Vote for the Jewish Music Blogger Awards

This years Jewish Music Blogger Awards are being hosted by the team at the Jewish Music Report. The nominees are up so go and vote for your favorites in eight categories!

You can vote here

Is $10,000 still considered Hiddur Mitzvah?

You've got to give Eichlers credit for being one of the best Jewish bookstores out there, but every time I go to there website lately my eyes immediately go directly to the solid gold kiddush cup that they now have back up on their homepage. The availability of this item isn't new (DovBear had a post on this back in 2007) but I've started to ask myself some questions about who exactly is the intended customer for such a gift. The tag line for the item is "Have you ever wondered what to get the special person who has everything?" Sure, but $10,500 for a kiddush cup seems to be a bit extravagant for a gift, even if it is for the honorees at your school fund-raising dinner or for a big Chassidishe Rebbe (I can't imagine any Rav accepting such a gift). Particularly nowadays when many families can't afford the money to do many other mitzvos, like marrying off their children or buying teffillin for a Bar Mitzvah boy, we should first give money towards those areas before purchasing such an item. Although, I can't help but imagine that this beautiful cup would be perfect for the Melech HaMoshiach when he arrives.

The Week in Books

New Releases:

-The Neshama Should Have an Aliyah, by Rabbi Tzvi Hebel
-Rav Schwab on Yeshayahu, by Rabbi Shimon Schwab
-Duties of the Heart: The Gate of Trust, by Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Finkel
-Feminine Faith: L`Hovin Inyan Rosh Chodesh- Chassidic Heritage Series
-Channeling the Divine: Issa Bemidrash Tillim-Chassidic Heritage Series

Upcoming Releases:

-Copyright in Jewish Law, by Rabbi Nachum Menashe Weisfish
-Checkmate, by Ester Toker
-The Life and Times of Rabbi Yonason Steif: Living in the Illuminated Shadow, by Esther Shulamis (Stief) Bleier
-Aleinu L'Shabei'ach: Shemos, by Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein

SOY Seforim Sale Date Announced!

The date for the annual YU SOY Seforim sale has been announced:

January 24, 2010 - February 15, 2010

The S.O.Y. Seforim Sale, the largest Jewish book sale in North America, is operated by the students of Yeshiva University. The sale provides discounted prices on the widest selection of rabbinic and academic literature, cookbooks, children's books, music and lecture CDs, and educational software.

This is the best sale of the year! G-d willing we'll try to keep you up to date on further happenings regarding the seforim sale.

Their website is: www.soyseforim.org/

Kehot's 50% Off Hei Tevet Sale

Coffee Table Books Are Here

Coffee table books are often nice gifts and the Jewish book market has just seen an increase of four new books in that category, just in time for Chanukah. Check them out below:

Great Jewish Letters:

For millennia, the Jewish sages have shared their vast treasury of knowledge with us through their Torah works. Less well known, however, is the storehouse of wisdom available to us in letters that the great Torah scholars wrote to their families, disciples, and to the Jewish People.

In this unique collection Rabbi Moshe Bamberger, a respected scholar and educator, shares with us 120 great Jewish letters, translated into flowing English from their original Hebrew. Spanning the centuries from the Gaonic period to today, these letters contain fascinating historical insights and profound ethical truths. Some of the letters are classics, others not well-known, but all share a sense of both intimacy and eternity, a message from a father to a son, from a teacher to a student, from a leader to his people. The letters are arranged by topic, and each is prefaced by a brief biographical sketch of the author and is presented in its historical context.

From the Rambam, to the Alter of Slabodka; from the Gaon of Vilna to Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach; from Rashi to the Gerrer Rebbe and Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, here are the authentic voices of Torah greatness, in their own beautifully-phrased words.

Lavishly designed with both photos and illustrations, Great Jewish Letters is an elegant and important work of both Jewish history and Torah thought.

The Beit HaMikdash. The Holy Temple.

The center of Jewish longing and aspiration.

In this visually stunning, meticulously researched work, the Temple Mount and the Beit HaMikdash — the place where Heaven touches Earth, where mortals can feel eternity — comes to vivid life.

A breathtaking trip through history.

