Uncovering Judaism’s Soul: An Introduction to the Ideas of the Torah

By Rabbi Michael Grossman

Why are we here? What is the point of all our efforts? And can our activities and endeavors really bring us true happiness? Rarely in our complex world do we have the opportunity to consider the larger picture, and for those who wish to gain some understanding of the traditional Jewish approach to these and similar questions, the task can be daunting.

Uncovering Judaism’s Soul provides answers to these basic philosophical questions, and it bases these answers on original Jewish source material. Judaism is complex, and traditional Jewish religious literature is vast—for the uninitiated, the basic answers are difficult to find. Furthermore, the original sources are written in Hebrew and Aramaic, and although English translations exist for many of the better-known works, much has not been translated. With help, however, answers to fundamental questions can be uncovered:

Why did God create the universe?
What is the purpose of human life?
How can a person find fulfillment in life?...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Mar 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781483465708

Book preview

Uncovering

Judaism’s

Soul

An Introduction to the

Ideas of the Torah

Rabbi Michael Grossman

Copyright © 2017 Rabbi Michael Grossman.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6569-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6571-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-6570-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017902269

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 02/09/2017

Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1 God, The Creator

Chapter 2 In The Image Of God

Chapter 3 Guidance From God

Chapter 4 God’s Charge To His People

Chapter 5 God’s Nation

Conclusion

Classic Torah Sages Frequently Cited In This Work

Bibliography

Dedicated to the memory of my parents, Abner and Doris Grossman, and to the memory my teacher, Rabbi Henach Leibowitz.

Acknowledgments

T his book began as a project to write a short, concise work describing the basic philosophy and outlook of Judaism for my family. I then thought that if I provided a bit more explanation and avoided the use of various Hebrew terms, I could create a work that was accessible to the general Jewish public.

However, once I had begun writing, I realized how challenging this effort would be. My goal was to create a book that presented profound concepts clearly but succinctly. It required that I spend a great deal of time on every sentence to ensure that it conveyed the idea that I was presenting exactly as I intended. Many people are responsible for inspiring me and encouraging me to complete this work.

First and foremost is Rabbi Henach Leibowitz, of blessed memory, who was the dean of Yeshivas Yisroel Meir HaKohen (the Rabbinical Seminary of America) for more than sixty-six years, along with the entire faculty and staff of that institution. In addition to allowing me to study the Torah texts in great depth, Rabbi Leibowitz and his faculty inculcated in me the methods and techniques for examining these works carefully and deeply as they had learned to do from the Torah sages of previous generations. Rabbi Leibowitz also encouraged his students to involve themselves with Jewish education and service to the Jewish community in whatever way that they could. His emphasis on helping the Jewish people inspired me to write this book. Rabbi Moshe Chait, of blessed memory, the late dean of the Israel branch of Yeshivas Yisroel Meir HaKohen, also had a profound influence on me when I began my studies there. I am also very grateful to him for reviewing my presentation of one of his lectures in chapter 4 of this book.

One rarely knows how significant an effect he or she has had on others. I thank all my friends and colleagues, who are too numerous to mention by name, for the advice (some of which I actually took!) and encouragement they gave me to complete this effort. I really appreciate your help. Your words and advice were far more helpful than you probably realize.

The suggestions that come from one’s family are always valuable since family members will generally be quite candid. Furthermore, their support during this project proved invaluable. I thank my children, Suri and Yaacov Cohen, Avi and Toby Grossman, and Essie and Yaakov Berkovich, whose suggestions and encouragement allowed me to persevere in this endeavor. In particular, Avi is responsible for chapter 5. I must also mention Sally Kalson, of blessed memory, the late wife of my brother-in-law, who first reviewed this work and gave me valuable criticism, suggestions, and much encouragement. Sally was an exceptionally bright and talented journalist and a wonderful human being.

Most of all, I want to thank my wife, Nanci, for her advice, encouragement, patience, and for reviewing this book. She has been my support for many years, wherever life has taken us.

Michael Grossman

Baltimore, MD

August 2016

Preface

W e live in an age of confusion. Despite impressive advances in science and technology, people today are ambivalent about such fundamental areas as the meaning of life and ethical and moral standards. People have become disconnected from the teachings and philosophies of previous generations. In particular, the average Jew in America is almost completely unfamiliar with the basic tenets of traditional Judaism—i.e., the ideas and values found in the traditional texts of rabbinic literature and embraced