly, Rabbi Kaplan seems quite pleased with the move to legitimize homosexuality in non-Orthodox Jewish organizations, yet he does not fully explain how controversial this issue is, and why.

The book provides readers who are unfamiliar with Judaism in America a comprehensive overview of the history, trends, and issues facing American Jews. There are times, however, when Rabbi Kaplan makes references to Jewish theology that such readers might not understand.Other times, Jewish terms and references are translated and explained, but not consistently.I do wish Rabbi Kaplan had provided more in the way of background so that the reader might understand the normative underpinnings of many of the laws and rituals referenced.

Rabbi Kaplan takes an in-depth look at the two largest branches of Judaism in America - the Conservative and Reform movements.He also does an excellent job of informing the reader of smaller off-shoots of these movements.Often, he writes of his personal interaction with some of the key figures of our generation in these movements.These personal anecdotes add a welcome bit of color to what, in the hands of another author, could have been a dry account.

I do feel, though, that mainstream Orthodox Judaism in America, while comprising only a small percentage of American Jews, was given short shrift in the book, perhaps due to Orthodoxy's somewhat uninteresting nature when compared to the numerous trends and developments in the non-Orthodox community.While much focus was placed on Chabad Lubavitch (and deservedly so, in my opinion), I feel the book could have used an additional chapter covering plain old vanilla Orthodox Judaism in America, both the "modern Orthodox" and the yeshiva subsets.As an example, there is essentially no mention in the book of Touro College or Yeshiva University and their importance and influence on American Orthodox Jews.This was puzzling considering Rabbi Kaplan was himself a student at Yeshiva University (where he and I were roommates).Yeshiva University is also of import because many Jewish Theological Seminary (the Conservative movement's seminary) students were undergraduates at Yeshiva University, and many rabbis with Conservative pulpits in America were ordained in orthodox seminaries like the one at Yeshiva University.I was one of the anecdotal subjects in the book, and my personal story also omitted any reference to Yeshiva University, which played a major role in my personal story.As I read, I kept wondering what this book would have been like had it been penned instead by an Orthodox Jewish author.

To sum up, this is a very well researched and written book.I would recommend this book to both students and adults looking for a broad overview of Judaism in America.I would also recommend, as a companion, a primer on Judaism as a religion for readers who are not familiar with Judaism's general teachings and philosophy.

Comprehensive, Insightful, and Reader Friendly
An outstanding read for anyone seeking to learn more about the state of Judaism, and its adherents, in America today.In "Contemporary American Judaism", Rabbi Kaplan has masterfully focused a vast wealth of scholarly and exegetical knowledge through the "hearts and minds" paradigm of a pulpit rabbi.Complex issues are explained clearly and at great depth, putting this book squarely at home in the halls of academia.It is clear, however, that this is not merely a textbook written by someone who has studied a topic, but a comprehensive account (and perhaps, prognosis?) given by someone that has lived and breathed the subject matter for many years, from a perspective few others may have.I would recommend this book to the academic and lay person alike, with the expectation that both would come away the better for it.

Insightful Contemporary Look into America's Jews
Once again, Dana Evan Kaplan proves that he is one of the foremost scholars on contemporary American Judaism. As always, Rabbi Kaplan's writing is well-researched and articulate. He probes some of the most interesting issues impacting the contemporary Jewish community in a refreshing manner. Rabbi Kaplan's exploration is equally interesting for non-Jews who sometimes turn to Judaism, arguably the world's most ancient religion, for answers to their own spiritual and religious quests.

A Must Read For Any Jew in Today's Complex World
Rabbi Dana Kaplan is first and foremost a scholar. His research and thorough understanding of the Jewish religion, its history and its culture are apparent in reading any of his works. Rabbi Kaplan's work as a spiritual leader in rural Southwest Georgia gives him a unique perspective on the various issues that small congregations deal with in their daily lives, especially if those Jews are transplanted from larger communities. Having grown up in New York, Rabbi Kaplan is the epitome of that essay and brings his wealth of experience in larger congregations and communities combined with his working knowledge of smaller communities to bear in this insightful look at contemporary Judaism. The book is well written, diverse in its subject matter and able to sustain the reader throughout. Reading it makes you want to attend one of his services or Torah study sessions or sign up for his class. This is a must have edition for any Jewish home library.

Entertaining and easy to read
I'm not Jewish, and I read this book out of curiosity about the Jewish faith. I found it to be entertaining and easy to understand. Especially interesting to me was the information about the trend towards merging rituals and celebrations from different faiths, and the attempts of society to standardize and commercialize them -for example "Chrismukkuh."
The author, Dana Kaplan, says that the intermarriage stigma of the past no longer exists, and wonders if the result of this will be positive or negative for the Jewish faith. Having several friends in mixed marriages and relationships, I found this part of the book to be intriguing.
I recommend this book especially to Jews who want to know more about the history of their religion, and what the future may hold for Judaism.
... Read more

Product Description
This substantially revised and updated edition of the 1985 classic is ideal for everyone who wants to know more about Judaism.Whether you are a long-time participant in the Jewish community, a newcomer or someone who has struggled to find a home in Jewish life, this introduction to Jewish thought and practice from a Reconstructionist perspective will offer inspiration and guidance. From Kaplan's belief through contemporary innovations, this engaging text explores Reconstructionist views on God, ethics, Zionism, spirituality, text study, Tikkun Olam, life cycle ritual, intermarriage, gay and lesbian issues... and more!A must-read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Just an Introduction
The book is very much an introduction, but not as good as those "blank for dummies books." It reads as if you entered the front door, then a second later, turn around and are back in the hall way. The chapters are short and simple. The actual philosophical and theological concepts are reduced to sentences. If anyone were to read this book believing it's the movement's intellectual history, they would be disappointed.

Perhaps the greatest contribution towards reconstruction's theory is Judaism as a Civilization by Kaplan, a good primary source that shows the movement through the founder's eyes.

I would recommend it for someone who wants a quick introduction without the difficulty of theological perspectives.

