{"title":"Books by Israel Drazin","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"onkelos-on-the-torah-exodus","title":"Onkelos On the Torah Exodus","description":"\u003cp\u003eDescription: The legendary Onkelos translated the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic similar to that spoken by the population of Israel around 2000 years ago. Onkelos On the Torah: Understanding the Bible Text is a unique and remarkable translation and English commentary of the Targum Onkelos, the first and only rabbinically authorized translation of the Torah. The books of Genesis and Exodus, the are the first two of this five - volume set to be published. This deluxe edition, which contains the Hebrew Massoretic text, a vocalized text of Onkelos and Rashi, Haphtarot in Hebrew with an English translation from the Aramaic Targumim, a scholarly appendix, and a “Beyond the Text” exploration of biblical themes. The remaining volumes are to be published in yearly intervals.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin and Stanley M. Wagner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336182812982,"sku":"g341 \/ 341-5","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i12030.18784.jpg?v=1785304394"},{"product_id":"onkelos-on-the-torah-genesis","title":"Onkelos On the Torah Genesis","description":"\u003cp\u003eDescription: The legendary Onkelos translated the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic similar to that spoken by the population of Israel around 2000 years ago. Onkelos On the Torah: Understanding the Bible Text is a unique and remarkable translation and English commentary of the Targum Onkelos, the first and only rabbinically authorized translation of the Torah. The books of Genesis and Exodus, the are the first two of this five - volume set to be published. This deluxe edition, which contains the Hebrew Massoretic text, a vocalized text of Onkelos and Rashi, Haphtarot in Hebrew with an English translation from the Aramaic Targumim, a scholarly appendix, and a “Beyond the Text” exploration of biblical themes. The remaining volumes are to be published in yearly intervals.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin and Stanley M. Wagner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336183173430,"sku":"g342 \/ 342-3","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i12114.58163.jpg?v=1785304403"},{"product_id":"maimonides-the-exceptional-mind","title":"Maimonides The Exceptional Mind","description":"\u003cp\u003eMaimonides: The Exceptional Mind is an examination of the remarkable penetrating mind of Moses Maimonides and to his rational eye-opening thoughts. It includes ideas that are not incorporated in the usual books about this great philosopher because they are so different from the traditional thinking of the vast majority of people. It contrasts the notions of other Jewish thinkers, somewhat rational and others not rational at all. THE BOOK ADDRESSES PROVOCATIVE QUESTIONS SUCH AS: - Who was Maimonides and why do virtually all Jews consider him a genius and unique? - Are we obligated to believe all the thirteen principles that Maimonides listed? - Are Jews required to believe anything? - What is the ultimate goal that humans should strive to achieve? - Why are Jews obliged to observe Jewish practices? - Is it possible that great and respected Bible commentators like Rashi had non-rational notions in their commentaries? - What is wrong with the concept of the “chosen people”? - What is Jewish mysticism and how and when did it develop? - What are the unique views of such Jewish thinkers as Moses Maimonides, Abraham ibn Ezra, Yehudah Halevi, Moses Nachmanides, Joseph ibn Caspi, Rav of Babylonia, Joseph Bechor Schor, Baruch Spinoza, Pseudo-Aristeas and others? The reader will be surprised, if not shocked, to learn that a host of beliefs that are prevalent among the Jewish masses have no rational basis. This does not suggest that Judaism itself is irrational and absurd. Just the opposite. But many Jews have opted to believe the unreasonable and illogical conventional ideas – what Maimonides would label non-Jewish Sabian notions – because they have not been acquainted with Maimonides’ correct rational alternatives and taken the time to reflect upon it. Reviews: Dr. Israel Drazin, accomplished Targum scholar, has turned his writing skills to Maimonides, whose rationalistic approach ( “Maimonides: The Exceptional Mind ) fascinates the author. Despite the overwhelming acceptance of the Rambam’s authority, Drazin demonstrates the existence of a surprising gap between the Master’s ideas, and contemporary traditional thought and observance. Rambam describes God as withdrawing from His world after creation, for intervention would compromise the philosophic concept of His perfection. But traditional Jews do not cease to pray for God’s intervention. Rambam’s halakha does not recognize demonic forces, but those sections he eliminated from the liturgy for this reason (e.g. in Kiddush Levana) remain in the most traditional prayer books. Parts two and three of this book are devoted to exposing non-rational parts of contemporary Jewish practice (devils, demons, mysticism) despite their rejection by Maimonides. Following holiday sequence, Drazin’s revelations are fascinating eye-openers: “Demons and Sympathetic Magic in the Passover Seder” will cause many to begin reading this beautifully crafted volume from Chapter 31! The conflict between Rambam’s rationalism and popular religion is spelled out over a wide range, including passing over Rambam’s Mishneh Torah (“why did Judaism reject it”) in favor of other law codes. Drazin’s work on Maimonides is marked by disarming candor, uncompromising intellectual curiosity, penetrating original analysis, and love of Maimonides, making his thought the prism for investigating all things Jewish (“Rashi was convinced that God is corporal, that He has a body, including hands, feet, and head”). The book is written with skill and extreme clarity, uncovering true deep meanings in the Rambam’s words. Each chapter spells out questions, and summarized the discussion at the end. The physical production of the volume sets new standards of attractiveness. Israel Drazin presents us with captivating insights into Jewish intellectual history, thought, and practice, built around Maimonides, the Jewish “philosopher king”, and pivotal figure for all things Jewish for almost a thousand years. Drazin tells it like it is. The book cannot be put down! Professor Shamma Friedman , Jewish Theological Seminary and Bar Ilan University Israel Drazin has added his prolific pen to the ongoing quest for the real Maimonides. Is it the Rambam of his Code or of his Guide? Rabbi Drazin comes down squarely on the side of the rational approach of the Guide. He makes his case in an extremely well written and understandable volume entitled Maimonides: The Exceptional Mind . It is indeed a worthwhile challenge for an individual such as myself who was raised on the Code of Brisk and Volozhin. Dr. Drazin’s work is a valuable new link to the endless chain of Maimonidean scholarship, which began after the Rambam thought his writings would seal the Oral Torah. Rabbi Dr. Aaron Rakeffet , Rosh Kollel and Professor of rabbinic Literature, Yeshiva University in Israel Israel Drazin provides us with a marvelous transition from his last volume, A Rational Approach to Judaism in his latest work, Maimonides: The Exceptional Mind , by describing, in clear and lucid language, the contribution of this greatest of rationalists to Jewish thought and understanding. This is not a book for the intellectually faint of heart. It is unconventional, extraordinarily thought provoking, and has the potentiality to bring inquiring Jews back to the orbit of Jewish life. To learn about this now venerated sage from the pen of one who has devoted his life to searching for truth, is to embark on a new and exciting journey from which there can be no return to an unexamined Judaism. We are grateful to Dr. Drazin for prying open our “unexceptional minds.” Rabbi Dr. Stanley M. Wagner , Rabbi Emeritus, BMH-BJ, Denver, Colorado and Professor Emeritus, University of Denver Israel Drazin’s Maimonides: The Exceptional Mind is a passionate and provocative polemic against ignorance and blind faith in Judaism. “Jews must think for themselves. Sadly, many Jews do not adhere to this principle of Judaism.” For Drazin, Maimonides is the champion of enlightened and rational commitment to a life of Torah free from superstition and mysticism. Dr. Raphael Jospe , Department of Jewish Philosophy, Bar Ilan University Dr. Israel Drazin succeeds in presenting Maimonides’ philosophy in a manner that the average reader can comprehend. The ideas presented are clearly stated so as to induce the reader to probe his own thinking. The author and the reader are thus engaged in a profound and meaningful conversation. The book is a valuable and original contribution to the vast literature on Maimonides. Professor Bernard , Auerbach, University of Maryland\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336216629558,"sku":"424-1","price":24.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i18542.89065.jpg?v=1785304858"},{"product_id":"onkelos-on-the-torah-leviticus","title":"Onkelos On the Torah Leviticus","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe legendary Onkelos translated the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic similar to that spoken by the population of Israel around 2000 years ago. Onkelos On the Torah: Understanding the Bible Text is a unique and remarkable translation and English commentary of the Targum Onkelos, the first and only rabbinically authorized translation of the Torah. The Book of Leviticus, the third of this five - volume set to be published, contains the Hebrew Massoretic text, a vocalized text of Onkelos and Rashi, Haphtarot in Hebrew with an English translation from the Aramaic Targumim, a scholarly appendix, and a “Beyond the Text” exploration of biblical themes. About the authors: Israel Drazin is the author of seven books, five of which are on Targum Onkelos. He was the first scholar to recognize that the Targum took hundreds of items from the Tannaitic Midrashim-those that were edited around 400 C.E.-and even incorporated many words found in these Midrashim in his translation. He was able, therefore, to date the Targum Onkelos around 400 C.E., a period much later than is widely accepted, because of the Targum’s reliance upon these Midrashim. Dr. Drazin received a number of rabbinic ordinations, and earned a B.A. in theology, an M.Ed. in Psychology, an M.A. in Hebrew literature, a J.D. in law and a Ph.D. in Aramaic literature. He resides in Boca Raton and Jerusalem with his wife, Dina. Stanley M. Wagner is Rabbi Emeritus of The Beth HaMedrosh HaGadol-Beth Joseph Congregation in Denver, Colorado; Professor Emeritus at the University of Denver and Founding Director and Director Emeritus of its Center for Judaic Studies; and Founding Director and Director Emeritus of the Mizel Museum in Denver. He wrote, edited, or co-edited four volumes, A Piece of My Mind, Traditions of the American Jew, Great Confrontations in Jewish History and Great Schisms in Jewish History and was General Editor of a six volume series entitled Christian and Jewish Traditions in the 20th Century. Professor Wagner received six degrees of higher learning from Yeshiva University, including a doctorate in Jewish history. He currently resides in Jerusalem with his wife, Renee. Critic Reviews: “An enormous labor, presenting vast quantities of information, handsomely designed, user friendly and an important reference for years to come.” Intermountain Jewish News June 2006 “Learn why the sages mandated the weekly reading of Onkelos and why Rashi cites him so often.” Jewishcolorado.org March 2006 See a full discussion about this title on Dan Rabinowitz's Seforim weblog. 