Overview

You are invited to spend a year with the inspirational words, ideas, and counsel of the great twentieth-century thinker Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, through his meditations on the fifty-four weekly Torah portions and eleven Jewish holidays. A pioneer of ideas and action-teaching that ""Judaism is a civilization"" encompassing Jewish culture, art, and peoplehood; demonstrating how synagogues can be full centers for Jewish living (building one of the first ""shuls with a pool""); and creating the first-ever bat mitzvah ceremony (for his daughter Judith)-Kaplan transformed the landscape of American Jewry. Yet much of Kaplan's rich treasury of ethical and spiritual thought is largely unknown. Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, who studied closely with Kaplan, offers unique insight into Kaplan's teachings about ethical relationships and spiritual fulfillment, including how to embrace godliness in everyday experience, our mandate to become agents of justice in the world, and the human ability to evolve personally and collectively. Quoting from the week's Torah portion, Reuben presents Torah commentary, a related quotation from Kaplan, a reflective commentary integrating Kaplan's understanding of the Torah text, and an intimate story about his family or community's struggles and triumphs-guiding twenty-first-century spiritual seekers of all backgrounds on how to live reflectively and purposefully every day.

Full Product Details

Author:   Steven Carr Reuben ,  David Teutsch
Publisher:   Jewish Publication Society
Imprint:   Jewish Publication Society
ISBN:  

9780827612723

ISBN 10:   0827612729
Pages:   296
Publication Date:   01 April 2019
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Rabbi David A. Teutsch     Acknowledgments     Introduction     1. Genesis (Bere’shit) Bere’shit: Fulfillment     Noaḥ: Good Enough     Lekh Lekha: Purpose     Va-yera’: Interconnectedness     Ḥayyei Sarah: Lovingkindness     Toledot: Family     Va-yetse’: Seeking     Va-yishlaḥ: God-Wrestling     Va-yeshev: Thoughtlessness     Mikkets: Dreams     Va-yiggash: Destiny     Va-yeḥi: Appreciation     2. Exodus (Shemot) Shemot: Revelation     Va-’era’: Mercy     Bo’: Hardened Heart     Be-shallaḥ: Action     Yitro: Self-Interest     Mishpatim: Human Dignity     Terumah: Indwelling     Tetsavveh: Light     Ki Tissa’: Giving     Va-yak’hel: Community     Pekudei: Building     3. Leviticus (Va-yikra’) Va-yikra’: Prayer     Tsav: Firelight     Shemini: Godliness     Tazriaʿ: Witness     Metsoraʿ: Defilement     ’Aḥarei Mot: Scapegoat     Kedoshim: Holiness     ’Emor: Hunger     Be-har: Oppression     Be-ḥukkotai: Free Will     4. Numbers (Be-midbar) Be-midbar: Wilderness     Naso’: Blessings     Be-haʿalotekha: Humility     Shelaḥ-Lekha: Perception     Koraḥ: Rebellion     Ḥukkat: Anger     Balak: Dwellings     Pinḥas: Women     Mattot: Vows     Maseʿei: Vengeance     5. Deuteronomy (Devarim) Devarim: Discovery     Va-’etḥannan: Oneness     ʿEkev: Gratitude     Re’eh: Choice     Shofetim: Justice     Ki Tetse’: Indifference     Ki Tavo’: Experiencing God     Nitsavim: Generations     Va-yelekh: Teaching     Ha’azinu: Rock     Ve-zo’t ha-berakhah: Divine Kiss     6. Holidays Rosh Hashanah: Sovereignty of God     Yom Kippur: Transformation     Sukkot: Gratitude     Shemini Atzeret: Sharing the Divine Presence     Simḥat Torah: Celebration     Hanukkah: Rededication     Purim: Resilience     Pesach: Freedom     Yom ha-Shoah: Living in the Shadow     Yom ha-Atzmaut: Building a Just Nation     Shavuot: Torah     Epigraph Source Acknowledgments     Notes     Bibliography    

Reviews

Speaking as someone who has taught Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan's philosophical writings for decades, I can attest that this volume is an important contribution to understanding both the man and his approach to Judaism. Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben offers sensitive, nuanced commentaries that highlight the very personal sides of Kaplan's personality and philosophy and demonstrate the emotional wisdom of his ideas, which are applicable to us all. -Rabbi Elliot Dorff, author of Modern Conservative Judaism: Evolving Thought and Practice -- Rabbi Elliot Dorff As Steven Reuben probes Torah, Kaplan's wide-ranging thought, Jewish religious experience, and human experience in wonderfully clear and often penetrating reflections, Reuben and Kaplan together awaken our desire to be `champions of holiness.' -Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School -- Ellen Davis Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben's selection of insightful passages from the writings of Mordecai Kaplan and illuminating commentary from Jewish tradition and his own life experiences generate a treasure trove of wisdom to delight the mind and move the heart. A Year With Mordecai Kaplan is a spiritual gift! -Rabbi David Ellenson, chancellor of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion -- Rabbi David Ellenson A Year with Mordecai Kaplan is inspirational. It reminds me of a less mystical Larry Kushner and a more anecdotal Harold Kushner. -Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, University Synagogue, Irvine, California -- Rabbi Arnold Rachlis There is no greater sage than Mordecai Kaplan to walk us into an appreciation of how religion can add depth and insight to the experience of modernity, and no rabbi with greater sensitivity to guide us along the way than Steven Carr Reuben. Newcomers to Kaplan and longtime aficionados alike will revel in spending a year with Mordecai Kaplan. Relying on the spirit and smarts of these two rabbis not only enlightens us but elevates us. -Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, American Jewish University -- Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson

As Steven Reuben probes Torah, Kaplan's wide-ranging thought, Jewish religious experience, and human experience in wonderfully clear and often penetrating reflections, Reuben and Kaplan together awaken our desire to be `champions of holiness.' -Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School -- Ellen Davis Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben's selection of insightful passages from the writings of Mordecai Kaplan and illuminating commentary from Jewish tradition and his own life experiences generate a treasure trove of wisdom to delight the mind and move the heart. A Year With Mordecai Kaplan is a spiritual gift! -Rabbi David Ellenson, chancellor of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion -- Rabbi David Ellenson A Year with Mordecai Kaplan is inspirational. It reminds me of a less mystical Larry Kushner and a more anecdotal Harold Kushner. -Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, University Synagogue, Irvine, California -- Rabbi Arnold Rachlis There is no greater sage than Mordecai Kaplan to walk us into an appreciation of how religion can add depth and insight to the experience of modernity, and no rabbi with greater sensitivity to guide us along the way than Steven Carr Reuben. Newcomers to Kaplan and longtime aficionados alike will revel in spending a year with Mordecai Kaplan. Relying on the spirit and smarts of these two rabbis not only enlightens us but elevates us. -Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, American Jewish University -- Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson The author . . . [hopes that his work] 'will stimulate reader contemplation, elicit personal reflections that further illustrate or develop the ideas in this book, and motivate readers to make our tradition's profound teachings ever more meaningful and impactful in their own lives.' A Year with Mordechai Kaplan does just that, while at the same time sharing the wisdom, passion, and insights that Kaplan can continue to offer us into the next phase of Jewish life. -Jonathan Fass, Jewish Book Council -- Jonathan Fass * Jewish Book Council *

As Steven Reuben probes Torah, Kaplan's wide-ranging thought, Jewish religious experience, and human experience in wonderfully clear and often penetrating reflections, Reuben and Kaplan together awaken our desire to be `champions of holiness.' -Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School -- Ellen Davis Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben's selection of insightful passages from the writings of Mordecai Kaplan and illuminating commentary from Jewish tradition and his own life experiences generate a treasure trove of wisdom to delight the mind and move the heart. A Year With Mordecai Kaplan is a spiritual gift! -Rabbi David Ellenson, chancellor of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion -- Rabbi David Ellenson A Year with Mordecai Kaplan is inspirational. It reminds me of a less mystical Larry Kushner and a more anecdotal Harold Kushner. -Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, University Synagogue, Irvine, California -- Rabbi Arnold Rachlis There is no greater sage than Mordecai Kaplan to walk us into an appreciation of how religion can add depth and insight to the experience of modernity, and no rabbi with greater sensitivity to guide us along the way than Steven Carr Reuben. Newcomers to Kaplan and longtime aficionados alike will revel in spending a year with Mordecai Kaplan. Relying on the spirit and smarts of these two rabbis not only enlightens us but elevates us. -Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, American Jewish University -- Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson Mordecai Kaplan's illuminating commentary based on Jewish tradition and his own life experiences give us new wisdom. Rabbi Reuben explores Kaplan's wide-ranging thought, Jewish religious experience, and human experience in a way that is clear and emotionally sensitive. -Reviews by Amos Lassen -- Amos Lassen * Reviews by Amos Lassen * The author . . . [hopes that his work] 'will stimulate reader contemplation, elicit personal reflections that further illustrate or develop the ideas in this book, and motivate readers to make our tradition's profound teachings ever more meaningful and impactful in their own lives.' A Year with Mordechai Kaplan does just that, while at the same time sharing the wisdom, passion, and insights that Kaplan can continue to offer us into the next phase of Jewish life. -Jonathan Fass, Jewish Book Council -- Jonathan Fass * Jewish Book Council *

As Steven Reuben probes Torah, Kaplan's wide-ranging thought, Jewish religious experience, and human experience in wonderfully clear and often penetrating reflections, Reuben and Kaplan together awaken our desire to be `champions of holiness.' -Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School -- Ellen Davis Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben's selection of insightful passages from the writings of Mordecai Kaplan and illuminating commentary from Jewish tradition and his own life experiences generate a treasure trove of wisdom to delight the mind and move the heart. A Year With Mordecai Kaplan is a spiritual gift! -Rabbi David Ellenson, chancellor of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion -- Rabbi David Ellenson A Year with Mordecai Kaplan is inspirational. It reminds me of a less mystical Larry Kushner and a more anecdotal Harold Kushner. -Rabbi Arnold Rachlis, University Synagogue, Irvine, California -- Rabbi Arnold Rachlis There is no greater sage than Mordecai Kaplan to walk us into an appreciation of how religion can add depth and insight to the experience of modernity, and no rabbi with greater sensitivity to guide us along the way than Steven Carr Reuben. Newcomers to Kaplan and longtime aficionados alike will revel in spending a year with Mordecai Kaplan. Relying on the spirit and smarts of these two rabbis not only enlightens us but elevates us. -Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, American Jewish University -- Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson

Author Information

Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben is senior rabbi emeritus of Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation in Pacific Palisades, California, and a past president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. He is the author of numerous books, including Children of Character: Leading Your Children to Ethical Choices in Everyday Life and Making Interfaith Marriage Work.  

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