Guide to Reconstructionist Belief and Practice
The Reconstructionist movement is both the newest and the smallest of the modern American Jewish movements, but its influence has been tremendous.Mordecai Kaplan, its founder, conceived of Judaism as an evolving religious civilization (more than simply a religion) and of God as a process or transcendant power (not a supernatural being).These ideas led him to a conception of Judaism that respects and honors the past while transforming it to provide a modern expression of traditional Jewish values.Although Kaplan ended up founding a new movement, he spent most of his life (until his retirement at age 82) teaching and writing at the Conservative movement's Jewish Theological Seminary, and it is apparent from Neil Gillman's book "Conservative Judaism:The New Century" and from the Conservative Statement of Principles "Emet ve-Emunah" (which expressly allows for Kaplan's conception of God) that Kaplan had a huge impact on the intellectual leaders of the Conservative movement.Reform's recent trend toward more traditional practice is surely also at least partly a recognition that Kaplan was right to emphasize continuity with the past even while acknowledging the necessity of modernization.

In "Exploring Judaism," Rabbis Alpert and Staub provide a brief introduction to Reconstructionist belief and practice.The emphasis in the first six chapters is on the fundamental beliefs that define the movement -- the conception of Judaism as an evolving religious civilization, the nature of God, the role of traditional practice and halakha, the interaction of practicing Jews with an open society, and the place of Zionism.The ideas in these chapters are set out clearly and concisely and give the reader a good idea of what Reconstructionism is about.These chapters are not meant to be theology or a rigorous exposition of Reconstructionist ideas; still, a little more detail on some of the more obvious difficulties (an asserted "solution" to the problem of theogony, which is not a solution at all) and tensions within the movement (did Kaplan go too far or not far enough in changing the liturgy, the language of prayer, the conception of "chosenness") would have been helpful.As it stands, this part of the book seems to be pitched toward bright high school students or adults who have never thought about theological issues except in the most basic, "self help" terms.

The second half of "Exploring Judaism" is devoted to Reconstructionist practice -- study, prayer, ritual, social action, the development of inclusive communities, and the "structure" of the movement itself.These chapters do an excellent job of demonstrating how Judaism can be reconstructed into a vital center of one's life and community.Here the authors succeed in being inspirational without being preachy.

"Exploring Judaism" seems to have been written for people who were raised in another Jewish movement and who have either dropped out or become disenchanted.A reasonable degree of familiarity with traditional Jewish practice and belief is assumed throughout.If you are lacking that familiarity, you may be somewhat lost, particularly in the later chapters.Recommended to anyone seeking to learn more about this path to reconnecting with Judaism.

Excellent Presentation of Reconstructionism
Alpert and Staub's book is great place for a spiritual seeker looking for basic information on Reconstructionist Judaism or for a committed Reconstructionist Jew.I found that this book has been very helpful in resolving a lot of my own personal beliefs about Judaism and feel that it can do a lot for other searching Jews.The truth, beauty, and intellectual integrity of Reconstructionism are amply demonstrated by this book.The book also provides a long list of resources for further study, all of which I highly recommend.

Sensitive and Inclusive reentry into faith
I just finished the book, Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach. I can't believe that I finished it in just two evenings - it's so unlike me. I found it incredibly informative and empowering, especially coming from an oft-times exclusive traditional background. This book is written in an intellectual but accessible manner. It truly elaborates on the Reconstructionist point of entry into Judaism. It also encourages further study! I didn't realize that one could find so much beauty in my heritage - especially since I broke away several years ago feeling spiritually empty and intellectually disenfranchized. I highly recommend this book for anyone, but especially those who are deeply struggling to recapture and explore their Jewish soul. Thanks Rabbis Alpert and Staub!!!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Women and Judaism is for all Jews
When I was first recommended this book, I was unsure how I would react to it, but ended up enjoying it greatly. Though my own theology is much closer to Reform, I found Greenberg's balance between feminism and Orthodox tradition quite interesting.Though at many times I disagreed with Greenberg, reading her essays has made me reflect on my own religious feminism.

Enlightening & Evokative
I had the privilege of hearing and meeting Mrs. Greenberg while in my undergraduate studies and found her lecture presentation to be the most intellectually and religiously stimulating event of those years. With this experience, I eagerly pore over virtually everything she publishes, and *On Women and Judaism* was no exception. I read and re-read the book over several months: sometimes wanting to toss it into the waste basket as it angered me so; other times wondering how I'd survived as a traditionally religious woman without it.

Mrs. Greenberg weaves her own experiences into her vast knowledge of scripture and history. The result enlightens the reader and bridges the chasm between tradition and feminism without compromising either side--a nearly impossible feat.

Highly recommended.

check it out of the library
I really enjoyed this book, in which Blu Greenberg discusses the ways that she reconciles feminism and traditional Judaism.Her thoughts were very influential for me, and still affect the way that I see many issues.

Unfortunately, the book is not meaty enough.She speaks in generalities rather than tackling the texts.Books providing more textual details are those of Judith Hauptman, Joel Wolowelsky, Avi Weiss, and Eliezer Berkovits.

Fantastic!!!
Although I am not Jewish myself I am doing a degree in Theology and Jewish studies and I thought this book was great. Blu Greenberg approaches the issues of sexism within Judaism from a very sensible none biased viewpoint. She treats the reader with respect and although she does not assume that the reader has a high degree of understanding the way she explains certain Jewish terms is with respect. The reader of this book is never led to feel as though they lack understanding. If you are looking for a book that helps you to understand the role of women in Judaism, or if you are Jewish and want to understand the issues of women in Judaism better, this book is for you! For a none radical, understandable overview of women in Judaism....read this book!

Essential reading for both sexes!
I enjoyed this book and I'd highly recommend it -- it's become the "classic" modern Orthodox text on the status of women, and it was very "formative" for me in my own religious growth.Greenberg, as I've said before, loves Judaism, and takes seriously both its challenges and the forces of modernity.

However, I found that her chapter on "The Issue of Abortion" was a little forced.Surprisingly, I *agree* with some of her conclusions, but I disagree with her premise that we can be less reverent about issues of life and death in the modern age.Greenberg suggests that because children used to die in infancy and early childhood, large families were essential, but now, with longer lives almost guaranteed, we can kill off babies in utero.That piece of the puzzle just doesn't fit for me.

