The Bedside Torah : Wisdom, Visions, and Dreams

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Summary: Insights into contemporary Jewish theology
Review: As a Christian, the Old Testament, including the Torah, is part of my heritage. I purchased this book to glean more interpretive insights into these pivotal five books from someone who did not interpret them through the lens of Christianity, but from a pure Jewish perspective, in order to broaden my horizons. While gleaning much of worth, the book is so Judeaocentric that I felt more like an eavesdropper than an engaged reader. I found it interesting that Christians haven't cornered the market on guilt-mongering, because there is plenty of that here, directed toward the more religiously lax Jews. Until an enterprising rabbi can write an exposition on the Torah for a general (not just Jewish) readership, this book will have to fit the bill.

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Summary: Good book
Review: I liked the way this book made me realize my potential. I also recommend a book called Dreams: Gateway to the True Self.

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Summary: Interpretation of Torah suggests a just, loving God
Review: This a wonderful book with insightful Torah commentaries focusing on Jewish personal values like love, family, helpfulness, and so forth. This book can be a powerful introduction to Judaism, or a powerful introduction to a personal, loving side of Judaism that is sometimes overlooked in favor of community values. The book starts with an introduction that explains the centrality of Torah in Judaism and how to read Torah when the stories seem crude or unjust. The rabbi inteprets Torah while assuming a just, loving God. The bulk of the book is made up of commentaries. There are three commentaries for each section of the Torah. Each section of the Torah is also paraphrased, so if you have never read the Torah, this is an easy way to get the general idea. But it's the three commentaries for each of the Torah sections that are the best part. The rabbi's commentaries mix basic good human judgment with an open heart, bouncing the mixture off the Torah. He interprets Judaism in a sensible, loving light. Are Jews a "chosen people"? Yes, he says, chosen to live a responsible life in concert with the values of Torah, not chosen to view ourselves as better than others. He asks, what are we to make of these long lists of names in the Torah? He suggests lists of names are created for a reason, because the names were important to an event or people. He suggests we get ourselves on other people's lists in our own lives, by helping our communities, friends and family.