Torah Book Reviews

The Theory and Practice of Universal Ethics – the Noahide Laws Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen Insitute for Judaism and Civilization: NY and Melbourne, 2014 / 386 pp I was excited to have received a copy of this book. It is definitely required reading for philosophers and theologians of all types. Very, very thorough. Below is an excerpt from the book's promotional material. AE  The Noahide laws – the seven laws in which all humanity must observe - have become a matter of wide importance both for Jews and their intended recipients, the non-Jewish world. Rabbi Dr Shimon Cowen has performed an important dual task in his new book, The Theory and Practice of Universal Ethics – the Noahide Laws , the product of many years of research and writing. The first part, the “Theory of Universal Ethics”, undertakes the “marketing task” of universal ethics: how the Noahide laws can be presented to an intelligent, non-Jewish public from a variety of perspectives: theological, philosophical...

Circle, Arrow, Spiral Exploring Gender in Judaism Miriam Kosman Mekor Press / 376 PP Miriam Kosman’s book, “Circle, Arrow, Spiral” is an exciting look into gender related issues in Judaism. The title is reflective of the theory that the arrow represents the male, along with traits such as excellence, accomplishment, and progress. The circle represents the female, along with traits such as the holistic, harmonious, and completeness. The spiral represents the ideal synthesis between the forces. The book helps us understand the “Circle” and the “Arrow” while striving for the “Spiral.” The first part of the book is more philosophical in nature with my favorite piece being the section on “Mashpia and Mekabel" – all about the giving and receiving forces in the world as it applies to male and female roles and symbolism. Filled with biblical, talmudic, midrashic, and philosophic sources, readers are treated to uncharted waters in gender relate issues in general, and the “...

The Gift of Stuttering Moe Mernick Mosaica Press / 210 pp / HC It is personable, motivating, and inspiring. The best autobiography I have read in years. AE In The Gift of Stuttering,​we meet Moe Mernick as he describes his journey whilst facing the challenges presented to him in life. Moe grew up with a debilitating stutter and seemingly unanswerable questions about G­od; he found everyday life to be a painful and lonely experience. After years of suffering, though, he discovered an exceptional life of meaning and purpose — and in doing so, turned the tables on his speech impediment. The Gift of Stuttering ​is a remarkable story of one man's journey from despair to hope, from anger at Go­d to spiritual fulfillment, from being a rebellious teenager to becoming a motivational speaker and entrepreneur. It's a story of finding meaning within life's challenges and of transforming the heaviest burdens into the greatest gifts. For more information and to order: http://mo...

Sukeret V’halichoteha Rabbi Elyakim Wenger 174 pages / Heb. Sukeret V’halichoteha (roughly translated as “Laws Concerning Diabetes”), is a fascinating look at the halachic issues facing those with diabetes. If I heard the story correctly, this sefer is the result of the author being unable to serve in the IDF due to his diabetes. So instead of IDF service, he checked himself into a Beit Midrash to study the issue and write this sefer. The sefer seems to cover every question and scenario imaginable in the halachic life of those with diabetes. For example: Diabetes related issues and treatments on Shabbat and Yom Tov (Extensive!) Fast Days Treating Parents Who Have Diabetes Purim (Are you yotzai “Mishlo’ach Manot” if you send candies and similar foods to a Diabetic?) Pesach/Seder Kashrut Nidda (chatzitza related issues) Revealing that a Potential Spouse is a Diabetic Transplants And much much more! The sefer is well written, original, and very p...

From Sinai To Ethiopia Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom Gefen / 300 pages Sharon Shalom’s book, From Sinai to Ethiopia, is a fascinating and unprecedented look into the halachic challenges facing Ethiopian Jews as they continue to struggle for integration into Israel's social and religious society.  Sharon is a musmach of Yeshivat Har Etzion, received a Ph.D. from Bar Ilan university, and leads a congregation in Kiryat Gat where he lives. He is one of the gentlest and patient people I have ever met (well, spoken to on the phone and emailed…we hope to meet face to face soon!) who is working with all his heart toward helping Ethiopian Jews find their places within normative Judaism. The author’s intention is to support the spiritual authenticity and respect for Ethiopian Jewish customs and he works valiantly in an attempt to do so. Pluralism, acceptance, tolerance and mutual respect are the dominate themes of every page. It is the first book that I have ever seen with both rab...

Sexuality and Jewish Law Yaakov Shapiro 430 pages In his Sexuality and Jewish Law, Yaakov Shapiro, an ordained rabbi and non-conformist Lubavitcher chassid, offers a thorough, unapologetic, and uncensored presentation of everything relating to sexual activity and Jewish law.  All rabbinic texts that deal with sexual matters are cited along with the interpretations and comments of all the relevant rishonim , achronim , and poskim . There is also a full presentation of the various halachic opinions and resolutions to the contradictions between them. The exhaustive endnotes are essentially an additional book in their own right. While the book is extremely well researched and impressive in its scope, the author clearly has an agenda and bone to pick. As he writes in the introduction, the book was born out of a bad experience and frustrations with what he was being taught in chattan classes and the “one-sided” approach to the laws of intimacy. The author seeks to put a...

Nefesh Hatzimtzum Rabbi Avinoam Fraenkel Urim Publications I am at a loss for words to describe how blown away I am by the magnitude of Avinoam Fraenkel’s Nefesh Hatzimtzum. Nefesh Hatzimtzum is a translation and study guide to R’ Chaim Volozhin’s Nefesh Hachaim.  For those unfamiliar, Nefesh Hachaim is the “Shulchan Aruch” of  hashkafa  and philosophy. The concepts presented by R. Chaim are a basic platform to give us knowledge of the closest that is humanly achievable in relating to God and by extension, our ability to serve Him. Nefesh Hatzimtzum is simply outstanding. It is a crisp and clear presentation of what has essentially been a closed book. Now Nefesh Hachaim is not only accessible, but in Fraenkel’s two volume set (over 1600 pages!), one also enjoys the benefits of a spoon fed education on the material.  In addition to being the best translation of Nefesh Hachaim that I have yet to see, volume one of Nefesh Hatzimtzum includes the full fa...