Book Recommendation: "A ZADDIK IN OUR TIME - Rabbi Aryeh Levin"

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I have been living in Jerusalem for almost 15 years (with a few short breaks in between) but have hardly ever written about one of the most famous local Rabbis: Rabbi Aryeh Levin who used to live and teach in the Nachlaot neighbourhood. Although Rabbi Levin already passed away in 1969, he has left an unforgettable impression and we miss him until today.

If you want to know more about one of the great people of Jerusalem, here comes my book recommendation:

A ZADDIK IN OUR TIME by Simcha Raz

Available through FELDHEIM or in Jerusalem at the Pomeranz Bookstore for 120 Shekels.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

THE JEWS - "People of the Book"

In front of a Jewish religious bookstore in Mea Shearim / Jerusalem.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Where to find "Migdal Oz" by Rabbi Yaakov Emden

Bookstore in Rabbi Akivah Street / Bnei Brak

Photos: Miriam Woelke

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I am a bit behind with all my blogging, as I have been busy preparing a couple of longer articles. Yesterday I had to go to appointment in Ramat Gan (next to Tel Aviv) and, as Ramat Gan is very close to haredi Bnei Brak, I walked all the way over to Rabbi Akivah Street and did my Bnei Brak trip. A brief one, as I only wanted to find a specific book, I haven't got hold of in Mea Shearim / Ge'ulah yet.

In Bnei Brak, I walked into two haredi hardcore bookstores but I was told that they don't have the book available. The good thing is that I already have the book on PDF File but in bad print. So, I thought that when I buy it, I am going to have an easier reading. However, I still haven't succeeded in finding "MIGDAL OZ" by Rabbi Yaakov Emden. Meaning, I either go to the library and order it, try another Mea Shearim bookstore or just be happy with my PDF File. Maybe one of you has an idea where I can purchase the book. Nor necessarily online but either in Jerusalem or Bnei Brak. 

As I cannot leave a bookstore without buying anything, I was happy to find chassidic teachings on Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur as well as SEFER TIFERET ISRAEL by the Maharal. Those books are a great help for the blog articles I am preparing.

Have a great Schabbes everyone. Now I need to clean and cook for Shabbat.:-) The usual Friday routine and I wish it was done already.:-)

Book Recommendation

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Some readers may not like this particular book recommendation; I, on the other hand, have nothing against him and do enjoy reading his books. Natan Slifkin was facing a tremendous controversy after publishing his books on animals and creation.You can go to his website ZOOTORAH and learn all about it and him.

Here are two of his books I recommend reading. Especially SACRED MONSTERS where Natan Slifkin refers to unicorns, mermaids, sea monsters, the Shamir, dragons or werewolves. Its an interesting reading and for those of you who, for one reason or another, won't get his books: I am going to refer to some of his content in my blog articles. 

What Natan Slifkin did in his books is providing the reader with all kinds of sources. He definitely did his homework.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Book Recommendation: AHAD HA'AM - Selected Essays

Photos: Miriam Woelke

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It doesn't always have to be Theodore Herzl although he may be the most famous Zionist. Despite his long beard, Herzl was not a religious but secular Jew and his plan was the foundation of a secular State of Israel. He also intended to introduce the German language as the country's first language. This would be great for me but too late. German is my mother - tongue but I have already learned Hebrew for many years.

I am not too much into Herzl but very much prefer another Zionist called "Ahad Ha'Am" (Asher Zvi Hirsch Ginsberg, 1856 - 1927). Last year, I visited his grave in Tel Aviv. 

Asher Ginsberg came from a frum family, went somehow off - the - derech but, in his thoughts, never totally forgot about religion. His goal was a Jewish state with Hebrew as first language and Judaism should play an important role. The Jews should live their own Jewish identity and not just found another country like anyone else in the world. The Ahad Ha'Am stressed Jewish values and has left a vast literature. Today I bought some of his essays but there is actually an entire Ahad Ha'Am library in Tel Aviv. He is not an easy subject and writing about him means tremendous research. However, little by little, I will get there.

