Please note: Ive placed the newsletter here and in the attachment. Enjoy. Wendy
Dear Friends, Query regarding Sefer Igrot Moshe, on shulkhan arukh with reponsa of/by R Moshe Feinstein zl, vol 9, which has just been published by the Moshe Feinsein Foundtion, FDR Drive NY, NY. Its in Hebrew. Scholarly, modern, treatment of halakha by the recognized (modern orthodox Ashkenazi) posek. Its published in the US and its been quite a few years since the last volume. Last year Dr. Benjamin Brown published an important and scholarly work on the Hazon Ish, entitled, Hazon Ish ha-posek ha-maamin ve-manhig.., Hazon Ish the halakhist, beliver, leader of the Haredi Revolution. The important book is published by Magnes, (Cat. # 77767), was nearly 1000 pages. The book is about R Avraham Karlitz the author of and known as, the Hazon Ish. Recently we have seen a 38 page photocopied Haredi polemic against the book. The article entitled, Dehiat smol lesefer ha-mehkar shel Dr B. Brown al ha-Hazon Ish, is by Yehoshua Halevy Levin from Bene Berak. The work accuses Dr. Brown of producing a presumptuous arrogant work which misunderstands and misrepresents the philosophy, teaching and work of the Hazon Ish while capitalizing on his reputation and name. The work condemns the assumptions and inferences of the work. The article contends that Dr. Browns academic work is baseless and ignores the testimony, of the disciples of Rabbi Karlitz in favor of the authors assumptions. The work seems to minimize and discount Dr. Browns contention that there were disputes and even criticism of the Hassidic Admorim, by the Hazon Ish and that the Hazon Ish was not naïve/tamim but rather worldly, although from secondary sources. The work disputes matters such as the portrayal of differences between the Lithuanian (Litvak) and Hassidic streams of orthodox Judaism, the development of the Kollel, and even the sources of the so called Hobbes ian social contract aspects of R Karlitz philosophy. In addition, the article disputes any tensions in Rabbi Karlitzs marriage. I am reminded of a book called the making of a Gadol years ago which was banned because, in part, it described the relationship between R Kotler and his wife in romantic ways not acceptable to part of the ultra-orthodox world. This is an important example of grey material which is significant for understanding of the thinking of different groups, streams of Jewish thinking, as well as, secular, religious and political issues in the 20-21st Century CE. (Cat 78491 $ 8.00 ) Sefer Hesed le-Avraham, the title means little and is in fact misleading as the book is on the Sefer Gilgule Neshamot of R Menachem Azaria of Fano (17th Cent CE Kabbalist) ed/by David Sibony. The book includes translations of Aramaic into Hebrew, an index and copious, footnotes/cites, commentary and explanation. Cat. 78600 $ 23.00 Interestingly, to emphasize the confusing nature of this field, let us note that we have just seen and distributed (simultaneously) a new edition of Sefer Hesed le-Avraham, the Kabbala classic, from the late 16th Cent CE by Rabbi Avraham Azulai the sage of Fez Morocco. This is a new edition, self published, in Jerusalem by the editor and author of the accompanying new commentary, R Yosef ha-Cohen. Cat. # 78554 $ 24.00 On the subject of classics which many libraries may already have but are noteworthy, Sefer ha-emunot ve-ha-Daot, written by Sadia Gaon (in the 11th Cent CE, If memory serves), in Arabic and translated into Hebrew by R Yehuda Ibn Tibbon. The book is in square print with vocalization (nikkud) and has some short subject abstracts / subject headings. The two points here are, first, the book is published by Yerid Hasafarim, a known, reputable publisher and it is a classic that will likely be wanted by any Judaica library that doesnt have a copy. (last ed. 1987) Cat. 78757 $21.00 Please note that Mossad Harav Kook ha published, Hikre Yahadut, by Rabbi Dr. Shimon Federbush. The book is serious and scholarly and covers Jewish Philosophy and Jewish Law from Rashi and Rambam through the Ritba, the Rashash, the Hazon Ish, Rav Uziel, Professor Araham Shalom Yehuda and Professor David Simonson. Issues from relations with Chritianity and Adolf Eichman, halakha, Talmud, Hassidut and Kabbala are analyzed. This is an important work which we recommend highly. Cat. 78797 $26.00 For those who have collections of the top, scholarly Talmud and halakha, the Institute for the Complete Israeli Talmud, has published volume 15 of Piske HaRid, on tractate (Chulin), Hulin. The work is accompanied by the Piske HARIAZ, the rulings of Rabbis Isaiah the elder and the younger, on the Babylonian Talmud, (Talmud Bavli). These are the (Jewish Law) decisions of Rabbi Yeshayahu Ditrani (hazaken) 12th-13th Cent. CE and R Yeshayahu the last, ha-aharon and has some previously unpublished material from manuscripts. The book is scholarly, with footnotes, cites and indices and the institute is part of Yad Harav Herzog, (isbn 965-446-001-7). (we have in recent years gotten past volumes) Cat. 78787 $26.00 We would love to announce, promote and offer a new book Beit ha-chaim, (tp spelling), Final Resting Place, laws and customs of Mourning among Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) Speaking Communities, by Shmuel Rafael Vivante and Moshe Elisha Bachar. The book is 106 pages, hard cover (with some photos and even a few facsimiles of book title pages) and is comprehensive from the laws and customs regarding the dying, the soul, the funeral, the burial, mourning, the shiva, gravestones, one year, sayings, psalms and more. Needless to say the book is a treasure of Judeo-Spanish, Ladino and Sephardi culture. The book is published by the Ladino Center at Bar Ilan U. It is a highly recommended jewel. Cat. 78718 $ 26.00 Finally, for now, I would like to recommend highly the new book, Ruah ha-mishpat, by Michael Avraham. The book is on the roots of Jewish and General law. The book examined Rambam, Maimonides and Ramban, Nachmanides. Also analyzed are the differences and significance of Biblical and Rabbinic law and much more. The book is serious and scholarly and is the fourth in a quartet of books by the author beginning with the book Shete Agalot ve-Kadur Poreah. Serious bibliography and index, published by Hotsaat Tam. This is an example of an important and scholarly work that might be missed by those interested only in known, academic presses. Cat. 78627 $39.00 Please let us know if you are interested in any of these. A happy Purim from all of us at Jerusalem Books ltd. Sincerely, Jeff Spitzer Jerusalem Books ltd. POB 26190, Jerusalem 91261, Israel Tel: 972-2-642-6576 Fax: 972-2-643-3580 <http://www.jerusalembooks.co.il> www.jerusalembooks.co.il <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]
Newsletter on Jewish Studies -Rabbinics from Jreusalem Books ltd -c-Feb 2012.docx
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