Product Description
While the Hebrew Bible is the cornerstone of Judaism, it is the Talmud that provides many central values for living. The Talmud sets out specific guidelines and lyrical admonitions regarding many of life’s ordinary events, and offers profound words of advice for life’s most intractable dilemmas. This accessible introduction to the Talmud explores the essence of Judaism through reflections on the words of the rabbinic sages, from one of American Judaism’… More >>
The Wisdom of Judaism: An Introduction to the Values of the Talmud
At first scan this appears to be a wonderful book and a very inspiring read which is why I bought it. And I’m sure it will live up to my first impression. However, I am a little disappointed as I have only read the first six pages and I have found 2 errors already. On page “XIX” in the introduction it says “…earning a living is similar in difficulty to parting the Reed Sea.” Reed Sea? H-m-m? And then on page 3 we read, “…in Genesis God clothes the naked – God covers Adam and Eve with a leaf..” I’m no scholar, but I believe Adam and Eve covered themselves with leaves and God covered them with “garments of skin” (Gen. 3:21)! I am a Christian who is attempting to understand the Jewish interpretation of the Old Testament. I have bought only 3 books printed by Jewish publishers so far and all 3 have had defects of some type. This one I have already explained; another had pages coming unglued from the binding falling apart in my hands less that a week old; and a Jewish Study Bible had a page folded over on itself and when I unfolded it it had been miscut so that it protruded annoyingly from the rest of the book. I had to trim it down myself. Up until now I was under the impression that the Jews were sticklers for details and fine craftsmanship based on the care they took in preserving the scriptures over the centuries but I’m wondering if this has since been lost.
Rating: 3 / 5
“Judge not another until you are in that person’s position.” God gives wisdom to those who already have it. Language is a critical tool in the battle of persuasion. Love that is not dependent on a motive is called “unconditional love.” It will endure forever. Someone with whom you can have fun. Someone to dream with.
Life is meant to be spent with someone with whom you share interests, ideas, values, hopes and dreams. Like attracts like. A person needs to have a modicum of intelligence and wisdom to absorb more wisdom. Albert Einstein said, “there are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Issues, fears, life situation plus rituals, customs and observances are all included in this wisdom. The Jewish are decendants of Aaron and brother of Moses. Jesus was called the King of the Jews.
Elkins gives the values and traditions and reminds us that there must be commitment in relationships with other human beings. “Judge not that you not be judged.” Now, we know where Jesus learned his parables and stories.
Rating: 4 / 5
Rabbi Elkins has written an easy to read book of attitudes/wisdoms on a variety of topics. His writing style is smooth, interesting and makes you want to “keep on reading”. This is a fascinating, interesting book for the person who is new at delving into Jewish ideas as well as the learned of Jewish beliefs. A must read!!
Rating: 5 / 5
Most general books on “Jewish wisdom” are superficial, slapped together collections of platitudes, bowdlerized poppycock designed to convince readers that Judaism is really just Thomas Jefferson, but in Hebrew. Elkins’ book stands out–and is easily well worth the price. I am buying a carton of them to give as gifts.
THE WISDOM OF JUDAISM: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VALUES OF THE TALMUD by Dov Elkins is brilliant. Elkins is easily the leading Jewish anthologist alive and all of his books are worthwhile. This one is no exception. A great introduction. THE WISDOM OF THE TALMUD belongs on the top ten lists of modern Jewish classics.
Rating: 5 / 5
I wrote this review for fellow rabbis. But I think it’s quite obvious that everything I am saying is applicable to anyone who is interested in being stimulated by the great ethical ideas of Judaism. “The Wisdom of Judaism” is a great read – and you might wind up being a better person for having read it!
So here is what I sent to my rabbinic colleagues: If you’re like me, you spend a fair amount of time thinking about sermons. There’s one — or, for many of us, two — that we are required to give week in and week out. In addition, there are, for most of us, the monthly devar Torah for the Board, and periodic divrei Torah for the Sisterhood or for the local meeting of some organization or other. And there is the monthly bulletin article. And we are called upon to teach a 45-minute lesson at a USY meeting or regional convention. And on and on.
Sometimes the well runs dry. I often wish I had a book of Talmudic and midrashic sayings, accompanied by, say, 2-page commentaries that were written in the way that people actually speak. If I were compiling in my mind the ideal kind of such book, the topics would include such important and practical matters as Fairness, Personal growth, Humility, Flexibility, Marriage, Community, Self-improvement, Criticizing others. These are the topics that are the bread and butter (now that Pesach is over) of what we should and do speak about. These are the topics that I would love to have arranged for me in a handy volume, with the sayings all laid out and the commentary already supplied.
Well, this particular dream has now been fulfilled for us. That is exactly what “The Wisdom of Judaism” is all about. Dov has compiled approximately 60 subjects, all of them pertinent to the way that our congregants live their lives, that we can use and adapt for the many occasions that we are called upon to offer some wisdom of Judaism.
To anyone reading this: I support the notion of listening to rabbis. However, if you acquire Rabbi Elkins’ “The Wisdom of Judaism,” you can have a portable rabbi of your own!
Rating: 5 / 5