Apart from this one chapter, which seems to depart from her usual rigour when dealing with matters of tradition, this is an excellent response to many "women's issues" -- most of which, like divorce, are really issues BOTH genders need to evaluate in a good, honest light.

A previous reviewer has said she ought to re-release this book, and I agree.Much has changed, politically and in Jewish religious spheres, since the first edition of Women and Judaism, and I'd love to see how Greenberg's views have evolved over the years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A manual for humanistic Judaism
A simple, straight forward presentation of Humanistic Judaism, with cultural and historical informtion about Jewish customs and holidays. It is especially useful in sorting out what's worth keeping, and what's not, for those who don't believe in god but want to stay Jewish.

Like I said before -- Jewshness is BOTH culture and religion
I'm giving this book five stars, NOT because I agree with its theology (I most certainly do NOT - I myself am a religious Jew) but because it is well-written and thought provoking in its own genre.Judith Seid is a "cultural Jew," that is, a Jew who relates to the history, music, art, customs and traditions of Judaism in a secular way, but who does not believe in God or "the religion."Her book explores non-theistic ways that cultural Jews can connect with their heritage. (Isaac Asimov would have loved this book -- he was just such a cultural Jew.)

Much of this book is way too secular for my own tastes, but the author does raise some challenging questions about Jewish history, liturgy, and traditions that made me stop and think.She has also clearly demonstrated what I have been saying for years, namely, that Jewishness is more than just a "religion."This book clearly explains that POV.

Although Judaism is commonly defined as a religion, the Hebrew language does not have a separate word for "religion."Neither does Yiddish -- the closest you can come is "Yiddishkeit," which simply means "Jewishness" and encompasses everything from liturgy to foods and music.

I myself define Jews as a tribal culture in the anthropological sense: common language (Hebrew), common land of origin (Israel), common ancestor story (Abraham and Sarah), common foods and holidays, and common religion.(Seid does not use this exact breakdown in her book, but her ideas are compatible with the tribal model.)A secular Jew may reject "the religion," but still deeply connect with the other aspects of Jewish culture, in the same way that a Native tribal person might remain connected with their language, foods, dances and ceremonies, even if they do not believe in the tribe's mythology.

Much of this book focuses on how to re-define Jewish holidays and life-cycle events in non-theistic ways.There is a strongemphasis on connecting with the tradition through land and nature.The holidays themselves are labeled according to the seasons in the Contents, and the observances she suggests are centered around such activities as growing your own horseradish for the Passover Seder, feeding the homeless during Sukkot, seeking introspective solitude with nature on Yom Kippur, tasting fruits on Tu B'Shevat, etc.There are lots practical suggestions and resources, too, including recipes and websites that I found useful even though I'm not a secularist.(One site, for example, told me where to get pre-fab hardware for erecting a sukkah with 2 x 4s.)

This book is more than mere "lox and bagels Judaism."Seid hasgiven a lot of serious thought to her presentation and, whether or not you can accept her point(s) of view, it is clear that she is fully committed to her Jewish identity.I recommend this book to anyone -- Jewish or not -- who would like to understand why being Jewish is so much more that a "faith" or "religion."

A fascinating perspective on secular Judaism
"God-Optional Judaism," by Judith Seid, is an intriguing book that offers an answer to the question: Do you have to believe in God to be a practicing Jew? Seid says "No."

Seid explores the notion of secular Judaism: a way of life, or a cultural and ethical path, that is liberated from traditional notions of deity. You can be an agnostic or an atheist and still practice a meaningful form of Judaism, according to Seid. She offers suggestions for those interested in starting a secular Jewish congregation, and includes an informative "question-and-answer" section in the book.

Seid's book is well-written and thought provoking. Although she is writing from a Jewish perspective, I believe that many of her ideas could be equally useful to people of other faith traditions (Christian, Muslim, etc.).

Rediscovering Judaism
God-optional Judaism by Judith Seid (isbn 0-80652190-2)

Judith Seid has the enormous gift of writing simply and clearly about complicated issues. In one slender volume she manages to summarize the history of Jewish belief systems down to present times, and discuss the various approaches of each system to traditional holiday celebrations and life cycle observances. Despite having had a lifetime of Jewish education hardly a page went by in which I did not discover a new insight. But for me, two other features of this book make it invaluable. First, it is fair minded and inclusive. Seid is not out to convert so much as to inform. Without getting bogged down with the myriad details of Jewish observance she succinctly clarifies the choices available to someone interested in modern Judaism. Equally important she elucidates the historical validity of these choices, demythologizing the claims of "authenticity" or superiority posed by some. You decide what fits you, within established, centuries-old alternatives. What brings all this home is her frequent use of anecdotes culled from her pastoral experience, poignant examples of the questions so many of us confront in examining our beliefs. My one criticism may seem like a quibble. She appears to be saying that secular spirituality is confined to social interaction, even though in other sections it is clear that she does not define spirituality in such narrow terms. This book is essential reading for those people who wonder about Judaism and/or its relevance for their own lives. ... Read more

Product Description
This study traces the origins of Hebrew prayer among the Jews and explains how the first volumes of formal Jewish liturgy emerged.It describes in a lively and thought-provoking manner the leading rites and personalities of medieval Jewish worship and explains how the various interpretations of Judaism in the modern world have responded in their own way to the challenge of dialogue with the divine.Existing theories are challenged and new theories offered, and the result will make liturgical research accessible to modern readers. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
On Judaism is a collection of lectures by Martin Buberthat had a profound influence on European Judaism in the early 20thcentury. The most interesting parts of this book are the lecturesBuber delivered between 1909 and 1918, whose achievement was toconvince intellectuals once again to take seriously the mysticalelements of Judaism, such as kaballah. Assimilationism, secularism,and materialist skepticism had convinced many European Jews thatreligious Judaism demanded mindless allegiance to outmoded laws--asituation, as Rodger Kamenetz notes in his introduction to thisvolume, that bears a striking resemblance to the mindset of many youngJews today. Buber's involvement with Theodore Herzl's Zionist movement(which led to the creation of the state of Israel) gave himcredibility with Jewish intellectuals, however. He used thiscredibility to persuade his listeners that there is an essentialdifference between rigid, legalistic "religion" and the vital,world-engaging "religiosity" that, he contended, is the prevailingcharacter of Torah. As Kamenetz writes, "Buber's enduring insight isthat Judaism is a process, not a conclusion: a religion of presence,and not simply an historical religion." Obviously, much has changedsince Buber delivered these early lectures--the two World Wars, theHolocaust, and the rise of Reformed Judaism have forever altered thecontext in which young Jews define their religious identity. ButBuber's driving question--"I must ask myself again and again: Is thisparticular law addressed to me and rightly so?"--is still the mostimportant one for Jews who seek to understand themselves as people ofthe book. Martin Buber asked that question with unremitting intensityand intellectual rigor, and On Judaism will help its readers todo so as well. --Michael Joseph Gross ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A fundamental inquiry
Buber raises fundamental questions about the meaning of Jewishness. His profundity is unquestioned, as his poetic insightfulness. However his casting aside of the Halakhah means that he cuts himself off from what is arguably, both the most traditional and most vibrant form of Judaism in our world.
I want to myself look through these essays again, and see if they give new directions in regard to understanding the fundamental questions of Jewish identity and meaning in the modern world. ... Read more