'The Gefen edition is very clearly printed and notated in both Hebrew and English, making it very easy to find a particular reference. On the upper right-hand page is the vocalized Hebrew text, which is printed across the full page width. Below the Biblical text is a vocalized text of the commentary by Rashi. On the left hand page, is the vocalized text of Onkelos, occupying about a third of the page's width. The volume also contains the haphtorot associated with each chapter, thus making the book ideal for use in synagogue on Shabbat. In the English translation of Onkelos the authors have printed in bold type, words, phrases or sentences that they wish to comment or elucidate. In addition, at the end of each chapter the authors have added additional notes. Yet further explanations can also be found in the appendix and these explanations are referenced in the general running commentary.' -An Isranet Book Review by Edgar Asher 'Even in the context of modern Christian philo-Semitism, a new translation of a rather specialized Hebrew classic like Onkelos, being marketed by an Israeli publisher to American Christians, is a novelty. Yet that's just what Gefen Publishing House in Jerusalem has set out to do with the release of Onkelos on the Torah: Understanding the Bible Text: Exodus (Feb.). Onkelos was a Roman aristocrat and convert to Judaism who lived just after Jesus (circa 35-120 AD). His Aramaic translation of the Pentateuch is printed in every traditional version of the Torah. In Gefen's handsome new volume and the four to follow (completing the Torah's five books), Dr. Israel Drazin and Rabbi Stanley M. Wagner translate Onkelos into modern English and supply detailed commentary on the 10,000 or so meaningful deviations the ancient translator made from the original Scriptural text. Speaking to RBL, Rabbi Drazin noted as a sign of the times the popularity of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, with its Aramaic dialogue. Will contemporary Christians pay $29.95 to read a translation from the language Jesus spoke? 'Since 1965, there has been an absolute transformation in Christian attitudes toward Judaism,' Drazin said. That year the Second Vatican Council issued Nostra Aetate which, he said, declared 'that Judaism should not be considered truncated with the birth of Christianity. That launched a search for their Jewish roots on the part of many thoughtful Christians,' both Catholic and Protestant. Gefen publisher Ilan Greenfield said, 'We were definitely thinking of the Christian market from the beginning, a market that is very much a Bible-studying market. We see that in the Christian pilgrims who come to Israel.' Two Christian stores near Buffalo, N.Y., Kairos and Bender's, surprised Greenfield by making orders of 12 and 30 books respectively—two or three times the number he would expect from a Jewish bookstore for the same title. Gefen, which is publishing 3,000 copies to begin with, is in negotiation with a U.S. Christian publisher, New Leaf Press, to distribute Onkelos here. But Christians who read the book might be in for some surprises. As Rabbi Drazin explained, Onkelos casts a light on the proper translation of texts elsewhere in the Bible. Thus in rendering Exodus 2:8, the ancient translator refers to Moses' sister Miriam as an almah, which Onkelos translates as 'girl.' The word is significant to Christians because Isaiah 7:14 speaks of an almah who 'will become pregnant and bear a son' a verse that Christians, rendering almah as 'virgin,' understand as referring to the Virgin Birth. 'We would love to reach all the Christian Bible schools,' said Greenfield. But in Onkelos, will they love all of what they find?' - David Klinghoffer, Religion BookLine Publishers Weekly, February 22 2006 Reader Reviews: 'Unfortunately, Onkelos is not always appreciated as the great interpreter he was; Indeed, every translator is also an interpreter, but no translation of the Bible has the depth and authority that comes with the interpretation of Onkelos. We are all greatly indebted to Rabbi Wagner and Rabbi Drazin for having opened up Onkelos to the English reading public.' - Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Dean of Ohr Torah Institutions “At last, the English speaking world will be able to understand why our Sages mandated the weekly reading of Onkelos and why it is imperative for us today to understand Torah through the eyes of the most accepted and popular translator of the Bible in Jewish history.” -Rabbi Yona Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel “It is a pleasure to recommend with enthusiasm this new volume… a historic translation which is more exegesis than ordinary translation. Rabbis Drazin and Wagner have added an important volume for all those who want to take Torah seriously.” -Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, President Yeshiva University 'A lucid, readable, and enlightening translation of the classic Aramaic Targum Onkelos, which has traditionally been an essential companion to the reading of Torah. Historical and exegetical perspectives are covered intelligently and helpfully, so that the reader becomes aware of the characteristics of the text, in comparison with those of other leading commentaries. An important and congenial contribution to the Judaica bookshelf.' - Dr. Avivah Zornberg author of Genesis: The Beginning of Desire and The articulars of Rapture: Reflections on Exodus 'The authors of 'Onkelos on the Torah,' in an imaginatively conceived and beautifully crafted book have shown us not only how to read Onkelos but have enriched our understanding on how the Bible itself is to be read.' - Michael Rosenak The Hebrew University, emeritus\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin and Stanley M. Wagner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336218366262,"sku":"9789652294258","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i19018.21769.jpg?v=1785304902"},{"product_id":"maimonides-and-the-biblical-prophets","title":"Maimonides: and the Biblical Prophets","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis engaging and informative book reveals unknown but true facts about the prophetical books of the Bible. Rabbis have avoided many questions raised by the seemingly improbable events in these volumes. Maimonides: and the Biblical Prophets addresses these questions and takes an open and rational look at the episodes. The book addresses provocative questions such as: What is the proper way to interpret the Torah? How does Maimonides understand the episodes of the Prophets? Did miracles such as the splitting of the Red Sea, the falling of the walls at Jericho, and the sun standing still for Joshua really occur? What assumptions cause us to misunderstand the Bible? Is there a biblical mandate prohibiting suicide? Does the Bible forbid ceding parts of the land of Israel for peace? Can children be punished for their parents’ misdeeds, and, if not, why does the Torah say that they are punished? Why does Shabbat begin at different times for men and women? Why did significant biblical leaders violate rabbinical laws? What really caused the adding of a day to holidays shortly after the time of Moses? Why does the Bible not always mean what it appears to say? Is it true that Judaism does not know what happens after death? Reviews: Israel Drazin’s Maimonides and the Biblical Prophets includes much more than the title indicates. It is a comprehensive review of many aspects of biblical thought and discusses many other fundamentals of Jewish belief. The treatment of these subjects is a rational one and is extremely interesting and thought provoking. It is a valuable contribution to the expanding literature on biblical and Maimonidean interpretation. Professor Bernard Auerbach (Retired) University of Maryland School of Law\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336510787894,"sku":"9789652294302","price":24.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i67149.93165.jpg?v=1785307887"},{"product_id":"onkelos-on-the-torah-numbers","title":"Onkelos on the Torah Numbers","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Book of Numbers, the fourth out of five- volume set to be published contains an English translation of Targum Onkelos, Commentary, Appendix, Onkelos Highlights, Beyond the Text and translation of the Haphtarot from the Aramaic Targumim with Introduction Now it is possible to discover the uniqueness and importance of the Targum, which remains the most popular translation of the Pentateuch in Jewish history. Contains a new English translation of Onkelos, with a popular commentary and scholarly appendix. Everyone who loves the Bible will want to own this set. Reviews: “In Gefen's handsome new volume, Dr. Israel Drazin and Rabbi Stanley M. Wagner translate Onkelos into modern English and supply detailed commentary on the 10,000 or so meaningful deviations the ancient translator made from the original Scriptural text.” – David Klinghoffer , Religion BookLine , Publishers Weekly\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin and Stanley M. Wagner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336523501878,"sku":"9789652294616","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i7134.170432.jpg?v=1785308138"},{"product_id":"maimonides-reason-above-all","title":"Maimonides: Reason Above All","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis thought-provoking and enlightening book uncovers unknown but true facts about Maimonides, his family and his unique, often controversial, but brilliant ideas. The reader is introduced to Maimonides’ family, people who generally failed to share his rational approach to life. The book addresses provocative questions such as: did the majority of Jews before Maimonides believe that God has a body? Why did Maimonides and many rabbis disparage women? Why did Maimonides extol intelligent non-Jews? Why don’t Jews say a prayer before such activities as having sexual relations or giving charity? Why doesn’t the Torah condemn the five suicides committed in its pages? Why were Jacob and david passive when their daughters were raped? should rational Jews observe mystical Jewish practices and say mystical prayers? This volume contains surprising facts, such as: not all Jews believe that people have “souls.” Rabbis know that we do not possess the original Torah text. Rabbis suggest that Moses’ staff had unusual magical