Boundaries, Not Barriers: Some Uniquely Jewish Perspectives on Life [Hardcover]

Samuel M. Stahl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2005

Human beings traditionally have shunned others who are different because of their skin color, religious beliefs, or social status. Tragically, all too often, these differences have provoked hostility and bloodshed. Such has been true of many who have encountered Jews over the centuries.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

An engagingly written book of Jewish information and inspiration, which covers a broad range of topics, including: Forgiving Is Not Condoning, The Anatomy of Gossip, Is a White Lie Ever Justified?, How Jewish Is Privacy?, Grace: Jewish and Christian Understandings, Jews and the Anti-Christ, Kabbalah Lite, and Felix Mendelssohn: Musical Genius and Jewish Casualty.

From the Inside Flap

Human beings traditionally have shunned others who are different because of their skin color, religious beliefs, or social status. Tragically, all too often, these differences have provoked hostility and bloodshed. Such has been true of many who have encountered Jews over the centuries.

In the last few decades, however, the world has witnessed a remarkable transformation in attitude, even though fringes of hate groups still persist. We have discovered that differences need not be threatening. Rather they may be positive and may even enrich interpersonal relations. Jews and others can fully embrace their own unique identity, while reaching out to those outside of their own communities. Indeed, boundaries need not be barriers.

In this volume, Samuel M. Stahl has crafted a number of brief, illuminating essays on a wide variety of subjects, such as forgiveness, grace, and depression–all from a uniquely Jewish perspective. Yet, these entries contain a universal message. Martin Buber, the eminent Jewish philosopher of the 20th century, captured Rabbi Stahl’s approach when he said: "Being Jewish is my way of being human."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 269 pages
• Publisher: Eakin Press; 1 edition (December 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571688641
• ISBN-13: 978-1571688644
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,476,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Boundaries, Not Barriers, May 17, 2010

By 

SRM (Dallas,Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boundaries, Not Barriers: Some Uniquely Jewish Perspectives on Life (Hardcover)

Boundaries, not Barriers is a timely message to all of us who are inundated by the assault of the world. Rabbi Stahl helps us understand how to hold on to the important principles of presence, accountability, and commitment in a world that shows us little of any of these guiding values.

Rabbi Stahl understands and gives insight into keeping our integrity in a world that seems to have lost it. Written from a Jewish perspective, but equally applicable and relevant to all of humanity.

Intelligent and readable to many of the issues of our time, this work melts compassion and responsibility into an essential message of our time. A refreshing and relevant read.