Here, deep beneath the sacred earth, stands the Foundation Stone, where Creation began. Here Abraham bound Isaac upon the altar, and King Solomon built the first Temple. From this mountaintop the magnificent Second Temple cast its light to the world, and it was here that the Roman legions burned and plundered the Temple's treasures.

Forgotten and neglected by the rest of the world, Jewish eyes and hearts have always turned to this holy mountain.
Now, the Temple Mount comes to life before our eyes.

An important work of scholarship and research.

Rabbi Zalman Menachem Koren brings to this groundbreaking work a profound knowledge of the Mishnah, Talmud, and the classic commentaries, and a deep familiarity with modern archaeological findings. A respected scholar, he has devoted decades to studying the Temple and the Temple Mount.

An heirloom edition, to be treasured by generations.

• Hundreds of magnificent photographs
• Pull out, panoramic diagrams of the Temple from many different perspectives
• Detailed descriptions of the various parts of the Beit HaMikdash: their dimensions, locations, and functions
• History and legends of the Western Wall
• A unique visual tour of the Temple

Book of Amazing Facts and Feats

The Creator's World and All That Fills It

The Only Word That Describes This Book Properly Is...WOW!

Step aside, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and make room for a book that really makes a Jewish jaw drop! How big is the world's largest tallis? Which letter appears most in Tanach? Which animals can fly without wings? What is the driest place on Earth? Faster than you can say, "Wow!", these facts and feats will dazzle and amaze you, with full-color pictures to enhance the experience. This book attests to the might and wonder of our Creator's world, giving a rich and colorful picture of the remarkable things that surround our everyday existence.





The Shmuz on the Parsha
Life Transforming Insights on the Weekly Torah Reading

Powerful Life-Changing Messages in a few, short minutes of reading!

The Shmuz is an engaging, motivating shiur that deals with real-life issues. Its unique style captivates listeners while inspiring growth and change - almost effortlessly!

The Shmuz on the Parsha packs the same powerful, life-changing message into a few short minutes of reading. It will allow you to motivate and inspire the people at your Shabbos table to greater levels of spiritual achievement and growth.

Review: "Rabbi Sherer"

Anybody who has happened to see the many recent advertisements for Artscroll's newest biography, "Rabbi Sherer" by Yonoson Rosenblum, would be right to be impressed. As someone who saw the ads mentioned to me, "ten years in the making? What kind of biography takes ten years?!" Now that I have read "Rabbi Sherer" I would have to answer, "an exceptionally good biography takes ten years and that is exactly what this is."

"Rabbi Sherer" is the comprehensive biography of the life and activism of Rabbi Moshe Sherer, the man of whom it can truthfully be said deserves much of the credit for making Agudath Israel the forefront Jewish organization that it is today. The term "askan," literally defined who he was and perhaps if if were to be found in Webster's dictionary would have to include Rabi Sherer as the ideal demonstration of the term. Rarely has such a necessary biography been published. Necessary because there are still too many people who are not aware of how much hakaras hatov we must accord to Rabbi Sherer. As I carried around this book for the past two weeks I encountered two types of reactions from people who asked to see what I was reading. Those who were familiar with Rabbi Sherer started to sing his praises, describing to me what a wonderful person he was. There were certain people, however, who just looked at me and said, "I've never heard of him before." If this monumental biography were to only familiarize the second group of people with all that Rabbi Sherer accomplished in his lifetime of work it would more than serve it's purpose, but I believe that this book has an additional potential, namely to give both groups of people an eye opening view of what it means to give your life to work for Klal Yisroel.

This book is filled with historical pictures and letters that attest to the closeness that both Gedolim and political leaders felt between themselves and Rabbi Sherer. From Rav Aharon Kotler to New York Senator Jacob Javitz, all trusted him with confidence and pride. Two words that came to mind when thinking how to describe the book were insightful and thrilling. Thrilling stood out the most for me because there aren't too many biographies that come to mind that fulfill that description. The thrill comes from watching Rabbi Sherer encounter challenge after challenge and then rectifying them all with an incredible grace and ease. I literally couldn't put down this book because the stories engrossed me entirely. Rabbi Sherer's eloquence and professionalism are often stressed in the book along with his additional positive characteristics that molded him into becoming a once in a lifetime leader. Perhaps two sentences alone, from a chapter describing how Rabbi Sherer was as a boss, could sum up his entire philosophy as well as that of Agudath Israel. When a new secretary started her first day at the Agudath Israel office, Rabbi Sherer asked her who she worked for. After she answered the name of one of the senior staff Rabbi Sherer corrected her and said, "No, you work for Klal Yisroel. All of us here work for Klal Yisroel." All I can say is, wow.