powers. Jewish judges do not adjudicate cases according to Torah law. Many rabbis recognize that the ten plagues were not miracles. The Torah records how innocent people are killed for the misdeeds of their ancestors. dipping bread in salt is based on a superstitious fear of demons. Reviews: Praise for A Rational Approach to Judaism and Torah Commentary “In a world which increasingly downplays or even delegitimizes rational, Drazin has written the intelligent rationalist’s primer.” -Zvi Grumet, Lookstein Digest “Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin has placed every thinking person in his debt by providing us with a guide to a rational understanding of the Bible and Judaism.” Rabbi Dr. Stanley M. Wagner, Author Praise for Onkelos on the Torah “In a world which increasingly downplays or even delegitimizes rational, Drazin has written the intelligent rationalist’s primer.” Zvi Grumet, Lookstein Digest “Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin has placed every thinking person in his debt by providing us with a guide to a rational understanding of the Bible and Judaism.” Rabbi Dr. Stanley M. Wagner, Author Praise for Onkelos on the Torah “At last, the English-speaking world will be able to understand why our Sages mandated the weekly reading of Onkelos.” Rabbi Yona Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel “Historical and exegetical perspectives are covered intelligently and helpfully….An important and congenial contribution to the Judaica bookshelf.” Dr. Avivah Zornberg, Author “It is a pleasure to recommend this new volume…. Rabbis Drazin and Wagner have added an important volume for all those who want to take Torah seriously.” Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm President, Yeshiva University “An enormous labor, presenting vast qualities of information, handsomely designed, user friendly and an important reference for years to come.” Intermountain Jewish News\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336534020406,"sku":"9789652294319","price":24.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i74290.35886.jpg?v=1785308323"},{"product_id":"onkelos-on-the-torah-boxed-set","title":"Onkelos On the Torah Boxed Set","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe legendary Onkelos translated the Hebrew Bible into Aramaic similar to that spoken by the population of Israel around 2000 years ago. Onkelos on the Torah features highlighted English translation of the Targum (Aramaic Translation) Onkelos On the Torah: Understanding the Bible Text is a unique and remarkable translation and English commentary of the Targum Onkelos, the first and only rabbinically authorized translation of the Torah. The books of Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus are the first three of this five - volume set to be published. This deluxe edition, which contains the Hebrew Massoretic text, a vocalized text of Onkelos and Rashi, Haphtarot in Hebrew with an English translation from the Aramaic Targumim, a scholarly appendix, and a “Beyond the Text” exploration of biblical themes. About the authors: Israel Drazin is the author of seven books, five of which are on Targum Onkelos. He was the first scholar to recognize that the Targum took hundreds of items from the Tannaitic Midrashim-those that were edited around 400 C.E.-and even incorporated many words found in these Midrashim in his translation. He was able, therefore, to date the Targum Onkelos around 400 C.E., a period much later than is widely accepted, because of the Targum’s reliance upon these Midrashim. Dr. Drazin received a number of rabbinic ordinations, and earned a B.A. in theology, an M.Ed. in Psychology, an M.A. in Hebrew literature, a J.D. in law and a Ph.D. in Aramaic literature. He resides in Boca Raton and Jerusalem with his wife, Dina. Stanley M. Wagner is Rabbi Emeritus of The Beth HaMedrosh HaGadol-Beth Joseph Congregation in Denver, Colorado; Professor Emeritus at the University of Denver and Founding Director and Director Emeritus of its Center for Judaic Studies; and Founding Director and Director Emeritus of the Mizel Museum in Denver. He wrote, edited, or co-edited four volumes, A Piece of My Mind, Traditions of the American Jew, Great Confrontations in Jewish History and Great Schisms in Jewish History and was General Editor of a six volume series entitled Christian and Jewish Traditions in the 20th Century. Professor Wagner received six degrees of higher learning from Yeshiva University, including a doctorate in Jewish history. He currently resides in Jerusalem with his wife, Renee. Critic Reviews: “An enormous labor, presenting vast quantities of information, handsomely designed, user friendly and an important reference for years to come.” Intermountain Jewish News June 2006 “Learn why the sages mandated the weekly reading of Onkelos and why Rashi cites him so often.” Jewishcolorado.org March 2006 See a full discussion about this title on Dan Rabinowitz's Seforim weblog . 'The Gefen edition is very clearly printed and notated in both Hebrew and English, making it very easy to find a particular reference. On the upper right-hand page is the vocalized Hebrew text, which is printed across the full page width. Below the Biblical text is a vocalized text of the commentary by Rashi. On the left hand page, is the vocalized text of Onkelos, occupying about a third of the page's width. The volume also contains the haphtorot associated with each chapter, thus making the book ideal for use in synagogue on Shabbat. In the English translation of Onkelos the authors have printed in bold type, words, phrases or sentences that they wish to comment or elucidate. In addition, at the end of each chapter the authors have added additional notes. Yet further explanations can also be found in the appendix and these explanations are referenced in the general running commentary.' -An Isranet Book Review by Edgar Asher 'Even in the context of modern Christian philo-Semitism, a new translation of a rather specialized Hebrew classic like Onkelos, being marketed by an Israeli publisher to American Christians, is a novelty. Yet that's just what Gefen Publishing House in Jerusalem has set out to do with the release of Onkelos on the Torah: Understanding the Bible Text: Exodus (Feb.). Onkelos was a Roman aristocrat and convert to Judaism who lived just after Jesus (circa 35-120 AD). His Aramaic translation of the Pentateuch is printed in every traditional version of the Torah. In Gefen's handsome new volume and the four to follow (completing the Torah's five books), Dr. Israel Drazin and Rabbi Stanley M. Wagner translate Onkelos into modern English and supply detailed commentary on the 10,000 or so meaningful deviations the ancient translator made from the original Scriptural text. Speaking to RBL, Rabbi Drazin noted as a sign of the times the popularity of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, with its Aramaic dialogue. Will contemporary Christians pay $29.95 to read a translation from the language Jesus spoke? 'Since 1965, there has been an absolute transformation in Christian attitudes toward Judaism,' Drazin said. That year the Second Vatican Council issued Nostra Aetate which, he said, declared 'that Judaism should not be considered truncated with the birth of Christianity. That launched a search for their Jewish roots on the part of many thoughtful Christians,' both Catholic and Protestant. Gefen publisher Ilan Greenfield said, 'We were definitely thinking of the Christian market from the beginning, a market that is very much a Bible-studying market. We see that in the Christian pilgrims who come to Israel.' Two Christian stores near Buffalo, N.Y., Kairos and Bender's, surprised Greenfield by making orders of 12 and 30 books respectively—two or three times the number he would expect from a Jewish bookstore for the same title. Gefen, which is publishing 3,000 copies to begin with, is in negotiation with a U.S. Christian publisher, New Leaf Press, to distribute Onkelos here. But Christians who read the book might be in for some surprises. As Rabbi Drazin explained, Onkelos casts a light on the proper translation of texts elsewhere in the Bible. Thus in rendering Exodus 2:8, the ancient translator refers to Moses' sister Miriam as an almah, which Onkelos translates as 'girl.' The word is significant to Christians because Isaiah 7:14 speaks of an almah who 'will become pregnant and bear a son' a verse that Christians, rendering almah as 'virgin,' understand as referring to the Virgin Birth. 'We would love to reach all the Christian Bible schools,' said Greenfield. But in Onkelos, will they love all of what they find?' - David Klinghoffer, Religion BookLine Publishers Weekly, February 22 2006 Reader Reviews: 'Unfortunately, Onkelos is not always appreciated as the great interpreter he was; Indeed, every translator is also an interpreter, but no translation of the Bible has the depth and authority that comes with the interpretation of Onkelos. We are all greatly indebted to Rabbi Wagner and Rabbi Drazin for having opened up Onkelos to the English reading public.' - Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Dean of Ohr Torah Institutions “At last, the English speaking world will be able to understand why our Sages mandated the weekly reading of Onkelos and why it is imperative for us today to understand Torah through the eyes of the most accepted and popular translator of the Bible in Jewish history.” -Rabbi Yona Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel “It is a pleasure to recommend with enthusiasm this new volume… a historic translation which is more exegesis than ordinary translation. Rabbis Drazin and Wagner have added an important volume for all those who want to take Torah seriously.” -Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, President Yeshiva University 'A lucid, readable, and enlightening translation of the classic Aramaic Targum Onkelos, which has traditionally been an essential companion to the reading of Torah. Historical and exegetical perspectives are covered intelligently and helpfully, so that the reader becomes aware of the characteristics of the text, in comparison with those of other leading commentaries. An important and congenial contribution to the Judaica bookshelf.' - Dr. Avivah Zornberg author of Genesis: The Beginning of Desire and The articulars of Rapture: Reflections on Exodus 'The authors of 'Onkelos on the Torah,' in an imaginatively conceived and beautifully crafted book have shown us not only how to read Onkelos but have enriched our understanding on how the Bible itself is to be read.' - Michael Rosenak The Hebrew University, emeritus\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin and Stanley M. Wagner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336541458742,"sku":"9789652295217 \/ 521-7 \/ g521","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i77550.55402.jpg?v=1785308509"},{"product_id":"onkelos-on-the-torah-deuteronomy","title":"Onkelos on the Torah Deuteronomy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth of the five- volume set contains and English translation of Targum Onkelos, Commentary, Appendix, Onkelos Highlights, Beyond the Text and translation of the Haphtarot from the Aramaic Targumim with Introduction Now it is possible to discover the uniqueness and importance of the Targum, which remains the most popular translation of the Pentateuch in Jewish history. Contains a new English translation of Onkelos, with a popular commentary and scholarly appendix. Everyone who loves the Bible will want to own this set.