The Way into Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Jews today speak of tikkun ulam as a central Jewish precept, and concern for literally "fixing the world" by making it a better place through..." (more)
Key Phrases: oppressive speech, thick sense, Babylonian Talmud, Holy One, Rabbi Judah (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. In this straightforward, inspiring book, Dorff (who won the National Jewish Book Award for To Do the Right and the Good) introduces the Jewish practice of tikkun olam—healing or repairing the world. He opens with the history of tikkun olam, tracing the concept from the time of the Mishnah (circa 200 C.E.), showing that the imperative to repair the world is closely related to other Jewish values like justice and loving-kindness. After laying this theological and historical groundwork, Dorff moves on to practical considerations: what does repairing the world actually entail? Tikkun olam calls Jews to acts of social justice—it's no coincidence that throughout American history, Jews have been at the forefront of movements for civil rights and a living wage. But tikkun olam also governs issues like speech; people interested in repairing the world shouldn't gossip or commit slander. In Dorff's view, tikkun olam encompasses celebrating marriages and births with our neighbors, and mourning deaths with them. Indeed, even maintaining good relationships with our family is part of repairing the world, and Dorff devotes three chapters to explaining marital, filial and parental obligations. Jews and non-Jews alike will find Dorff's exhortations challenging and provocative. (Dec.)
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Product Description

For everyone who wants to understand the meaning and significance of tikkun olam (repairing the world) in Jewish spiritual life, this book shows the way into an essential aspect of Judaism and allows you to interact directly with the sacred texts of the Jewish tradition.

Guided by Dr. Elliot N. Dorff, Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Judaism, this comprehensive introduction explores the roots of the beliefs and laws that are the basis of the Jewish commitment to improve the world. It looks at the various motivations that the sacred texts provide for caring for others, the ways the Jewish tradition seeks to foster such concerns in our social and family relationships, and the kind of society that Jews should strive to create as partners with God.

* What tikkun olam is. Ancient idea? New concept? The underlying theory has developed over time and branched into related terms and concepts that Judaism has used over thousands of years to describe the duties we now identify as acts of tikkun olam.
* Why we engage in acts of tikkun olam. Reasons include, but go far beyond, a general humanitarian feeling that we might have or the hope that if we help others, others will be there to help us.
* How we repair the world. The concrete expressions of tikkun olam in our families, our communities, the wider Jewish community, and the world at large help shape one of the most important aspects of the Jewish tradition.

By illuminating Judaism's understanding of the components of an ideal world, and the importance of justice, compassion, education, piety, social and familial harmony and enrichment, and physical flourishing for both the individual and society, we see how this ancient quest for a world with all these elements helps us define Jewish identity and mission today.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing (November 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580232698
• ISBN-13: 978-1580232692
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,236,811 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making the world a better place as fundamental principle of Judaism , December 9, 2006

By	Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

In this work Elliot N. Dorff explores the historical meaning of the concept of 'tikkun olam'. He begins in Mishnaic times and traces it to our own contemporary world. He then considers a number of specific areas in which the concept of 'tikkun olam ' is specially relevant. He concludes with the following summary.
"Our ultimate goal in tikkun olam, then is a world at peace.That, as we have seen, does not just mean a cessation of hostilities.It also means a world in which we have the blessings of children, a Jewish state in the land of Israel to which Jewiish exiles can and do come to live, prosperity, health, procedural and substantive justice, recognition of Israel's God and of Torah values as authoritative, and peace."
Dorff writes that working for such values will give us a sense of having meaning in our lives . He stresses that such actions must be taken as cooperative covenantal action with God.
This work is commendable and inspiring.
I have only one difficulty with it. Given the conflict- ridden violent world we live in, the tremendous dangers facing the Free world as a whole, and most especially Israel it would seem to me that more stress should have been made on the whole concept of dealing with dangers and threats, the whole concept of self- defense and survival.
Nonetheless this is a fine and highly recommended work of Jewish thought.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A deserving finalist of the Jewish Book Council's National Jewish Book Awards, February 3, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Dr. Ellot N. Dorff, Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Judaism, presents The Way Into Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), an in-depth introduction to the fundamental building blocks of belief and regulation grounding the Jewish commitment to improve the world. From the motivations offered by sacred texts, to the social and family relationships celebrated by Jewish tradition, to the definition of "tikkun olam" (identified as a wide range of moral and humanitarian duties), to the concept of an ideal world as illuminated by Judaism's understanding. "Many, many medieval and early modern rabbis were also physicians, involved in both clinical care and research. This vision of a world free of diseases imposes a duty on us to work toward that end as individuals. Some of us will work in health care directly, as doctors, nurses, medical social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. All of us have the duty to visit the sick, however distasteful we may find it... the Jewish tradition even provides some advice about how to overcome that discomfort and make your visit effective for both the patient and the visitor." A deserving finalist of the Jewish Book Council's National Jewish Book Awards, The Way Into Tikkun Olam is a respectful treatise that evenhandedly joins ancient spiritual wisdom with the needs of the modern-day world, and is highly recommended.