This book has ten years of work written all over it and if you are looking for something enjoyable and inspiring to read I would definitely recommend "Rabbi Sherer."

Judaica Press Chanukah Sale

To Kindle or Not to Kindle (and I don't mean Chanukah)

This is the era of all things electronic and anything that won't plug into a wall or take double-a batteries should keep a close eye on their future. Very few things are immune. An example of an area that has clearly been hard hit is the postal service. When people can simply send an e-mail that will arrive to the recipient in less than a minute why mail a letter that will take at least one day? But what has caught my attention the most is electronic reading. This can refer to books online in general, but more specifically my eye is on the Kindle.

For at least two years now I've been seeing ads on Amazon.com or the subway for the Kindle, which is, in the simplest terms, an I-pod for all things literary. You can purchase books at half the price and upload them directly to the Kindle device. Subscriptions to magazine and newspapers can also be transferred to your Kindle. It hasn't exactly swept over the nation like MP3s or those special texting phones with the qwerty keyboard, but I've been seeing it slowly creeping into the general population, and now it's come into my home.

You see, my younger sister received the Kindle as a belated birthday present and everybody has been very excited to hold it and see what it is like. It does give off an impressive appearance. The memory capacity is large enough to hold several hundred books and it comes with a built in dictionary so when you come across a word that you don't know all you need to do is click on it and the definition is literally right at your fingertips. There is even a function to have the book read out loud to you, sort of like an audio book except without the human voice. I can't give a completely thorough analysis of the Kindle since I haven't been back home long enough to sit down and read a book cover to cover (although that expression may have to go in this circumstance) but I'll admit that I am still not convinced to switch my reading from paper to computer, mainly for two reasons. The first is the most obvious which is that the main bulk of my reading material is Jewish books and until the frum book companies decide to also start offering their books on Kindle there really isn't anything for me to purchase. Amazon does have a button to click on that will let the book companies know that you are interested in getting their books made into the Kindle format but I'm not sure yet whether the interest is large enough in the Orthodox community for electronic books and seforim to make it worthwhile for the Jewish book companies to start offering their books electronically.

Second off is that I think I've just been brought up for too long on books that are thick, smell fresh, and are filled with paper that that particular method of reading has become a relaxing source of enjoyment for myself and I don't really feel any need to try a new way to read. It's hard to switch to something different when you are comfortable with the original. I feel so old saying that since most people who have trouble adapting to technology are 50 years my senior but maybe the electronic phenomon has bypassed me as well. Overall I see the praticallity of having so many books at your fingertips on a screen that is essentially the thickness of your finger and the benefits that such a device has to offer to those who have reached a level of comfort in electronic reading. My sister has already found the Kindle to be very useful and I know others who feel the same way, but for now I think I'll stick with the regular books.

Two New Shows At TheCoolJew.com

The Cool Jew has two new book themed shows. One is featuring Mordechai Schmutter with his latest book "A Clever Title Goes Here" and the second is with Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier with his new book "The Shmuz on the Parsha." To here the interviews click the links below:

The Cool Jew Show W/ Mordechai Schmutter
The Cool Jew Show W/ Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier

Touched By a Niggun

What do you get when you take a world renowned author and multi talented singer/composer? Touched by a Niggun. Baruch Levine teamed up with Rabbi Yechiel Spero author of Touched by a Story, Prayer etc. to create a very unique type of album. The album, which is entitled "Touched by a Niggun" will features the compositions and vocals of Baruch Levine to lyrics based on the stories from Rabbi Spero's. The album produced by Yochi Briskman features background vocals from Eli Schwebel and Gadi Fuchs of Lev Tahor.

