Witnesses to the One: The Spiritual History of the Sh'ma

An exploration of Judaism's most sacred statement and world-changing idea. "Hear O Israel, the Eternal is Our God, the Eternal is One!" There is arguably no more important statement in Judaism than the Sh'ma. Its words―calling us to hear, to listen, to pay attention―defy direct translation and have meant different things throughout history. In a deeply personal exploration of this sacred proclamation, command, and prayer, Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler delves into the spiritual history of the Sh’ma, inspiring you to claim your own personal meaning in these enduring words. By examining how the Sh’ma has been commented upon by ancient sages and contemporary thinkers, he opens the doors between each generation that has found a different dimension of truth in the Sh’ma. Each chapter focuses on a major historical figure and includes a sacred story, an exploration into the story’s many meanings, and a suggestion for a new way of "hearing" the voice in the story. Experience the Sh’ma through the lives of: w Moses―Fighting Idolatry w Akiba ben Joseph―The Sages Offer Their Lives w Saaida Gaon―Proving the One w Moses Maimonides―Nothing Like God w Haim Vital―Communing with the One w Moses Haim Luzzatto― “Master of the Universe” w Abraham Isaac Kook―A Nation Reborn w Leo Baeck―One Moral Standard w Abraham Joshua Heschel―A Prophecy: “One World or No World”

Religion & Spirituality

Meszler, Rabbi Joseph B.

Judaism

Jewish Lights

A Man's Responsibility: A Jewish Guide to Being a Son, a Partner in Marriage, a Father and a Community Leader

What is Jewish men's spirituality? In today's world, is it necessary? 
A provocative look at how a new generation of Jewish men can grow spiritually, and in doing so, strengthen the intangible bonds of family, love, duty and truth which ultimately lead to God. It unearths the male stereotypes that exist in Judaism and color our expectations for what it means to be a Jewish man in today’s world. It examines Jewish sources that reveal the traditional life cycle of a man―from son to partner in marriage to father―and in doing so uncovers the ideals that define being a Jewish man. It also views Jewish men within the context of a sacred community and what that means for the sacred obligations of manhood.

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

An exploration of Judaism's most sacred statement and world-changing idea. "Hear O Israel, the Eternal is Our God, the Eternal is One!" There is arguably no more important statement in Judaism than the Sh'ma. Its words―calling us to hear, to listen, to pay attention―defy direct translation and have meant different things throughout history. In a deeply personal exploration of this sacred proclamation, command, and prayer, Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler delves into the spiritual history of the Sh’ma, inspiring you to claim your own personal meaning in these enduring words. By examining how the Sh’ma has been commented upon by ancient sages and contemporary thinkers, he opens the doors between each generation that has found a different dimension of truth in the Sh’ma. Each chapter focuses on a major historical figure and includes a sacred story, an exploration into the story’s many meanings, and a suggestion for a new way of "hearing" the voice in the story. Experience the Sh’ma through the lives of: w Moses―Fighting Idolatry w Akiba ben Joseph―The Sages Offer Their Lives w Saaida Gaon―Proving the One w Moses Maimonides―Nothing Like God w Haim Vital―Communing with the One w Moses Haim Luzzatto― “Master of the Universe” w Abraham Isaac Kook―A Nation Reborn w Leo Baeck―One Moral Standard w Abraham Joshua Heschel―A Prophecy: “One World or No World”

Find spiritual strength for healing in the wisdom of Jewish tradition.
Whether you are facing illness yourself, serving as a caregiver, providing pastoral care, or simply wondering where God is when we get sick, the teachings and wisdom of Jewish tradition can help you cope with the difficulties of illness and infirmity.
With a format designed to accommodate the stressful life of people dealing with illness, Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler helps you focus on spiritual well-being as an essential aspect of physical healing and wholeness. He provides comfort and inspiration to help you maintain personal balance and family harmony amid the fear, pain, and chaos of illness. Combining the stories of real people with insights from Jewish sources, he offers practical advice and spiritual guidance for:
<ul>
<li>Reaching inward to the soul when the body fails</li>
<li>Reaching outward to provide strength, comfort and compassion to the ill or infirm</li>
<li>Reaching upward to God through prayer and daily gratitude</li>
</ul>

