Joseph TelushkinCríticas

I just finished reading Jewish Literacy by Joseph Telushkin; all 750 pages. The book has been laying on my shelf, literally, since my son was confirmed at Temple, May 2012. It was given as a reward for the few kids that underwent confirmation after the Bar Mitzvah. I mentioned I was reading it tonight to one of my rabbis and suggested it as good literature to give people in the process of converting to Judaism. He said he looks for less intimidating-looking literature first, and he had a point. I will admit that I did intersperse reading it with other reading. The book looks scarily big but it is surprisingly readable and accessible for what amounts to an encyclopedia covering Jewish history, literature, practice, holidays and life-cycle.

Jewish Literacy contained a lot of material I didn't know, even though I am more involved than a typical Reform Jew. Bias alert; one of my tennis partners attended day school with him.

Excellent basic book to learn about Judaism. Prager and Telushkin, childhood friends collaborated on this book over 40 years ago. It still stands as an excellent resource. Not only did I learn facts about being Jewish, I learned truth about how to think about life itself and how to think about transmitting your own values to the next generation.

Caveat-- Didn't read the whole thing.

I read mostly from the end of the biblical section to the end of medieval period and the section on Sholem Aleichem (the Twain story was great!) through the end of WWII. Was appalled at many things, thoroughly impressed with others (Denmark and Sweden), and thought much about "the 614th commandment."

This sort of book has a place and a use. I find that Jonathan Sacks often has a broader scope and wish that he would attempt something like this.

Full of insights for both the religious and the non-religious about religion, tradition, and culture of ancient times.

I read this over the course of a year or so. It is a collection of sayings and quotes that seems to cover almost every major subject of Jewish thought, history and life. I like how informative it is, how it pointed me in the direction I needed to go for further reading on specific subjects, and it makes for great train reading on a mobile device, because you can easily pick up where you left off without really losing the train of thought or argument of the author. Mostly because there isn't an overarching narrative or argument. The book is an exploration of Jewish thought in general. Worth the time it takes to read through it.

Pretty good overview. It touches on almost anything one could think to ask about.

This will be on my "currently reading" list for some time. Fat book filled with great Jewish histories. I keep it on my nightstand and read a story from it just about every night. This one will be one I keep.

The first chapter/question is a must read for many people. However, the rest of the book is not as intelligently laid out as promised. In addition, I found myself quickly skipping pages or even entire sections due to deep philosophical disagreements: setting aside the obvious slant of orthodox Judaism and right-wing politics (which I can appreciate even if I disagree), I could not bear to read about the moral superiority of Judaism. Is this not the stuff of wars? Can be likened to Arianism? Perhaps I am too liberal with my belief that no group can call oneself superior, but I do believe the authors require a lesson in humility. I would be ashamed to present this book as representative of my views

The first chapter/question is a must read for many people. However, the rest of the book is not as intelligently laid out as promised. In addition, I found myself quickly skipping pages or even entire sections due to deep philosophical disagreements: setting aside the obvious slant of orthodox Judaism and right-wing politics (which I can appreciate even if I disagree), I could not bear to read about the moral superiority of Judaism. Is this not the stuff of wars? Can be likened to Arianism? Perhaps I am too liberal with my belief that no group can call oneself superior, but I do believe the authors require a lesson in humility. I would be ashamed to present this book as representative of my views

The clubrules and more of Judaism. Interesting overview.½

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin combed the Bible, the Talmud, and the whole spectrum of Judaism's sacred writings to give us a manual on how to lead a decent, kind, and honest life in a morally complicated world.

A lot of good can come from reading this book whether Jewish or not. It breaks down moral questions by topic with opinion and quotes. Jews have 163 commandments to follow. This book may not break down each commandment but it does give moral guidance and insight. Almost a reference book on moral questions.

I'm not sure why this book is not better known, and why it has only 6 reviews on Goodreads! It is a fast-paced murder-mystery thriller with a twist: hypnosis and reincarnation enter into the mix here. The characters are interesting, the pacing is fantastic and the novel kept my interest pretty consistently all the way through. Great read!

This biography is about the most important rabbi in modern Jewish history. Although there may be other volumes this is the best one volume account I have ever read. The rabbi’s piety, dedication to Judaism, and profound personal connections are paramount.