I'm very curious to see how this album turns out. Both Rabbi Spero and Baruch Levine are favorites of mine in their respective fields. I've probably cried a good number of times from the power of certain Rabbi Spero stories. However, good Jewish English songs are hard to come by if your name isn't Abie Rotenberg. This album definitely has great potential just from seeing who is involved with this CD and I look forward to hearing it when it is released.

This album is available now for pre-order from Mostlymusic.com.

Review: "Salomon Says"

There’s a good chance that you’ve heard the name Rabbi Yaakov Salomon before. A notable author, popular columnist on Aish.com, musmach of Rabbi Noah Weinberg, and a leader in Project Inspire and Aish, somehow the name is bound to pop up. If you haven’t heard of him, don’t worry, just keep reading. Now out with his latest book, “Salomon Says”, Rabbi Salomon is back on the shelves, delivering fresh and insightful stories (50 to be exact) that are meant to make you think, smile, and act. I’m always up for a good story and I was happy to find a satisfactory amount in this latest release. The book is broken up into six sections, each containing short essays relating to that sections theme. Certain topics are brought up more than once. I noticed that there were a couple of Yomim Tovim essays, as well as essays on parenting and chinuch. Many of the stories are real eye-openers. If I could list a few of my favorites I would probably say “Meeting Jason,” “The Connoisseur,” “Just Say No,” and “Thank You, Danny.” Rabbi Salomon is a social worker which also gives the book a noticeable psychological aspect. Most importantly, the topics are all very relatable. More than once you’re bound to have a “connection to the book moment’ where you feel like the author is speaking directly to you or had you in mind when writing that particular story. Overall, this book is an impressive release and can be read over and over again for the full motivational affect.

I just wanted to end off with one last thought. One of the things that impressed me most about “Salomon Says” was not necessarily about the book but about its author. I came away from reading the book thinking that Rabbi Salomon is a really exceptional human being. First off, as in many books, before it even begins there are the introductions and acknowledgments. Rabbi Salomon takes the opportunity here to encourage the reader to write to him with any questions or comments. He puts his e-mail address right up front and says with a perceivable sincerity that he would “love to hear from you.” I have so far only encountered one other book where the author has included his contact information. To me this says that the author is making a real attempt to relate to his readers, and the stories that follow will be in a similar vein. One of the other things I noticed was that Rabbi Salomon doesn’t just look to others for stories; rather he also takes personal stories from his own life. He doesn’t have any qualms about sharing personal thoughts, or even mistakes that he’s made. He uses them to inspire the reader and give approachable examples of how we should make the most of our life. Rabbi Salomon should be commended for his latest release and its benefits that it will undoubtedly serve.

(This review can also be read at The Cool Jew as part of our new partnership in bringing you the latest book reviews on the newest books.)

Eichler's Chanukah Sale

Shop the Chanukah Store

The Week in Books- Mega Release Week Edition

New Releases:

-Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories, by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon
-Rabbi Sherer: The Paramount Torah Spokesman of Our Era, by Yonason Rosenblum
-Kuntres Sfat Tamim- Chofetz Chaim
-Kuntres Chovat HaShemirah- Chofetz Chaim
-Too Beautiful: Stories So Uplifting They Have to be Shared, by Hanoch Teller
-Practical Halachos for Girls, by Meyer Birnbaum
-A Touch of Inspiration, by Rabbi Yechiel Spero
-The Beit Hamikdash: The Temple and the Holy Mount, by Rabbi Zalman Menachem Koren
-"Normal" and Other Stories, by Reva Rubenstein
-The Eye of the Storm: A Calm View of Raging Issues, by R' Aharon Feldman
-Something New: A Comprehensive Guide to the Halachos of the Shehecheyanu Brocha, by Rabbi Michael Yehoshua Newman
-Nissim V'Niflaos: Halachic Perspectives on Chanukah and Purim, by Rabbi Chaim Gross
-Good Job!: Successful Strategies For Developing Your Work Potential, by Rabbi Moshe Goldberger
-Breaking Free: A Novel, by Riva Pomerantz
-22 Promises, by Naama
-A Clever Title Goes Here, by Mordechai Schmutter
- Shabbos, NOT a Day of Rest: Discovering the True Shabbos, by Rabbi Pinchas Stopler
-Shabbos In a New Light - Majesty, Mystery, Meaning, by R' Yitzchak Hutner and adapted by Rabbi Pinchas Stopler
-Through Your Hands: The Complete Story of Chanukah, by Meir Lamberski
-Shadows on the Moon, by Bracha Goykadosh