Ahad Ha'Am Street in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Hebrew Book Recommendations

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I would like to recommend some books I recently purchased. They are written in Hebrew but many of you may know the language well enough. 

The first book comes from the famous Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach (passed away in 2001). In his book, Rabbi Shach refers to the Ba'alei Teshuva and their efforts as well as difficulties to return to G - d. In the course of time, I am going to publish different ideas from the book. Especially how Ba'alei Teshuva should deal with their former environment and how to overcome the Yetzer Ha'Rah.

The second book I would like to recommend:

The history and generations of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin as well as of his Yeshiva.

And the third book:

Soon we are going to enter the "Bejn HaMetzarim" and I am going to publish some Midrashim and further comments from this book. It includes a great collection from all kinds of sources on the three weeks.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

FREE Download of Jewish Books

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Those of you who don't want to search libraries or Batei Midrash: Thousands of Jewish books are ready for a free download. The site is great and I just downloaden MIGDAL OZ by Rabbi Yaakov Emden. The downloads also save you lots of money, as you don't need to buy the books.:-)

http://hebrewbooks.org/

"HaRabbi miLubavitch - The Rebbe"

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The book is considered as controversial by quite a few people. Especially by Chabad itself. 

Its been already two years, since the famous book written by Menachem Friedman and Shmuel Heilman was published. The two wrote a critical book about the two last Lubavitcher Rebbes, the sixth and the seventh Rebbe. Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchak Schneersohn and his son - in - law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. 

Photo: Miriam Woelke

The book is called "HaRabbi miLubavitch" (in the Hebrew edition) and "The Rebbe: The life and the afterlife of Menachem Mendel Schneerson" (in the English edition). The book arouse controversy, as it describes the "secular" lifestyle of Rebbe Menachem Mendel while he was studying in Berlin and Paris. Furthermore, the question is being asked how Chabad - Lubavitch could turn from a relatively small chassidic group into a gigantic enterprise ?

I just bought the Hebrew edition but those of you would like to have a look into the English version can go HERE !

Further links:

The New York Times about the book

A critical response to the book

I am going to read the books and will discuss some parts of it on this blog.

Hebrew Book Week 2012

The "Hebrew Book Week" in Tel Aviv last year.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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Last night, Israel's annual HEBREW BOOK WEEK started and you can find all kinds of details HERE (in Hebrew only). Every year in June, the book week is taking place and most books are, as the name says, in Hebrew. However, you may also find quite a few English books and just have to find those stands. 

The book week includes all subjects: Novels, computer literature, science fiction, Judaism, children's books, science, anything you can imagine. At some stands you are able to buy books cheaper than in bookstores. Many Israelis get so excited and just buy books according to kilogram.

In earlier days, the HEBREW BOOK WEEK used to be an important event. Entire families were walking up and down the stands in order to buy as much as they could. The the Israeli book discounter "Zomet HaSefarim" opened its many branches starting a new business concept. They wanted to beat their greatest competitor "Steimatzky" and thus offered all kinds of Hebrew books for an unbeatable price. "Steimatzky" saw its customers running to "Zomet HaSefarim" and was forced to react. Today all branches of both book stores offer four books for 100 Shekels (approx. 25 - 30 Dollar). Just to give you an idea: Before all those special offers were introduced, a regular Hebrew novel was sold for 84 or even more Shekels. Hebrew books used to be expensive whereas English books were sold for a much cheaper price.

"Hebrew Book Week" in Tel Aviv (2011)

Photo: Miriam Woelke

No wonder that Israeli authors are upset, as their books are being sold for a few Shekels only. Not enough to live from anymore but the customers like it cheap. Famous authors such as David Grossman, Amoz Oz or Ronit Matalon can be found protesting at Jerusalem's Zion Square on 14 June. I don't know the exact time but, in case I find out, I will let you know !