Product Description
During the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal, many Jews were forcibly converted to the Catholic faith. These Conversos, as they were called, were required to give up their religion, their traditions, and in some cases even their names. During the 1990s, historian Sandra Malamed conducted a series of probing interviews with people of Spanish and Portuguese descent across the country and abroad, who considered themselves Christians or even non-believers, but who nonetheless practiced various Jewish traditions-often without knowing where the traditions came from. When she explained to them what these customs were all about, they were fascinated to learn that Judaism might be part of their families' history. Malamed made it clear that the interview was not an exercise to convert them, but rather to give them a chance to know their own heritage and to be able to pass it on to their children. For although their Jewish identity may have been taken away from them more than five hundred years ago, they still had a right to know their origins and their heritage.Includes timelines, glossary, bibliography, and index, 85 b&w photographs.. ... Read more

Product Description
The only comprehensive and up-to-date look at Reform Judaism, this book analyzes the forces currently challenging the Reform movement, now the largest Jewish denomination in the United States. As an unintended result of its success, the movement now struggles with an identity crisis brought on by its liberal theology. Kaplan asks, can Reform Judaism continue to thrive? Can it be broadly inclusive and still be uniquely and authentically Jewish? Addressing the issues that have confronted the movement—including the ordination of women, acceptance of homosexuality, the problem of assimilation, the question of rabbinic officiation at intermarriages, the struggle for acceptance in Israel, and others—Kaplan sheds light on the connection between Reform ideology and cultural realities. He unflinchingly, yet optimistically, assesses the movement’s future and cautions that stormy weather may be ahead. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

It's unique.
Rabbi, professor and multi-published author Dana Evan Kaplan has taken on the feat of describing the myriad of facets that shape Reform Judaism in America, including its relatively short history, distinct and indistinct theology, worship evolution, Israeli endeavors, educational philosophies,mixed marriage outlooks, efforts to facilitate women's equality, acceptance of gays and lesbians, and future directions and issues. This well-crafted fabric of points is sewn together with the thread that Reform Judaism in America is inherently in a constant state of flux.What is more, he does all this in little more than 250 pages.Dana Kaplan's American Reform Judaism is very thought-provoking and, therefore, well worth reading.

Finally I understand my religon
I knew Rabbi Kaplan while we were teenage co-counselors at Camp Laurelwood in North Madison, CT many years ago. He was coming to grips with his Judaism at that point, reading books like "The Source," and I enjoyed debates/discussions on a range of topics related to religon and Judaica. Honestly, I initially read the book to be polite, but ended up enjoying it far more than most books I choose on my own. Dana's book is written in an easy-to-read style, with lots of interesting stories. It focuses on how the Reform movement shifted over the past 20 years or so to try to become more dynamic. Part of the analysis is based on the sociological works of Rodney Stark, a researcher from the University of Washington who specializes in the sociology of religion. Stark has argued that religious groups that are too flexible do not do well. You have to have a fairly high contrast with the general society in order to attract people to your religious group. In the book, Rabbi Kaplan suggests that there is something to the argument that the Reform movement should become a bit stricter. Not too strict, but a little bit stricter. In order to do that, we need a more coherent theology. Not everyone agrees with him -- Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the presidentt of the Union for Reform Judaism, argues in the afterword that it's more important to get people doing Jewish things and the theology will come later.

The book covers all of the hot button issues of the last 15 years -- women's rights, gay marriage, intermarriage, the fight over the 1999 Pittsburgh platform, and so forth.

It is not a how-to manual. It focuses on what Reform Judaism believes in and how the movement has gone about implementing its beliefs. It does not go point by point and say Reform Jews do this, Reform Jews do not do that, etc.

It has gotten a fair amount of attention in scholarly and Jewish worlds. I understand that a few years ago, Judaism journal ran a whole symposium on the book. They had an Orthodox, Conservative, a Reform, a humanist, a Jewish renewal, and so forth each talk about the book. It was a very interesting symposium, which you can download on Rabbi Kaplan's webpage.

The book had special meaning for me in another way. As I sense is the case with many reformed Jews, I am at a transition of sorts on my religion. Do I believe in G-d? Is Judaism dissipating into nothingness due to assimilation into the greater society?Is it better to be more flexible/open or less?Dana's book moved my thinking along.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, happy I took "the road less traveled" in reading it.

Great Resource for People of All Faiths
Dana Kaplan has written a phenomenal and unique book that opens up the world of American Reform Judaism. This book is the only one of its kind, and is great resource for Reform Jews and those who might be converting to and interested in learning about Judaism. We are all in debt to Professor Kaplan.

a Great and worthy Book!
Informative and educational.the book covers the subject of Reform Judaism in America in richness of detail. a very relevant reading for anyone interested in learning about the accomplishments of the Jewish Civilization implanted in its most fertile soil ever.
Rabbi Jacques Cukierkorn
Kansas City, MO

covers all the obvious points . . .
described in the editorial reviews, which means it is a pretty good read for someone who is not very knowledgeable but is probably less useful for readers more familiar with Reform.

One thing that I liked: Kaplan's willingness to note that some of the Reform movement's current problems are identical to those that Reform rabbis were complaining about as early as the 1880s; evidently, there is something about liberal religion that leads to a large but apathetic membership.

