Open Minded Torah

Open Minded Torah
Author: William Kolbrener
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2011-05-19
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441195149

In essays as likely to turn to baseball, Denzel Washington, and the NASDAQ as to Macbeth, quantum physics and psychoanalysis, William Kolbrener provides powerful - and often surprising - insights into how open mindedness allows for authentic Jewish commitment in an age otherwise defined by fundamentalism and unbelief. Open Minded Torah presents - on topics ranging from parenting a son with Down syndrome to Biblical criticism to Talmudic interpretation of dreams - a perspective on Torah which emphasizes scepticism, creativity and the need to embrace difference. Through a personal synthesis of Western and Jewish learning, popular culture and philosophy, Kolbrener offers a compelling new vision where being open minded allows for a non-dogmatic and committed Jewish life. Informed by Kolbrener's considerable erudition, but always accessible, the essays show that scepticism informs belief, commitment grounds creativity, and non-defensive receptiveness makes individual autonomy possible. For every person, it is said, there is a corresponding letter in the Torah: this innovative collection shows Kolbrener writing his letter, and providing the inspiration for others to write their own.

Open Minded Torah

Open Minded Torah
Author: William Kolbrener
Publisher: A&C Black
Total Pages: 230
Release: 2011-03-17
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1441118667

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Maimonides

Maimonides
Author: Moshe Halbertal
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 399
Release: 2013-11-24
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1400848474

A comprehensive and accessible account of the life and thought of Judaism's most celebrated philosopher Maimonides was the greatest Jewish philosopher and legal scholar of the medieval period, a towering figure who has had a profound and lasting influence on Jewish law, philosophy, and religious consciousness. This book provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to his life and work, revealing how his philosophical sensibility and outlook informed his interpretation of Jewish tradition. Moshe Halbertal vividly describes Maimonides's childhood in Muslim Spain, his family's flight to North Africa to escape persecution, and their eventual resettling in Egypt. He draws on Maimonides's letters and the testimonies of his contemporaries, both Muslims and Jews, to offer new insights into his personality and the circumstances that shaped his thinking. Halbertal then turns to Maimonides's legal and philosophical work, analyzing his three great books—Commentary on the Mishnah, the Mishneh Torah, and the Guide of the Perplexed. He discusses Maimonides's battle against all attempts to personify God, his conviction that God's presence in the world is mediated through the natural order rather than through miracles, and his locating of philosophy and science at the summit of the religious life of Torah. Halbertal examines Maimonides's philosophical positions on fundamental questions such as the nature and limits of religious language, creation and nature, prophecy, providence, the problem of evil, and the meaning of the commandments. A stunning achievement, Maimonides offers an unparalleled look at the life and thought of this important Jewish philosopher, scholar, and theologian.

The The Story Behind the Bible Trilogy: Book I The Torah; Book II The Prophets; Book III The New Covenant

The The Story Behind the Bible Trilogy: Book I The Torah; Book II The Prophets; Book III The New Covenant
Author: J. K. Alexander
Publisher: Yorkshire Publishing
Total Pages: 675
Release: 2019-11-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1950034860

With facts and information, insightful commentary, and even a few flights of fantasy, The Story Behind the Bible trilogy weaves a magnetic journey through the ancient texts of the Bible for believers and non-believers alike. It's a journey that can draw readers into a universe that is larger and more incredible than they ever thought possible. A highly comprehensive overview of the entire Bible, the trilogy also proves that the prophets of scripture made impossible and miraculous predictions and prophecies concerning future events, including our current era, and virtually proves that God's hand steers the broad stream of world history. Now, over two thousand years hence, much of scripture has been misinterpreted, misapplied, or simply lost to traditions and folklore. The books address those issues with commentary and doctrine, and, through the elegant story and amazing people of the New Testament, bring the biblical story to a triumphant end.