Those of you living in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv: 

In Jerusalem, the book week is taking place at the BELL PARK (Gan HaPa'amon) at Keren HaYessod. The daily opening hours are from 6pm - 11pm. Fridays closed and Mozzaei Shabbat open.

As usual, the book week in Tel Aviv is taking place at RABIN SQUARE. The opening hours are the same as in Jerusalem.

Private Library

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A tiny part of my religious book collection including some computer cabels hanging around. Most of my books are "Sifre Koidesh" but I do have "worldy books" too. Mainly about politics and history.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Searching our own personal Chametz

"OZAR HA'MOADIM" - A collection of Poskim on Pessach. I just bought this great book in Bnei Brak.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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The book includes "Hilchot Pessach" from the "Shulchan Aruch - Code of Jewish Law", "Hilchot Pessach" from the "Mishna Berura", Pessach commentaries from the ZOHAR, Pessach commentaries from the Bnei Yissachar, the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezritch, Chesed le'Avraham, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polonnoye, the Noam Elimelech, Beer Mayim Chaim, Ma'or veShemesh, the Sfat Emet as well as Minhagim from different Zaddikim. 

Rabbi Yaakov Yosef from Polonnoye, the famous student of the Baal Shem Tov:

Before Pessach, the Jews are busying themselves with cleaning the house from any Chametz (forbidden grains and grain products such as wheat, rye, oats, spelt, barley, beer, noodles, etc). Entire families hardly stop scrubbing anything in the household but what about the Chametz inside of us ? 

Before the holiday starts, we should sit down and think about our own personal Chametz and how we get rid of it. In Judaism, Chametz also stands for our Yetzer HaRah (the negative side in each of us) and our task is to overcome our evil Yetzers. The night before Pessach, when we do "Bedikat Chametz - The search for the Chametz", we should take some time and search the Chametz inside of us.

Rescue FELDHEIM Israel !

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One of the greatest publishers of religious Jewish books, FELDHEIM (Israel), may go bancrupt. The haredi site "Be'Chadre'i HaCharedim" reported about it first and commentators on the article claimed that FELDHEIM (Israel) has debts around 15 Mio Shekels (approx. 4 Mio US $). Others claim even more debts.

However, there are many Rabbi and authors supporting FELDHEIM

Without FELDHEIM, many thousands of books would have never been published.

If I may add a reason: For me, FELDHEIM books were always a little expensive and, as soon as I was became fluent in Hebrew, I was glad buying Hebrew books from Israeli publishers. FELDHEIM is brilliant but does have its price. Sometimes a very high price of hundreds of Shekels and not every Yeshiva student is able to afford such books.

Writer Naomi Ragen guilty of Plagiarism

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After four years, the Jerusalem District Court finally finds the American - Israeli writer Naomi Ragen guilty of plagiarism. She apparently copied sentences and paragraphes from the books of the haredi writer Sarah Shapiro who took Mrs Ragen to court. 

I can surely understand Mrs Shapiro, as there is hardly anything worse for a writer when than his content getting stolen. "Copy & Paste" - this is how many other writers work today. The same with journalists and self - appointed researches who only do research by stealing content from others, as they themselves have nothing to offer.

As soon as I take content from others or pictures, I do give the source because it is honest and I wouldn't feel comfortable taking credit for things which are not my own. 

Regarding Naomi Ragen: I think she started quite well with her book "The Sotah" and "Jephte's Daughter" but afterwards she didn't have much more to offer anymore. Also because she is not haredi but national religious and thus she was never able to offer new and updated content. What she needs is another great success and it is her who knows it. Especially now when she has to pay a high fine to Sarah Shapiro and thus needs money.

The Story of the RAMBAM as Comic

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Google Books publishes a book telling the story of the Rambam (Maimonides, Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 1135 - 1204) in a comic version. The author is Robert Avrech.

http://books.google.com/books?id=MvrhQY120_kC&pg=PA4&dq=yitzchak+alfassi&hl=en&ei=JmskTvXMC8WD-wbdkqGXAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=book-thumbnail&resnum=1&ved=0CCwQ6wEwAA#v=onepage&q=yitzchak%20alfassi&f=false

Exhibition: The HOLY LAND in the 19th Century

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The JEWISH NATIONAL LIBRARY at the Hebrew University Compound in Jerusalem (Givat Ram) is running an exhibition about the history of the HOLY LAND (Israel) in the 19th century. 

