RELIGIOUS FAITH. From a religious point of view, Abraham appears to us, after the lapse of nearly four thousand years, as the most august character in history. He may not have had the genius and learning of Moses, nor his executive ability; but as a religious thinker, inspired to restore faith in the world and the worship of the One God, it would be difficult to find a man more favored or more successful.

In 'Beacon Lights of History: Jewish Heroes and Prophets' by John Lord, readers are taken on a compelling journey through the lives of significant figures in Jewish history. Lord's literary style is both informative and engaging, providing detailed accounts of the lives and contributions of these heroes and prophets within the context of their time. The book offers a rich historical backdrop, shedding light on the cultural and religious practices of the Jewish people throughout history. Lord's meticulous research and vivid storytelling make this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of the Jewish people. The author's dedication to highlighting the often overlooked contributions of Jewish heroes and prophets is evident throughout the book, showcasing his passion for bringing their stories to light. Through his detailed narratives, Lord brings these historical figures to life, providing readers with a deeper understanding of their significance. I highly recommend 'Beacon Lights of History: Jewish Heroes and Prophets' to readers who are eager to explore the rich tapestry of Jewish history and gain insight into the lives of these remarkable individuals.

A collection of traditional Jewish legends from the earliest times, stories of the rabbis, and tales from the communities of medieval Europe.

Prophets of the Past is the first book to examine in depth how modern Jewish historians have interpreted Jewish history. Michael Brenner reveals that perhaps no other national or religious group has used their shared history for so many different ideological and political purposes as the Jews. He deftly traces the master narratives of Jewish history from the beginnings of the scholarly study of Jews and Judaism in nineteenth-century Germany; to eastern European approaches by Simon Dubnow, the interwar school of Polish-Jewish historians, and the short-lived efforts of Soviet-Jewish historians; to the work of British and American scholars such as Cecil Roth and Salo Baron; and to Zionist and post-Zionist interpretations of Jewish history. He also unravels the distortions of Jewish history writing, including antisemitic Nazi research into the "Jewish question," the Soviet portrayal of Jewish history as class struggle, and Orthodox Jewish interpretations of history as divinely inspired. History proved to be a uniquely powerful weapon for modern Jewish scholars during a period when they had no nation or army to fight for their ideological and political objectives, whether the goal was Jewish emancipation, diasporic autonomy, or the creation of a Jewish state. As Brenner demonstrates in this illuminating and incisive book, these historians often found legitimacy for these struggles in the Jewish past.

The spiritual teachings of Israel’s biblical prophetesses from a kabbalistic perspective • Explores the lives and symbolic significance of seven female prophets: Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Chanah, Avigail, Chuldah, and Esther • Uses the gematria of Jewish metaphysics to demonstrate that prophecy is a mystical initiatory path by which Divine Will is made known, not only a tool for telling the future • Presents practical applications of kabbalistic teachings for spiritual development The seven prophetesses of Israel--Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Chanah, Avigail, Chuldah, and Esther--lived between 1800 and 350 BCE. Their combined lives reflect a kabbalistic path of spiritual evolution that is as pertinent to our lives today as it was for the biblical communities in which they lived. From her studies of the Torah and classical gematria, Zohara Hieronimus shows that each prophetess is linked to a Sefirah on the kabbalistic Tree of Life: from creation (Sarah) through learning correct moral action (Devorah) to the promise of redemption and ultimately resurrection (Esther). Using the stories of their lives and teachings, Hieronimus reveals the relationship of each prophetess to the seven days of the week, the seven sacred species of Israel, the human body, and Jewish holidays and rituals. This book presents the kabbalistic teachings of these holy women and what they reveal about the initiatory path of individual development and redemption. The seven prophetesses show that every person has a part to play in the repair of the world, and Hieronimus gives a practical set of maps and spiritual guidelines for that journey.

Beacon Lights of History, Volume 02: Jewish Heroes and Prophets By John Lord

"Devoted to the legacy of the biblical prophets, identifies the prophetic moment in the lives of 18 biblical characters, offers up an intimate view of their inner thoughts, illuminates their ethical legacies, and challenges each of us to walk the path of the prophets today"--

Judaism and Disability delves into all of the ancient texts and their explications, including the Tanach, the Hebrew acronym for the Jewish Bible, the Mishnah, considered the foundation of rabbinic literature, and the Bavli, the Babylonian Talmud. Instead of imposing a contemporary consciousness upon these archaic works, this carefully researched book presents their viewpoints as written, in an effort to understand why they expressed the sensibilities that they did.

"A masterpiece of contemporary Bible translation and commentary."—Los Angeles Times Book Review, Best Books of 1999 Acclaimed for its masterful new translation and insightful commentary, The David Story is a fresh, vivid rendition of one of the great works in Western literature. Robert Alter's brilliant translation gives us David, the beautiful, musical hero who slays Goliath and, through his struggles with Saul, advances to the kingship of Israel. But this David is also fully human: an ambitious, calculating man who navigates his life's course with a flawed moral vision. The consequences for him, his family, and his nation are tragic and bloody. Historical personage and full-blooded imagining, David is the creation of a literary artist comparable to the Shakespeare of the history plays.