Wisdom of Judaism
An Introduction to the Values of the Talmud
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- $18.99
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- $18.99
Publisher Description
Discover the Talmud and its universal values for all people. 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's foremost teachers and writers, Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins. Dr. Elkins provides fresh insight into ancient aphorisms and shows you how they can be applied to your life today. Topics include: Kindness through Giving, Welcoming and Sharing; Human Relationships; Personal Values; Family Values; Teaching and Learning; and Life's Puzzles. Enlightening and inspiring, the values of the Talmud can be appreciated not just by Jews, but by anyone seeking a greater understanding of life and its mysteries.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The Talmud inaugurated a series of efforts to clarify the Bible that continues to this day. Aptly describing these efforts as "a conversation between generations," Rabbi Elkins adds his commentary to the commentaries, focusing on the implications of the Talmud's teachings for human behavior. Since ethical and moral acts constitute the core of Judaism, Elkins begins by exploring Jews' responsibility for the welfare of others. He goes on to specify the significance of the Golden Rule, following with a chapter on the importance of fairness, humility, flexibility and dignity. Next, Elkins discusses the family, emphasizing the difficulty of finding the right mate, but insisting that it is equally vital to work on maintaining the marital relationship. He also considers connections to parents and children. The penultimate section describes Talmudic views on teaching and learning, stressing the requirement to transmit the Jewish heritage from one generation to the next. Finally, Elkins examines dilemmas humans confront such as the problems of earning a living, rejecting extremism, seeking to grasp too much and recognizing the good things people do despite their imperfections. This introduction to the morality of Judaism contributes significantly to our practical understanding of Talmudic wisdom.
