The Lonely Man of Faith

Author: Joseph B. Soloveitchik
Publisher: Image
ISBN: 0307568644
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 130

Book Description
Joseph B. Soloveitchik, the rabbi known as “The Rav” by his followers worldwide, was a leading authority on the meaning of Jewish law and prominent force in building bridges between traditional Orthodox Judaism and the modern world. In THE LONELY MAN OF FAITH, a soaring, eloquent essay first published in Tradition magazine in 1965, Soloveitchik investigates the essential loneliness of the person of faith in our narcissistic, materially oriented, utilitarian society. In this modern classic, Soloveitchik uses the story of Adam and Eve as a springboard, interweaving insights from such important Western philosophers as Kierkegaard and Kant with innovative readings of Genesis to provide guidance for the faithful in today’s world. He explains prayer as “the harbinger of moral reformation,” and discusses with empathy and understanding the despair and exasperation of individuals who seek personal redemption through direct knowledge of a God who seems remote and unapproachable. He shows that while the faithful may become members of a religious community, their true home is “the abode of loneliness.” In a moving personal testimony, Soloveitchik demonstrates a deep-seated commitment, intellectual courage, and integrity that people of all religions will respond to.

The Lonely Man of Faith

Author: Joseph B. Soloveitchik
Publisher: Image
ISBN: 0385514085
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 130

Book Description
Joseph B. Soloveitchik, the rabbi known as “The Rav” by his followers worldwide, was a leading authority on the meaning of Jewish law and prominent force in building bridges between traditional Orthodox Judaism and the modern world. In The Lonely Man of Faith, a soaring, eloquent essay first published in Tradition magazine in 1965, Soloveitchik investigates the essential loneliness of the person of faith in our narcissistic, materially oriented, utilitarian society. In this modern classic, Soloveitchik uses the story of Adam and Eve as a springboard, interweaving insights from such important Western philosophers as Kierkegaard and Kant with innovative readings of Genesis to provide guidance for the faithful in today’s world. He explains prayer as “the harbinger of moral reformation,” and discusses with empathy and understanding the despair and exasperation of individuals who seek personal redemption through direct knowledge of a God who seems remote and unapproachable. He shows that while the faithful may become members of a religious community, their true home is “the abode of loneliness.” In a moving personal testimony, Soloveitchik demonstrates a deep-seated commitment, intellectual courage, and integrity to which people of all religions will respond.

Halakhic Man

Author: Joseph Dov Soloveitchik
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 184

Book Description
Halakhic Man--originally published in Hebrew in 1944 and appearing for the first time in English translation--is considered to be Rabbi Soloveitchik's most important statement. A unique, almost unclassifiable work, its pages include a brilliant exposition of Mitnaggedism, of Lithuanian religiosity, with its emphasis on Talmudism; a profound excursion into religious psychology and phenomenology; a pioneering attempt at a philosophy of Halakhah; a stringent critique of mysticism and romantic religion--all held together by the force of the author's highly personal vision. Exuding intellectual sophistication and touching upon issues fundamental to religious life, Rabbi Soloveitchik's exploration, in sum, seeks to explain the inner world of the Talmudist--or as he is referred to typologically, halakhic man--in terms drawn from Western culture. This book brings to the English-reading world a significant work by one of the most profound Jewish thinkers of this century.

Leaves of Faith

Author: Aharon Lichtenstein
Publisher: KTAV Publishing House, Inc.
ISBN: 9780881256680
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 438

Book Description
Where its predecessor dwelt primarily upon the content, mode, and practitioners of Torah study, this volume focuses upon issues--some theoretical, others pragmatic; some current, others timeless--which concern the practice and implementation of Torah. It opens with an inquiry into whether, and to what extent, Halakhah recognizes the validity and value of an ethic which, in some sense, lies beyond its scope. This is followed by two essays--focused upon events in Israel but of more general significance, as well--which deal with the character--and bounds of Jewish polity. Tangentially related is the subject of the next chapter--straddling the communal and the personal--regarding the parameters of tolerance. The next several chapters treat more purely personal topics--response to suffering, Shabbat prayer, and shemittah. They are followed by discussions of aspects of the sensitive areas of conversion, abortion, and the Israeli chief rabbinate, commingled with two essays, more sociologically oriented, on Jewish self-identification and communal service, and an exchange concerning Baruch Goldstein. These are, in turn, followed by two chapters focused upon modern or centrist Orthodoxy, particularly. The volume concludes with a series of responses to major questions posed in various symposia, in which participants were asked, descriptively and prescriptively, both to evaluate the current Jewish scene and to chart a suggested course for its future direction.

