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Summary: A Book For Every Household & Family
Review: I wish everyone could read Rabbi Telushkin's "The Book of Jewish Values". In our modern society, good moral values seem to be pushed aside in order to fulfill one's own needs & desires, much to the detriment of not only ourselves, but also the community as a whole. Rabbi Telushkin's book reminds & teaches us what is important in life through daily lessons that draw on the Torah for inspiration & understanding. Forget all those self-help and motivational books that abound, focus on becoming a good person and by reading this book, you will certainly be heading in the right direction.
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Summary: You Dont have to Be Jewish to Love this!
Review: I'm a Baha'i' and I have to say I LOVE this book. Christians, Muslims, Buddists, Atheists do yourselves a favor .. BUY THIS BOOK. It is a real rare and honest look at life. Truth is universal and there is a lot of good truth in here. In addition it helps me understand and communicate with some of my extended Jewish family members. These are great insights and this writer is very frank and pure. Not everything in it is aggreeable but most is. The stuff thats odd to me is helpful in understanding another viewpoint at the least. This book is a humble treasure.
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Summary: View from the pulpit
Review: If there are any worthwhile books on Jewish ethics, other than recognized commentaries, I have yet to hear of them. Mamonides in M-Torah states Jewish ethics about as clearly as possible for his time period. Ethical thinking in Judaism is like an
elaborate puzzle with foundation and consequences unexamined. Those who wish to understand must put the puzzle together themselves.
How many Christians know anything about the foundation and consequences of that religion?
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: In this terrific book, Rabbi Telushkin presents discussions about Jewish ethics in easily digestable, tasty bites. The format is wonderful---a passage for each day of the week, with a review section for Shabbat. Read it yourself or share it with your family---but enjoy it and use it. The world would be a better place if we all read this book!
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Summary: A Life-Changing Book!
Review: Joseph Telushkin is the premier ethicist of our time. Even though this magnificent book is informed by Jewish ethical values, it truly speaks to all people, regardless of race, religion or creed. It is a superior combination of scholarship, insight, humanity and warmth, which reflects off every page. For those who want to evolve spiritually, become better human beings, this is a must-read. It is written in a very cogent, lucid, readable and accessible style. A veritable gem!
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Summary: An excellent way to focus your attention on ethical Judaism
Review: Judaism is based on the theory that actions are often louder than words, and that doing good and redeeming yourself is a continuous process. Telushkin's book springboards from that, giving a short (1 to 1 1/2 pages) blurb for each day that is meant to focus the reader on ways to live more ethically.This varies in topic from helping the poor to how you should behave toward your spouse and neighbors, but each is supported by text: Torah, Mishnah, etc. It takes so little time to read each of these (I spend about five minutes before bedtime on this), but it is a reminder of all the small ways in which we can hurt others, and that continual attention must be paid to how we live our lives. It seems to argue that we should live more consciously, with awareness of how we as individuals affect the world. This book obviously requires some commitment, as there is a blurb for each day for a year. However, I have found it a rewarding and enlightening experience to spend each day thinking about just one of the ways in which I can improve the world. I highly recommend this book to all Jewish readers.
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Summary: A must for Jews and non-Jews
Review: Just like every other book I've read by Telushkin, this one too is a must. You can read each of the 'guides' in here very quickly, but they all have deep, long lasting meaning. Fantastic book.
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Summary: Beauty, Knowledge, Sensitivity....Amazing Book!
Review: Like so many, I went through the 60's Woodstock generation of rebellion and apathy toward my own religion. When I took this book home, I didn't put it down; I was up all night. What struck me was that these are indeed the values with which I was raised but I didn't know that so many were based upon the principles and ethics of Judaism. This book gave me the impetus to purchase and study the Talmud. You will walk away from this book knowing that kindness is the only path to follow. I recommend this book to everyone regardless of their religion, to someone who wants to know what Judaism is all about and to any young person, particuarly those who are swayed by the latest cult and have little idea what their own religion has to offer. In a delightful style and format, the author conveys how the Jewish religion encompasses so much beauty, benevolence and richness of spirit. As an animal rights activist, I was impressed with his addressing and analyzing current issues such as the wearing of fur and the cruel treatment of veal calves and the dilemma that presents (since "kosher" is based on humane treatment of animals). I have so much respect for this brilliant, kind and sensitive man! It should be given to every young person for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah and passed down to future generations. You'll cherish this book!
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Summary: An average good person is better than a brilliant meany
Review: Rabbi Joseph Telushkin has written a day by day guide to ethical living where he repeats the Torah message that goodness is more desirable than vanity. This is a Torah message which applies to all members of society in his view and no one is exempt (even if they proclaim themselves to be enlightened Machiavellians or more often act like Machiavelli yet proclaim themselves most ethical - no questions allowed).
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Summary: Another important Telushkin volume to own and learn from.
Review: Rabbi Telushkin has done it again. Already the premier author of a collection of books that amount to desk encyclopedias of Jewish Humor, Jewish Wisdom, Jewish Literacy, and Biblical Literacy, Joseph Telushkin now adds this wonderful volume on practical ethics. The book presents ethical issues - one for each of six days with a time to review on the Sabbath - that weave current and historical illustrations of important ethical principles. What distinguishes this "day at a time" ethical compendium from others like it is the strength of the stories which illustrate each principle. These are deep and complex practical applications, neither contrived nor saccharine. Readers who are not Jewish will also be interested in this book. The lessons here are not related to any particular sectarian view but apply to all those who feel that a religious life must be an ethical life if it is to be meaningful and authentic. The publishers are to be commended on the beautiful presentation of this book. It should grace the shelves of anyone who wants a realistic guide to a more ethical life.
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