Bøker utgitt av Kodesh Press

Torah Song seeks to grasp the seemingly impenetrable mechanism of biblical poetry and to access the essential theological function that it plays in the Torah. Mining the poetry of the Torah for its theological gems necessitates that we acknowledge Torah poetry and prose to be fundamentally distinctive literary forms. Poetry, unlike prose, precludes the possibility of pinning it down in an absolute sense. Its allure derives from a certain indefinable harmony between articulation and intimation, best expressed in the language of the fine arts as impressionism. The shift in genre from 'realism' to 'impressionism' calls for an interpretive approach that relinquishes the insistence upon restrained exactitude, thereby allowing for analytical spontaneity. Torah Song articulates a groundbreaking interpretive methodology specific to the unique needs of biblical poetry and demonstrates the poetry of the Torah to function as a loosely connected, broad meditation on Israel's unmitigated acceptance of God's earthly domain, קבלת עול מלכות שמים, within their role as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדוש, caretakers of the divine covenant.

Psyched for Torah bridges the timeless teachings of Torah with the transformative power of modern psychology. This groundbreaking book illuminates the weekly parsha by integrating traditional Jewish sources-such as the Talmud, Rashi, Rambam, Netziv, and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks-with insights from contemporary psychological pioneers like Martin Seligman, Albert Bandura, Carol Dweck, and Daniel Kahneman. Through this dynamic fusion of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science, Rabbi Dr. Schiffman offers readers practical tools to enhance their emotional well-being, build character, and grow spiritually.Highlights and Examples from the Parshiyot: Bereishit: Explore the psychological implications of the "original marshmallow test," as Adam and Chava's struggle with self-control in the Garden of Eden mirrors modern research on delayed gratification and its role in long-term success.Noach: Discover how acts of kindness, as demonstrated by Noach's care for the animals in the ark, cultivate resilience and emotional health, supported by studies linking altruism to longevity and mental well-being.Vayeishev: Learn from Yosef's remarkable ability to reframe trauma into a positive narrative, connecting his rise to power in Egypt with modern strategies for resilience and post-traumatic growth.Shemot: Delve into Moshe's leadership and his refusal to become a "bystander," analyzing his proactive interventions in moments of injustice through the lens of social psychology's "bystander effect."Bo: Reflect on the psychological power of "fake it till you become it" as Bnei Yisrael, freshly freed from slavery, are commanded to act like royalty during the korban Pesach-building confidence and identity through behavioral transformation.Key Features: Ancient Meets Modern: Gain fresh perspectives on Torah stories by connecting Jewish commentators like Ramban, Sforno, and Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch with contemporary research on positive psychology, emotional intelligence, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.Actionable Insights: Apply lessons from the parshiyot to cultivate gratitude, manage anxiety, foster humility, and enhance self-awareness.Practical Strategies: Engage with step-by-step applications for character development, using the Torah's teachings to address real-life challenges such as conflict resolution, emotional regulation, and finding purpose.Rabbi Dr. Schiffman's essays transform the Torah into a practical guide for navigating the complexities of modern life. From understanding Avraham's proactive approach to conflict resolution in Lech Lecha to learning mindfulness techniques from Bnei Yisrael's "shortness of breath" in Va'era, this book offers tools to help readers become the best version of themselves.Psyched for Torah is ideal for Torah learners, educators, students, and anyone interested in the intersection of spirituality and psychology. Whether you're exploring the weekly parsha for inspiration or seeking actionable steps for self-improvement, this book is an invaluable resource for personal and spiritual growth.About the AuthorRabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman is a clinical psychologist, educator, and author who bridges Jewish wisdom with modern psychology. He holds semicha from Yeshiva University and a doctorate in psychology from St. John's University.An assistant professor at Yeshiva University's Azrieli Graduate School, he is also a therapist and writer, known for his book, Psyched for Torah: Cultivating Character and Well-Being Through the Weekly Parsha. Rabbi Dr. Schiffman lives in Brooklyn, New York, inspiring others through teaching, writing, and counseling.

More than three centuries after Baruch Spinoza's excommunication from the Jewish community of Amsterdam, his legacy remains contentious. Born in 1632, Spinoza is one of the most important thinkers of the Enlightenment and arguably the paradigm of the secular Jew, having left Orthodoxy without converting to another faith. One of the most unexpected and provocative critiques of Spinoza comes from Leo Strauss. Strauss grew up in a nominally Orthodox home and emigrated from Germany to the United States in the 1930s. He taught at the University of Chicago and was one of the most influential political philosophers of the twentieth century until his death in 1973. Though Strauss was not an Orthodox Jew, in a well-known essay that prefaced his study of Spinoza, he critically examines modern philosophy's challenge to traditional religion. There he argues that while the Enlightenment had failed to decisively refute Orthodoxy, at the same time, Orthodoxy could only claim to believe its core tenets were true but could not claim to know they were true. Strauss leaves the question at an impasse; both the Enlightenment and Orthodoxy rest on axioms that neither side can fully prove or fully refute. Curiously, Strauss never asks Orthodox Jewish thinkers if his approach to defending Judaism against the claims of the Enlightenment is the same as theirs. This volume poses the question to a group of serious Orthodox Jewish thinkers in an attempt to find out if Orthodoxy has a better answer to the questions raised by Strauss than the one Strauss advanced on its behalf. The seventeen essays in this volume use a variety of approaches, drawing on traditional primary Jewish sources like Scripture, Talmud, and Midrash; medieval rationalists like Maimonides; Enlightenment-era Orthodox sources; Jewish mystical writings like Kabbalah and Chasidut; modern philosophical movements including postmodernism and analytic philosophy; and contemporary Jewish Bible interpretation. While the answers differ, what unites these essays is the willingness to take Strauss' question seriously and to provide "inside" answers, that is, answers given by Orthodox Jews. Much of modern thought tries to square the circle of how to live in a world without belief. The better question is whether it is possible to recover authentic religious belief in the modern world. This volume is an Orthodox Jewish attempt to answer that question, one that no serious person can approach with indifference. Table of ContentsSpinoza, Strauss, Meno and Maimonides - Jack AbramowitzAn Argument for Business-Men - Shalom CarmySpinoza: A Superb Intellect Sacrificed on the Altar of Human Arrogance - Avraham EdelsteinReason, Faith, and the Overcoming of Shame: Can Maimonides Still Serve as a Model of Inquiry into the Rationality of Jewish Belief? - Paul FranksCommitment to Judaism in the Modern Era - Joshua GoldingThe Validity of Religious Experience in a Post-Kantian World - Alec GoldsteinLeo Strauss and the Lure of Orthodoxy, or, How to "Awaken a Prejudice" - Mark GottliebThe Nature and Pursuit of Truth in Different Cultural Contexts - Jeremy KaganBelief and Knowledge - Ari KahnWhy Revelation but Not Orbiting Teapots? - Moshe KoppelIs it Rational to be an Orthodox Jew? - Samuel LebensWhy Should a Jew Choose Belief? - Simi PetersKnowledge, Morality, and Maimonides' Elusive Quest for Objective Truth - Shmuel PhillipsSaving Faith: Reviving Nineteenth-Century Responses to Haskalah in the Twenty-First Century - Gil StudentLeo Strauss, Spinoza, and the Meaning of Tradition - Meir TriebitzOrthodoxie and the Oral Law - Joshua I. Weinstein"The Foundation of Foundations and Pillar of All Knowledge" One Needs Belief in order to Reason, Not Reason to Believe - Eliezer Zobin

Mitchell First's 66 short articles address questions about the Hebrew language, Jewish history and liturgy.