I am a psychiatrist and medical ethicist—not a theologian or rabbinical scholar. And yet, for more than thirty years, I have had a kind of love affair with rabbinical ethics and have written several books on the topic. This is particularly ironic, since, in my youth, I rebelled against my own rabbi’s teachings and my father’s adherence to Orthodox Judaism. Much later in life, I took courses in Jewish ethics and studied briefly with a local rabbi. I eventually came to appreciate the deep psychological wisdom in so much of Jewish and rabbinical ethics.
I wrote
The Ethics of the Jewish Mystics: An Introduction and Commentary
Rabbi Telushkin presents Jewish ethical teachings in a clear, compelling, and often quite personal way, calling upon his vast experience as a scholar and spiritual leader. I have come back to this book many times for ethical guidance in my own life. Rabbi Telushkin manages to present complex ethical ideas in a reader-friendly manner, often leavened by amusing personal stories and experiences.
A Code of Jewish Ethics, Volume 1: You Shall Be Holy is the initial volume of the first major code of Jewish ethics to be written in the English language. It is a monumental work on the vital topic of personal character and integrity by one of the premier Jewish scholars and thinkers of our time.
With the stated purpose of restoring ethics to its central role in Judaism, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin offers hundreds of examples from the Torah, the Talmud, rabbinic commentaries, and contemporary stories to illustrate how ethical teachings can affect our daily behavior. The subjects dealt with…
Pirke Avos—often translated as “The Ethics of the Fathers” or “The Chapters of the Sages”—is the only book of the Talmuddevoted exclusively to ethics. (The Talmudis a collection of rabbinical commentaries on the Torah, or “Old Testament”).Don’t be put off by the “gendered” title. Pirke Avosis a treasure trove of ethical guidance and psychological insight for anyone seeking a richer spiritual life. This particular edition brings together scores of sages and scholars in one volume.
Judaism is sometimes accused of being obsessed with rituals and laws, at the expense of interpersonal relationships. Rabbi Feldman’s insightful book debunks that charge, focusing in psychologically astute ways on human relationships. Topics include revenge, violence, love, and generosity. While scholarly in content, this book has a friendly, informal tone, such as the chapter titled, “One strike and you’re out: hitting and raising a hand in violence.”
In an effort to respond to the baseless criticism that Jewish law is overly preoccupied with religious ritual at the expense of issues having to do with interpersonal relationships, the author presents a detailed exploration of the vast attention that the masters of Jewish thought have given to relations between and among individuals. This book is not a legal guide to interpersonal relationships in Jewish life, nor is it a volume of moral exhortation. Rather, Rabbi Feldman aims to convey the importance of his subject by exhibiting its hallowed place within the structure of Jewish law and within the analysis…
The team of renowned scholar (Professor Borowitz) and popular educator (Francie Schwartz) have produced a friendly, welcoming guide to living an ethical life, based on traditional Jewish virtues. Topics include trustworthiness, lovingkindness, compassion, humility, and contentedness. This book is really a guide to musar—the practical wisdom that has guided Jewish conduct throughout the centuries.
Professor Judah Goldin’s new translation of Pirke Avot, along with his introductory essay on the Talmud, provides a concise, easily understood introduction to Jewish ethics. Prof. Goldin also provides some of the first English translations of many classical commentaries on Pirke Avot, all in a compact, paperback format. By making these translations available to the general public, Goldin has performed a valuable service.
How do we live as decent, caring human beings? What values do we chose? This book provides a basic introduction to the ethical teachings of the Jewish mystics. The author believes that what is most valuable in the writings of Moses Cordovero, Nachman of Bratslav, and other Jewish mystics are their ethical teachings—more so than their mystical speculations. No previous knowledge of rabbinic Judaism or Jewish mysticism is required, nor is there any presumption that the reader accepts the theology of Judaism. However, readers who embrace Orthodox Judaism may find this survey of rabbinic ethics a useful guide to "the good life."
I’ve always been fascinated by group dynamics, large and small. Why things functioned well, why they didn’t. It’s possible my ability to empathize and use humor as a consensus-builder is the reason I was elected president of a homeowners association, a music production association, and even an agricultural group. Books were not particularly involved in this fascination! But in recent years, experiencing the breakdown of civility and trust in our political and cultural discourse, I’ve taken a more analytical view of the dynamics. These books, in their very different ways, have taught me lessons about life, understanding those with different beliefs, and finding ways to connect and move forward.
We’ve all experienced the overwhelming level of political and social divisiveness in our country. This invisible “virus” of negativity is, in part, the result of the name-calling and heated rhetoric that has become commonplace among commentators and elected leaders alike.
My book provides a clear perspective on the historical and modern-day causes of our nation's divisive state. It then proposes easy-to-understand solutions—an action plan for our elected leaders and citizens as well. Rather than a scholarly treatment of a complex topic, the book challenges us to take the obvious steps required of those living in a free democracy. And it…
Uniting the States of America: A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation
Lyle Greenfield's "Uniting the States of America―A Self-Care Plan for a Wounded Nation" is a work of nonfiction and opinion. Incorporating the lessons of history and the ideas and wisdom of many, it is intended as both an educational resource and a call-to-action for citizens concerned about the politically and culturally divided state of our Union. A situation that has raised alarm for the very future of our democracy.
First, the book clearly identifies the causes of what has become a national crisis of belief in and love for our country. How the divisiveness and hostility rampant in our political…