One thing that I wish Kaplan had put in: more primary source material - perhaps in the form of an appendix with the text of the Reform platforms, etc. that Kaplan writes about. ... Read more

Product Description
A fascinating survey of Jewish history—from Persia to Masada.

James C. VanderKam, one of today’s most respected scholars of biblical history and the Dead Sea Scrolls, here offers a superb new introduction to early Judaism. Based on the best, most recent archaeological research, this illustrated volume explores the history of Judaism during the Second Temple period (516 B.C.E.–70 C.E.), describing the body of Jewish literature written during these centuries and the most important groups, institutions, and practices of the time. Particularly interesting are VanderKam’s depiction of events associated with Masada and the Kokhba revolt, and his commentary on texts unearthed in places like Elephantine, Egypt, and Qumran. Scholarly yet written in the same accessible style as VanderKam’s widely praised Dead Sea Scrolls Today, this volume is the finest introduction to early Judaism available. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

stilling the sea surrounding the second temple
James VanderKam has proven himself one of the foremost authorities on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the vast literature of Second Temple Judaism - two areas which typically overwhelm the average research student and biblical scholar.

Here in this accessible volume (easy to follow, 234 pages), VanderKam provides a succinct overview of the sea of literature and lays the foundation to eliminate the enormous task of getting a hold of the literature from the Second Temple period. It is helpful (especially trying to cut through for the specific task of research) to have a resource which provides a simple and straightforward explanation of the whos, whats and wheres of documents which are filled with people, places and symbols quite foreign to most everything else you learn in church and typical coursework for New Testament studies.

But it remains difficult to overestimate the importance of this literature, as it provides the closest and clearest information of how Judaism interpreted their own Scriptures at the time when the Christian movement emerged. This book is a wonderful introduction and would be a great addition to an introduction or survey course.

Excellent!
This book gives an excellent background for the New Testament.It will put you in the sandals of the NT writers.The book is a must read for anyone seeking to develop a deeper understanding of the culture of the Bible.I have suggested this book to several people and I plan to read it again in the future.

An Introduction To Second Temple Judaism
James Vanderkam's AN INTRODUCTION TO EARLY JUDAISM is a good overview of certain aspects of Second Temple Judaism.By far the largest portion of the book is an introduction to the literature of the period (Qumran, the apocrypha, pseudepigrapha, etc.).There is also a fairly long section on history from Persia to Bar Kokhba.Unfortunately the practices, theology and social structures of Judaism are largely ignored.

Based on new information from scrolls, but not on aggadic sources
This book is very useful as a history of Judaism as it markedly evolved from the Biblical to the Talmudic era. VanderKam is highly conversant with the Dead Sea Scrolls and other recently un-earthed archeological material and integrates their evidence into his historical narrative. Conversly, he gives little indication of being aware of Talmudic aggadot that pertain to this historical era of Judaism's transition . For example there is not even a reference to the Mishna Avot, which is concerned with the rabbinical sages during this period of the development of Judaism. ... Read more

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Magnificent full-color reproductions of works by Rembrandt, Chagall, Gerome, and other great artists highlight a collection of paintings, sculpture, tapestries, and artifacts that capture the rich traditions and rituals of the Jewish faith. ... Read more

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The Shema has been described as the "central watchword" of Jewish faith. For centuries, Jews have pronounced this single sentence affirming God's unity as their final words before dying, as well as beginning and ending each day with this prayer on their lips.

Using the Shema as his focus, Norman Lamm, prominent Orthodox scholar and long-time president of Yeshiva University, explores the relationship between spirituality and law in Judaism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This will help you pray in a better way
Rabbi Lamm is a deep thinker. And he deepens the reader's understanding of 'The Shema' .Hehelped me understand why we makeuse of two different names of G-d,why we usethe language of singular and plural in the Shema. My belief is that anyone who reads this book will learn from it not only deeper meanings of the 'Shema ' but how to pray this basic prayer of Judaismin a more meaningful way.

a unique little book
. . . in which Lamm goes line by line through the Shema, pointing out how various commentators have addressed each line over the centuries.

Lamm devotes the most space to the first sentence of the Shema (Hear O Israel, the Lord is God, the Lord is One), and to the Shema's requirement that we love God. As to the former, Lamm points out the difference between the two names of God referenced in the Shema: one represents the impersonal, universal God as seen in Nature while the other represents God as experienced in History, that is, the God who relates to Israel specifically and who is part of everything. Other interpretations of this phrase include a eschatalogical interpretation (that today God is One to Jews, but at the end of history all humans will see God as One), kabbalistic interpretations (some suggesting that nothing really exists outside God, but that God wills humans to act as if the world was real, others asserting that the Shema is an acknowledgement that awareness of the Creator's unity makes our lives less chaotic).

As to the concept of loving God, Lamm discusses Maimonides' interpretation of this verse (asserting that we learn to love God by contemplating creation and through studying Torah), Samuel David Luzzatto's definition of love as obeying divine commandments, the views of the Maharal (who asserts that we love God by recognizing that we owe our existence to God, and by honoring Torah scholars who study divine precepts), and other commentators' complex analysis of different types of love. ... Read more

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Acclaimed writer and thinker Douglas Rushkoff, author of Ecstasy Club and Coercion, has written perhaps the most important—and controversial—book on Judaism in a generation. As the religion stands on the brink of becoming irrelevant to the very people who look to it for answers, Nothing Sacred takes aim at its problems and offers startling and clearheaded solutions based on Judaism’s core values and teachings.

Disaffected by their synagogues’ emphasis on self-preservation and obsession with intermarriage, most Jews looking for an intelligent inquiry into the nature of spirituality have turned elsewhere, or nowhere. Meanwhile, faced with the chaos of modern life, returnees run back to Judaism with a blind and desperate faith and are quickly absorbed by outreach organizations that—in return for money—offer compelling evidence that God exists, that the Jews are, indeed, the Lord’s “chosen people,” and that those who adhere to this righteous path will never have to ask themselves another difficult question again.