Torahism

Torahism
Author: R. L. Solberg
Publisher: Williamson College Press
Total Pages: 198
Release: 2019-10-22
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781733672115

www.TorahismBook.com - Are Christians required to keep the Law of Moses? How about the Ten Commandments? Was Jesus divine? Join R. L. Solberg in his new book, TORAHISM, where he confronts a modern heresy and dives into these and other critical questions related to the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. "It all began with a series of Facebook posts that an old friend posted just after Thanksgiving. He was aggressively taking Christians to task for celebrating the 'pagan' holiday of Christmas. This struck me as odd because I'd always known he and his wife to be strong Christians. And while I've debated with plenty of atheists over the alleged pagan roots of Christmas, I'd never heard this charge leveled by a fellow Christian. So I decided to chime in on his posts and soon discovered that I had stepped into a mystery of, well, biblical proportions..." ENDORSEMENTS: "Over a decade ago, I came to know Rob Solberg. He impressed me back then with his searching heart, scholarly mind, and passion for apologetics. He has now offered a masterful work, well researched and very well-argued. Were I still a seminary professor, I would require my students to write reviews on this volume." Dr. Stephen Drake, Former Professor of Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary "Impressively written and researched! Aberrant theologies have existed throughout time, requiring trusted biblical guides to bring much-needed reproof. Rob Solberg does this superbly in his book, Torahism. And, he accomplishes this task with much 'gentleness and respect' (1 Peter 3:15). Even if you are not immediately confronted with this heresy, a careful reading of Rob's book will deepen your understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ." Ed Smith, Ph.D., President, Williamson College "Engaging and well-developed content on a tough topic. Rob addresses lofty theological issues with incredible accessibility and application. He reminds us to not just stay in our heads and win arguments but to love people well as we fight for what is true." Derek Bareman, Lead Pastor, Church of the City Spring Hill "This is an excellent, balanced, scholarly refutation of the heretical teaching of Torahism. Solberg does so with a wide array of Scripture, great Christian writers across the centuries, and impeccable logic. Not only does it address and answer the challenge of this new heresy, it serves as an apologetic in the best tradition of Christian scholarship. Exceptional work. I have reviewed thousands of books in 30 years. This book deserves to be read!" Reverend David "Doc" Kirby (retired), Host of the On The Bookshelf podcast FROM THE FORWARD BY PAUL WILKINSON, Ph.D. - "The best conversations are those that happen spontaneously amongst sincere, passionate seekers wanting to learn, mature, and progress in their faith and life. R. L. Solberg has blessed us by inviting us into just such a conversation . . . This book is a read that flows because it originates in genuine conversations between friends and passionate believers. It is reminiscent of the ancient dialogues with questions, points, and counterpoints. But be sure to catch this truth: Solberg's work is not about how to do the least work for the most grace, nor is it about how to avoid obligations, duties, and work. No, much more than that, Solberg's question is about how we who claim to be children of God best glorify, worship, and obey him . . . Solberg wants to know what it means to be "godly" and "righteous" in light of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. I invite you into Rob and his friends' conversation. I was challenged, encouraged, and taught by the insights he brings to the fore. I pray that you heed his call to take seriously what it means for the Christian to live the godly life; to be like Jesus."

Thinking about the Torah

Thinking about the Torah
Author: Kenneth Seeskin
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
Total Pages: 221
Release: 2016-11-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0827612621

The Bible is an enduring source of inspiration for the human heart and mind, and readers of Thinking about the Torah will be rewarded with an enhanced understanding of this great work’s deeper meanings. Drawing on Western philosophy and particularly Jewish philosophy, Kenneth Seeskin delves into ten core biblical verses and the powerful ideas that emerge from them. He speaks to readers on every page and invites conversation about topics central to human existence: how finite beings can relate to the infinite, what love is, the role of ethics in religion, and the meaning of holiness. Seeskin raises questions we all ask and responds to them with curiosity and compassion, weaving into his own perceptive commentary insights from great Jewish thinkers such as Maimonides, Spinoza, Buber, Rosenzweig, and Levinas, as well as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Luther, Kant, and Kierkegaard. The Bible is concerned with how we think as well as how we follow the commandments, rituals, and customs. Seeskin inspires us to read the Torah with an open mind and think about the lessons it teaches us.