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin and Stanley M. Wagner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336543719734,"sku":"473-9","price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i78041.92838.jpg?v=1785308542"},{"product_id":"the-drazin-maimonidies-series-3-volume-set","title":"The Drazin Maimonidies Series 3 Volume Set","description":"\u003cp\u003eMaimonides: The Exceptional Mind is an examination of the remarkable penetrating mind of Moses Maimonides and to his rational eye-opening thoughts. It includes ideas that are not incorporated in the usual books about this great philosopher because they are so different from the traditional thinking of the vast majority of people. It contrasts the notions of other Jewish thinkers, somewhat rational and others not rational at all. Maimonides: and the Biblical Prophets is an engaging and informative book revealing unknown but true facts about the prophetical books of the Bible. Rabbis have avoided many questions raised by the seemingly improbable events in these volumes. Maimonides: and the Biblical Prophets addresses these questions and takes an open and rational look at the episodes. Maimonides: Reason Above All is a thought-provoking and enlightening book that uncovers unknown but true facts about Maimonides, his family,and his unique,often controversial, but brilliant ideas.The reader is introduced to Maimonides’ family, people who generally failed to share his rational approach to life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336629506358,"sku":"8-229-42X-SET","price":69.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i99757.63279.jpg?v=1785309801"},{"product_id":"understanding-onkelos","title":"Understanding Onkelos (Hebrew)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336654377270,"sku":"9789652296443","price":23.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i109062.3988.jpg?v=1785310384"},{"product_id":"mysteries-of-judaism","title":"Mysteries of Judaism","description":"\u003cp\u003eJudaism today is radically different from the Judaism described and mandated in the Torah, writes Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin, a noted authority on Jewish life, history and thought. For example, around the time of the destruction of the Temple, rabbinic reinterpretation changed both the observance and the religious significance attributed to the festivals. Thus, the biblical day of Passover on Nissan 14 was totally eliminated and the seven-day holiday called the Festival of Matzot, beginning Nissan 15, was renamed Passover. Likewise, the biblical holidays Yom Teruah and Yom Habikurim were transformed into Rosh Hashanah and Shavuot. The practice of building huts during Sukkot is likely more tied to the lack of lodging space in Jerusalem during the harvest festival than any biblical origin, says the rabbi. This book challenges some of the basic assumptions about Judaism, showing how many of them are nowhere to be found in the Hebrew Bible, and some even have their origins in pagan cultures. It will surprise readers to hear, for example, about bizarre wedding practices, the Queen of Sheba myths, or the fact that classical religious sources are not always right. At its core, the book strongly challenges discriminatory practices against women, such as the seclusion of women during religious services and the problem of the agunah, women held in failed marriages by husbands who will not provide a religious divorce. With topics spanning the range of religious practice, Mysteries of Judaism will astonish and enlighten readers as it reveals the complex relationship between biblical and rabbinic Judaism.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336662896950,"sku":"651-1 \/ g651a","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i11126.09043.jpg?v=1785310518"},{"product_id":"unusual-bible-interpretations-five-books-of-moses","title":"Unusual Bible Interpretations: Five Books of Moses","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost people know little about the Hebrew Bible. They know what they were taught in grade school and perhaps what they hear in sermons. But sermons are designed to teach moral lessons, not disclose the Bible’s true meaning. In this book, Dr. Israel Drazin, a noted Bible scholar, reveals insights from the Bible that many readers will consider unusual, ideas from both traditional and non-traditional scholars and the author’s own views. He discusses over one hundred different subjects, covering history, philosophy, and practical information people should know, including thought-provoking questions like: Are all biblical laws rational? Did pagan practices influence biblical laws? Does God become angry? When did Judaism accept the idea of conversion? Are there errors in Scripture? Must religious people sacrifice themselves totally to God and not question God’s will?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336669647158,"sku":"g708 \/ 708-2","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i114172.22538.jpg?v=1785310722"},{"product_id":"unusual-bible-interpretations-joshua","title":"Unusual Bible Interpretations: Joshua","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis second volume of the Unusual Bible Interpretations series offers a thought-provoking exploration of the book of Joshua. Noted Bible scholar Dr. Israel Drazin asks the question: What does the book of Joshua actually tell us about the Israelites and their leader Joshua? With common sense close in hand, Dr. Drazin presents clear, logical explanations to issues that have perplexed readers of Joshua for centuries. Paying close attention to the biblical writing style and sensitive to ancient Near East culture, Dr. Drazin not only enhances our understanding of Joshua, but provides a blueprint for approaching the entirety of Scripture. By examining the biblical book of Joshua with references to many classical, traditional, as well as modern scholarly sources, Dr. Israel Drazin interprets the biblical text in ways that many readers will consider unusual. His objective analysis of the book confronts such challenging questions as: How much of the land of Canaan was actually conquered in Joshuas time? When was the book of Joshua composed? What scribal errors does the book contain? If God assured Joshua of victory, why did Joshua use surprise tactics rather than direct frontal assaults? What does the book tell us of the tensions between the tribes of Judah and the tribes of Joseph? Is Shiloh, rather than Jerusalem, the place God chose for the center of Israelite worship? In his well-written, informative, and always insightful work, Israel Drazin is sure to astonish you!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336684032310,"sku":"g709 \/ 709-9","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i118781.44923.jpg?v=1785311010"},{"product_id":"unusual-bible-interpretations-judges","title":"Unusual Bible Interpretations: Judges","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book offers readers surprising eye-opening facts about the biblical book Judges based on the writings of ancient and modern sages, as well as original interpretations by the biblical scholar Dr. Israel Drazin. Most people suppose that the book of Judges is filled with tales of pious leaders called judges who performed acts that protected the Israelites and helped form them into a praiseworthy nation. A close reading of the book shows that the early history of Israel was just the opposite. The book reveals that after Joshua’s death the Israelites repeatedly worshipped idols; God was angered each time they did so and dispatched pagan nations to harass and kill them. It was only after the people wept and repented that God sent someone to deliver them. The Israelites apparently acted properly as long as these saviors, called judges, lived, but as soon as they died, the Israelites lapsed and worshipped idols again. While the tribes were united under Moses and Joshua, during the period of the judges each tribe lived alone and usually acted alone, rarely joining other tribes to aid them against pagan invaders. This was a time “when there was no king in Israel; everyone did what he felt was proper in his own eyes.” As a result there were three civil wars: against Ephraim, Benjamin, and Jabesh-gilead. There were episodes of theft, as when Micah stole money from his mother and money promised to a sanctuary, and when the tribe of Dan took Micah’s property, kidnapped his priest, destroyed a peaceful city so they could occupy it, and ironically established a holy sanctuary there. Rapes occurred, such as the rape of the Levite’s concubine and the rape of 600 women that the Israelites gave to the surviving Benjamites males who had escaped the civil war they waged against them. While the English translation of the Hebrew shophtim is judges scholars understand the term to denote a governmental and leadership function, not just judicial. Some scholars call these shophtim “charismatic leaders.” We have no idea how many judges existed. Fourteen or fifteen judges, who came from many different walks of life, including one woman Deborah, are mentioned in Judges. Two of them, Eli and Samuel, are not mentioned in Judges but in I Samuel. Some of the judges have extended descriptions of their exploits, but little information is given about five judges. The book does not say that three of the judges—Shamgar, Gideon, and Abimelech—served as judges. It also does not say that eight of the judges “saved” Israel—Gideon, Abimelech, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, Samson, and Eli. The position of judges never became a fixed part of Israelite society presumably because it was not an effective form of government. The book seems to extol the tribe of Judah and belittle the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin. This led some scholars to believe that Judges was composed in the southern kingdom of Judea after the defeat of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE to humiliate Israel which had seceded from the Judean nation of King David’s successor around 922 BCE. Contrary to what many think, there are many obscure passages in Judges, leaving to readers the task to decide how they want to interpret events. There are also many errors in the text, some of them noted on the pages by the Masorites.