Upcoming Releases:
-Invisible Me, by Tzipi Caton
-Book of Amazing Facts and Feats, by Nattan Hurvitz and Aharon Yosef Hoffman
-In Forest Fields: A Unique Guide to Personal Prayer, by Shalom Arush
-Emergencies in Halacha, by Rabbi Moshe Rotberg
-A Legacy of Leaders II, by Rabbi Yehuda Azoulay
-The Neshama Should Have an Aliyah, by Rabbi Tzvi Hebel
-Pen of the Soul, by Chani Altein
-A Vort from Rav Pam, by Rabbi Sholom Smith
-Great Jewish Letters, by Rabbi Moshe Bamberger
-Rav Schwab on Yeshayahu, by Rabbi Shimon Schwab
-Aleinu L'Shabei'ach: Shemos, by R' Yitzchok Zilberstein

Israel Book Shop gets a blog

Israel Book Shop has a new blog called The Next Page. It's pretty new but I'm already impressed. The layout is really cool and the content so far (all 3 posts of it) is great. I hope that they can keep up the good work. They even have a post about Mordechai Schmutter's upcoming book, "A Clever Title Goes Here," which I am very much looking forward to. Here's what they had to say:

When I was little, aside from the fact that I had to walk two miles to school uphill both ways because only the rich people could afford horses, another depressing fact was that there was no such thing as American Jewish humor. Sure, there were some old Yiddish jokes, but only people who appreciated the “flavor” of Yiddish and also the flavor of Slivovitz thought that they were funny.

Mordechai Schmutter changed all that. Beginning sporadically, he worked his way up to a weekly Hamodia Magazine column. He’s still shocked that Hamodia even has a humor column, but the tens of thousands of readers who look forward to it each week are glad that it does.

His first book, Don’t Yell Challah in a Crowded Matzah Bakery was a gamble at first because it was the first of its kind, and the gamble paid off as it became a best seller. Meanwhile, his column, which began with such everyday topics as cooking, marriage, and writing humor columns, has expanded into areas such as GPS, Kosherfest, and the Syms Bash.

Now, Mordechai is publishing his second book, A Clever Title Goes Here. Aside from the clever title, it also has many of his funniest articles in it, one of which you can read here!

To see my review of Mordechai Schmutter's first book, "Don't Yell Challah in a Crowded Matzah Bakery," click here.

Update: Anybody who recieved the Jewish Press or Hamodia this week (perhaps even other papers as well) should have also seen the "The Next Page" magazine insert. As with the blog, I was also very impressed by this as it was a mix between spotlights on new upcoming books as well as a catalog of Israel Book Shop's publications. It appears to be a quarterly as it was dated Winter 2009. I'm always excited about anything new in books and I'm looking forward to seeing more things from "The Next Page."

Spotlight on. . . "Miracle Ride"

In anticipation of a new novel, “Invisible Me” from author Tzipi Caton, we present a review of her first book, “Miracle Ride”, released in May 2008, which was received with great acclaim. I remember reading a while back that “Miracle Ride” was a bestseller for Artscroll and indeed if you look at the publication date for the book it says that the first impression was May 2008 while the second was June 2008, meaning that they had to already print more copies a month later! I personally have read it at least three times and I’ll say right off the bat that this was definitely one of the best books to be released in the last two years. Let's take a look. . .

