Overview

"Great stories have the power to draw the heart. But certain stories have the power to draw the heart to God and awaken the better angels of our nature. Such are the tales of the rabbis of the Talmud, colourful, quirky yarns that tug at our heartstrings and test our values, ethics, morality - and our imaginations. In this collection for people of all faiths and backgrounds, Rabbi Burton Visotzky draws on four decades of telling and teaching these legends in order to unlock their wisdom for the contemporary heart. He introduces you to the cast of characters, explains their motivations and provides the historical background needed to penetrate the wise lessons often hidden within these unusual narratives. In learning how and why these oft-told tales were spun, you discover how they continue to hold value for our lives. Review 'The Talmud is often thought of as a legal source-book, which sets the precedents for Jewish practice. But it is also a work of imagination in which the rabbis explored the world and its ways through parables and anecdotes. Sage Tales is a popular and lively introduction to the ""oddities and quiddities"" of this rich narrative material by a veteran professor of Midrash at New York's Jewish Theological Seminary. Rabbi Visotzsky writes more in the vein of a raconteur than a scholar, sprinkling around references to baseball or musicals.But he uses his erudition deftly to explain the social milieu in which the rabbis lived and the nuances of the original language of their tales: Rabbi Akiva's wealthy father-in-law, outraged at his daughter marrying a poor man, is named Ben Kalba Savua, meaning ""satisfied son of a bitch"". While in later centuries the lives of great rabbis were often airbrushed by their hagiographic disciples, the foibles of the Talmud's heroes can be exposed by the stories it tells about them. Even in a section dealing with their mystical speculations, Rabbi Visotzky portrays them as men of this world rather than unearthly saints.' Jewish Chronicle - Simon Rocker."

Full Product Details

Author:   Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky (Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky) ,  Rabbi Burton Visotzky
Publisher:   Jewish Lights Publishing
Imprint:   Jewish Lights Publishing
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.40cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.001kg
ISBN:  

9781580234566

ISBN 10:   1580234569
Pages:   256
Publication Date:   17 March 2011
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
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

1 / Elijah the Prophet 2 / The Cast of Characters 3 / A Story Well Told Is Worth Retelling 4 / On Loan 5 / The Woman of Valor 6 / How a Boy Became a Rabbi 7 / Meanwhile Back at the Ranch 8 / Road Trip with Fireworks 9 / Anything He Can Do, I Can Do, Too 10 / I Had a Dream … I've Been to the Mountaintop 11 / Paradise Ain't All It's Cracked Up to Be 12 / The Siege 13 / Comic Relief 14 / The Rabbi Confronts Caesar, or the Three Wishes 15 / The Gnat's Revenge 16 / Rainmaker 17 / Nicodemus and Buni—Uncensored! 18 / Rainmaker—The Sequel 19 / The Rabbis’ Rip Van Winkle 20 / Pretty Woman 1 and 2 21 / Pretty Woman 3, 4, 5 22 / The End: We Hope Appendix 1: The Complete Texts Appendix 2: Who’s Who Glossary Suggestions for Further Reading

Reviews

One of our tradition's liveliest teachers has managed to capture all of his rare vibrancy on the page. Who knew that Midrash could read like a great detective story? Abigail Pogrebin, author, Stars of David Both ancient and timeless this retelling and retooling of ancient rabbinic wisdom tales [does] the sages and us a great service. Brings these sages alive that we might hear their wisdom once more. A book to be savored. Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author, Hasidic Tales: Annotated and Explained Enlivens ancient wisdom with modern whimsy, decodes Talmudic enigmas with narrative grace, and humanizes the giants of early rabbinic Judaism in ways that make each character real, quirky and unforgettable. Has there ever been a book of solid scholarship that was this much fun to read? Letty Cottin Pogrebin, author, Deborah, Golda and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America; founding editor, Ms. magazine A treasure trove of information, insight and meaning. It is a 'must read for anyone interested in knowing more about rabbinic texts, traditions and history, while being charmed and entertained. Be prepared to experience rabbinic Judaism come alive! Dr. Norman Cohen, author, The Way Into Torah A revelation . A thrilling journey full of wisdom, humor and timeless lessons . In short, Rabbi Visotzky has blessed us with a deep and lasting gift, a spectacular work that we want to read over and over again. Rabbi Naomi Levy, author, Hope Will Find You and To Begin Again Reading Sage Tales is like going to the best show on Broadway followed by an elegant dinner with a critic, a holy skeptic who is illuminating, entertaining, learned and enlightening . I loved this book! Rabbi Irwin Kula, author, Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life;co-author, The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices Lets you reach into the collective consciousness of Jewish value teachings and offers you a glimpse into what life ought to be and can be. Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, author, Fi

