Customer Reviews

The Book of Jewish Values: A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living

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Joseph Telushkin is the premier ethicist of our time. Even though this magnificent book is informed by Jewish ethical values, it truly speaks to all people, regardless of race, religion or creed. It is a superior combination of scholarship, insight, humanity and warmth, which reflects off every page. For those who want to evolve spiritually, become better human beings, this is a must-read. It is written in a very cogent, lucid, readable and accessible style. A veritable gem!

Rabbi Telushkin has done it again. Already the premier author of a collection of books that amount to desk encyclopedias of Jewish Humor, Jewish Wisdom, Jewish Literacy, and Biblical Literacy, Joseph Telushkin now adds this wonderful volume on practical ethics. The book presents ethical issues - one for each of six days with a time to review on the Sabbath - that weave current and historical illustrations of important ethical principles. What distinguishes this "day at a time" ethical compendium from others like it is the strength of the stories which illustrate each principle. These are deep and complex practical applications, neither contrived nor saccharine.

Readers who are not Jewish will also be interested in this book. The lessons here are not related to any particular sectarian view but apply to all those who feel that a religious life must be an ethical life if it is to be meaningful and authentic.

The publishers are to be commended on the beautiful presentation of this book. It should grace the shelves of anyone who wants a realistic guide to a more ethical life.

The inches devoted to Telushkin books on my shelves are growing. Who is the better person? The person who performs a holiday ritual to perfection, or the person who is ethical and helpful. Which is the better "personal ad"? One that lists that the suitor has a DDS or JD degree, or one that states that the person is a 'mensch'? A co-worker used to correct me if I said, "I have time to kill." He said, "make time to live." Or when a flight was delayed, rather than be irritated, he thought, "oh, more time to read or meet someone." He tipped the chambermaid big even though they never met. Jewish Values are similar. We need to seek not to be annoyed, but to empathize, to connect with our neighbors, to heal, to help, and to praise. This insightful book of 313 teachings reminded me of our greater purpose; and its daily 2 page format made it easy to assimilate the information and advice and attempt to apply it in everyday life.

I cannot think of a more superb book to inspire contemplation of ethics, spirituality and values. I was already a fan of Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's writing when a long-time buddy of mine gave me "The Book of Jewish Values" as a gift. Before I even opened it, I knew I had a gem.

Very simply, Rabbi Telushkin's writing is direct, concise, up-to-date and easy to understand. Also ... important! You don't have to be Jewish (I'm not) to appreciate the relevance of the ethical guidelines on which the author elaborates. For each day of the year (excluding the Shabbat) one of a broad range of issues is discussed and highlighted either anecdotally through quotes by other noted Rabbis or supported by reference to important Jewish literature (e.g., the laws of the Torah and Talmud). You probably won't find 300+ issues applicable to your life, but every page is worthwhile reading nevertheless. The most pertinent and/or interesting topics to me were the ones involving relationships, charity, kindness, and speech.

The book's format is suited to every kind of reading habit, so go at whatever pace you like. Each day is comprised of 1-3 pages, with cross-referencing where related discussion appears elsewhere in the book. Also, footnotes can be found on the same page where a reference is cited (I appreciate this) so you don't have to turn to the back of the book to check a source. In the event you do turn to the back, you'll find a decent glossary, bibliography and index.

Whether your intention is to learn or to simply bolster your moral convictions, I give this book my highest recommendation.

Six lessons a week, for 52 weeks. Each lesson is one to two pages; R. Telushkin often hints at the complexities involved in each lesson (usually, each lesson has some "unless," "but," or something else to make it less than black-and-white). Each lesson has a short title that helps jog your memory if you do the "shabbat recap." Each is illustrated with words from the sages of the ages, or sometimes more modern sources. They're simple, thought-provoking, and I now put aside a few moments each morning to read the next one, write the title in my planner, and think about it during the day.