“Miracle Ride” is the true story of Tzipi Caton (which is her pen name), who was diagnosed in 11^th grade with Hodgkin’s disease, a type of cancer. The book is her story as she chronicles it throughout the ordeal, starting with the diagnosis, followed by treatment and the path to recovery. The fact that this was originally written as part of her blog (jacancerpatient.blogspot.com) before being compiled into a full length book gives it a light and personable feel. What’s interesting is that one wouldn’t automatically associate a book about someone’s struggle through cancer as being “light reading,” yet Tzipi has very superbly put together a book that is exactly that. What stuck out for me the most was the humor aspect. I’m a big believer in trying to find the humor in life and Tzipi’s personality is such that she is able to make you smile even as she goes through the ups and downs of cancer. It's fun to watch her take her strong sarcasm and deal with some of the more difficult people in life and it's incredible how she can take such serious predicaments and end off making you smile. I do wonder though every time I read the book whether people she criticizes in her writing figure out who they are, and if yes what were their reactions? That question always makes me so curious!

Tzipi also gives over stark, yet important, messages about the good and not such good ways to treat someone who is ill. A teacher who she befriends in the course of the story has diabetes and there is a common theme between the two illness of how we use our misconceptions to delegitimize those who are ill. There are also instances where friends don't really think before acting, which most of us are guilty of in some form or another, and it's good to be reminded from the sick person's point of view how we really need to act. Pretty much this is a biography, funny, and filled with lessons, my three favorite book genres rolled into one. What more can I ask for?

Miracle Ride is a bold and fresh book and if you haven’t read it since it was released over a year ago, than what are you waiting for?! The chapters are short, making it more accessible to those on a busy schedule, yet it is so addicting that putting it down sounds easier than it really is.Keep your eyes out for her upcoming book, “Invisible Me”, coming soon to bookstores near you.

Targum Press Chanukah Sale

Feldheim's Pre-Chanukah 25% Off Sale

Feldheim Presents:

Take advantage of our 25% off sale while it lasts.
Start Saving Now!

Want to Shop at a Store? Click Here to Print a Coupon.

Ashreinu That We Are Jews!

Tonight I had the zechus to attend the beautiful Hachnosos Sefer Torah that was held in front of 770 Eastern Parkway, in memory and in honor of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg H"YD. I say zechus because when I left Crown Heights to go back home I felt as if I had witnessed true simcha and achdus, the greatest sight in the world, and to me that is a zechus. It was a zechus to have the opportunity to share in that moment of achdus as well as to be mesameach in a brand new Sefer Torah that will join the new Chabad house in Mumbai, solidifying a determination to never give up, to continue persevering b'derech HaTorah. To see thousands of Shluchim, along with children, teenagers, families and Jews of many stripes, dancing together with such a great energy, that is something that one does not easily forget. Ashreinu that we are Jews!

A Book Trailer

There's a new twist to book advertisement; book trailers. This is the first time I've seen anything like this, so kol hakavod to Artscroll (if anybody knows of anything similar, please share!). This is for a children's book and I don't know how well a video like this would work for an adult, words only book, but it's interesting to see. I definitely think there could be more videos like this to showcase the new books coming out. What do you think of it?

The Week in Books

Note: It's incredible how since the last "Week in Books" post so many upcoming and new releases have popped up. Artscroll in particular seems to have their machines on full strength with many new titles being announced for the near future. Some of the books that are scheduled to be released look really good and hopefully we'll have some coverage over those new titles to give you a taste of what to expect once they come out.
And now back to regular programming:

New Releases:

-The Shmuz on the Parsha: Life Transforming Insights on the Weekly Torah Reading, by Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier
-Meoros HaShabbos Vol. 5: The Laws of Shabbos Arranged for Weekly Study at the Shabbos Table (see here for a brief overview of the series)
-In-Laws: It's All Relative, by Rabbi Abraham Twerski and Leah Shifrin Averick
-Peace in Your Palace: Blueprints for a Successful Marriage, by Rebbetzin S. Simon

Upcoming Releases:

-Rav Schwab on Yeshayahu: The teachings of Rabbi Shimon Schwab zt"l on the Book of Isaiah
-Rabbi Sherer: The Paramount Torah Spokesman of Our Era, by Yonoson Rosenblum
-Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories, by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon C.S.W
-A Vort From Rav Pam, by Rabbi Sholom Smith
-A Touch of Inspiration, by Rabbi Yechiel Spero
-Great Jewish Letters: A collection of classic and inspirational writings of Torah sages and Jewish leader, by Rabbi Moshe Bamberger
-Kuntres Sfat Tamim- Chofetz Chaim
-Kuntres Chovat HaShemirah- Chofetz Chaim
-Too Beautiful: Stories So Uplifting They Have to be Shared, by Hanoch Teller
-Something New: A Comprehensive Guide to the Halachos of the Shehecheyanu Brocha, by Rabbi Michael Yehoshua Newman
-"Normal" and Other Stories, by Reva Rubenstein
-Chain of Thought: Torah Linked Through the Ages, by Rabbi Moshe Hubner