Ironically, the texts and practices making up Judaism were designed to avoid just such a scenario. Jewish tradition stresses transparency, open-ended inquiry, assimilation of the foreign, and a commitment to conscious living. Judaism invites inquiry and change. It is an “open source” tradition—one born out of revolution, committed to evolution, and willing to undergo renaissance at a moment’s notice. But, unfortunately, some of the very institutions created to protect the religion and its people are now suffocating them.

If the Jewish tradition is actually one of participation in the greater culture, a willingness to wrestle with sacred beliefs, and a refusal to submit blindly to icons that just don’t make sense to us, then the “lapsed” Jews may truly be our most promising members. Why won’t they engage with the synagogue, and how can they be made to feel more welcome?

Nothing Sacred is a bold and brilliant book, attempting to do nothing less than tear down our often false preconceptions about Judaism and build in their place a religion made relevant for the future.


From the Hardcover edition.Amazon.com Review
Judaism is in danger of compromising the core values which have made this religion so resilient and enduringthrough the millenniums, according to authorand NPR commentator Douglas Rushkoff. The strength and longevity of Judaism lies in its original values—iconoclasm, medialiteracy, its ability to encourageinquiry instead of obedience. But Rushkoff argues that these values have become dangerously compromised to the point whereJudaism is now more concerned withadherence to a righteous path and unquestioning assimilation. Unless the Jewish community restores its emphasis on "inquiryover certainty and fluidity over sanctity,"he believes it will be impossible to reach the numerous disaffected Jews who are struggling with the intense and sometimesterrifying challenges of modern life.

As a media watchdog and social commentator, Rushkoff (Coercion: Why WeListen to What They Say) is especially attuned to the negativeaffects of globalization and media technologies. One of his main gripes is that Judaism is starting to function more like aglobal corporation. For instance, instead ofchallenging the market culture’s influence over children, "Jewish outreach groups are hiring trend watchers to help themmarket Judaism to younger audiences," hewrites. The good news, notes Rushkoff, is that Judaism also has a "Renaissance Tradition," in which it has faced similarcrises in the past and successfullyreorganized itself according to its original tenets. He sees the potential for such a Renaissance now, and even offersideas on how this could come about. With itsinflammatory premise and hard hitting message, this book is destined to stir enormous controversy and, ironically, a gooddeal of inquiry and debate within theJewish community. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

An Intellectual Reflection on Judaism
Nothing Sacred is a fascinating look at the Jewish faith through the eyes of Douglas Rushkoff. Rushkoff's writing is characterized by a combination of deep intellectual reflection, systems and chaos theory, and media commentary - and Nothing Sacred is no exception. This book is worth a read if you're a Rushkoff fan, but is targeted towards those interested Judaism or of Jewish descent.

Personally, I fall into neither category, but read this book as a result of my being a fan ofRushkoff's Life Inc.: How the World Became a Corporation and How to Take It Back and Media Virus!. That being said I found the book to be interesting and felt that I learned quite a bit about the Jewish faith in terms of both benefits and shortcomings. Not being the target audience much had likely gone over my head and it was admittedly, a challenging read at times. I respect Rushkoff's willingness to share his spiritual journey and his reflection on that journey and commend him for his courage to write such a book, especially since the content may have ostracized him from members of his community.

If you are fan of Douglas Rushkoff, interested in religious discussion, or of Jewish descent this book is worth a read. Otherwise you may want to pass.

A life without faith
Going through life without faith is a sad existence.
All ideas shared in the book are a fine presentation, better said compilation of thoughts by Conservative and Reform theologians.
The paradox is to give such validity to the early thinkers of Judaism with the absence of a Divine mandate.

A few interesting ideas, but
mostly just another attempt to conform Judaism to someone's preexisting ideological vision of the world, arrived at completely independently of Judaism.

"No thing" is indeed Sacred
This text is written in a very accessible manner and as Judaism stands on the brink of possibly becoming irrelevant, Douglas Rushkoff takes aim at the problems and offers solutions based on Judaism's core values and teachings. Of particular significance is the fact that the problems and solutions discussed in the book are applicable to any faith tradition and of help to anyone's personal search. Highly recommended.

watch him on youtube
On Youtube, the author brags about Jews being a "corrosive force" in the cultures they reside in while in "exile". The author says he feels Jews "break down the gods of all other nations."It is sad, in watching this, to be forced to acknowledge that Jews see their role as hate in other cultures.I feel extremely sorry for this young man, and also feel people should read his book---to see how some Jews view their role in other cultures. He does not understand that people could just as easily pick apart his culture.Many refrain from doing so, of course, and don't even hate in this way at all.Yet, this young man voices the right, the imperative, and so forth, to destroy human beings whose cultures he does not understand, nor respect. He really seems to believe that the brilliance of "pushing the envelope" in ripping down cultures, makes him superior at times. Nor does he seem to consider that such attitudes aren't entirely acceptable everywhere, by everyone. Please watch him on Youtube and read the book, for how he believes Jews view other cultures.Just search on Youtube, using his name and book title.His voice speaks for itself. The book's value lies in the voice of the author and should be a warning to those interested in human rights (and the right to have them). ... Read more

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An Anthology of Secular Humanistic Jewish Thought ... Read more

Product Description
Embraced by celebrities from Madonna to Jeff Goldblum to Elizabeth Taylor, covered extensively in the pages of Time and Entertainment Weekly, Kabbalah--a Jewish mystical tradition dating back centuries--has taken its place alongside Buddhism as a spiritual practice for modern Western seekers.This book--written by the rabbi who authored the bestselling audiotape series The Mystical Kabbalah--is the first to bring Kabbalah to a wide audience. Earning great praise from critics, God Is a Verb promises to do for Judaism what The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying did for Buddhism, infusing an ancient tradition with new life and popularizing its ideas among an entirely new generation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

God is a Verb
The book came quickly and in the shape discribed.Will use this seller again.

Problems with organization and content
Cooper's God is a Verb starts off with great promise but quickly veers off track.As in most popularizations of the Kabbalah, Cooper has largely separated Jewish mystical lore from the following of the halakah -- the nuts and bolts of Jewish practice.This gives God is a Verb a somewhat immature tone.There is also little sense in the organization of the work.The sequence of topics is confusing. Cooper has good material about Adam, Eve and the Garden, and the secret and mythical implications about their actions in the beginning of the work.He discusses this, but not nearly enough.The rest of the book veers off from topic to topic confusing and frustrating the reader.

