kosher bookworm: alan jay gerber

‘The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values’ a must-read

Posted

The literary work that is my subject for the next few weeks is entitled, “The Encyclopedia of Jewish Values” (Urim Publications, 2015), a series of essays on some of the most provocative subjects of contemporary interest, by Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel.

Rabbi Amsel is graduate of Yeshiva University, ordained a rabbi by HaRav Joseph B. Soloveitchik, zt”l, whose career centered for over 30 years on the enhancement of Jewish education all over the world. This book goes a long way in helping us to understand issues that confront us in our daily lives and are regularly discussed and debated in the public arena (including gun control and legalized gambling and the use of lotteries, will be my focus in upcoming columns). 

This week I will focus on my interview with Rabbi Amsel wherein you will get a measure of his intellectual prowess.

Rabbi Amsel explained his book’s purpose:

“In working with youth and adult Jews in over 30 countries, from every shade of Jewish belief, the one thing that unites us all is a sense of shared Jewish values. But specifically what those values are is difficult for most Jews to articulate, except words like ‘chessed’ or ‘ethical monotheism.’ There was no one book, certainly not in English, that specifically defines and explains those values that are normative to Judaism, that are reflected in halacha, Talmud and most midrashim. That was one motivation for this book, to elucidate what ‘Jewish values’ really means. And unlike most things that divide us, there is not, for the most part, any difference between Jews when it comes to Jewish values.

“Second, most people, even practicing Jews, view Judaism as, what I call, a ‘child’s religion,’ i.e. it is a religion of blessings, prayers and holidays. Or it can be called the ‘orach chayim (way of life) religion.’ They do not view Judaism as a way of life that affects them each day as adults. Thus, the basis for the writing of this book.

Page 1 / 3