 

The American writer Herman Melville (Moby Dick) on the Jews in, what is now called Israel.

Already in the early 19 hundreds, Christian missionaries made their way to Israel.

A Christinan missionary school in Yaffo (near Tel Aviv) in 1870.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Arresting Rabbi DOV LIOR

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Rabbi Dov Lior, (photo left) Chief Rabbi of Hebron and the nearby Kiryat Arba, is not as controversial as his Wikipedia may state. Secular Israeli Jews might follow the opinion that Rabbi Lior is an “extremist”; the religious world, however, sees him as a Rabbi who stands up and knows his job.

Yesterday (Monday), Rabbi Dov Lior got arrested by the Israeli police but was released after a few hours. The reason for the arrest was his refusal showing up at the police in order to state why he agrees with the book “Torat HaMelech” published by Rabbi Yitzchak Shapira.

Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Rabbi Dov Lior is not above Israeli law but has to keep it as every other citizen. Religious society including the two Chief Rabbis Jonah Metzger (Ashkenazi) and Shlomo Amar (Sephardi) protested against the arrest.

For about a year now, many secular Israelis, especially the left – wing media, is going wild about the book “Torat HaMelech” by Rabbi Yitzchak Shapira. 

“The book should be banned and all people involved thrown into jail !” – so the proclamation of Israel’s left – wing media. The press as well as the Shabak (internal secret service) have been running a witch – hunt against parts of the national religious and settler movement.
 
It is possible that certain statements appearing in the book could be seen as controversial but one has to understand the halachic background. Instead of dealing with the subject in a religious matter, the left, including opposition leader Zipi Livni, has behaving like a bull in a china shop without any understanding what the book is really about.

In 2009, the Israeli Rabbi Yitzchak Shapira published his book “Torat HaMelech” where he is making some statements such as “Jews have the right to kill Gentiles when they are endangering Jews. Israel’s press as well as the international media, however, just picked the headline “Jews can kill Gentiles !” Without any explanation of the entire context and meaning. This way, haters of Jewish religion started another campaign against Jewish Orthodoxy.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu definitely has his own interests because he is striving for further peace talks with Abu Mazen. The negative publicity about “Torat HaMelech” could "endanger" the peace process and Netanyahu also wants to show his “good will” towards the Palestinians. Thus, those national religious settler “fanatics” need to be punished. Nevertheless, Abu Mazen himself is not even interested in sitting together with Netanyahu.

It goes without saying that Rabbi Dov Lior is not above the law and should have gone to the police in order to make a statement why he endorsed Rabbi Shapira’s book. However, everyone now planning to complain about the book’s statements should ask himself whether he has actually read and understood the book instead of making propaganda about a topic he has no clue whatsoever.

Sefer Kushiot: Why Avraham and Yaakov received new names from G - d

Photos: Miriam Woelke

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I love those questions asked and answered in SEFER KUSHIOT. Basically the entire book consists of Q & A. Here is a short example:

Why did Avraham and Yaakov receive new names from G - d whereas Yitzchak's name was never changed (by G - d) ?

Anyone has an answer ?

If not, look into the book.:-)

Lecturing Judaism

My Parashat HaShavua (Torah Portion) Preparation

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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I am a person who has always been sitting down with books. As a matter of fact, I grew up with books and nothing has changed until today. However, for the past 14, 15 years, I have almost exclusively studied "Sifrei Koidesh - Jewish Religious Books". Gemara in a professional litvishe women's seminary and some courses at Bar Ilan University. I have participated in an academic university course about "Jewish Symbolism" but I have remained a Yeshiva person. I am not at all into Chavrutah but going to lectures of great Rabbis and sometimes university professors. I love it when the lecturers are professional and really know their field ! In other words, I am not wasting my time with people lecturing who actually know nothing and will always remain Internet Content Thieves as well as Wikipedia Fans.