I'm disappointed with this book about this remarkable and extremely influential man. I read a lot of biographies and I'm used to a certain level of objectivity that I did not find in this book. The author gives the impression of bending over backwards to make sure not to even slightly offend the Rebbe's most ardent followers. The section about the movement's messianists is particularly weak, even apologetic.
I'd recommend "The Rebbe's Army" over this book.

Fun, quick read showcasing the many skills of Rabbi Daniel Winter in religion, philosophy, negotiating, teaching, listening and investigating.

Enjoyable.

Very nice sequel to volume 1. Although for some strange reason, I was crying during several parts of it particularly those that involve funerals and caring for the deceased.

A truly excellent book on Jewish ethics. Through this I learned that the things I thought I was doing wrong based on waht other people have said I was actually doing correct (by the book). I highly recommend everyone read this book if you are interested in Jewish ethics. Next I will catch part two.

A very good one volume reference encyclopedia.

As well as being the Rabbi for a small Los Angeles synagogue Daniel Winter hosts a religious-themed radio show. One Sunday evening he puts together a panel of three women who are outspoken on the issue of feminism and general womens’ issues. One of these women is Rabbi Myra Wahl who is from a different synagogue in the city. The show is a lively one but towards the end Myra Wahl hurls an extremely offensive insult at Daniel Winter and when she begs his forgiveness he does not give it. As she jogs home from the radio station she is killed by a hit and run driver and Daniel is soon a prime suspect although Myra Wahl has made several other enemies in her young life. Daniel is provided information that the police don’t have access to and so runs a somewhat parallel investigation to the official one.

Reading a lot of mysteries as I do it’s difficult to find settings and characters that I haven’t seen a hundred times before so I was attracted to the premise of this book. Happily the execution lived up to the promise. In tandem with the classically well constructed plot was an exploration of the sorts of subjects we’re normally advised against discussing in polite company including religion, abortion and the treatment of homosexuality in the Jewish faith. I’m not sure that I’d want all my books to be so serious but I found it refreshing to read something of a ‘cosy’ that isn’t populated by women who shop. The resolution to the plot wrapped up a few too many loose ends but

Daniel Winter is a very likable character although he seems a bit too perfect to believe. However a minor thread of the novel, in which he has to decide if he wants to continue being a Rabbi or become a full-time radio host with a national show, made him seem more human. The only other character depicted with any real depth is Brenda Goldstein, a some-time member of his synagogue and a police psychologist who becomes involved in the investigation of Wahl’s murder. The one character I found difficult to swallow was Lieutenant Joe Cerezzi who is ostensibly in charge of the case but who seems remarkably cavalier about allowing a psychologist and a Rabbi to do almost all of the investigating.

Ultimately I found the depiction of both the rituals of the Jewish religion and some sensitive issues as seen from the point of view of a Rabbi a quite refreshing change from the more traditional mystery settings. It was definitely this aspect of the novel that led to me reading it in a couple of sittings as the mystery itself was perfectly serviceable but nothing extraordinary.

Excellent book explaining differences between Jews and others.

The Golden Land: The Story of Jewish Immigration to America by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. Age: grades 6-8 and up. Library section: 10 A: Youth, Religion and Values. This cool book chronicles the great migration of Jews from eastern Europe from about 1881-1933. Its text begins in 1492 with the Spanish Inquisition in which Jews were expelled from Spain. It then moves to 1654 with the first community of Jews in America, and continues through the great migration, and ends with recent Jews in popular culture.
But the neat thing about this book is that the historical text is juxtaposed with period black and white photos that tell us so much about life back then, and also with facsimiles of artifacts of the periods. For example, an envelope holds a facsimile of George Washington’s letter of welcome and tolerance to the first American synagogue, in Newport, Rhode Island. Another artifact is a tiny prayer book brought to America by a steerage passenger. Yiddish theater posters, the poem, “The New Colossus,” handwritten by Emma Lazarus and placed on the base of the Statue of Liberty, a copy of Irving Berlin’s lyrics to God Bless America – these and other artifacts slip into the book in special pockets.
While my ancestors came to America in 1764 from Germany, my husband’s Jewish forebears came in 1906 from Ukraine. Both families fled to America for religious freedom. In Ukraine, pogroms – murderous attacks by Cossack soldiers and gentile townspeople – were getting so frightening that my husband’s grandfather, his wife and two infant sons left their home for America on a leaky, rusty old ship, no doubt in steerage. We have a photo of the boat and a copy of the ship’s manifest listing each member of the family. Both are fascinating family documents. It was such a risk leaving their native land; but it was either that or perish. I imagine their life and leave-taking was much like in Fiddler on the Roof. By leaving when they did, they avoided the final extermination of all the town’s Jews in 1941 by the SS Nazi troops.
They had a relative in Ohio, so that became their destination. Seventy-six years TO THE DAY that they arrived at Ellis Island in 1906, our son was born in 1982. Cue the Twilight Zone music! Through perseverance, hard work, and education, the family prospered. America is truly the land of opportunity, even today.
Unless we are Native Americans, our ancestors ALL came to the Unites States at some point. If their choice, journey, and grit intrigue you, this book will help you appreciate the risk they took to come here. Please remember to put all the artifacts back where they belong before returning the book. Enjoy!!