Unbelievable Book!
Beautiful writing that uncovers, layer by layer, the same theme, the same 'original yearning' in all of us, leading to the ONE and the Same, Ever Changeless, though called by different names by religions and individuals from time immeorial.

Kabbalah is the best of the modern mystical philosophies
Rabbi David A. Cooper has written book for the newly interested in Kabbalah, or those like me who has studied it for years.This is a remarkable explaination of one of the oldest spiritual philosophies placed into a modern perspective.May Sinclair, Author, Infamous Eve, A History

wonderfully written, insightful and inspirational
Absolutely a wonderful read.It was exactly what I was looking for as a sort of practical introduction to Jewish mysicism.In my case there was a decent level of Jewish background understanding and a lot of prior reading and formal philosophical study including Taoism, Buddhism, Christian mysticism, as well as many years of yoga and meditational practice.

I still find the approach to meditation through hatha yoga approach to be the most useful, but as a Jew it was great to build this familiarity with the traditional Jewish side to mysticism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Important but flawed
If anything is to be said about this volume, its impact has changed Pauline scholarship until the present time. Many distinguish between pre-Sanders and post-Sanders Pauline scholarship. This was in many ways the begining of the movement now known as the "new perspective on Paul." Most of this volume is an evaluation of second temple Judaism. Sanders believes that in the second temple period there was a united pattern of religion. This falls into the rubric of soteriology. This pattern of religion Sanders calls Covenantal Nomism. This idea is that those in the covenant with Israel are in the covenant by grace, and they remain in by obedience to the law, however, not in such a way as to say salvation is earned. Obedience does not earn but maintains ones covenant status. Sanders fights against the idea that Jewish soteriology was simply a "weighing of the scales" where one's merits and demerits were weighed against one another. This idea was popularized by Weber and despite the fact that several Jewish scholars have fought against it, it was universally accepted. Sanders certainly has valid criticisms of previous second temple scholarships, however, he overreacts. Rather than seeing Judaism as a religion of works, Sanders sees Judaism as a religion of grace. When looking at the evidence from this period however, neither picture is accurate. There is a much greater diversity of opinions in second temple literature than either position will admit. For example, Josephus, who seems to be entirely ignored in this volume does not talk in terms of national covenant. Also, Philo talks in very different categories. Books like IV Ezra (which Sanders admits) and II Enoch do portray a type of legalism. On the other hand, the Testament of Moses sees both entrance and continuation in the covenant as matters of grace.
Sanders treatment of Paul in the second section of this book has not been as influential as his evaluation of second temple literature. He believes that Paul talks not so much in forensic as participationist categories. For Paul, the law never required perfect obedience. In fact, he never saw a problem with the law until he found Christ. His thought was from solution to plight. He saw that Christ was the only way to righteousness, therefore law-righteousness must be inadequate. Sanders famous line states that "Paul's problem with Judaism was that it was not Christianity." Sanders treatment of Paul is really only largely evaluated in his next volume "Paul, the law and the Jewish People"

An interesting take on Paul and Judaism
I appreciate Sanders branching out from traditional thought on Paul even if I do not agree with all of his arguments. I agree that Paul's belief was one of participationist eschatology (Paul also believed the end was near): the only way to become one of the People of God was through faith in Christ ("dying to Christ") and the old covenant was no longer sufficient. I agree that Paul had a connection to Judaism but, I do not agree with Sanders keeping with the ideal that Paul was a Pharisee just because Paul says so (he doesn't provide support for this). I found his `covenantal nomism' interesting but, I would like to do some more research on the subject.
Sanders' does touch on Paul's break from the Jewish religion and his Hellenistic ideals which was helpful in the quest to understanding Paul.

AFIRST
This was THE book that kicked off the "New Perspective" on Paul.Actually the book is mostly about Judaism.Sander's primary point is that Judaism was NOT a legalistic works-for-salvation religion.His principal axe to grind is with Ferdinand Weber and Emil Schurer, both of whom put out books on Judaism in the early 1900s or so.

His treatment of Paul is scant but potent.He sees Paul arguing that ritual works of the law (circumcision and food laws) must not be foisted on Gentile Christians -and NOT arguing that salvation is by faith and not works.

In truth this book is really rather dry - and the average theology student will get more out of reading N.T. Wright or James D.G. Dunn, who discuss Sanders extensively, critiquing and fleshing out his positions.

But if you are a Pauline student you may simply want a copy on yout shelf!

Covenantal Nomism at its best
For some reason this book became a breakthrough in the late 1970s in Pauline studies. In fact, ever since the publication of this book Pauline studies has never been the same. The impact this book has made since is felt in both the academia and church. Unfortunately, the book is really biased on its use of Second Temple literature and its understanding of Paul's relationship to Second Temple Judaism. Having read most of the first section (the teachings of Second Temple/Rabbinic Judaism) and all of the second section (Paul and his teachings) Sanders portrays a very gracious view of Second Temple/Rabbinic Judaism and a very Jewish and law friendly Paul. However, after reading this book and comparing it to the critiques of this reading of Second Temple/Rabbinic Judaism and Paul's relationship to it I have to conclude that Sanders has not done his homework or that he wrote with an agenda.

Though Sanders does correct some of the negative portrayals of Judaism by many evangelical scholars since the time of the Reformation, I would have to say that he does not totally liberate ST/Rabbinic Judaism as pictured as a works-righteousness or legalistic religion. In fact, even if you read Sanders' take on the Tannaitic and DSS literature you will find that ST/Rabbinic Judaism is still to some degree works-righteous and legalistic. Even though he rightly points out that ST/Rabbinic Judaism is not pelagian or advocates a legalist God, the religion he paints is more semi-pelagian or "Romish." He acknowledges that in ST/Rabbinic Judaism that an Israelite can be kicked out of the covenant for very serious offenses and that everyone will be judged according to their deeds by the standards of the Torah. Even though God will be gracious in how he judges his people, they will still need to do their best (within the realm of the covenant and God's grace) to achieve eschatological salvation. The evangelical equivalent to this view is the view espoused (more or less) by Charles Finney, Holiness Wesleyans, Churches of Christ, Seventh-Day Adventists, United Pentecostals, and Evangelical Outreach. Sanders' attempt to liberate ST/Rabbinic Judaism as a legalistic religion is only partially successful. ST/Rabbinic Judaism even under Sanders' depiction advocates a works-righteousness salvation to some degree. It definitely did not advocate sola fide and sola gratia.

