Books by "Dr. Byron L Sherwin"
6 books found
Popular Washington, D.C. rabbi and psychotherapist Arthur Blecher believes that the American Jewish community is actually flourishing amidst fears of dying out. He shows us that intermarriage strengthens Judaism--a concept that many Jews continue to debate. In straightforward and engaging chapters, he provides a progressive and positive outline of how this religion has changed over the years, and why American Jewish culture must be embraced and discussed in depth in Jewish families. This is a fascinating exploration of the ways in which social and psychological forces created a new and quite different form of Judaism in America more than one hundred years ago.
It should come as no surprise that Judaism, which has existed as the religion and culture of the children of Israel since the days of Moses, more than three millennia ago, has had occasion to institute markers reflective of its development and history from then to the present day. The present work, ‘Reflections on the Major Holy Days of Judaism,’ is intentionally limited in scope to those occasions earmarked as ‘holy convocations’ in the primary sourcebooks of Judaism, The Five Books of Moses, known in Jewish lore as the Torah, and in many translations as the Pentateuch. It is these ‘holy convocations’ that dominate Judaism’s annual religious and liturgical calendar, yet the biblical texts that ordain them are in many instances less than clear with regard to their observance. As a result, over the millennia since their original promulgation, scholars and others have struggled with the problem of defining in acceptable and actionable terms the purported intent of the sacred texts, a process that continues to the present day. This study recalls the notable reflections of scholars since the first century C.E., as well as their disagreements, on the evolution of the Major Holy Days of Judaism, their significance, traditions, and distinctive customs.
The studies in this volume discuss some of the issues implicit but not resolved in the Hebrew Scriptures including the problems inherent in the topics of theology and religious philosophy as discussed and argued by scholars for more than two millennia. The studies address the problem of philosophy, the troublesome issues of moral autonomy and divine omniscience and theodicy, from a Judaic perspective. In addition, it includes a study of the biblical story of the Golden Calf and it religious implications that are more complex than a cursory reading of the biblical text will suggest. Finally, it includes a discussion of the often misunderstood concepts of the prophet and prophecy as set forth in the biblical texts. Although this book does not and cannot resolve the philosophical and theological issues that have persisted through the millennia, it hopes to make clear how these issues have been wrestled with from a Judaic perspectives, which will have relevance with regard to the perspectives on these matters of other monotheistic faiths.
A fascinating exploration of the many faces of God and what they reveal about our own humanity He was a whole pantheon in Himself.... He constantly appeared in many and ever-changing roles lest He be frozen and converted into the dumb idols He Himself despised. God was a polyvalent personality who, by mirroring to man His many faces, provided the models that man so needed to survive and flourish. This is the true humanity of God. —from the Introduction In scholarly but accessible terms, with many startling and controversial insights, renowned Bible scholar Dr. Yochanan Muffs examines the anthropomorphic evolution of the Divine Image—from creator of the cosmos to God the father, God the husband, God the king, God the "chess-player," God the ultimate master—and how these different images of God have shaped our faith and world view. Muffs also examines how expressions of divine power, divine will and divine love throughout the Bible have helped develop the contemporary human condition and our enriching dialectic between faith and doubt.
One simple, powerful word—hineini—contains the key to deepening your relationship with God and with others. Hineini (Here I am!). This single spoken word appears only fourteen times in the Bible–each time in a memorable and meaningful story: Abraham offering Isaac as a sacrifice to God, Jacob deceiving his father for Esau’s birthright, Moses answering the call that comes from the Burning Bush. Scholar and popular teacher Norman Cohen explores each of these powerful stories and shows what each can reveal about you as parent, spouse, sibling, lover, and friend. By probing these dynamic biblical relationships, Cohen challenges you to think about the ways you relate to the people in your life and God. And, to add other fascinating perspectives to the conversation, eleven insightful authors and teachers share personal reflections that exemplify each of the hineini passages.
An inspiring way to reclaim your integrity and renew your sense of moral purpose. "Like water, teshuvah is both destructive and creative. It dissolves the person you were but simultaneously provides the moisture you need to grow anew. It erodes the hard edges of your willfulness but also refreshens your spirit. It can turn the tallest barriers of moral blindness into rubble while it also gently nourishes the hidden seeds of hope buried deep in your soul. Teshuvah, like water, has the power both to wash away past sin and to shower you with the blessing of a new future, if only you trust it and allow yourself to be carried along in its current." —from Part VII In this candid and comprehensive probe into the nature of moral transgression and spiritual healing, Dr. Louis E. Newman examines both the practical and philosophical dimensions of teshuvah, Judaism's core religious-moral teaching on repentance, and its value for us—Jews and non-Jews alike—today. He exposes the inner logic of teshuvah as well as the beliefs about God and humankind that make it possible. He also charts the path of teshuvah, revealing to us how we can free ourselves from the burden of our own transgressions by: • Acknowledging our transgressions • Confessing • Feeling remorse • Apologizing • Making restitution • Soul reckoning • Avoiding sin when the next opportunity arises