September 2023 MBR The Judaic Studies Shelf

The Judaic Studies Shelf

Kohelet: A Map to Eden
David Curwin
Toby Press
c/o Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.
www.korenpub.com
9781592646111, $29.95, HC, 250pp

https://www.amazon.com/Kohelet-Map-Eden-Intertextual-Journey/dp/1592646115

Synopsis: Of the five megillot in the Tanakh, only Kohelet does not describe a historical event or tell a personal story. Rather, it relates life lessons, with frequent confusing or even conflicting messages. This makes it one of the most challenging biblical books to comprehend. Yet, if the Sages included it in the biblical canon, it must have a lesson for all generations.

We traditionally read Kohelet every Sukkot. Can we return home, this year, with an understanding of its message? "Kohelet: A Map to Eden: An Intertextual Journey" is a seminal and groundbreaking study in which David Curwin draws from traditional sources and modern scholarship to take us on an eye-opening journey through Kohelet and other books of the Tanakh.

Starting with a look at the life of King Shlomo, whose successes and failures are reflected in the teachings of Kohelet, Curwin then presents linguistic and thematic evidence suggesting strong parallels between the life of Adam and that of Shlomo, and between the book of Kohelet and the opening chapters of Bereshit.

Critique: A seminal, thoughtful, fascinating study from first page to last, "Kohelet: A Map to Eden: An Intertextual Journey" is a unique and invaluable contribution to the growing library of Contemporary Judaic Studies. While highly recommended for personal, professional, synagogue, community, college, and university library Judaic Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists, it should be noted that "Kohelet: A Map to Eden: An Intertextual Journey" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: David Curwin (https://thelehrhaus.com/author/davidcurwin) is an independent scholar, who has researched and published widely on Bible, Jewish thought and philosophy, and Hebrew language. His first book, "Kohelet - A Map to Eden" was published by Koren/Maggid in 2023. Other writings, both academic and popular, have appeared in Lehrhaus, Tradition, Hakirah, and Jewish Bible Quarterly. He blogs about Hebrew language topics at www.balashon.com.

The Last Words of Moses
Micah Goodman
Maggid Books
c/o Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd.
www.korenpub.com
9781592645589, $29.95, HC, 300pp

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Words-Moses-Micah-Goodman/dp/1592645585

Synopsis: The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Torah, and the Torah (according to Jewish tradition) is divine. The book of Deuteronomy, however, presents itself as a human document. Most of the book is comprised of three addresses which complement one another, all delivered by Moses. Moses speaks in first person. He tells the nation its story through the lens of his own personal perspective. Up until the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is a hero of the Torah. In the final book, he has become a narrator.

Critique: Ably translated from Hebrew into English for an American readership by Ilana Kurshan, "The Last Words of Moses" by Micah Goodman is an impressively informative and thoroughly 'reader friendly' introduction to the book of Deuteronomy and its asserted author, Moses. Featuring an informative Introduction (Moses on Moses), and Afterword (The Book of Deuteronomy and the Renewal of Judaism), and a two-part Appendices (Who Wrote The Book of Deuteronomy?) "The Last Words of Moses" is a fascinating and unreservedly recommended pick for personal, community, synagogue, college, and university library Judaic Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "The Last Words of Moses" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Micah Goodman (https://www.hartman.org.il/person/micah-goodman) is a Research Fellow of the Kogod Research Center at Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. He is the author of six best-selling books. His first three books - Moses's Final Speech, The Dream of the Kuzari, and The Secrets of the Guide for the Perplexed - explore classic Jewish thought. His next three books - The Wondering Jew, Catch 67, and The Attention Revolution - explore contemporary Israeli issues and ideas.

Why God Why?
Rabbi Gershon Schusterman
Gefen Publishing House
c/o Storch
255 Central Ave #B-206, Lawrence, NY 11559
www.gefenpublishing.com
9780826608468, $24.99, HC, 272pp

https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Heaven-When-Hurts-Like/dp/0826608469

Synopsis: Rabbi Gershon Schusterman knew all the textbook answers when comforting bereaved community members who asked him, "Where is God? If God is loving, how could this happen?" But when the rabbi's own wife died suddenly, leaving him a 38-year-old widower with eleven children to raise, he found himself reeling.