Seforim Store Directory

The Jewish Book World is looking to compile a comprehensive list of seforim stores as a service to its readers, similar to the various lists of kosher restaurants that are available. If you have information regarding a seforim store in your community we would love to hear from you! Please send any relevant information, such as the store name, address, phone number, etc. to Jewishbookworld@gmail.com. Thank you!

Benny Friedman Has Arrived!

There has been so much hype surrounding the release of this album and I think that it's going to be a hit! Benny's talent has already been showcased on the Jewish music scene for a while from the various performances he has done and he has a great stage presence and a powerful performing voice. I can't wait to get a copy!

Benny Friedman's long awaited debut album is finally here! Presented by Sameach Music and produced by Avi Newmark, this has been one of the most anticipated albums in recent memory, featuring 12 tracks sure to satisfy all musical palettes.

A variety of talented artists team up to bring you this masterful musical production. Selections include compositions from such famed composers as Yitzy Waldner and Elimelech Blumstein, and relative newcomers like Meshulum Greenberger and Oriel Avraham. Arrangers range from Good ol' Mona and Moshe Laufer to the always incredible Leib Yaakov Rigler and Avremi G, along with some great surprises from Ian Freitor, the album's engineer.

The Friedman/Marcus families showcase some very strong talent with three compositions, including the title track, Taamu, composed by Shmuel Marcus, an incredible piece of music sure to take your breath away composed by Simche Friedman, and a Bentzi Marcus composition featuring a duet with 8th Day! Rabbi Manis Friedman, Benny's father, collaborates with Lipa Schmeltzer to compose a Yiddish lyric that will at once force you to look inward, while causing your feet to move with the beat! A special musical tribute was composed by Yitzy Spinner in memory of Izzy Taubenfeld, the founder of Sameach Music.

HaRav Shlomo Lorincz Z"TL

When I saw the articles headlined with the name Rabbi Shlomo Lorincz, announcing his passing, I knew that the name was familiar to me from somewhere. Then I remembered that he is the author of an incredible biography, "In Their Shadow," which details the lives of the Chazon Ish, Rav Shach and the Brisker Rav. The book is actually a translation of it's Hebrew equivalent, B'Mechitazasam, which received tremendous haskamos from a large number of Gedolei HaDor. The Hebrew version has two volumes, the first being what was translated into English and the second being the biographies of a large number of additional Rabbonim, which I hope will eventually be made available to the English reading public. If anybody has the opportunity to get a hold of a copy of these books take a moment to read through them. Rabbi Lorincz was a contemporary of some of these Torah giants and his writing is filled with powerful stories and lessons that are meant to inspire and improve us.

After reading some of the obituaries for Rabbi Lorincz I learned about some of his other incredible accomplishments, which I had been ignorant to before his passing. He was a political activist, achieving the status of MK in the Knesset, and he was a great Talmid Chochom. Yonason Rosenblum from Cross Currents has an insightful piece that gives the reader an outlook into the life of this special human being. One of the passages that caught my eye was the following:

"In his preface to the first volume of B’Mechitzasam (the translation of which into English I had the honor of supervising), Rabbi Lorincz describes how he recorded only those stories of the Chazon Ish, the Brisker Rav, and Rav Shach that can inspire others to increased Torah learning, fear of Heaven and good deeds. He entreats the reader not to read the book as a storybook, but to contemplate each story, analyze what it teaches us, and think about how that lesson can be applied in practice."

This to me is the essence of what Gedolim biographies are all about, and that is why I particularly gravitate to books of that genre. If we could learn from the examples of the great giants of generations, current and past, and see what heights man is capable of achieving then we would all grow in positive ways. Don't be intimidated by their achievements. As the saying goes, "shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land among the stars."