Pluses: topic index, full index, extensive bibliography, glossary of Jewish texts. Lessons are short, easy to digest, memorable.

Minuses: perhaps each lesson is too short. The Shabbat recap is just a list of the previous six lesson titles; it doesn't really add to the book. I think I would have liked to see the lessons for each week be of the same subject. But maybe not. I'm still not sure.

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I am ashamed to admit how much hatred I had within my own heart and how perilously close I was coming to the abyss of darkness. But somehow in a way I still don't understand, this book started to part the darkness with a pure and clean light. It will do so much to change your outlook and your thoughts and words and deeds and actions. I fought this book tooth and nail because deep down I really didn't want to change the way I had become. But this book kept calling me back and I would grudgingly read a chapter or two and find myself thinking and feeling in ways that I haven't for some time. I really don't mean for this to become embarassingly revelational but what I'm trying to do is to convince the person who may be reading this and who needs a little more convincing that they need to just click the "Buy with one-click button" and get this book. It really will bring you closer towards being the kind of person you would really want to be. Try this book, read a couple of chapters, and see if it helps you. If it does, great - keep reading; if not, just send it back, but I guarantee that eventually you'll re-order it.

I can describe this book in one hyphenated word, life-changing. You can read it straight through or follow its wise prescriptions one day at time. Either way it will have a profound, positive impact on you. It has on me. I have always loved Rabbi Telushkin's books, but this is my new favorite. Read one chapter a day and feel your life change -- for the better.

As usual Rabbi Telushkin writes a book that is informative, written in a way that assumes that you have no background on the subject yet will hold you if you are an expert, and is highly interesting.

The format of the book is that you are given a short chapter (a page or two) and you are expected to read one chapter a day. This way the information will better stick with you. You work on one small addition to your life or outlook a day. These are great short essays on Jewish ethics. Do you know what an employee owes to his employer? Can/should a Jew be an organ donor? Did you know the prayer that one should say when leaving the bathroom (and do you know why it is done)? Is it ever ok to lie? Why gossip is against Jewish law. One frequent theme is respect of others. This book contains many essays that help one live a moral, ethical life, and while based in Halacha (Jewish law) is applicable to non-Jews as well.

Rabbi Telushkin is well versed in the subject matter as Jewish law is very concerned with ethics and living in a moral and ethical manner. Rabbi Telushkin is expert in Jewish law after having studied under some of the greatest minds in late 20th century Orthodox Judaism at Yeshiva Univeristy.

Like so many, I went through the 60's Woodstock generation of rebellion and apathy toward my own religion. When I took this book home, I didn't put it down; I was up all night. What struck me was that these are indeed the values with which I was raised but I didn't know that so many were based upon the principles and ethics of Judaism. This book gave me the impetus to purchase and study the Talmud. You will walk away from this book knowing that kindness is the only path to follow. I recommend this book to everyone regardless of their religion, to someone who wants to know what Judaism is all about and to any young person, particularly those who are swayed by the latest cult and have little idea what their own religion has to offer. In a delightful style and format, the author conveys how the Jewish religion encompasses so much beauty, benevolence and richness of spirit. As an animal rights activist, I was impressed with his addressing and analyzing current issues such as the wearing of fur and the cruel treatment of veal calves and the dilemma that presents (since "kosher" is based on humane treatment of animals). I have so much respect for this brilliant, kind and sensitive man! It should be given to every young person for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah and passed down to future generations. You'll cherish this book!

I wish everyone could read Rabbi Telushkin's "The Book of Jewish Values". In our modern society, good moral values seem to be pushed aside in order to fulfill one's own needs & desires, much to the detriment of not only ourselves, but also the community as a whole. Rabbi Telushkin's book reminds & teaches us what is important in life through daily lessons that draw on the Torah for inspiration & understanding. Forget all those self-help and motivational books that abound, focus on becoming a good person and by reading this book, you will certainly be heading in the right direction.