Go and Study

Go and Study
Author: Joseph Meszler
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Total Pages: 114
Release: 2018-03-12
Genre:
ISBN: 9781985072015

"Who is wise? The person who learns from everyone, as it is said, 'From all of my teachers I have gained wisdom' (Psalm 119:99)" (Pirkei Avot 4:3). This quotation of Shimon Ben Zoma can be extended to mean that everyone has something to teach and something to learn. If this is true on an individual level, it also is sound for Jewish students of different denominations and backgrounds and people of different faith traditions learning from one another as well. This guide invites you to take advantage of the embarrassment of riches presented to the learner of Torah (the Five Books of Moses) in the 21st century. Orthodox Jews can learn from Reform and Feminist Torah commentaries, and Progressive Jews can grow in consciousness from studying Hasidic texts and Rashi. Today, there are many kinds of Torah commentaries available in English, and the most open-minded and open-hearted way to approach Torah learning is an "all of the above" approach. This guide will help the person who wants to engage in the study of the Torah portion of the week and use multiple Torah commentaries from different backgrounds. This approach has been tested in a Jewish Day School setting as well as synagogue and has been found to be deeply rewarding. In this guide are selections in Hebrew and English of a section of each week's Torah portion and guide questions, directing you to the Jewish denominations' main Torah commentaries you will commonly see in the pews. It also directs you to other mainstream Torah commentaries (even one written specifically for teens), and it includes page numbers to make looking up answers efficient. The idea is that you will sit with a friend, this guide, and the volumes referenced here and look up different the guide questions in the various books. You will then have your own questions and probably become distracted by other topics as they come up. Next thing you know, an hour will have gone by as you have been lost in Torah study. You will then hopefully gain new appreciation that people of different Jewish religious backgrounds all have something to to teach each other, and we can increase ahavat yisrael - love of the people Israel - in the world. And we can all be united by Torah study. We can follow Hillel's direction: "Love your neighbor as yourself. That is the whole Torah, now go and study!" (Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 21a) All translations are from Sefaria.org and are in the public domain.

Jewish Day Schools, Jewish Communities

Jewish Day Schools, Jewish Communities
Author: Alex Pomson
Publisher: Liverpool University Press
Total Pages: 427
Release: 2009-02-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1909821101

Cross-cultural and genuinely comparative, this consideration of Jewish day-schools around the world reframes day-school research and policy-making and offers original insights into faith-based schooling and the public good.

The Story Behind The Bible

The Story Behind The Bible
Author: J K Alexander
Publisher: Yorkshire Publishing
Total Pages: 291
Release: 2019-08-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1950034577

The Bible contains answers to the most pertinent and intriguing questions of our time. The book you are holding not only contains a highly comprehensive overview of the entire Old Testament but also proves that the prophets of the Bible made impossible and miraculous predictions and prophecies concerning future events, including our current era.

Search the Scriptures with an Open Mind

Search the Scriptures with an Open Mind
Author: Bob Snider
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Total Pages: 191
Release: 2017-01-26
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1524660221

Religion and science do not disagree. Disagreeable people use one to discredit the other. Learn how not to be a disagreeable person. Find what relativity and quantum mechanics say about God. Read the biblical account of evolution and learn your churchs interpretation of it. Locate the Garden of Eden. What is meant by the image of God? Find Neanderthal men mentioned in the Bible. Trace the course of Noahs ark. Where was the Tower of Babel and who built it? Find the stories of Joseph and Moses in hieroglyphics. What caused the plagues of Egypt, and how did it affect the rest of the world? What caused the sea to part, and where did it happen? Name the star that shone over Bethlehem. When was Jesus born (not in December)? What did Jesus say about miracles, dogma, liturgy, and authority? What happened to the forbidden gospels, and what do they tell us? Why are there so many Christian denominations? Learn how conmen use antievolution to steal your money and your vote. A faith healer may cure you, or he may kill you. Know the difference. Do current events suggest that the four horsemen of the apocalypse are not far away?