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336686850358,"sku":"9789652297105","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i120224.30851.jpg?v=1785311104"},{"product_id":"unusual-bible-interpretations-ruth-esther-and-judith","title":"Unusual Bible Interpretations: Ruth, Esther and Judith","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis fourth volume of the Unusual Bible Interpretations series explores the biblical books Ruth and Esther and the apocryphal book Judith, which Jews and Protestants did not include in the Bible. Similar to Joshua and Judges, neither Ruth nor Esther shows any familiarity with the laws in the Five Books of Moses. Remarkably, Judith contains more religious expressions than either Ruth or Esther. Why, then, did the rabbis exclude it from the Bible? After a detailed analysis of the story, this book offers an answer to this age-old question. The volume contains a plethora of unexpected and thought-provoking facts, such as: Although many rabbis suggest that Ruth converted to Judaism, the story stresses repeatedly even at the end that Ruth is a Moabite. No mention is made that she converted. Indeed, the practice of conversion most likely did not exist prior to 125 BCE. Mordecai is the hero of Purim. It is he, not Esther, whom the book praises in its conclusion. According to II Maccabees 15:36, Adar 14 was called the Day of Mordecai. Both Esther's and Mordecai's names, although considered Jewish names today, are Persian names most likely based on the idols Ishtar and Marduk. In the book of Judith, the Judeans prayerfully wait for God to save them from the Assyrian siege. In contrast, Judith devises a plan to kill the general and save her people. Unusual Bible Interpretations offers fresh insight and a comparative analysis of three books with a female protagonist [...] is a worth­while read to explore these sto­ries in greater depth. Jessica Deutsch jewishbookcouncil.org, May 18, 2017 To see the entire review click here.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336731840822,"sku":"9789652298799","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i225167.47297.jpg?v=1785311550"},{"product_id":"unusual-bible-interpretations-jonah-and-amos","title":"Unusual Bible Interpretations: Jonah and Amos","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis fifth volume of the Unusual Bible Interpretations series explores the books of Jonah and Amos. The books of these two prophets are filled with obscurities, generating hundreds of questions, which have provoked misunderstandings and made it difficult to understand the prophets intentions. Noted biblical scholar Dr. Israel Drazin has prepared new translations of Jonah and Amos, included an extensive easy-to-read commentary, and related eye-opening discourses through which he uncovers and explores the books ambiguities: -Is the story of Jonah true, or a parable? What is the significance of Jonah being saved by a large fish, and why was a miracle even necessary? Why does the word repentance, which many assume to be the message of the book, not appear in it even once? -Amos prophesies to the Israelites that the Ethiopians are as loved by God as God loves the Israelites. He states that God performed miracles for other nations comparable to the exodus from Egypt. What is he teaching? Citing dozens of sources as well as his own views, in a clear and logical manner, the author presents a compelling case for a new understanding of Jonah and Amos, and moreover, that contrary to popular assumption the message of these prophets is that God is interested in the proper treatment of our fellow man above all other forms of worship, even sacrifices, festivals, and prayers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336741540150,"sku":"9789652298850 g885a \/ 885-0","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i225256.97567.jpg?v=1785311558"},{"product_id":"unusual-bible-interpretations-hosea","title":"Unusual Bible Interpretations: Hosea","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe prophet Hosea discusses topics that stand at the core of Jewish thought – such as moral conduct, the correct mode of worship, the Jewish people’s relationship with God, and repentance. The Talmud even credits Hosea with developing the idea of repentance, a concept that has become the central theme of the High Holidays. Yet the book is filled with obscure words and rich imagery, which make it particularly difficult to understand. Through a detailed analysis of the words of the prophet and his story, Dr. Drazin unpacks the book’s messages for the modern reader. Sales Points This book provides a clear, unbiased analysis of the biblical book Hosea while bringing both traditional and scholarly sources to inform the discussions. It Includes a fascinating analysis of the evolution of key biblical concepts in Jewish thought and provides a reader-friendly translation and commentary that explains the book’s many obscurities without compromising the complexity of the original language.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336744456502,"sku":"9789652298881 g888 \/ 888-1","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i226316.00765.jpg?v=1785311636"},{"product_id":"nachmanides-an-unusual-thinker","title":"Nachmanides: An Unusual Thinker","description":"\u003cp\u003eNachmanides was and still is a highly respected scholar. Yet despite his brilliance he had ideas that many modern Jews are unable to accept. He was the first person who contended that the Bible, Targum Onkelos, and the other Aramaic translations of the Bible contained mystical teachings. In this volume, Dr. Drazin reveals some unusual and generally unknown facts about the revered sage and demonstrates that his mystical notions and his stands on issues such as medicine, magic, astrology, divination, life after death, the land of Israel, women, angels, hell, demons, and even God are not the normative views of most modern Jews. This fresh look at one of Judaism’s most venerated sages asks and answers provocative questions on the nature of Nachmanides’ work and its role in Jewish thought.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336747143478,"sku":"g887 \/ 887-4","price":19.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i226991.27581.jpg?v=1785311679"},{"product_id":"mysteries-of-judaism-ii","title":"Mysteries of Judaism II","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom kindergarten on, Jewish children are taught that the Torah as observed today is identical to the Torah given at Sinai. Unfortunately, many adults today, even those at the highest institutions of Torah learning, never develop a more nuanced and complex view of the evolution of the Torah. In another fascinating book, Israel Drazin shows how the Torah has been adapting to and adopting from its surrounding cultures, from the time of the Canaanites, through the Talmudic period, and until today. Although challenging to some preconceived notions, and perhaps even threatening to some dogmatic elements, this richer view of Judaism reveals how a breathing, flexible religion has been essential in upholding the unity of the Jewish people throughout the centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336749207862,"sku":"g886 \/ 886-7","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i227364.10731.jpg?v=1785311711"},{"product_id":"who-was-the-biblical-prophet-samuel","title":"Who was the Biblical Prophet Samuel","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis volume explores the biblical prophet Samuel as presented in the eponymous scriptural book. Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin examines the scriptural verses dealing with Samuel and refers to traditional and scholarly sources in ways that many readers will consider unusual and insightful. His objective analysis raises challenging questions. He presents logical explanations to issues that have perplexed readers of the Bible for centuries and discloses insights that will astonish readers, such as: Although the scriptural book of Samuel contains 1506 verses, only about 200 speak about the prophet Samuel. The book repeatedly portrays him during his old age in an unattractive, belligerent, outspoken, and vindictive manner. Like many of the other biblical books, Samuel shows no familiarity with the laws in the Five Books of Moses. Despite the Torah allowing the crowning of a king, Samuel does not want to do so, because the people's demand for a king represents their rejection of Samuel's service to his people, and the service of his sons whom he hoped would carry on his legacy. Scholars stress that it was Samuel's personal enmity to Saul, not Saul's behavior, that was the real reason why he declared so violently that Saul's kingdom would end and the monarchy transfer to another, better person not of Saul's family. The book presents differing accounts of the same events, including the manner in which Saul becomes king, the reason Samuel tells Saul his kingdom will end, David's introduction to the history, and the slaying of Goliath. The book of Samuel is one of the most well-liked books of the prophets and is frequently taught to children in Jewish day schools, yet despite its importance as a biblical book it is generally misunderstood. Readers will enjoy Dr. Drazin's analysis of Samuel and learn much from it, not only about Samuel but also about how the Bible tells its tales.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336751567158,"sku":"g895 \/ 895-9","price":19.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i228297.88477.jpg?v=1785311776"},{"product_id":"the-authentic-king-solomon","title":"The Authentic King Solomon","description":"\u003cp\u003eKing Solomon is famous for his wisdom. However, was he really such a wise king? In this book Dr. Israel Drazin delves into the opinions of famous Bible commentators of all religions, examining what the book of Kings has to say about Solomon. Readers will be prompted to view Solomon in a new light as Dr. Drazin raises many interesting questions about the life of the biblical king. Was he careful about the needs of the Israelites he ruled, and did he act with wisdom for the benefit of his people, or were his actions governed by self-interest? How dedicated was he to the building of the First Temple? While the books of Kings and Chronicles seem to say that Solomon’s building of the Temple was his greatest achievement, his actions do not reflect this. Did his seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines lead him into the worship of idols? Are the stories of Solomon impressing three women good examples of the wisdom that a king should show his nation?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336753238326,"sku":"g933 933-8","price":19.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i229093.1943.jpg?v=1785311830"},{"product_id":"the-tragedies-of-king-david","title":"The Tragedies of King David","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this volume of the popular Rational Series, the noted scholar Dr. Israel Drazin continues to look at the life of King David. Focusing on the text of II Samuel and the first two chapters of I Kings, Dr. Drazin carefully examines what the Bible actually states about David when he was king over Judah for some seven years and over the united kingdom of Judah and Israel for some thirty-three years, revealing that David was radically unlike what many think the Bible says about him. We see that David, being human, made mistakes, three of which had substantial consequences that affected the lives of many people: the story of David and Bat-sheva and the murder of her husband together with the troops that were with him, his repeated mistreatment of the northern tribes, and his public census of the people. Significantly, Dr. Drazin leads us to wonder whether the author or editor of the book of Samuel had any knowledge of the laws of the Five Books of Moses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336753664310,"sku":"g929 \/ 929-1","price":19.