Happiness in Premodern Judaism

Happiness in Premodern Judaism PDF Author: Hava Tirosh-Samuelson
Publisher: Hebrew Union College Press
ISBN: 087820105X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 609

Book Description
It is not common to think that Jews were interested in happiness or that Judaism has anything to say about happiness. On the contrary, the concept of happiness was a central concern of Jewish thinkers. Hava Tirosh-Samuelson shows that rabbinic Judaism regarded itself primarily as a prescription for the attainment of happiness, and that the discourse on happiness captures the evolution of Jewish intellectual history from antiquity to the seventeenth century. These claims make sense if one understands happiness as human flourishing on the basis of Aristotle's thought in the Nichomachean Ethics. Linking virtue, knowledge, and well-being, Aristotle's analysis of happiness can be traced in Jewish understanding of human flourishing as early as the Greco-Roman world, but the fusion of Greek and Judaic perspectives on happiness reached its zenith in in the Middle Ages in the thought of Moses Maimonides and his followers. Even the controversies about Maimonides' ideas could be viewed as discussions about the meaning of happiness and the way to attain it within Judaism. Much of this book, then, concerns the reception of Aristotle's Ethics in medieval Jewish philosophy. This book shows how a certain notion of happiness reflects the intellectual culture of a given period, including cultural exchanges among Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Demonstrating the discourse on happiness as a dramatic interplay between Wisdom and Torah, between philosophy and religion, between reason and faith, Hava Tirosh-Samuelson presents, to specialists and non-specialists alike, a fascinating tour of Jewish intellectual history.

Happiness the Jewish Way

Happiness the Jewish Way PDF Author: Olga Gilburd
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781514111246
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 402

Book Description
Happiness the Jewish Way is an easy-to-follow guide to lasting happiness. It offers practical tips sprinkled with witty tales, jokes and quotes from philosophers, scientists, rabbis and comedians. It will help readers of all backgrounds cultivate such traits as self-esteem, positive attitude, and resilience. With clarity and humor, Olga Gilburd shows the path to becoming the master of your happiness, and offers an interesting, inspiring and sometimes surprising insight into the Jewish culture along the way."If happiness is an art, then Olga has mastered it. A perfectly easy guide to living a happy life." - Sabina Singer, MA, life coach, motivational speakerThis is a great self-improvement book for you and it makes a thoughtful gift for any occasion.

Jewish Spiritual Parenting

Jewish Spiritual Parenting PDF Author: Rabbi Paul Kipnes
Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing
ISBN: 1580238211
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 218

Book Description
Spiritually nourishing approaches to help you become more insightful, inspired parents and raise soulfully engaged children. Kipnes and November share their hard-won parenting techniques and spirit-filled activities, rituals and prayers to help you cultivate strong Jewish values and cherished spiritual memories in your own family.

The Happiness Prayer

The Happiness Prayer PDF Author: Evan Moffic
Publisher: Hachette UK
ISBN: 147891808X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 208

Book Description
At age 30 Evan Moffic became the leader of a large congregation. He had great success. But he couldn't find happiness. Then he found a 2000-year-old prayer. In it were hidden elements of Jewish wisdom. They became a part of his life and those of his congregation and transformed them and him. What if we had a clear path to follow when life disappointed us? What if we had a time-tested guide for a life of deeper meaning and happiness? That is what Rabbi Moffic discovered in an ancient Jewish prayer. Based on ten practices any person can follow, the prayer has helped thousands of people-couples, teenagers, empty nesters struggling with loss, divorce, and ruptured relationships-find renewed meaning and purpose in their lives. Moffic discovered the power of the prayer when he was called to become the youngest rabbi to lead a large US synagogue at just thirty years of age. The prayer became his guidepost, providing him with the wisdom to lead beyond his years. By incorporating the power of this prayer into his life and using it to guide his congregation and community, he became known as "the smiling rabbi." In the tradition of Rabbi Harold Kushner, Rabbi Evan Moffic opens up the Jewish wisdom tradition with insights for today. Drawing from interactions with thousands of congregants, as well as his own experience; relating stories of real people; providing accessible commentary from contemporary psychologists; and sprinkling in warm humor, this rabbi of a new generation reveals the means and meaning of joyous living that will appeal to everyone.