Facing Illness, Finding God: How Judaism Can Help You and Caregivers Cope When Body or Spirit Fails

The JGuy's Guide: The GPS for Jewish Teen Guys

Who am I? How do I feel about myself? Do I seem cool? Do I fit in? "At a bar mitzvah people talk about becoming a man in the Jewish religion, but what is that supposed to mean? For sure it means you are no longer a child, but you are also not yet an adult. Fortunately, there's no one official definition of manhood, just as there is no one official way of being Jewish. That's where this book comes in." --from the Preface Courage, friends, stress, sex, God, identity--these are some of the things that concern teen guys. This book addresses those concerns--without preaching, judgment or criticism--to help you figure out what becoming a Jewish man means to you. It presents surprising facts, interesting stories, ideas and actions taken by Jewish men today and all the way back to biblical times to show how they answered the same kinds of questions you're asking yourself. It challenges stereotypes and myths, and offers different opinions, not only from old guys but from dozens of teenage Jewish guys just like you. Like the Talmud, The JGuy's Guide offers many perspectives and reflection questions to help you find your own truths.

Heiman, Diane

Suneby, Liz

Reinharz, Dr. Shulamit

A Hebrew-English sourcebook for a course on the philosophy of Moses Maimonides (1135-1204).

Studies in Rambam: A Sourcebook Taken from the Writings of Moses Maimonides

Independently published

"Rabbi Meszler has compiled here an array of powerful texts pertaining to social justice as Jews have written and lived this commitment over centuries. He is insightful in his selections, thoughtful in his commentary, and he has provided a great resource for those of us writing and speaking to this issue." - Ruth Messinger, Global Ambassador for American Jewish World Service "This book is an incredibly helpful resource for all teachers of Torah and pursuers of justice. Thank you Rabbi Meszler for doing the hard work of collecting meaningful texts and formulating the right questions. I recommend it for all teachers and students of Torah and justice.' - Rabbi David Jaffe, Author of Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change When making ethical decisions, we each have two gifts available to us: an individual conscience and the wisdom of past generations. In Jewish tradition, this wisdom is captured in the literature of the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) and the Rabbis. This book is for teachers and students who would like to explore classic Jewish laws and stories to address today's questions. Teachers can use this book in their lesson plans, or people can use these passages for their own private study. Some of the questions included are: How should people who commit crimes be treated? What obligations do we have to the environment? What should our response be to immigrants and refugees? Under what circumstances may we wage war? May we end life to end suffering? Should we give money to someone begging on the street? This sourcebook can be easily used by teens and adults. Guide questions will help direct your thinking and hopefully prompt more questions of your own. Rabbi Meszler is a congregational rabbi, teacher of all ages, activist, and writer. He is the author of several books, including: Gifts for the Poor: Moses Maimonides' Treatise on Tzedakah (College of William & Mary), Witnesses to the One: the Spiritual History of the Sh'ma, (Jewish Lights Publishing), and The World of the Rabbis (CreateSpace).

Jewish Tradition & Justice Today: A Sourcebook of Classic Jewish Texts

Religious Studies

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Meszler, Rabbi Joseph B.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Meszler, Rabbi Joseph B.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Meszler, Rabbi Joseph B.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Witnesses to the One: The Spiritual History of the Sh'ma

A Man's Responsibility: A Jewish Guide to Being a Son, a Partner in Marriage, a Father and a Community Leader

Witnesses to the One: The Spiritual History of the Sh'ma

Facing Illness, Finding God: How Judaism Can Help You and Caregivers Cope When Body or Spirit Fails

A Man's Responsibility: A Jewish Guide to Being a Son, a Partner in Marriage, a Father and a Community Leader

A Man's Responsibility: A Jewish Guide to Being a Son, a Partner in Marriage, a Father and a Community Leader

The JGuy's Guide: The GPS for Jewish Teen Guys

Studies in Rambam: A Sourcebook Taken from the Writings of Moses Maimonides

Jewish Tradition & Justice Today: A Sourcebook of Classic Jewish Texts