Day By Day: Reflections on the Themes of the Torah from Literature, Philosophy, and Religious Thought [Hardcover]

Chaim Stern (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 1998

A renowned rabbi gathers writings-from around the world, across traditions, and through time—to illuminate the themes of the Old Testament
Creation, freedom, conflict and reconciliation, community and justice, dreams, courage, family, marriage, love . . . these are the themes of the Torah, and Day by Day sheds light on them with words by thinkers and writers from an extraordinary range of times and traditions. Written and compiled by a beloved rabbi whose prayerbooks are a mainstay of Reform Judaism, Day by Day takes us from Genesis to Deuteronomy, enlivening our understanding and enriching our spirit as it follows the weekly Torah readings held in synagogues every Sabbath throughout the year. Each chapter offers an excerpt from the week's Torah reading, Rabbi Stern's engaging explication of its main theme, and reflections to enlighten every day of the week.

"What a wonderful book this is! A manual for living. . . . An amazing spring of what wisdom we have gained as people. . . . Drink from it now, a month from now, perhaps for as long as you live."—Howard Fast

"This wise and gentle book will enable a new generation of Jews to live each week in the company of the Torah and in the company of those who respond to its themes." —Rabbi Jack Riemer, chair, National Rabbinic Network, coeditor of So That Your Values Live On and author of Jewish Insights on Death and Mourning

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rabbi Chaim Stern is author of the two leading prayerbooks of Reform Judaism, Gates of Prayer and Gates of Repentance, the home prayerbook On the Doorposts of Your House, and many other titles. He is senior rabbi of Temple Beth El in Chappaqua, New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press (November 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807028045
• ISBN-13: 978-0807028049
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,626,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Collection of an inspired man, December 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Day By Day: Reflections on the Themes of the Torah from Literature, Philosophy, and Religious Thought (Paperback)

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Chaim Stern, the editor of this book. He had a profound impact on my life. Through his prayer books and other writings, he has touched millions of people. Please, allow yourself the joy of being touched by his work, and buy this book! He is an inspired man who shares wisdom that will have a lasting impact on you. He was one of the greatest thinkers of our time. His passing is a tragic loss, since he remained so prolific. Yet, his words will live on and on. Please enjoy the richness of this book for years to come, and let his memory and influence continue forever!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite - excellent and broad taste in quotations, October 7, 2002

By 

M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Day By Day: Reflections on the Themes of the Torah from Literature, Philosophy, and Religious Thought (Paperback)

This volume of readings for a year sets the tone for each week with a reading from the Torah. For each day of the week there is a selection of readings. These readings may be a single sentence, a poem, a paragraph, a teaching tale. They are a variety of traditional Judaica, philosophers, poets, Christians, Hindus, Buddhist, Taoist. They are so well selected that they create a coherent whole not a mishmash and reflect a deep, mature spirituality on the part of the collector. While the weekly cycle may target a Jewish audience, the book is so well put together that it can be recommended for individuals of any religious persuasion.

A concrete example of the variety. For week 28 (Leviticus 14:1-15:33) Sunday: Emily Dickinson, Jacob J. Halevi, Dag Hammarskjold; Monday: psalm, Talmud; Tuesday: psalm, Chasidic, Kenneth Hildebrand, Leigh Hunt; Wednesday: Talmud, Blaise Pascal, Sigrid Undset, Sir Thomas Browne; Thursday: Psalm, Yiddish proverb, Janet Harrison, Archibald Rutledge, Juvenal; Friday: Abba Kovner, Chasidic, Elinor Wylie, Helen Keller; Shabbat: Psalm, Lion Feuchtwanger, Clarence E, Pickett, Booker T. Washington, Albert Camus. Wonderful.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Worthy Book, July 19, 2005

By 

Samantha Lawrence "Loves to Read" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Day By Day: Reflections on the Themes of the Torah from Literature, Philosophy, and Religious Thought (Paperback)

A very worthwhile read. The author has used terrific and verifiable sources for this inspirational daily devotion. Perfect for those of us who don't have much time for reading; yet desire personal growth. These reflections offer depth of insight and encouragement. I highly recommend it.