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i229225.68921.jpg?v=1785311845"},{"product_id":"who-really-was-the-biblical-david","title":"Who Really Was the Biblical David","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis volume which is part of the noted scholar Dr. Israel Drazin’s popular Rational Series concentrates on the early life of biblical David before he became king of the united Israel as portrayed in I Samuel from chapter 16 to the end. Dr. Drazin examines what the text actually states about one of history’s greatest heroes. The result of a careful examination of what the Bible actually states will surprise most people for it is far different than what people hear in synagogues and churches. We see that David is human, frequently brutal, and often motivated by self-interest, his desire to rule over the united tribes. We see that there are many instances where it seems that there are two versions of the same story and that leads us to ask: Did David really kill Goliath? Was the young David a simple shepherd and musician or was he a scheming man of war? How did Saul meet David? There are two versions. Significantly, as with other books examined by Dr. Drazin, we are led to wonder whether the author or editor of the book of Samuel had any knowledge of the laws of the Five Books of Moses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54336753893686,"sku":"g928 \/ 928-4","price":19.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i229379.24523.jpg?v=1785311852"},{"product_id":"mysteries-of-judaism-iii","title":"Mysteries of Judaism III","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis eye-opening and thought-provoking book covers what the Torah states about life after death, the soul, the world to come, sin, repentance, rational and mystical views on immortality, resurrection, and the age of the universe, what if anything we must believe, changes that occurred in our concept of God, multiple violations of Torah laws by biblical persons (even prophets), misunderstandings about the Ten Commandments, prophecies that were not fulfilled, biblical and other ancient Jewish books that were neglected or rejected, humor in the Bible, the portrayal of biblical figures with their faults, and changing biblical laws and rabbinical customs. It explains that the siddur is not what people think it is and contains mystical additions, and it offers different views about the value of prayer. It talks about Judaism’s first philosopher, contacts with non-Jewish cultures that changed Judaism, surprising elements in Ecclesiastes, and the nontraditional views of Orthodox thinkers such as Rashbam, Nachman Krochmal, J. B. Soloveitchik, David Hartman, Nathan Lopes Cardozo, and others. It describes what most people do not know about Maimonides and clarifies his view on Midrashim, why they were written and their value today. It reveals that people are punished despite repentance and that false prophets can still prophesy. It examines the Torah and holy books, conversion, and intermarriage, and the impact of foreign cultures on Jewish practices and halakha. It analyses mysticism and atheism; the values of secular culture; the views of Moshe Chaim Luzzatto and his Mesillat Yesharim, and of Arnold Ehrlich; and it explores Nietzsche, Gersonides, and Maimonides’ views on faith and the Bible. Reviews:\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337005224246,"sku":"7023-10 g7310","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i278553.84566.jpg?v=1785314973"},{"product_id":"who-really-was-the-biblical-elijah","title":"Who Really Was the Biblical Elijah?","description":"\u003cp\u003eDr. Israel Drazin reveals fascinating information about Elijah. Among much else, he reveals that the Bible depicts him as being overzealous, hardly ever showing an interest in helping people, and totally different than the Elijah who appears in the legends of post-biblical literature. In these he is kind, and generally very friendly to people. God was not satisfied with the biblical Elijah and God criticized and punished him. Were the fifteen events in which Elijah was involved miracles or natural events? Most are easy to explain as natural events; some are more difficult to do so. Did God order Elijah to perform the acts? The Bible does not say so. The only times that Elijah was ordered by an angel or God to do something was when he was told to go somewhere, and these instructions could be understood as Elijah having the idea. Nearly all Elijah’s acts were done because of his overzealous love of God and his abhorrence of idol worship, and apparently show no warm feelings toward people. Yet, the Biblical book Malachi is held by many to prophesy the coming of the prophet Elijah centuries after his death or ascension to heaven. This, despite the fact, as Dr. Drazin shows, Malachi’s prophecy does not seem to deal with the messianic age, but with a resolution of the problems caused by intermarriage. Malachi states, “Behold, I will send to you Eliyah the prophet before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the heart of fathers to children, and the heart of children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” These words have nothing to do with a messianic age and the legendary Elijah who generally helps people in distress is totally different from the overzealous biblical Elijah with whom God was displeased.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337036845366,"sku":"7023-28 g7328","price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i28648.590506.jpg?v=1785315461"},{"product_id":"mysteries-of-judaism-iv","title":"Mysteries of Judaism IV","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Bible has a style that most people do not know and as a result they fail to understand what the Bible is saying. In many cases this causes them to misunderstand Judaism. Below are some examples. The Torah does not tell us everything and leaves much to the reader’s imagination. Stories often have other, unrelated stories mixed in regardless of the insertion not having any relationship to the main tale. Scripture frequently repeats itself. Most numbers in the Torah are arguably exaggerated to highlight the event. Repetition often seems to conflict with a prior description in a significant manner. Differences in spelling occur frequently. A good example is in the two versions of the Decalogue. We can only guess at the meaning of many biblical words. The Torah was divided into chapters by Christians. The Jews accepted most of these divisions even though they are not always rational. Rabbi Akiva, Rashi, most synagogue sermons, and others insist that the Torah is in divine language, with God saying exactly what God wants said. Rabbi Ishmael, Maimonides, ibn Ezra, and many others take the view of the Torah speaking in human language, with repetitions not teaching new lessons, but only repeated for emphasis or a similar reason. Some commentators, such as Nachmanides, are convinced that the Torah is composed in a mystical code. Scripture frequently, yet briefly describes an event, leaving out details, which it later adds when the story of the event is repeated. Both rabbis and scholars differ among themselves whether certain biblical stories or events are actually history or a dream or parable. One can better understand Biblical stories by comparing them with other similar tales in the Bible and outside the Bible. The numbers 3, 7, and 10 (being a combination of the first two), occur frequently.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337040220470,"sku":"7023-45 g7345","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i288032.99609.jpg?v=1785315562"},{"product_id":"mysteries-of-judaism-volume-v","title":"Mysteries of Judaism Volume V","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Bible doesn’t offer its readers clear answers to the problems that humans face. Being obscure, even ambiguous to the common person, the Bible challenges the readers to interpret its material and bring in their own understandings of it. This allows for religious leaders to have the opportunity to reinterpret its obscure messages to apply its the laws to modern times. There are many biblical tales that are mysterious. They leave the reader with the opportunity to read into them the way they want to see things – or better yet, what they should see things. The Bible should be interpreted. We shouldn’t dismiss the parables within as mere “nice stories”. We should constantly be asking questions about what the Bible is trying to tell us. This book is for you if you are; a critical thinker interested in debating topics within Judaism appreciate the bringing to bear vast knowledge of other cultures and customs on the discussions about the Bible and Judaism\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337181942070,"sku":"7023-96","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i316960.49239.jpg?v=1785317483"},{"product_id":"what-we-dont-know-about-god-and-people-in-the-bible-genesis","title":"What We Don't Know About God and People in the Bible - Genesis","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe December 13, 2021 edition of The New Yorker has an article about the famed actress Greta Garbo called “The Retiring Sort” by Margaret Talbot. She reveals that the film director of the 1933 film Queen Christina told Garbo that she must “make her mind and heart a complete blank, empty her face of expression, so that the audience could impose whatever emotion they wanted on it.” The audience would decide for themselves what her reaction was to the murder of her lover. The Bible is similar. We need to understand that the Bible is obscure, think about what we are reading, decide how we want to interpret events and what people and God are doing, and learn from our thoughts. In the philosopher Plato’s book Apology, he tells us that his teacher, the great philosopher Socrates, was considered the wisest man because only he admitted being ignorant rather than pretending he knew something when he did not. As a result, Socrates asked questions, just as we should. Pointing out the obscurities in scripture should not be understood as being critical. It emphasizes that the Bible is prompting us to think Dr. Israel Drazin offers readers comprehensive, eye-opening, easy-to-read revelations that show that the Bible purposely avoids presenting clear descriptions of the thinking and behaviors of God and biblical people. Ambiguities and obscurities are present in virtually every situation and allow readers to imagine their own details. The narratives become like fascinating parables designed to attract readers using the startling unclear details that prompt thought about why the biblical character acted thus, and learn from their interpretations of these thoughts and acts how to behave. Dr. Drazin emphasizes that proper understanding can only be attained by asking questions and shows that contrary to what many think, the Hebrew Bible offers almost nothing about God, what God did, and what the founding patriarchs thought and did. With this understanding, readers will not be surprised that ancient and modern Bible commentators, religious and non-religious, have different interpretations of the Torah.