Once I went to a lecture of such a person at the "Orthodox Union" in Jerusalem. A lecturer quite known in the modern "Orthodox" Anglo world. Whatever the person said sounded interesting although the person concentrated on many subjects at the same time. As a scholar or student in Judaism, you cannot do this but limit your research. However, some people don't even bother with research.

There were some subjects this particular lecturer mentioned and I became interested. As I always do, I got the right books in order to find out more. To my regret, I realized that he had made some vital mistakes. One huge mistake regarding the false Meshiach Shabtai Zvi and I noticed that this mistake has its roots in a Wikipedia site. Since, I am not too excited anymore about going to "any" class but choose lecturers according to their knowledge, background and amount of research. There are plenty of people lecturing and trying to sell any subject but do they really have a clue about what they are talking ?

I also think that certain specific information should not be published but remain within a small circle. After all those years of study, I have topics which I wouldn't publish and even if, only parts of it.

Photos: “Shavua HaSefer Ha’Ivri – Week of the Hebrew Book” in Tel Aviv

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This early evening, I went to Rabin Square (Kikar Rabin) in Tel Aviv where the "Hebrew Book Week" is taking place until June 25th. Further details on the "Book Week" elsewhere in the country HERE !

I didn't come to buy anything, as I have plenty of books at home which I still haven't read. What I was trying to do is finding the religious book stands. Chabad has a stand. Especially offering TANYA.:-)

Security check at the entrance.

Chabad at the book fair.

The stand of the half - religious Bar Ilan University

In my opinion, the most interesting stand at the book fair: The settlers who were thrown out of Gush Katif in 2005. I spoke to one of them and received incredible details. 

More on this I am going to publish in my next article !

 Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Israel: "Shavua HaSefer HaIvri - The Hebrew Book Week" 2011

June 2010: The Hebrew Book Fair at Kikar Rabin in Tel Aviv.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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Yesterday evening, the annual "Shavua HaSefer Ha'Ivrit - The Hebrew Book Week" opened its gates until 25th June 2011. The book fair has a long and important tradition in Israel where Israelis usually buy books by kilogram. During the Hebrew Book Week, books may be purchased much cheaper than thoughout the year.

Nevertheless, within the past two years, the Israeli book market has undergone vital changes. The two largest bookstore chains "Zomet HaSefarim" and "Steimatzky" are having a war and fight for each customer. First, "Zomet HaSefarim" started selling popular pocket books for half price and even less. The competitor "Steimatzky" had no choice and started its campagne "Buy one book and get the second for half price". 


Under normal circumstances, Hebrew books in Israel are rather expensive and even book in English are cheaper than a book in Hebrew. It goes without saying that Israelis started running to "Zomet HaSefarim" as soon as regular books were being sold under price. As you can imagine, Israeli book authors went wild and started complaining to the government. The bookstores as well as the customers didn't care but enthusiastically went for the special offers. Including myself.

There are special offers at the book week event but, at the same time, the two bookstore chains offer the same; if not cheaper than the stands at the fair. This is what I experienced last year. The books at the fair were still expensive and afterwards I went to "Zomet HaSefarim" in Dizengoff Center (Tel Aviv) where I got a much better offer for buying some of the books. 

Photo: Miriam Woelke

The Hebrew Book Week has its own Website where you can find further information. Including the addresses of the fairs in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheva, Netanya, Kfar Saba, Petach Tikwa, Ramat Gan, Modi’in, Ramat HaSharon and Ra’anana.

In Tel Aviv, the Hebrew Book Week is taking place at Rabin Square (in front of the municipality building.There are also haredi fairs these days and you can find them in haredi shopping areas such as Rabbi Akiva Street in Bnei Brak or around Kikar Shabbat / Malchei Israel Street in Ge'ulah (Jerusalem).