Conservative Judaism: Our Ancestors to Our Descendants

Elliot N. Dorff

United Synagogue of America

For the Love of God and People: A Philosophy of Jewish Law

Every generation of Jews in every denomination of Judaism finds itself facing complex legal questions. The status of same-sex unions and the plight of the agunah (a woman who cannot obtain a divorce), are just two of a myriad of thorny questions Jewish legal experts grapple with today. These are not esoteric problems but issues with a profound impact on the daily happiness of countless people. How do the rabbis who draft responses to these questions reach their conclusions? What informs their decisions and their approach to Jewish law? Acclaimed writer and legal expert Elliot Dorff addresses these and other questions in this intelligent, accessible guide to the philosophy behind Jewish law. In his view, Jewish law is an expression of the love we have for God and for our fellow human beings. This theme permeates his discussion of important aspects of the law. For example, what motivates modern Jews to follow Jewish law? How does Jewish law strike the balance between continuity and change? On what grounds and under what circumstances do human beings have the authority to interpret or even change God’s laws? Dorff also offers a systematic comparison of Jewish law and U.S. law, based on his course on this subject at UCLA School of Law. Whether you are a lawyer or simply interested in the philosophy behind recent rabbinic decisions, this is a book that will deepen your understanding of the Jewish legal system and its role in the modern world.

For the Love of God and People

The Jewish Publication Society

This book introduces students to five of the world's great religions--Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam--with a special emphasis on each religion's philosophy of service and call to serve.
 With excerpts regarding service and social responsibility from the sacred writings of each tradition, followed by questions for study and reflection, Visions of Service gives students a framework for considering the differences and commonalities among the religions on the subject of serving those in need and reflecting on their own experience of service.
 Visions of Service is ideal for religion courses in which service is a corequisite, and will be a useful guide to reflection for volunteers, service-learning students, and those in service professions. It will also be of interest to those in religious organizations who wish to contemplate their own tradition of service and learn more about other religions and their philosophies of service. 
 Contributors: John Butt (Buddhism), Elliot N. Dorff (Judaism), Carool Kersten (Islam), Kalyan Ray (Hindusim), David Kwang-sun Suh (Christianity)

Visions of Service

John Butt

Carool Kersten

Kalyan Ray

David Kwang-sun Suh

Religion & Spirituality

International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership

The Jewish Approach to Repairing the World (Tikkun Olam): A Brief Introduction for Christians

A window into the Jewish idea of responsibility to care for the world―written especially for Christians. 
The concept of repairing the world (tikkun olam) is an integral part of Jewish life. It helps shape Jewish social and family relationships, and even mandates how Jews should speak to others. But why is it important for Christians to understand this Jewish approach to life? And what kind of impact can understanding this fundamental aspect of Judaism have on Christians seeking to develop a deeper understanding of their own faith?
With insight and wisdom, award-winning author Rabbi Elliot Dorff provides an accessible, honest and thorough exploration of this important Jewish concept. With easy-to-understand explanations of Jewish terms, practices and history, each chapter explores a different facet touched by the tradition of tikkun olam. Rabbi Dorff also addresses parallel themes and practices in the Christian tradition, helping you better understand the roots of Christianity and how the fundamentals of Judaism relate and reflect your own aspirations to repair the world.
<ul>
<li>Caring for the Poor</li>
<li>The Power of Words</li>
<li>The Ministry of Presence</li>
<li>Duties of Spouses to Each Other</li>
<li>Children's Duties to Their Parents</li>
<li>Parent's Duties to Their Children</li>
<li>The Traditional Jewish Vision of the Ideal World</li>
</ul>

Christian Books & Bibles

Jewish Lights

Opens up the traditional Jewish prayer book as a spiritual resource....This groundbreaking new series involves us in a personal dialogue with God, history and tradition, through the heritage of prayer.
"The prayer book is our Jewish diary of the centuries, a collection of prayers composed by generations of those who came before us, as they endeavored to express the meaning of their lives and their relationship to God. The prayer book is the essence of the Jewish soul."
Framed with beautifully designed Talmud-style pages, commentaries from many of today's most respected Jewish scholars from all movements of Judaism examine Shabbat at home from the perspectives of ancient Rabbis and modern theologians, as well as feminist, halakhic, Talmudic, linguistic, biblical, Chasidic, mystical, and historical perspectives.
My People’s Prayer Book is a momentous multi-volume series that opens up the traditional Jewish prayer book (the Siddur) as a spiritual resource. Commentaries by respected teachers from all perspectives of the Jewish world provide the spiritual messages that make up the Siddur.
Sometimes awe-striking, sometimes surprising, but always deeply spiritual, My People’s Prayer Book is a gateway to the riches that the heritage of prayer offers us in our worship, and in our lives.
The seventh volume celebrates Shabbat as a central family ritual, tracing the development of this loosely structured liturgy from early prayer books that draw on the classical rabbinic era, through medieval Jewish practice and the influence of Lurianic mysticism. Pausing to explore the key moments that mark this sacred time―Erev Shabbat with Kiddush, Kiddusha Rabbah, and Motsa’ei Shabbat with Havdalah―Shabbat at Home captures the joy of this holy day’s prayers, blessings, and z’mirot (table songs), emphasizing the renewal of home liturgy in Jewish life and reinforcing the importance of Shabbat in the Jewish conception of time.
Vol. 7―Shabbat at Home features the traditional Hebrew text with a new translation that lets people know exactly what the prayers say. Introductions explain what to look for in the prayers, and how to truly use the commentaries to find meaning in the prayer book. Commentaries from eminent scholars and teachers from all movements of Judaism examine Shabbat at Home from the viewpoints of ancient Rabbis and modern theologians, as well as a myriad of other perspectives.
Even those not yet familiar with the prayer book can appreciate the spiritual richness of Shabbat at Home. 
Each volume of My People’s Prayer Book provides a new translation of the authentic Hebrew text, with diverse and exciting commentaries to the traditional liturgy, written by many of today’s most respected scholars and teachers from all perspectives of the Jewish world.
This stunning work, an empowering entryway to the spiritual revival of our times, enables all of us to claim our connection to the heritage of the traditional Jewish prayer book. It helps rejuvenate Jewish worship in today’s world, and makes its power accessible to all.
Contributors include:
Marc Brettler • Michael Chernick • Elliot N. Dorff • David Ellenson • Ellen Frankel • Alyssa Gray • Joel M. Hoffman • Lawrence A. Hoffman • Lawrence Kushner • Daniel Landes • Nehemia Polen

My People's Prayer Book, Vol. 7: Traditional Prayers, Modern Commentaries---Shabbat at Home

Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman

Marc Brettler

Judaism

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Books by Elliot N. Dorff