Amazon.com Review
Broken Tablets: Restoring the Ten Commandments and Ourselves, edited by Rabbi Rachel S. Mikva, is a collection of writings that attempt to explain why the Ten Commandments exert such a powerful hold on so many people--even those who do not consider themselves Jews or Christians. Introduced by Lawrence Kushner, this collection includes essays by 10 prominent rabbis about each individual commandment, as well as two shorter pieces that, in rabbinical fashion, interrogate and locate the others' arguments in Jewish tradition. What all of these essays have in common is the effect of personalizing the commandments for today's readers, by demonstrating the power of this short scriptural passage to touch every aspect of a person's life. Each essay makes provocative and surprising observations. Rabbi Nancy Fuchs-Kreimer, writing on the third commandment, asks, "By too easily claiming and naming God, by encouraging others to do the same, did I take the name of the Lord in vain?" Writing on the second commandment, Rabbi Zalman M. Schachter-Shalomi observes, "Real idolatry today is the worship of money, technology, addictions, absolute political systems--even of 'Judaism' and of the personal ego." This is a book that will help readers become more aware of God's claim on their lives, more honest with themselves, and more attuned to the ways that Scripture has shaped the way believers live together and in the wider world.
--Michael Joseph Gross
From Publishers Weekly
This noteworthy, in-depth exploration of the Ten Commandments pays tribute to Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf, who influenced many of the book's contributors and who offers a moving expression of gratitude as a conclusion. Editor Mikva, now rabbi of the Community Synagogue in Rye, N.Y., served for four years as Wolf's assistant rabbi in the Chicago synagogue where Wolf officiated for almost two decades. The book examines each Commandment, following the same format. First, the biblical text is presented in Hebrew and English, then Mikva offers "First Words," an introductory statement. This is followed by a scholarly analysis, which, in nine instances, is written by a rabbi; the lone exception is a contribution from Leonard Fein, a writer, teacher and editor, who brilliantly discusses the Fifth Commandment, about honoring one's parents. The other essays match the high standard of his inquiry. In each case, the author goes beyond the literal words, offering parables, Talmudic passages and explanations that stretch the meaning of the Commandment. For example, Levi Weiman-Kelman's consideration of "You shall not murder" extends to questions of suicide, euthanasia and the possibly fatal impact of hateful words. Similarly, Richard Levy expands the scope of "You Shall Not Steal" to include the theft of ideas, reputations and time. The precepts of ethical behavior set forth in the Ten Commandments are wisely and lucidly explicated in this important volume.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