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337314259254,"sku":"7801-22","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i33438.412252.jpg?v=1785318649"},{"product_id":"who-was-the-prophet-elisha","title":"Who Was the Prophet Elisha?","description":"\u003cp\u003eWho Was the Prophet Elisha? compares the prophet Elisha to his predecessor Elijah. Elisha’s lists of twenty-nine activities and seemingly unnatural ones exceed those performed by Elijah: twenty-nine acts for Elisha against twenty for Elijah, eight seemingly unnatural ones for Elisha, and five for Elijah. It also analyses, among much else, why Jewish tradition extolled Elijah while the Book of Kings extols Elisha. Fourteen Elisha prophecies can be understood as communications from God or as Elisha using his human intellect without any aid from God to realize what will occur. There are two instances where Elisha states something will happen if another thing is done. This is similar to magician stage tricks where the audience is prompted to look at the magician’s left and, unnoticed, produces his result with his right. Three natural acts: when he resurrects a child using artificial respiration, where he can detect that his servant stole items, and when he caught an axe-head by inserting a stick into it. One instance where the Bible states his dead body revived a soldier’s dead body when the latter touched his corpse. There are eight seemingly unnatural activities where it is difficult, but not impossible, to say they were not miracles. Surprisingly, four of the twenty-nine acts are where Elisha shows what appears to be human frailties. Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin describes why Jewish tradition extols Elijah over Elisha despite the Bible seemingly saying the opposite of tradition. It praises Elisha, not Elijah. The Bible implies that God was displeased with Elijah and took him to heaven, a symbolic way of saying God killed him. In contrast, it praises Elisha so much that his corpse resurrected a person after his death. So why does the prophet Malachi apparently say that Elijah will announce the coming of the Messiah? Why is there a need for the messiah to be announced? Didn’t Maimonides say that the messianic age will be a natural period and the messiah a normal human who will live and die like other people, and the only difference is that it will be a time of peace? He said that prophecies such as a lion sleeping with sheep should be understood metaphorically as a time when people can coexist peacefully. Is the idea that God was displeased with Elijah wrong? Did God like Elijah’s zeal and consider him His faithful messenger? Is the second-century Hellenistic Jewish sage Ben Sira wrong when he extols Elisha over Elijah because Elisha performed twice as many helpful activities? Is the Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 47a also wrong when it states Kings 13:21 was written to praise Elisha? Did the prophet Malachi really contend Elijah would announce the Messiah?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337332150582,"sku":"7801-60","price":17.1,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i34181.780631.jpg?v=1785319109"},{"product_id":"what-we-dont-know-about-god-and-people-in-the-bible-exodus","title":"What We Don’t Know About God and People in the Bible (Exodus)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe December 13, 2021 edition of The New Yorker has an article about the famed actress Greta Garbo called “The Retiring Sort” by Margaret Talbot. She reveals that the film director of the 1933 film Queen Christina told Garbo that she must “make her mind and heart a complete blank, empty her face of expression, so that the audience could impose whatever emotion they wanted on it.” The audience would decide for themselves what her reaction was to the murder of her lover. The Bible is similar. We need to understand that the Bible is obscure, think about what we are reading, decide how we want to interpret events and what people and God are doing, and learn from our thoughts. In the philosopher Plato ’s book Apology, he tells us that his teacher, the great philosopher Socrates, was considered the wisest man because only he admitted being ignorant rather than pretending he knew something when he did not. As a result, Socrates asked questions, just as we should. Pointing out the obscurities in scripture should not be understood as being critical. It emphasizes that the Bible is prompting us to think.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337332412726,"sku":"7801-53","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i341989.71383.jpg?v=1785319116"},{"product_id":"what-we-dont-know-about-god-and-people-in-the-bible-deuteronomy","title":"What We Don’t Know About God and People in the Bible (Deuteronomy)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe December 13, 2021 edition of The New Yorker has an article about the famed actress Greta Garbo called “The Retiring Sort” by Margaret Talbot. She reveals that the film director of the 1933 film Queen Christina told Garbo that she must “make her mind and heart a complete blank, empty her face of expression, so that the audience could impose whatever emotion they wanted on it.” The audience would decide for themselves what her reaction was to the murder of her lover. The Bible is similar. We need to understand that the Bible is obscure, think about what we are reading, decide how we want to interpret events and what people and God are doing, and learn from our thoughts. In the philosopher Plato ’s book Apology, he tells us that his teacher, the great philosopher Socrates, was considered the wisest man because only he admitted being ignorant rather than pretending he knew something when he did not. As a result, Socrates asked questions, just as we should. Pointing out the obscurities in scripture should not be understood as being critical. It emphasizes that the Bible is prompting us to think. Dr. Israel Drazin offers readers comprehensive, eye-opening, easy-to-read revelations that show that the Bible purposely avoids presenting clear descriptions of the thinking and behaviors of God and biblical people. Ambiguities and obscurities are present in virtually every situation and allow readers to imagine their own details. The narratives become like fascinating parables designed to attract readers using the startling unclear details that prompt thought about why the biblical character acted thus, and learn from their interpretations of these thoughts and acts how to behave. Dr. Drazin emphasizes that proper understanding can only be attained by asking questions and shows that contrary to what many think, the Hebrew Bible offers almost nothing about God, what God did, and what the founding patriarchs thought and did. With this understanding, readers will not be surprised that ancient and modern Bible commentators, religious and non-religious, have different interpretations of the Torah.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337334018358,"sku":"7801-63 g7163","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i342538.33311.jpg?v=1785319152"},{"product_id":"what-we-dont-know-about-god-and-people-in-the-bible-numbers","title":"What We Don’t Know About God and People in the Bible (Numbers)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe December 13, 2021 edition of The New Yorker has an article about the famed actress Greta Garbo called “The Retiring Sort” by Margaret Talbot. She reveals that the film director of the 1933 film Queen Christina told Garbo that she must “make her mind and heart a complete blank, empty her face of expression, so that the audience could impose whatever emotion they wanted on it.” The audience would decide for themselves what her reaction was to the murder of her lover. The Bible is similar. We need to understand that the Bible is obscure, think about what we are reading, decide how we want to interpret events and what people and God are doing, and learn from our thoughts. In the philosopher Plato ’s book Apology, he tells us that his teacher, the great philosopher Socrates, was considered the wisest man because only he admitted being ignorant rather than pretending he knew something when he did not. As a result, Socrates asked questions, just as we should. Pointing out the obscurities in scripture should not be understood as being critical. It emphasizes that the Bible is prompting us to think. Dr. Israel Drazin offers readers comprehensive, eye-opening, easy-to-read revelations that show that the Bible purposely avoids presenting clear descriptions of the thinking and behaviors of God and biblical people. Ambiguities and obscurities are present in virtually every situation and allow readers to imagine their own details. The narratives become like fascinating parables designed to attract readers using the startling unclear details that prompt thought about why the biblical character acted thus, and learn from their interpretations of these thoughts and acts how to behave. Dr. Drazin emphasizes that proper understanding can only be attained by asking questions and shows that contrary to what many think, the Hebrew Bible offers almost nothing about God, what God did, and what the founding patriarchs thought and did. With this understanding, readers will not be surprised that ancient and modern Bible commentators, religious and non-religious, have different interpretations of the Torah.