Saving The World Entire brings together, in a single introductory volume, the best known stories from the Talmud which punctuate the essential tenets of Jewish law and tradition and illuminate the spiritual foundation of Jewish life. Selected from a range of subjects covered in the Talmud--from marriage and civil law to science and politics--the parables contained here focus on three major segments of an individual's life: the path to wisdom, the role within a community, and the relationship to God. This collection is ideal for readers interested in understanding the basics of traditional Jewish values and their application in the contemporary world.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Talmud, a Hebrew word that means "instruction," is the name given to a sprawling collection of Jewish writings begun in the second century, which are still being written today and include teachings on every conceivable aspect of Jewish life, from the sublime to the mundane. There are two basic modes of Talmudic writing: Halachah, or legal writings, and Aggadah, or stories, parables, and sermons. In Saving the World Entire, Rabbi Bradley R. Bleefeld and Robert L. Shook have collected 100 of the liveliest stories from the Aggadah. The result is a small devotional book of simple, clear stories (organized in groups relating to values, insight, fulfillment, and destiny) that is as emotionally comforting as Chicken Soup for the Soul, but almost as intellectually demanding as Torah itself. --Michael Joseph Gross
From Publishers Weekly
Bleefeld, rabbi of the Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Philadelphia, and Shook (Mary Kay's You Can Have It All) collect timeless wisdom from the Talmud in an anthology designed to incorporate Talmudic teachings into everyday life. The authors have selected stories from the Talmud and arranged them into three sections. In the first section, "A Path to Wisdom," Talmudic parables illustrate concerns ranging from "values" to "destiny." The second section, "Living as a Community," gathers stories that offer examples of respect, humility, compassion, harmony and fairness, while the third section, "Our Covenant with God," collects stories that portray the value of devotion and faith. Each story from the Talmud is accompanied by Bleefeld's brief interpretation for modern readers. For example, in a story about the coming of the Messiah taken from the Talmud tractate Sanhedrin, Rabbi Joshua learns that the Messiah will come today, "if only humanity would hear his voice." Bleefeld comments that this story demonstrates that the Messiah is indeed ready to come, but, due to continued suffering and injustice, "humanity is not yet ready" for the Messiah's coming. The universal spiritual messages of these Talmudic gems will appeal to Jew and non-Jews alike.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Talmudic Wisdom,
By A Customer
This review is from: Saving the World Entire: And 100 Other Beloved Parables from the Talmud (Paperback)
This is a lovely little book. I have started giving it to bar and bat mitzvahs (along with a more substantial or "cool" gift), and the kids have all really enjoyed it. Each parable is a 1 or 2 page mini-story, and then comes a very brief interpretation. All provide insight and wisdom that is applicable in today's world, although they may require thought. Even those that are transparent engender thought. It is the sort of book that a 10 year old can read and benefit from, as well as an adult. Rereading brings more insights.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a great book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Saving the World Entire: And 100 Other Beloved Parables from the Talmud (Paperback)
This is one of my favorite books. It's ancient wisdom which serves as a map to how to live a good life. But it doesn't tell you what to do. It leads you there. Short commentaries after each little story from the rabbi/author make the book even better. There's something about this little book that I just find satisfying, like a good, home-cooked meal. The book is a snapshot of what Judaism can do for people. Judaism is not just about ritual. It's not just about using an occasional Yiddish word or eating a bagel and lox. Judaism can also teach us lessons for better living, and this book is a great way to get started with that aspect of the faith. I've never met Rabbi Bleefeld but I'd like to take this opportunity to thank him for the book. Thank you, rabbi.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Charming,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Saving the World Entire: And 100 Other Beloved Parables from the Talmud (Paperback)
What a cute discovery! Here is a book that shows how and why the Rabbis of old tell parables - to enlighten the understanding of the reader using examples of course! Reading Jesus' cryptic parables no more than 50 or 60 in all and many which are of a limited thematic nature, is a very different experience from this selection of 100 parables from the 1000s listed from the early Jewish writings. This book and the NT parables of course brings interesting comparisons, but shows how telling stories is a very Jewish way to get a point across.
It is a great way to get in touch with the thinking of the early rabbis and Jewish ethical teaching. The parable details are reflective of real people and the tales are embellished with the banter of the rabbis. They are stylistically very different than in the NT. I recommend this delightful book to both Jews and Christians who are interested in the Jewish moral perspective.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