Love and Terror in the God Encounter

Author: David Hartman
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 1580235921
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 231

Book Description
The intellectual legacy of one of the twentieth century’s greatest religious thinkers—explained by a leading theologian of our day. “It is only through experiencing the contradictions in human existence, through being overwhelmed by the divine presence, through the finite human being feeling terror-stricken by the infinite majesty of God that one can develop an authentic religious personality.” —David Hartman (From Chapter 6) Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (1903–1993) profoundly influenced modern Orthodox Judaism in the United States—and Judaism as a whole—by opening up a discourse between the tradition of Torah study and Western philosophical thought. The future of both religious Zionism in Israel and of Orthodoxy in America hangs to a great extent on how we interpret his intellectual legacy. Dr. David Hartman’s penetrating analysis of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s work reveals a Judaism committed to intellectual courage, integrity, and openness. A renowned theologian and philosopher, Hartman meticulously explores the subtlety and complexity of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s theological thought, exposing a surprising intersection of halakhic tradition and modern Western theology—a confrontation that deepens and expands our spiritual understanding. Hartman’s provocative interpretation bears witness to the legitimacy of remaining loyal to the Judaic tradition without sacrificing one’s intellectual freedom and honesty.

By His Light

Author: Aharon Lichtenstein
Publisher: KTAV Publishing House, Inc.
ISBN: 9780881257960
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 300

Book Description
The committed Jew confronts many weighty questions when plotting a personal course in life: What is Judaism's role in the modern world? How can I best make my own individual contribution? What are my responsibilities to humanity, the Jewish people, the Torah and myself? How should I balance these different demands? How can I infuse my life with spirituality and build a strong relationship with God? In these probing and inspiring discourses, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein addresses these other questions. Eschewing simplistic black-and-white approaches, he explores the issues with depth and sensitivity. Based firmly on halakhic sources, yet appreciating the best of Western culture, he presents an ideology marked by balance and complexity. While demanding maximal spiritual attainment, Rabbi Lichtenstein champions tolerance of those with different approaches; and while steeped in the eternal values of Jewish tradition, he remains cognizant of the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary era.

All the Lonely People

Author: Mike Gayle
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 1538720159
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 372

Book Description
If you loved A Man Called Ove, then prepare to be delighted as Jamaican immigrant Hubert rediscovers the world he'd turned his back on this "warm, funny" novel (Good Housekeeping). In weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun, friendship, and fulfillment. But it's a lie. In reality, Hubert's days are all the same, dragging on without him seeing a single soul. Until he receives some good news—good news that in one way turns out to be the worst news ever, news that will force him out again, into a world he has long since turned his back on. The news that his daughter is coming for a visit. Now Hubert faces a seemingly impossible task: to make his real life resemble his fake life before the truth comes out. Along the way Hubert stumbles across a second chance at love, renews a cherished friendship, and finds himself roped into an audacious community scheme that seeks to end loneliness once and for all . . . Life is certainly beginning to happen to Hubert Bird. But with the origin of his earlier isolation always lurking in the shadows, will he ever get to live the life he's pretended to have for so long?

Finding God in My Loneliness

Author: Lydia Brownback
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433553961
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 169

Book Description
Young or old, single or married, male or female—at some point in life, we're all confronted with loneliness. We try to fill the void or change our circumstances so we no longer feel the pain. But what if our pangs of loneliness are meant to point us to something greater? Looking at various aspects of loneliness, Lydia Brownback reminds us of God's power to redeem our loneliness and use it in our lives to draw us to himself. Ultimately, she helps us see that even when we feel misunderstood, forsaken, or abandoned, we're never really alone. God is always with us, and only he can meet all of our needs in Christ Jesus.

All Who Go Do Not Return

Author: Shulem Deen
Publisher: Graywolf Press
ISBN: 155597337X
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 342

Book Description
A moving and revealing exploration of ultra-Orthodox Judaism and one man's loss of faith Shulem Deen was raised to believe that questions are dangerous. As a member of the Skverers, one of the most insular Hasidic sects in the US, he knows little about the outside world—only that it is to be shunned. His marriage at eighteen is arranged and several children soon follow. Deen's first transgression—turning on the radio—is small, but his curiosity leads him to the library, and later the Internet. Soon he begins a feverish inquiry into the tenets of his religious beliefs, until, several years later, his faith unravels entirely. Now a heretic, he fears being discovered and ostracized from the only world he knows. His relationship with his family at stake, he is forced into a life of deception, and begins a long struggle to hold on to those he loves most: his five children. In All Who Go Do Not Return, Deen bravely traces his harrowing loss of faith, while offering an illuminating look at a highly secretive world.

Shiurei HaRav

Author: Joseph Dov Soloveitchik
Publisher: Ktav Publishing House
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 216

Book Description
Some twenty years ago, the editors of Hamevaser, Yeshiva University's Torah student monthly, recognized the growing thirst for the late Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's teachings. In response, they published the original version of this conspectus, containing the first English version of the Rav's Hebrew and Yiddish discourses, with summaries of his shiurim and lectures. This volume substantially builds on that achievement, bringing together nineteen of the Rav's most illuminating works not published elsewhere. Subjects include "The Ten Commandments," "Adam and Eve," "The Unique Experience of Judaism," and "On the Love of Torah."