A glowing treasure now available to the English-speaking public! The trail-blazing work of Rav Yisrael Salanter, and his disciple, Rav Yitzchak Blazer illuminate the darkness of our generation with wisdom and insight. This classic Mussar work focuses on attaining closeness with G-d and on ethical introspection. This volume is a compendium of four classics of ethical thought: The Gates of Light, The Light of Israel, Paths of Light, and Stars of Light. This extraordinary book, translated into lucid, flowing English, will enable all who read it to reach a new spiritual dimension. Contains English text only.

Israel Salanter was one of the most original and influential Jewish leaders and thinkers of Eastern European Jewry in the modern period. One of Salanter’s most striking innovations was the transformation of the issue of ethics from the domain of theology to the realm of psychology. Immanuel Etkes traces Salanter’s unique view of Mussar doctrine, especially his introduction of modern psychology to the traditional understanding of personal ethical development.

A diverse group of Israelis offers their views on Ariel Sharon's military invasions of the West Bank and Gaza and argue that his policies undermine the security, moral authority, democratic ideals, and liberal values of Israel. Reprint.

Every week in synagogues around the world Jews read a portion from the Torah, the Five Books of Moses, the whole being completed in the course of a year. The reading is usually accompanied by a commentary, a derasha, by the rabbi or a member of the congregation, often drawing on traditional interpretations, but usually finding some point of contact with the realities of today's world. Some passages, especially narratives, lend themselves to immediate associations; others, obscure laws of sacrifice or lists of stages on a journey through the wilderness, represent real challenges to the commentator. Yet others are so familiar to the congregation that the problem is to find something new to say each year! This book arose out of a different kind of 'pulpit', an occasional slot on a weekly radio programme on Friday evenings called 'Shabbat Shalom'. Though ostensibly for a Jewish audience, it reached a far wider public, so the pieces in the book provide enough information to explain the Jewish background at the same time as offering an exploration of the ideas within the text to a broad range of listeners.

This is the extended and annotated edition including an extensive biographical annotation about the author and his life. When Israel Potter leaves his plough to fight in the American Revolution, he's immediately thrown into the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he receives multiple wounds. However, this does not deter him, and after hearing a rousing speech by General George Washington, he volunteers for further duty, this time at sea, where more ill fortune awaits him. Israel is captured by the British Navy and taken to England. Yet, he makes his escape, and this triggers a series of extraordinary events and meetings with remarkable people. Along the way, Israel encounters King George III, who takes a liking to the Yankee rebel and shelters him in Kew Gardens; Benjamin Franklin, who presses Israel into service as a spy; John Paul Jones, who invites Israel to join his crew aboard The Ranger; and Ethan Allen, whom Israel attempts to free from a British prison. (from wikipedia.com)

A beautifully illustrated and fascinating 110 page, softcover book for young and old, dealing with the life and times of the famous founder of the "mussar" movement, who lived during the 19th century.