Torah as Zionist Vision: Volume 1 Bereshit and Shemot [Hardcover]

Avraham H. Feder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2008

This volume covers Bereshit (Genesis) and and Shemot (Exodus)and is the first of a two volume set. Setting himself the task of helping each individual penetrate the Torah to make the text his/her very own, Rabbi Feder has drawn upon sources from the Jewish past halakhic and aggadic midrashim, and the medieval, modern and contemporary parshanim (interpreters) as well as contemporary authors to provide fresh insights into Torah, from familiar biblical figures to concepts in Judaism. Topics such as moral responsibility, Jewish peoplehood, the Synagogue, and humility come under new light within the framework of the traditional. Masterfully written, this book presents the challenge to Diaspora and Israeli Jews living in the era following the national resurrection of Israel to experience listening to the Torah in the light of such renewal. For the Jew living in the Diaspora, listening to Torah must be hearing, therefore, a Zionist call. For the Jew living in contemporary Israel listening to Torah is also hearing a Zionist call for a Judaism with a renewed Torah that is a beam of spiritual, moral, political, and cultural light. Readers of this volume will gain Torah knowledge vitally relevant to our time and to their own lives.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Avraham H. Feder is rabbi emeritus of Beit Knesset Moreshet Yisrael in Jerusalem and rabbi-emeritus and senior-scholar of Beth Tikvah Synagogue in Toronto, Canada. A consultant in the field of moral education in Israel and Canada, he has published In Search of my Brothers, on Jewish education and moral values as well as numerous writing on similar topics. Prior to his aliyah in 1981, he served as rabbi and cantor for many years in North America. He received rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, earned his PhD in Philosophy of Education from the University of Toronto, and holds Masters Degrees in Hebrew Literature and in Sacred Music. Rabbi Feder has lectured and concretized widely in the United States, Canada, and Israel. He has served as president of the Rabbinical Assembly of Israel and is a recipient of the Menachem Begin Prime Minister s Medal from Bar-Ilan University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Gefen Publishing House (April 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9652293954
• ISBN-13: 978-9652293954
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,057,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Questionable Interpretations, February 5, 2010

By 

R. Taylor - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Torah as Zionist Vision: Volume 1 Bereshit and Shemot (Hardcover)

This book was a tough one for me to read. Since I am not a Jew, I am very hesitant to read Zionist ideas into the text of the Bible. The author certainly does approach the text from a unique perspective as he attempts to show that the events in the Torah are types of later events in Jewish history. Ultimately, the author wants to justify the events that have taken place in modern history using God's word. As I read, I can't help but conclude that this is not what the original author of the Torah intended when he wrote. Surely we can find parallels in the Bible to support whatever worldview we might hold, and Feder does so convincingly, but I do not believe he is faithful to the intentions of the text. I would have to conclude the same about many of the the vast rabbinic traditions which he draws upon.

Another point that is not nearly as significant, but perhaps just as distracting, is that the author's English style leaves something to be desired. I found the prose to be choppy and very hard to read.

I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in reading first hand how a Zionist might attempt to promote his views. However, I would be wary of commending his methods and conclusions.