One of our tradition's liveliest teachers has managed to capture all of his rare vibrancy on the page. Who knew that Midrash could read like a great detective story? --<strong>Abigail Pogrebin</strong>, author, <em>Stars of David</em></p> Both ancient and timeless ... this retelling and retooling of ancient rabbinic wisdom tales [does] the sages and us a great service. Brings these ... sages alive that we might hear their wisdom once more. A book to be savored. --<strong>Rabbi Rami Shapiro</strong>, author, <em>Hasidic Tales: Annotated and Explained</em></p> Enlivens ancient wisdom with modern whimsy, decodes Talmudic enigmas with narrative grace, and humanizes the giants of early rabbinic Judaism in ways that make each character real, quirky and unforgettable. Has there ever been a book of solid scholarship that was this much fun to read? --<strong>Letty Cottin Pogrebin</strong>, author, <em>Deborah, Golda and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America</em>; founding editor, <em>Ms</em>. magazine</p> A treasure trove of information, insight and meaning. It is a 'must read' for anyone interested in knowing more about rabbinic texts, traditions and history, while being charmed and entertained. Be prepared to experience rabbinic Judaism come alive! --<strong>Dr. Norman Cohen</strong>, author, <em>The Way Into Torah</em></p> A revelation.... A thrilling journey full of wisdom, humor and timeless lessons.... In short, Rabbi Visotzky has blessed us with a deep and lasting gift, a spectacular work that we want to read over and over again. --<strong>Rabbi Naomi Levy</strong>, author, <em>Hope Will Find You </em>and<em> To Begin Again</em></p> Reading Sage Tales is like going to the best show on Broadway followed by an elegant dinner with a critic, a holy skeptic who is illuminating, entertaining, learned and enlightening.... I loved this book! --<strong>Rabbi Irwin Kula</strong>, author, <em>Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life</em>; coauthor, <em>The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices</em></p> Lets you reach ... into the collective consciousness of Jewish value teachings and offers you a glimpse into what life ought to be and can be. --<strong>Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi</strong>, author, <em>First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit</em></p> Wit, insight and deep sensitivity permeate every sentence and draw the reader into an irresistible journey to uncover the spiritual, intellectual and emotional underpinnings of rabbinic literature. [An] important contribution to the field. --<strong>Rabbi Sharon Brous</strong>, IKAR</p>

One of our tradition's liveliest teachers has managed to capture all of his rare vibrancy on the page. Who knew that Midrash could read like a great detective story? Abigail Pogrebin, author, Stars of David Both ancient and timeless this retelling and retooling of ancient rabbinic wisdom tales [does] the sages and us a great service. Brings these sages alive that we might hear their wisdom once more. A book to be savored. Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author, Hasidic Tales: Annotated and Explained Enlivens ancient wisdom with modern whimsy, decodes Talmudic enigmas with narrative grace, and humanizes the giants of early rabbinic Judaism in ways that make each character real, quirky and unforgettable. Has there ever been a book of solid scholarship that was this much fun to read? Letty Cottin Pogrebin, author, Deborah, Golda and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America; founding editor, Ms. magazine A treasure trove of information, insight and meaning. It is a 'must read' for anyone interested in knowing more about rabbinic texts, traditions and history, while being charmed and entertained. Be prepared to experience rabbinic Judaism come alive! Dr. Norman Cohen, author, The Way Into Torah A revelation . A thrilling journey full of wisdom, humor and timeless lessons . In short, Rabbi Visotzky has blessed us with a deep and lasting gift, a spectacular work that we want to read over and over again. Rabbi Naomi Levy, author, Hope Will Find You and To Begin Again Reading Sage Tales is like going to the best show on Broadway followed by an elegant dinner with a critic, a holy skeptic who is illuminating, entertaining, learned and enlightening . I loved this book! Rabbi Irwin Kula, author, Yearnings: Embracing the Sacred Messiness of Life; coauthor, The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices Lets you reach into the collective consciousness of Jewish value teachings and offers you a glimpse into what life ought to be and can be. Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, author, First Steps to a New Jewish Spirit Wit, insight and deep sensitivity permeate every sentence and draw the reader into an irresistible journey to uncover the spiritual, intellectual and emotional underpinnings of rabbinic literature. [An] important contribution to the field. Rabbi Sharon Brous, IKAR

Author Information

Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky, named one of Forward's top fifty Jewish leaders in America, has been engaging spiritual seekers with the ancient wisdom of Judaism for over forty years. He is Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies and director of the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies and of the Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky consulted with Bill Moyers and was a featured participant in the PBS television series Genesis: A Living Conversation. He is a lecturer and scholar-in-residence in synagogues, churches and mosques throughout North America, and the author of nine other books, including Sage Tales: Wisdom and Wonder from the Rabbis of the Talmud and Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text. Rabbi Burton L. Visotzky is available to speak on the following topics: The Genesis of Ethics: Bible Study and Moral Development Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text Sibling Rivalries: Judaism and Christianity in Their Formative Years In Preparation for Passover The Road to Redemption: Ancient and Modern Readings of Exodus Click here to contact the author.

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