Covenant and Conversation

Covenant and Conversation PDF Author: Jonathan Sacks
Publisher: Maggid
ISBN: 9781592640218
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
In this second volume of his long-anticipated five-volume collection of parashat hashavua commentaries, Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks explores these intersections as they relate to universal concerns of freedom, love, responsibility, identity, and destiny. Chief Rabbi Sacks fuses Jewish tradition, Western philosophy, and literature to present a highly developed understanding of the human condition under Gods sovereignty. Erudite and eloquent, Covenant Conversation allows us to experience Chief Rabbi Sacks sophisticated approach to life lived in an ongoing dialogue with the Torah.

Seasons of Our Joy

Seasons of Our Joy PDF Author: Arthur I. Waskow
Publisher: Beacon Press
ISBN: 9780807036112
Category : Cooking
Languages : en
Pages : 276

Book Description
Circling the Jewish calendar from Rosh Hashanah to Tisha B'Av, this lively, accessible guide includes rituals, recipes, songs, prayers, and suggestions for new approaches to holiday observance."A wonderful blend of information and innovation that will help readers find both traditional a

Chag Sameach!

Chag Sameach! PDF Author: Patricia Schaffer
Publisher: Tabor Sarah Books
ISBN: 9780935079166
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 32

Book Description
Text and photographs featuring multiracial, single-parent, and other families introduce such Jewish holidays as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Purim.

Happiness Is a Serious Problem

Happiness Is a Serious Problem PDF Author: Dennis Prager
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0061744883
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 196

Book Description
In this unique blend of self-help and moral philosophy, perfect for fans of Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project or Dan Harris’ 10% Happier, talk-radio host Dennis Prager shows us that happiness isn’t just a value—it’s a moral obligation. When you ask people about their most cherished values, “happiness” is always at the top of the list. In this enduring happiness manifesto, Prager examines how happiness not only makes us better people, but has an effect on the lives of everyone around us—providing them with a positive environment in which to thrive and be happy themselves. Achieving that happiness won't be easy, though: to Prager, it requires a continuing process of counting your blessings and giving up any expectations that life is supposed to be wonderful. "Can we decide to be satisfied with what we have?" he asks. "A poor man who can make himself satisfied with his portion will be happier than a wealthy man who does not allow himself to be satisfied." Prager echoes other political commentators in complaining that too many people today see themselves as victims; he submits that the only way to achieve your desires is to take responsibility for your life rather than blaming others. If you're willing to put some thought into achieving a happier outlook, you will find plenty to mull over in Happiness Is a Serious Problem.

Not in God's Name

Not in God's Name PDF Author: Jonathan Sacks
Publisher: Schocken
ISBN: 0805243356
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 320

Book Description
***2015 National Jewish Book Award Winner*** In this powerful and timely book, one of the most admired and authoritative religious leaders of our time tackles the phenomenon of religious extremism and violence committed in the name of God. If religion is perceived as being part of the problem, Rabbi Sacks argues, then it must also form part of the solution. When religion becomes a zero-sum conceit—that is, my religion is the only right path to God, therefore your religion is by definition wrong—and individuals are motivated by what Rabbi Sacks calls “altruistic evil,” violence between peoples of different beliefs appears to be the only natural outcome. But through an exploration of the roots of violence and its relationship to religion, and employing groundbreaking biblical analysis and interpretation, Rabbi Sacks shows that religiously inspired violence has as its source misreadings of biblical texts at the heart of all three Abrahamic faiths. By looking anew at the book of Genesis, with its foundational stories of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Rabbi Sacks offers a radical rereading of many of the Bible’s seminal stories of sibling rivalry: Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, Rachel and Leah. “Abraham himself,” writes Rabbi Sacks, “sought to be a blessing to others regardless of their faith. That idea, ignored for many of the intervening centuries, remains the simplest definition of Abrahamic faith. It is not our task to conquer or convert the world or enforce uniformity of belief. It is our task to be a blessing to the world. The use of religion for political ends is not righteousness but idolatry . . . To invoke God to justify violence against the innocent is not an act of sanctity but of sacrilege.” Here is an eloquent call for people of goodwill from all faiths and none to stand together, confront the religious extremism that threatens to destroy us, and declare: Not in God’s Name.

Jewish Matters

Jewish Matters PDF Author:
Publisher: Feldheim Publishers
ISBN: 9781568711881
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 164

Book Description
In this lightweight, Pocketsize book, twenty-three Jewish leaders, thinkers, and educators offer their insights and knowledge on topics as varied as relationships, prayer, mysticism and happiness. These are twenty-three essays worth reading--because being Jewish matters.