A cornucopia of culture, this book is filled with Yiddish expressions and proverbs; traditions of love, marriage, food, and children; home remedies and cooking; manners and morals; religion; folk tales; and superstitions (bubbe meises). It also includes colorful accounts by people from all walks of life, including two rabbis, a cantor who is a seventh-generation Sabra, comedy writers, and journalists -- all recalling their own formative years and the Jewish influence in their lives.Whimsically illustrated by Jan Golden, this is a warm historical treasure for all Americans. Traveling down the road of nostalgia, the reader doesn't have to be Jewish to enjoy Empty the Ocean with a Spoon. But it couldn't hurt.

Invariably, people who read Scripture are forced to answer the question, "What is the 'literal sense'?" This question is not new. In the seventeenth century, John Lightfoot--signer of the Westminster Confession of Faith and a master of Hebrew and of rabbinic writings--wrestled with the same question, and his conclusions had a profound impact in the world of hermeneutics. In an age of much animosity towards the Jews, Lightfoot embraced the insights found in the Jewish writings while staying grounded in his reformational dogmatic theology. In so doing, his exegesis could properly be considered a via media between Reformed Scholasticism and Judaism. Lightfoot's hermeneutical principles and presuppositions outlined in this book not only provide valuable insight into his thinking but also reject the previously normative notion that Reformed Scholasticism has little to offer dogmatically or exegetically. The current tensions between systematic and biblical theology, the rise of interest in Second Temple and medieval Judaica, and the never-ending question of biblical authority make What Is the Literal Sense? an important read.

All that we know of Jesus and his original message is derived from a few ancient texts, among which the Gospel According to Mark is particularly fascinating and often perplexing. Mark, the shortest of the four Gospels of the New Testament, came first and planted the seeds of thought from which the Christian tradition has grown. We gain insight into the Gospel as we begin to let go of assumptions rooted in long familiarity. The Seminal Gospel is an exploration of Mark and an extended personal reflection on what his telling of the story of Jesus can mean to us today. It reproduces the King James Version of Mark’s text in forty chapters, providing commentary that is explanatory and insightful. It draws broadly on the author’s literary, historical, and theological interests.

In The Empty Ocean, acclaimed author and artist Richard Ellis tells the story of our continued plunder of life in the sea and weighs the chances for its recovery. Through fascinating portraits of a wide array of creatures, he introduces us to the many forms of sea life that humans have fished, hunted, and collected over the centuries, from charismatic whales and dolphins to the lowly menhaden, from sea turtles to cod, tuna, and coral. Rich in history, anecdote, and surprising fact, Richard Ellis’s descriptions bring to life the natural history of the various species, the threats they face, and the losses they have suffered. Killing has occurred on a truly stunning scale, with extinction all too often the result, leaving a once-teeming ocean greatly depleted. But the author also finds instances of hope and resilience, of species that have begun to make remarkable comebacks when given the opportunity. Written with passion and grace, and illustrated with Richard Ellis’s own drawings, The Empty Ocean brings to a wide audience a compelling view of the damage we have caused to life in the sea and what we can do about it. "

“The World After Alice is a lovely debut novel that glimmers with fine writing and notes of human insight. There's a quiet beauty to Lauren Aliza Green's work, and I am now a fan.” —Ann Napolitano, New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful “A page-turner of a family drama. The World After Alice is at turns brutally honest, funny, and deeply empathic.” —Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake Named One of Forbes’s 2024 30 Under 30 in Media For readers of Seating Arrangements and The Most Fun We Ever Had, a gorgeous and gripping story of two families brought together to celebrate an unexpected marriage, twelve years after a devastating tragedy upended their lives When Morgan and Benji surprise their families with a wedding invitation to Maine, they’re aware the news of their clandestine relationship will come as a shock. Twelve years have passed since the stunning loss of sixteen-year-old Alice, Benji’s sister and Morgan’s best friend, and no one is quite the same. But the young couple decide to plunge headlong into matrimony, marking the first time their fractured families will reunite since Alice’s funeral. As the arriving guests descend upon the tranquil coastal town, they bring with them not only skepticism about the impromptu nuptials but also deep-seated secrets and agendas of their own. Peter, Morgan’s father, may be trying to dissuade his daughter from saying “I do,” while Linnie, Benji’s mother, introduces a boyfriend who bears a tumultuous past of his own. Nick, Benji’s father, is scheming to secure a new job before his wife—formerly his mistress—discovers he’s lost his old one. Morgan, too, carries delicate secrets that threaten to jeopardize the happiness for which she has so longed. And as for Benji—well, he’s just trying to make sure the whole weekend doesn’t implode. As the whirlwind weekend unfolds, old passions reignite, deep wounds resurface, and unearthed secrets threaten to shatter the fragile peace the wedding promises. With each new revelation, the to-be-weds and their complicated families are forced to question just how well they know the ones they hold dear.

A first-person account, of thoughtful, healing and provocative excursions into the material and spiritual realms of existence while under the influence of cannabis sativa. Captured in words by Ganja and given to Louis to be the journal keeper, we read of journeys into the positive use, as contrasted to abuse, of a gift bestowed upon humans by the gods. Be it described as a plant teacher or a weed, marijuana has been used across cultures throughout the ages to reveal multiple realms of consciousness, and to introduce new ways of being to those who have come to respect its powers and accord marijuana the reverence it deserves in order to unleash its full potential to make of life a rapturous experience.

Journal entries that tell of a joyous daily existence, awareness of eternal truths, sexual ecstasy and spiritual enlightenment are to be found within the pages of this book as we read of Ganja´s travels into the land of "Deep Spirit and Great Heart," where we come to realize that heaven is not a place, but a state of consciousness.

A powerful collection of writings about Yom Kippur that will add spiritual depth and holiness to your experience of the Day of Atonement. As Rosh Hashanah ends and you look ahead to Yom Kippur, what do you think about? The familiar melody of Kol Nidre? The long hours of fasting? The days of self-examination? You know that the Day of Atonement is the holiest on the Jewish calendar, but sometimes it just feels long, tiresome and devoid of personal meaning. The readings in this book are for anyone seeking a deeper level of personal reflection and spiritual intimacy—and a clearer understanding of just what makes Yom Kippur so holy. Drawn from a variety of sources—ancient, medieval, modern, Jewish and non-Jewish—this selection of readings, prayers and insights explores the opportunities for inspiration and reflection inherent in the themes addressed on the Day of Atonement: sin, forgiveness, repentance, spiritual growth, and being at one with self, family, community and God. These readings enable you to enter into the spirit of Yom Kippur in a personal and powerful way while they uplift and inform. They will add to the benefits of your High Holy Day experience year after year.

Explore like a scientist with this illustrated ocean guide for kids ages 8 to 12 Dive into the big blue sea with Ocean Anatomy Activities for Kids! Travel around the world and down into the deep with illustrations and diagrams that show you how the different parts of the ocean work together. As you read about our amazing aquatic universe, you'll learn how to think like a marine scientist. Ocean Anatomy Activities for Kids goes beyond other marine biology books with: The world underwater—Discover 20 lessons that teach you about everything from kelp forests to coral reefs. Awesome activities—See ocean science in action with fun experiments like creating mini ocean currents and finding out what makes fish float. Your own ocean journal—Answer cool questions after each activity to figure out even more about what makes the ocean so special. Learn all about marine life as you journey the seas with this colorful kids' guide to ocean anatomy.