Creates a new view of chutzpah as Jewish self-empowerment to be God's partner and repair the world and reveals Judaism's ancient message, its deepest purpose and most precious treasures.

Judaism assigns a uniquely important role to the human being, the role of partner with God in creating a world of oneness. This theme, the singular message of Judaism, runs throughout the Jewish tradition, but it has been largely lost to our modern day's leaning toward Jewish ethnic identity and culture.

In this clarion call for a new way to "do Judaism," award-winning spiritual leader Rabbi Edward Feinstein urges us to recover this message of Jewish self-empowerment or chutzpah to reshape the world. Feinstein begins with the early chapters of Genesis. He then describes how the idea was encoded into the Jewish national narrative through biblical law, and how the Rabbis of Talmud embraced that conviction as the center of Judaism, demonstrating the Rabbis' sense of their own self-empowerment to reshape their religious tradition in response to the destruction of the Temple. Turning to the mystics of medieval Spain and the European Hasidic tradition, Feinstein shows how chutzpah found its expression in the traditions of Kabbalah. Finally, he explores the theme of empowerment in modernity, as the centerpiece of Zionism and post-Holocaust thought. Inspiring Jews of all denominations, Feinstein presents a bold reminder of the Jewish responsibility to repair the world and a new way to conceive of Jewish community life, Jewish education, prayer and religious activism."

2019 National Jewish Book Award Finalist! From the creator of the best-selling The Jewish Catalog a tour for all of us "of a certain age" through the resources and skills to navigate the years between maturity and old age.

Women rabbis are changing the face of Judaism.
Discover how their interpretations of the Prophets, Writings,
and Megillot can enrich your perspective.

The Haftarah is a potent tool for understanding the values, ethics, and moral lessons contained in the Torah readings. In this first-of-its-kind volume, more than eighty women rabbis from the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements offer fresh perspectives on the beloved texts that make up the Haftarah the Prophets and Writings and the Five Megillot.

Based on readings that are rich in imagery some poetic, some narrative, some dark and brooding their commentaries include surprising insights on the stories of Deborah and Yael, David and Goliath, David and Bathsheva, and the witch of Endor, among many others. Themes such as Jerusalem as woman, the story of Jonah and the fish, and other prophetic images are informed and challenged by this groundbreaking work.

A rich resource, a major contribution to modern biblical commentary, and the ideal companion to The Women s Torah Commentary, The Women s Haftarah Commentary will inspire all of us to gain deeper meaning from the Hebrew scriptures and a heightened appreciation of Judaism.

Women rabbis are changing the face of Judaism. Discover how their interpretations of the Prophets, Writings, and Megillot can enrich your perspective. The Haftarah is a potent tool for understanding the values, ethics, and moral lessons contained in the Torah readings. In this first-of-its-kind volume, more than eighty women rabbis from the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements offer fresh perspectives on the beloved texts that make up the Haftarah—the Prophets and Writings—and the Five Megillot. Based on readings that are rich in imagery—some poetic, some narrative, some dark and brooding—their commentaries include surprising insights on the stories of Deborah and Yael, David and Goliath, David and Bathsheva, and the witch of Endor, among many others. Themes such as Jerusalem as woman, the story of Jonah and the fish, and other prophetic images are informed and challenged by this groundbreaking work. A rich resource, a major contribution to modern biblical commentary, and the ideal companion to The Women’s Torah Commentary, The Women’s Haftarah Commentary will inspire all of us to gain deeper meaning from the Hebrew scriptures and a heightened appreciation of Judaism.

Marriages sometimes come to an end. Divorce can be extremely difficult -- but it also can be a time for spiritual and personal growth.

What does Judaism say about ending a marriage? How can its teachings help you to make hard decisions about divorce that will affect you, your family, friends, and particularly your children? In this practical guide from a Jewish perspective, rabbi, father, divorce, and pastoral counselor Perry Netter provides information, inspiration, wisdom, and strength for those experiencing -- either directly or indirectly -- this challenging life transition. Rabbi Netter draws on wisdom from centuries of biblical and rabbinic teachings, as well as modern psychological research, to offer practical suggestions for transitioning through the stages of separation and building a new life. Topics covered include:
-- The existential question: "Why is this happening to me?"
-- The hardest question: "To leave or not to leave; how do I decide?"
-- The guilt question: "Is divorce kosher?"
-- The psychological question: "What do I do with all this anger?"
-- The most painful question: "How do we tell the kids?"
-- The ritual question: "How can I get closure?"
-- The awkward question: "What do I say to others?"
-- The legal question: "Should I mediate or litigate?"
-- The most important question: "How do we continue to raise children together?"

Divorce Is a Mitzvah is an indispensable guide for people in crisis and those who interact with them, showing us how to transform a traumatic time of life into one of growth, right behavior, and greater spiritual understanding.