Finalist—National Jewish Book Award,
Modern Jewish Thought!
An accessible introduction to the Jewish
concept of our responsibility
to care for others and repair the world.
to care for others and repair the world.
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.
“A lucid, clear and inspirational text.... Acknowledges that the acts of tikkun olam that we perform have to be underpinned by a spiritual dimension as well.”
—Union of Liberal & Progressive Synagogues Newsletter
“Conveys the depth, scope and reach
of Jewish teachings on tikkun olam…. Brilliantly examines
the deep theological roots of the Jewish social vision, the
enormous range of human life encompassed by these teachings,
and the expansive vision of the ideal world we are called to
co-create. An essential for every Jewish bookshelf.”
—Rabbi
Amy Eilberg, co-director of The
Morei Derekh Training Program,
Yedidya Center for Jewish Spiritual Direction
Yedidya Center for Jewish Spiritual Direction
“Provides a rich store of practical
wisdom based on solid learning and speaks to our hearts. A gift
to all who want to ‘do what is right and good in the
sight of the Lord.’”
—Richard
J. Mouw, president and professor of
Christian philosophy,
Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary
“Provides a clear and
straightforward path that combines a deep knowledge of Jewish
sources with wisdom and compassion to direct our conduct in the
world. A treasure for all people concerned.”
—Rabbi
David Ellenson, president, Hebrew
Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion
“Compellingly addresses the social
challenges of our time.”
—Rabbi
David A. Teutsch, director of The
Ethics Center at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College;
author of Spiritual Community: The
Power to Restore Hope, Commitment and Joy
“Erudite, compassionate and moving
… demonstrates the contemporary relevance of Jewish
tradition and shows how that doctrine undergirds the moral
imperative of social action.”
—Nancy
Dubler, director of the Division of
Bioethics, Montefiore Medical Center
“Brilliant, lucid, and eminently
accessible … combines a profound command of Jewish text
with an acute grasp of the nature of human beings and the way
of the world. A multitude of mitzvahs and many lives changed
for the better will most certainly result.”
—Danny
Siegel, author, poet, and lecturer
“With great clarity, shows us how
the hand, the heart, and the head can address the healing of
the world: what we need to do, how to go about it in a Jewish
framework, and why Jews have thought that responding to God
required the work of healing.”
—Rabbi
Arthur Waskow, director of The
Shalom Center (www.shalomctr.org); author of Godwrestling—Round 2,
among many other books
“Straightforward, inspiring….
Jews and non-Jews alike will find Dorff’s exhortations
challenging and provocative.”
—Publishers
Weekly starred review
The Way Into...
The Way Into… Series offers an
accessible and highly usable “guided tour” of the
Jewish faith, people, history and beliefs—in total, an
introduction to Judaism that will enable you to understand and
interact with the sacred texts of the Jewish tradition.
Each volume is written by a leading
contemporary scholar and teacher, and explores one key aspect
of Judaism.
The Way Into… Series enables all readers to
achieve a real sense of Jewish cultural literacy through guided
study.
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