Overview

'The essence of Jewish life is not the bland performance of the Torah's commandments, but rather love of Torah and the way of life to which it is the guide.' Tap into the wisdom of one the world's ancient religions by meditating on Rabbi Wittenberg's engaging, contemporary, spiritual, social and ethical insights to the Torah. Rooted in decades of devoted immersion in Jewish learning, humanist literature, concern for people at all ages and stages of life, environmental activism and a love of nature, Rabbi Wittenberg offers wisdom relevant to Jews, Christians and spiritual seekers of all and no faiths. Over the hundred and more passages, key issues considered include: Compassion and kindness; Creation and wonder; Emotional struggles; Environment and our relationship to nature; Ethical challenges; Illness and suffering; Identity and community; Justice and Social Justice; Refugees and strangers; Remorse and repentance; Responsibility; Searching for meaning; Seeking God.

Full Product Details

9781529395877

Table of Contents

Reviews

As the world changes at an ever increasing pace it becomes increasingly important for followers of the various traditions to have a greater understanding of faiths other than their own. Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, writing from a Jewish perspective, has written a profound and eloquent series of reflections which show how directly relevant they are to the followers of Judaism today but also to followers of other major faiths. In these reflections, through his own considerable scholarship, he presents Jewish teaching which will immediately be appreciated by anyone who is concerned about the moral, ethical and spiritual issues of our time. -- Terry Waite CBE As I have found in my own friendship and dialogue with Jewish leaders, engaging with Jewish tradition can provide a fresh perspective on texts which are so familiar to us, and so offers an opportunity for us to deepen our knowledge and love of God. Encountering a Jewish perspective on the scriptures we share is also a wonderful starting point for Christians seeking to understand Judaism in its historic and contemporary forms - something which is so important given the difficult history of the relationship between our faiths. As such, Rabbi Wittenberg's book is a gift to many Christian readers. -- Archbishop Justin Welby Jonathan has managed to find an attractive balance between scholarship, contemporary relevance, and deep wisdom springing from many years of study, prayer, immersion in the tradition, and experience of pastoral responsibility and of life. Such distillations are not common. -- Professor David Ford

The word ecumenism, frequently used to describe relations between the major traditions within the Christian Faith, has a broader meaning. It can be used to describe relations between the major religious beliefs in the world. As the world changes at an ever increasing pace it becomes increasingly important for followers of the various traditions to have a greater understanding of faiths other than their own. Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, writing from a Jewish perspective, has written a profound and eloquent series of reflections on the 54 weekly reading from the Torah which show how directly relevant they are to the followers of Judaism today but also to followers of other major faiths. In these reflections, through his own considerable scholarship, he presents Jewish teaching which will immediately be appreciated by anyone who is concerned about the moral, ethical and spiritual issues of our time. This short book is a valuable contribution to the new ecumenism and should be read by all who seek new understandings and guidance in an increasingly confused world. -- Terry Waite CBE As I have found in my own friendship and dialogue with Jewish leaders, engaging with Jewish tradition can provide a fresh perspective on texts which are so familiar to us, and so offers an opportunity for us to deepen our knowledge and love of God. Encountering a Jewish perspective on the scriptures we share is also a wonderful starting point for Christians seeking to understand Judaism in its historic and contemporary forms - something which is so important given the difficult history of the relationship between our faiths. As such, Rabbi Wittenberg's book would be a gift to many Christian readers. -- Archbishop Justin Welby Each entry, in my opinion, be of great interest to Christian readers. Jonathan have managed to find an attractive balance between scholarship, contemporary relevance, and deep wisdom springing from many years of study, prayer, immersion in the tradition, and experience of pastoral responsibility and of life. Such distillations are not common. -- Professor David Ford

The word ecumenism, frequently used to describe relations between the major traditions within the Christian Faith, has a broader meaning. It can be used to describe relations between the major religious beliefs in the world. As the world changes at an ever increasing pace it becomes increasingly important for followers of the various traditions to have a greater understanding of faiths other than their own. Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, writing from a Jewish perspective, has written a profound and eloquent series of reflections on the 54 weekly reading from the Torah which show how directly relevant they are to the followers of Judaism today but also to followers of other major faiths. In these reflections, through his own considerable scholarship, he presents Jewish teaching which will immediately be appreciated by anyone who is concerned about the moral, ethical and spiritual issues of our time. This short book is a valuable contribution to the new ecumenism and should be read by all who seek new understandings and guidance in an increasingly confused world. -- Terry Waite CBE As I have found in my own friendship and dialogue with Jewish leaders, engaging with Jewish tradition can provide a fresh perspective on texts which are so familiar to us, and so offers an opportunity for us to deepen our knowledge and love of God. Encountering a Jewish perspective on the scriptures we share is also a wonderful starting point for Christians seeking to understand Judaism in its historic and contemporary forms - something which is so important given the difficult history of the relationship between our faiths. As such, Rabbi Wittenberg's book would be a gift to many Christian readers. -- Archbishop Justin Welby Each entry, in my opinion, be of great interest to Christian readers. Jonathan have managed to find an attractive balance between scholarship, contemporary relevance, and deep wisdom springing from many years of study, prayer, immersion in the tradition, and experience of pastoral responsibility and of life. Such distillations are not common. -- Professor David Ford

Author Information

Jonathan Wittenberg was born in Glasgow in 1957 to a family of German Jewish origin. The family moved to London in 1963, where he attended University College School, specialising in classical and modern languages, subsequently reading English at Cambridge. He trained for the rabbinate at Leo Baeck College London, receiving ordination in 1987. He now lives in London with his wife Nicky and, three children, and his faithful canine companion, Mitzpah.

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