An excellent book on Judaism's first modern scholar and teacher. Well worth a read.

NO OF PAGES: 519 SUB CAT I: Ethics SUB CAT II: SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: In "The Book of Jewish Values", Rabbi Joseph Telushkin has combed the Bible, the Talmud, and the whole spectrum of Judaism's sacred writings to give us a manual on how to lead a decent, kind, and honest life in a morally complicated world. Telushkin speaks to the major ethical issues of our time, issues that have, of course, been around since the beginning. He offers one or two pages a day of pithy, wise, and easily accessible teachings designed to be put into immediate practice. The range of the book is as broad as life itself: - The first trait to seek in a spouse; - When, if ever, lying is permitted; - Why acting cheerfully is a requirement, not a choice; - What children don't owe their parents; - Whether Jews should donate their organs; - An effective but expensive technique for curbing your anger; - How to raise truthful children; - What purchases are always forbidden. In addition, Telushkin raises issues with ethical implications that may surprise you, such as the need to tip those whom you don't see, the right thing to do when you hear an ambulance siren; and why wasting time is a sin. Whether he is telling us about the relationship between employers and employees, he provides fresh inspiration and clear guidance for every day of our lives.NOTES: Purchased from Barnes & Noble online. Free shipping and no state sales tax. SUBTITLE: A Day-To-Day Guide to Ethical Living

NO OF PAGES: 663 SUB CAT I: Wisdom SUB CAT II: Jewish Thought SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: When, if ever, should lying be permitted?
If you've damaged a person's reputation unfairly, can the damage be undone?
Is a person who sells weapons responsible for how those weapons are used?
if the fetus is not a life, what is it? How, as an adult, can one carry out the command to honor one's parents when they make unreasonable demands?
What are the nine biblical challenges a good person must meet?
What do the great Jewish writings of the last 3,500 years tell us about these and all other vital questions about our lives? Rabbi Joseph Telushkin has devoted his life to the search for answers within the teachings of Judaism. In Jewish Wisdom, Rabbi Telushkin, the author of the highly acclaimed Jewish Literacy, weaves together a tapestry of stories from the Bible and Talmud, and the insights of Jewish commentators and writers from Maimonides, Rashi, and Hillel to Einstein, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Elie Wiesel. A richer source of crucial life lessons would be hard to imagine.

Accompanying this extraordinary compilation is Teluslikins compelling commentary, which reveals how these texts continue to instruct and challenge Jewsand all people concerned with leading ethical livestoday As he discusses these texts, Rabbi Telushkin addresses issues of fundamental interest to modern readers: how to live with honesty and integrity in an often dishonest world; how to care for the sick and dying; how to teach children to respect both themselves

and others, how to understand and confront such great tragedies as antisemitism. and the Holocaust; what God wants from humankind. Within Jewish Wisdom's ninety chapters the reader will find extended sections illuminating Jewish perspectives on sex, romance, and marriage, what kind of belief in God a Jew can have after the Holocaust, how to use language ethically, the conflicting views of the Bible and Talmud on the death penalty, and much, much more.

Jewish Wisdom adds a new dimension to the many widely read contemporary books that retell the stones and reveal the essence of classic religious and secular literature. Possibly the most far-ranging volume of stories and quotations from Jewish texts, Jewish Wisdom will itself become a classic, a book that not only has the capacity to transform how you view the world, but one that well might change how you choose to live your life.NOTES: Purchased from the Amazon Marketplace. SUBTITLE: Ethical, Spiritual, and Historical Lessons From the Great Works and Thinkers