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337334411574,"sku":"7801-62 g7162","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i34264.245963.jpg?v=1785319159"},{"product_id":"what-we-dont-know-about-god-and-people-in-the-bible-leviticus","title":"What We Don’t Know About God and People in the Bible (Leviticus)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe December 13, 2021 edition of The New Yorker has an article about the famed actress Greta Garbo called “The Retiring Sort” by Margaret Talbot. She reveals that the film director of the 1933 film Queen Christina told Garbo that she must “make her mind and heart a complete blank, empty her face of expression, so that the audience could impose whatever emotion they wanted on it.” The audience would decide for themselves what her reaction was to the murder of her lover. The Bible is similar. We need to understand that the Bible is obscure, think about what we are reading, decide how we want to interpret events and what people and God are doing, and learn from our thoughts. In the philosopher Plato ’s book Apology, he tells us that his teacher, the great philosopher Socrates, was considered the wisest man because only he admitted being ignorant rather than pretending he knew something when he did not. As a result, Socrates asked questions, just as we should. Pointing out the obscurities in scripture should not be understood as being critical. It emphasizes that the Bible is prompting us to think. Dr. Israel Drazin offers readers comprehensive, eye-opening, easy-to-read revelations that show that the Bible purposely avoids presenting clear descriptions of the thinking and behaviors of God and biblical people. Ambiguities and obscurities are present in virtually every situation and allow readers to imagine their own details. The narratives become like fascinating parables designed to attract readers using the startling unclear details that prompt thought about why the biblical character acted thus, and learn from their interpretations of these thoughts and acts how to behave. Dr. Drazin emphasizes that proper understanding can only be attained by asking questions and shows that contrary to what many think, the Hebrew Bible offers almost nothing about God, what God did, and what the founding patriarchs thought and did. With this understanding, readers will not be surprised that ancient and modern Bible commentators, religious and non-religious, have different interpretations of the Torah.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337334608182,"sku":"7801-53 g7153","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i342746.81977.jpg?v=1785319165"},{"product_id":"humorous-serious-and-thoughtful-ideas","title":"Humorous, Serious, and Thoughtful Ideas","description":"\u003cp\u003ePeople should strive to learn how to improve themselves and act intelligently. Maimonides said that human intelligence is a gift from God to help them make decisions in life, and not that God directly helps people. It is their God-given intelligence that can help them. Maimonides also said that we can learn from everything God created, to which I agree. We can learn from our own body. As we will see later in this book, Elias Canetti taught that even the human body teaches lessons. Humans learned how to make a knife, spears, and arrows from the nails on their index fingers, and bows for arrows from their thumbs. The earlier rabbis taught that we can learn much from animals, even ethics from ants. Maimonides said. “The truth is the truth no matter what its source.” I am convinced that we can learn from all writings, even jokes, a few of which I have I included in this book. If people took a little time after hearing a joke to wonder why we laugh, what is it about a particular joke that provokes laughter, what we can learn from it, and its lesson may apply at other times, I firmly believe that in this way people can bring about improvement in ourselves and society. Sometimes, after these jokes I suggest thoughts to ponder, which hopefully might encourage the reader to think of an idea. In addition to jokes, I included other essays to make us think and improve ourselves, some serious, and others humorous. Chapters at the outset of the book are concise. Later chapters are more extended. For example, I have several chapters in which I address the subject of statistics in a somewhat humorous fashion. All science is based on statistics. Our lives are based on statistics. However, statistics only tell us the possibility of the truth, not the certainty of it. What should we learn from this? What causes us to laugh? Frequently, laughing shows our joy or happiness in overcoming an embarrassment, confusion, or an obvious conclusion. Why would a joke such as, “Why did the chicken cross the street? To get to the other side” trigger us to laugh? Is it because we did not know the answer before it was given and were surprised in its simplicity? What does that teach us? Laughter is also considered an evolutionary mechanism that helps build social bonds and regulate human relationships. What does that teach us that we can apply to other occasions? A laugh or a smile can make you feel better in difficult times. I found that in the rare times that I am sad, if I force myself to smile, my body may respond in kind to the point that I have a brighter outlook. The above is from the introduction\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337334804790,"sku":"7801-74","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i342815.00158.jpg?v=1785319172"},{"product_id":"rational-ideas-book-one","title":"Rational Ideas Book One","description":"\u003cp\u003eRational Ideas: Book One is a collection of essays that challenge traditional religious assumptions and promote a rational, evolving approach to Judaism. Drawing from philosophy, biblical interpretation, history, and literature, Drazin critiques dogmatic beliefs and explores how Jewish law, holidays, ethics, and concepts have changed over time. He juxtaposes thinkers like Maimonides and Spinoza, uses literature to reveal philosophical insights, and advocates for open-minded inquiry, moral responsibility, and continual personal and societal improvement. The book encourages readers to think critically, favor a thoughtful, reasoned approach over unquestioning acceptance or mystical speculation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337345880374,"sku":"7801-92","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i348820.54706.jpg?v=1785319499"},{"product_id":"samson","title":"Samson","description":"\u003cp\u003eWho Was the Biblical Samson explored in this critical and thoughtful exploration of Samson as presented in the Book of Judges. Israel Drazin applies a rationalist approach, examining traditional interpretations, scholarly critiques, and archaeological findings. He questions common assumptions, contrasts Samson with other biblical figures and ancient heroes like Hercules, and considers both literal and allegorical readings. The book avoids dogmatic assertions, instead offering readers a framework to draw their own conclusions about Samson’s character, role, and significance in the biblical narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337346470198,"sku":"7864-03","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i349230.80266.jpg?v=1785319519"},{"product_id":"rational-ideas-book-two","title":"Rational Ideas Book Two","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book provides examples of how Judaism has evolved from the time of Moses. These examples of change teach significant lessons. According to Exodus 33:18–23, when Moses requested that God reveal what God is, God replied, “You can only see My back, but you cannot see My face.” This means we can only understand some aspects of what God is by seeing and understanding what God has created. Thus, by studying, understanding, and applying science, we gain knowledge about God, enhance our capabilities, and help humans, animals, plants, and all inanimate objects reach their full potential. We do this by using the “image of God” that the opening chapter of the Torah states God placed in humans. Maimonides explained in his Guide for the Perplexed that this “image” is human intelligence. The examples of change in Judaism should also prompt us to consider that God requires people to change positively by improving and becoming all they can be, to change others by treating even strangers as we would like to be treated, and to change all creation to enhance it and make it a paradise for all people.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337347813686,"sku":"7801-93","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i349858.05425.jpg?v=1785319559"},{"product_id":"rational-ideas-book-three","title":"Rational Ideas Book Three","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book provides examples of how Judaism has evolved from the time of Moses. These examples of change teach significant lessons. According to Exodus 33:18–23, when Moses requested that God reveal what God is, God replied, “You can only see My back, but you cannot see My face.” This means we can only understand some aspects of what God is by seeing and understanding what God has created. Thus, by studying, understanding, and applying science, we gain knowledge about God, enhance our capabilities, and help humans, animals, plants, and all inanimate objects reach their full potential. We do this by using the “image of God” that the opening chapter of the Torah states God placed in humans. Maimonides explained in his Guide for the Perplexed that this “image” is human intelligence. The examples of change in Judaism should also prompt us to consider that God requires people to change positively by improving and becoming all they can be, to change others by treating even strangers as we would like to be treated, and to change all creation to enhance it and make it a paradise for all people.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54337350893878,"sku":"7801-94","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/i352474.12876.jpg?v=1785319648"},{"product_id":"stories-that-teach-the-truth","title":"Stories that Teach the Truth","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"bookDescription_feature_div\" class=\"celwidget\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-collapsed-height a-row a-expander-container a-spacing-base a-expander-partial-collapse-container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNoted biblical scholar Dr. Israel Drazin compiled this eye-opening and thought-provoking book to prove that fiction has its place in the scholarly realm and can teach useful lessons. The book gives examples from more than a dozen ancient Jewish stories that reflect the concerns of the ancients about religion, the Bible, God, human behavior, and more. These books include Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, Tobit, additions to the biblical book Esther, The Love Story of Joseph and Aseneth, and The Testament of Joseph. Also included are modern fictional stories that express ideas contrary to Jewish tradition, and four essays on philosophy showing what can be learned from non-Jewish philosophers, such as Socrates’ thoughts about fearing death. There are also discussions on three fictional tales by S. Y. Agnon, five by Mark Twain (including his humorous tales “Eve’s Diary” and “Adam’s Diary”), and ten other writers of fiction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"globalStoreInfoBullets_feature_div\" class=\"celwidget\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"buyingOptionNostosBadge_feature_div\" class=\"celwidget\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"tellAmazon_feature_div\" class=\"celwidget\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"celwidget c-f\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"CardInstanceNTlrYif3JCoz4ir4_peQog\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Israel Drazin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54403793158454,"sku":null,"price":16.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0993\/2092\/2422\/files\/storiesfront.jpg?v=1786621951"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.gefenpublishing.com\/collections\/israel-drazin.oembed?page=2","provider":"Gefen Publishing House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}