His personal quest for answers to these timeless questions led him to a deeper exploration of Judaism's teachings about how to cope with and transcend tragedy, teachings that have provided comfort and understanding to millions of people throughout the generations.

Written for anyone who has also endured devastating loss, ""Why God Why? How to Believe In Heaven When It Hurts Like Hell" is wise and sensitive guide will help you to work through your grief while not becoming stuck in grief and grow toward a hopeful, future oriented perspective -- because life is meant to be lived!

Critique: Even more impressive when considering that ""Why God Why? How to Believe In Heaven When It Hurts Like Hell"" is Rabbi Gershon Schusterman's first book, this faith-based instructional guide is especially recommended and inspired reading for anyone within the Jewish community suffering from the loss of a loved one. While highly recommended for personal, professional, community, synagogue, and academic library Judaic Studies collections, it should be noted that "Why God Why? How to Believe In Heaven When It Hurts Like Hell" is also reading available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95).

Editorial Note: Rabbi Gershon Schusterman is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and longtime founder of six Chabad Lubavitch branches in Southern California. For 18 years, he led the Hebrew Academy in Orange County, California, and grew the school from 86 to 500 students. He taught Chassidic philosophy at the Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbinical seminary in Los Angeles, and is an inspirational speaker who has addressed Jewish organizations across the nation. (https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/5709292/jewish/Why-God-Why-A-Guide-for-the-Brokenhearted.htm

The First Fifty Years
Rabbi Sue Lvi Elwell, et al.
CCAR Press
355 Lexington Avenue, 8th floor, New York, NY 10017
www.ccarpress.org
9780881236309, $18.95, PB, 168pp

https://www.amazon.com/First-Fifty-Years-Jubilee-Honoring/dp/0881236306

Synopsis: The ordination of Rabbi Sally J. Priesand in 1972 was a watershed moment in Jewish history. With the publication of "The First Fifty Years: A Jubilee in Prose and Poetry Honoring Women Rabbis", contributors from across the Jewish and gender spectrums reflect on the meaning of this moment and the ensuing decades, both personally and for the Jewish community.

Collaboratively compiled and co-edited by Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Jessica Greenbaum, and Rabbi Hara E. Person, "The First Fifty Years" is comprised of short pieces of new prose and poetry with the contributors (many of them pioneering rabbis) share stories, insights, analysis, and celebrations of women in the rabbinate. These are intertwined with a wealth of poetry that poignantly captures the spirit of this anniversary.

"The First Fifty Years" is a deep, heartfelt tribute to women rabbis and their indelible impact on all of us.

Critique: A unique, informative, fascinating and inspiring modern history of women becoming rabbis, "The First Fifty Years: A Jubilee in Prose and Poetry Honoring Women Rabbis" is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, synagogue, community, and academic library Judaic Studies/History collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. It should be noted that "The First Fifty Years: A Jubilee in Prose and Poetry Honoring Women Rabbis" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note #1: Sue Levi Elwell (https://jwa.org/rabbis/narrators/elwell-sue) is a pioneer of inclusive Judaism as one of the first openly gay women rabbis, Rabbi Elwell helped empower countless Jewish women to take ownership of Jewish tradition.

Editorial Note #2: Jessica Greenbaum (https://www.ccarpress.org/content.asp?tid=592) is the co-editor, with Rabbi Hara Person, of CCAR Press' Mishkan HaSeder: A Passover Haggadah (2021). She is a poet, teacher, and social worker who has taught for years in Manhattan's Central Synagogue, and more recently in Brooklyn's Congregation Beth Elohim.

Editorial Note #3: Rabbi Hara E. Person (https://www.ccarpress.org/content.asp?tid=395) is the Chief Executive of Central Conference of American Rabbis. Previously, she was the CCAR's Chief Strategy Officer. In that capacity, she oversaw the Communications Department and served as Publisher of CCAR Press, and worked with leadership on overall organizational strategy. Rabbi Person was ordained in 1998 from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion.

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