From the prizewinning Jewish Lives series, a compelling and lucid account of the life and teachings of a founder of rabbinic Judaism and one of the most beloved heroes of Jewish history Born in the Land of Israel around the year 50 C.E., Rabbi Akiva was the greatest rabbi of his time and one of the most important influences on Judaism as we know it today. Traditional sources tell how he was raised in poverty and unschooled in religious tradition but began to learn the Torah as an adult. In the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 C.E., he helped shape a new direction for Judaism through his brilliance and his character. Mystic, legalist, theologian, and interpreter, he disputed with his colleagues in dramatic fashion yet was admired and beloved by his peers. Executed by Roman authorities for his insistence on teaching Torah in public, he became the exemplar of Jewish martyrdom. Drawing on the latest historical and literary scholarship, this book goes beyond older biographies, untangling a complex assortment of ancient sources to present a clear and nuanced portrait of Talmudic hero Rabbi Akiva. About Jewish Lives: Jewish Lives is a prizewinning series of interpretative biography designed to explore the many facets of Jewish identity. Individual volumes illuminate the imprint of Jewish figures upon literature, religion, philosophy, politics, cultural and economic life, and the arts and sciences. Subjects are paired with authors to elicit lively, deeply informed books that explore the range and depth of the Jewish experience from antiquity to the present. In 2014, the Jewish Book Council named Jewish Lives the winner of its Jewish Book of the Year Award, the first series ever to receive this award. More praise for Jewish Lives: "Excellent." –New York Times "Exemplary." –Wall Street Journal "Distinguished." –New Yorker "Superb." –The Guardian

Rabbi Akiva: Sage of the Talmud (Jewish Lives)

Biographies & Memoirs

Holtz, Barry W.

Historical

Yale University Press

1984, softcover, 448 pages, illustrated with some photographs of Jewish text pages, measures about 9 1/8 inches X 6 inches. "Back To The Sources is the best and most comprehensive introduction available for the study of traditional Jewish texts. Each of the volume's chapters is lively, accurate, informed, and enthusiastic. A reader equipped with this volume is in a superb position to return to the lasting sources of Jewish written culture." ~ Harold Bloom, Sterling professor of Humanities, Yale University

Back to the sources: Reading the classic Jewish texts

Reference

Encyclopedias & Subject Guides

Summit Books

Discusses how the sacred texts and writings of the Jewish tradition can address the concerns of contemporary life

Finding Our Way

Religion & Spirituality

Judaism

Schocken

Holtz, Barry W., Finding Our Way: Jewish Texts And The Lives We Lead Today

Finding Our Way: Jewish texts and the lives we lead today

Offers an annotated bibliography of books about Judaism, Jewish history, American Jews, the Holocaust, Israel, Zionism, Jewish mysticism, Hebrew and Yiddish literature, and Jewish customs

The Schocken Guide to Jewish Books: Where to Start Reading about Jewish History, Literature, Culture and Religion

The ancient rabbis believed that the world rests on three pillars: study, worship, and good deeds. It is said that the greatest of these is study, for it leads to the other two. But exactly how does the modern Jewish reader go about studying the Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash—the great ancient and often hard-to-comprehend texts of our tradition? And how do we glean the great insights and wisdom from these sacred texts, which inspired our ancestors, and apply them to our modern lives? With guidance from renowned author and educator Barry Holtz, these ancient texts take on new meaning for us. He provides a framework for exploring our thinking about God, prayer, and ritual, as well as social issues, such as charity, friendship, and justice. His new study guide helps readers and study groups launch their exploration of the ancient texts, posing probing questions to help them stay engaged as they pursue their quest for a deeper understanding of their faith. This spiritual and spirited book, a sequel to Holtz’s classic Back to the Sources, is a must-read for adult Jewish learners and educators alike.

Finding Our Way: Jewish Texts and the Lives We Lead Today

History

World

JEWISH PUBLICATON SOCIETY

"Textual Knowledge" is for anyone teaching the Holy Scriptures of the Jewish people. Although it explores things central to Jewish education, it can't but be also be of interest to educators from other religious traditions and for those teaching the Bible in secular institutions such as universities. The reason for it is because the primary thrust of this work is not so much the Bible, but its pedagogy - to make it deeper, richer, more thoughtful and thus more powerful for students of any age and in any setting.

Textual Knowledge: Teaching the Bible in Theory and in Practice (Jewish Education)

Christian Books & Bibles

The Jewish Theological Seminary Press

Rabbi Akiva. L'uomo saggio del Talmud

Bollati Boringhieri

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Books by Holtz, Barry W.