The more problematic part of the book is Sanders' take on Paul. He believes that Paul (since he was still a Jew even after his Damascus Road experience) borrowed a lot from ST/Rabbinic Judaism in regards to soteriology. In fact, Sanders states that Paul held to a "Christian" covenantal nomism (pp. 511-515). Though the new covenant is new and available to non-Jews it still holds to the basic structure of covenantal nomism found in ST/Rabbinic Judaism: one enters the covenant by grace and baptism and one stays in that covenant by obedience to the law (or the new law of Christ). A believer can be expelled from the covenant (and eventually from eschatological salvation) by heinous sin or apostasy (p. 513). Contrary to some misguided and uneducated Presbyterian and Reformed pastors (those P & R pastors who don't even know what their own confessions teach) the view of Judaism and Paul advocated in this book is contrary to the P & R tradition. For instance, in the Westminster Confession of Faith, it states in regards to justification: "God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may by their sins fall under God's Fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance" (XI.5). To say that the WCF promotes a type of covenantal nomism is utterly ridiculous. The confession is clear that even sin still does not forfeit the believer's righteous standing before God's judgment bar.

Another key question to ask is: if Sanders' portrayal of Paul is correct what is the point of Christ's death? Of course, Sanders does not believe that Jesus Christ is the God-man as articulated in the great Christian creeds and confessions thus he is excused from this. However, a Christian who adopts Sanders' covenantal nomism really has to struggle with the idea of what Christ accomplished on the cross. Did Christ merely open the door so that people can start working their way up to heaven? Or did Christ fully pay the price for the sins of the elect? These are questions that Christians who have adopted the New Perspective have to ask themselves.

Paul and Palestinian Judaism
The best book on Palestinian Judaism avaiable. Sanders is one of the best in his field. Excellent research.Presented well for all who have interest and some background. ... Read more

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Product Description
In Israel today, the historic Western Wall, known as theKotel, a holy site for Jewish people, is under the religious authorityof the Orthodox rabbinate.

Women have only limited rights to practice Jewish ritual in itsprecincts.

This passionate book documents the legendary grassroots and legalstruggle of a determined group of Jewish women from Israel, the UnitedStates, and other parts of the world--known as the Women of theWall--to win the right to pray out loud together as a group, accordingto Jewish law; wear ritual objects; and read from Torah scrolls at theWestern Wall.

Eyewitness accounts of physical violence and intimidation, inspiringpersonal stories, and interpretations of legal and classical Jewish(halakhic) texts bring to life the historic and ongoing struggle thatthe Women of the Wall face in their everyday fight for religious andgender equality. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Yearning
These essays express the yearning felt by Jewish women from all walks of life living in Israel and in America to be able to freely participate in traditional prayer at the Western Wall where they experience the all powerful Presence of Shakhina. This reader is in awe of their persistence, commitment and respect for the law in spite of years of harrassment and marginalization.

A struggle for religious and gender equality
"A struggle for religious and gender equality"
In December of 1988 Jerusalem was the scene of the First International Jewish Feminist Conference entitled "The Empowerment of Jewish Women."

It was within this context that a group of Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and unaffiliated Jewish women decided to pray collectively in the women's section at the historic Western Wall known as the Kotel.

What was noteworthy at the time was the women had worn prayer shawls and they also had read from the Torah Scroll. As soon as the group opened the Torah Scroll they were confronted with ultra orthodox men and women cursing them and even threatening bodily harm. These ultra orthodox men and women, who are referred to as "Charedi" believed it was blasphemous for women to pray collectively, chant and read from the Torah Scroll at the KOTEL.

Women Of The Wall edited by Phyllis Chesler and Rivka Haut comprises the writings of over thirty-five contributors who recount how the struggle has continued for the past fourteen years in order that these women, who are referred to as WOW, may relive the first service.

Despite several legal victories the struggle still continues, as they are still not permitted even to stand together and pray aloud as a group at the Kotel. It chronicles the verbal and physical violence the group has had to endure, the court battles and the personal experiences of some of the participants.

The book also analyzes the legal and political battles as well as the various views expressed by the different branches of Judaism.
For many readers the first question that probably comes to mind is why is it so important that the prayers and the services take place at the Kotel. One of the contributors, Haviva Ner-David best sums it up when she asserts: "The Kotel has always symbolized for me the Jewish people's return to Zion in the twentieth century. It was one of the retaining walls of our Second Temple. The feeling I have when standing there about the history of the place is so powerful. The fact that we are so privileged to be able to pray there, and that only thirty-five years ago we could not, is reason enough to feel pulled to the site."
For others, the struggle is about fighting against being silenced and as they maintain, there is no religious law that expressly prevents them from praying in the manner that they have chosen. According to Frances Raday "The violence against the Women of the Wall (WOW) is a manifestation of the attempt of ultra-religious activists to preserve their patriarchal hegemony."

The book serves as not only a description of one group's tenacity in fighting for their rights, but also as a fascinating insight into the various views concerning the freedoms of expression and assembly.

The above review first appeared on the reviewer's own site

A Remarkable and Important Book
This book is a collection of stories pertaining to the very public struggle that Jewish women face in an attent to pray together at the Western Wall (Kotel).Women do have their own separate section to pray at the Western Wall, but there are certain activities from which they are prohibited by Israel law. Each story is more powerful and passionate than the next, describing how these women still today are prohibited from praying as a group,praying aloud,singing collectively, using a Toral scroll or wearing talliot at the wall. In fact, the Israeli Court has prohibited such activities by law. These stories set forth in heartfelt detail the contridictions that these women face within their own religion in an attenpt to be a part of the same spiritual groups who are confrontingand challenging their veryefforts. Women of the Wall (WOW) have been involved in this struggle since l988, and the stories in this book show, with clarity and beauty how these women still today respond to these prohibitions. This is a book that must be read. ... Read more