Nuggets of Wisdom from Great Jewish Thinkers: From Biblical Times to the PresentThis book offers a copious selection of insights about the world and life, crafted in engaging language by Jewish sages, scholars, rabbis, and literary luminaries, from ancient to modern times. These remarkable explanations, queries, and proposals are connected by expository comments and comparisons by the author. The passionate care for human values which underlies much of Jewish thinking is made accessible in this comprehensive work. In it the reader may find counsel on how to achieve a good and satisfying life while responding to the joys and sorrows that touch us all. |
Contents
| 9 | |
The Dead Sea Scrolls | 41 |
The Pseudepigrapha | 47 |
The Midrash | 63 |
The Philosophy of Philo Judaeus | 69 |
Structural Components | 75 |
Note to Part Three | 105 |
Bahya Ibn Paquda About 1075 | 111 |
Rabbi Levi Ben Gershom Gersonides | 129 |
Part Four | 137 |
What Can Be Said About the | 145 |
What Are the Basic Truths About | 161 |
What Happens When We Die? | 171 |
Sources of Quotations | 179 |
Index of Authors and Anonymous Documents | 191 |
Rabbi Solomon Ben Isaac Rashi | 117 |
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Common terms and phrases
Abot Abraham absolutely infinite Anthology Baal Shem Tov Bahya Behrman House Bible born chapter co-presence Commentaries David Baumgardt edited Einstein's View Elie Wiesel existence Feldheim Publishers follows Franz Rosenzweig Gemara Germany Glatzer editor God's nature guideline Hasidic Hebrew Hermann Cohen Hertzberg Heschel Heschel's View Holy Hosea human individual humility Ibid Isaac Franck Isaiah Israel Jacobs Jewish Thoughts Judah Judaism Kaplan Kotsk Lord Luzzatto Maimon Rambam Maimonides Reader Martin Buber Mesillat Yesharim Midrash Milton Steinberg Mishnah Mishnah tractate Mishneh Torah modern Jewish thinkers Modern Treasury Mordecai Moses Hayyim Nuggets of Wisdom Philip Birnbaum Philosophy Pirkey Avoth praised prayer prophet Psalm question quoted Rabbah Rambam Rashi Reason and Hope righteous Sabbath Schocken Books Scripture Shestov Sidney Greenberg editor Solomon Spero Spinoza's Ethics Spinoza's View T]he Talmud thee things thou Thoughts New York tion translated Treasury of Jewish University Press Wiesel's View William Gerber words Writings wrote
Popular passages
Page 26 - There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
Page 26 - These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him : A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Page 23 - The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Page 24 - It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, And to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High : To shew forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, And Thy faithfulness every night.
Page 20 - Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the Sons of God shouted for joy?
Page 13 - And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts : but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
Page 24 - The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Page 9 - Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Page 26 - And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Page 26 - VANITY of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun ? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh : but the earth abideth for ever.