Yehi Zichro Baruch.

The Week in Books

New Releases:

-Mother's to Mother's: Women Across the Globe Share the Joys and Challenges of Jewish Motherhood, by Julie Hauser
-Torah Classics Library: Tehillim with Rashi's Commentary - 2 Vol. Set
-Diamond in the Rough, by Esther Rapaport
-Dare to Dream: An Abram's Family Legacy, by Leah Gebber
-Step up to the Plate, by Rabbi Yisroel Roll
-The Brisker Rav, Vol. 2, by Rabbi Shimon Yosef Meller
-Reflections on The Parshah: Bereishis, by Rabbi Zechariah Fendel

Upcoming Releases:

-Meoros HaShabbos, Vol. 5, from the Global Torah Network
-The Shmuz on the Parsha, by Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier
-Kuntres Sfat Tamim- Chofetz Chaim
-Kuntres Chovat HaShemirah- Chofetz Chaim
-Rav Schwab on Yeshayahu: The teachings of Rabbi Shimon Schwab zt"l on the Book of Isaiah

Nachman Seltzer on the CoolJew Show

The CoolJew has continued to spread their influence in the Jewish entertainment industry with a first of hopefully many interviews with Jewish authors. This first issue is with the very talented Nachman Seltzer, the author of an array of books including novels, biographies and short stories. Check out the interview by clicking here.

Hamodia Interviews Avner Gold

Last weeks issue of Hamodia (10/14) has an interesting interview by Shloimy Blau with best selling author Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Reinman, also known by his pen name, Avner Gold. I must admit that I've never read any of his books but their popularity has not gone unnoticed. His most recent books, part of the Strasbourg Saga, are available from Artscroll. Here is a short excerpt from the article:

How would you recap the accomplishments of your writing career?

First and foremost, I value immensely the sefarim I have been fortunate to write, both those already published and those as yet unpublished. They are my main legacy for the future.
As far as my novels are concerned, it has been said that there is more truth in fiction than in non-fiction. My fictional material can portray characters in a manner that ordinary people can fully appreciate, showing both their virtues and their flaws. This allows people to derive great practical inspiration from their challenges, struggles and triumphs.
I am continually humbled by the outpouring of positive feedback that comes my way. I include my e-mail address in my books, and I respond, often at length, to all correspondence. I write with my readers in mind, and my relationship with them is important to me. Hearing how some of my books have inspired people- and even returned some secular Yidden to the path of authentic Yiddishkeit- has made my seemingly endless hours of exhausting labor all the more worthwhile and enjoyable.

Lecture and Book Signing

Date & Time:

Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 9:00 PM

Location:

Young Israel Beth El of Boro Park
4802 15 Ave
Brooklyn, New York 11219

Meoros HaShabbos Updates

For those of you who are not familiar with Meoros HaShabbos, it is a great series that goes through Hilchos Shabbos and is available in Hebrew, English and Yiddish. To make it family and user friendly the halachos are divided up by Parsha, and then further divided up for Shabbos dinner and then Shabbos lunch. This encourages famalies to use part of the time at those two Shabbos meals to become more familiar with the laws of Shabbos. Each day also includes a story about Gedolim and how they related to Shabbos. So far four volumes have been published (two volumes per year) and the fourth volume concluded with the first day of Sukkos, which was a Shabbos this year. The fifth volume supposedly begins this Shabbos but Feldheim has informed me that there have been some delays. It has been printed and should be available in approximately three weeks. Keep your eyes out for it and if you haven't started the series yet take a look at it next time you're in the seforim store. Maybe you'll find something new L'Kovod Shabbos Kodesh.

The Week in Books

New Releases:

-Aleinu L'Shabeiach: Breishis, by Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein
-Chizuk: A Premier on Bitachon, Coping, and Hope, by Rabbi Eliezer Parkoff
-Moonlight: Stories that Illuminate the Spirit of Our Lives, by Yael Mermelstein
-The Rambam’s 13 Principles of Faith VI & VII, from Kol Menachem

Upcoming Releases:

-Mother's to Mother's: Women Across the Globe Share the Joys and Challenges of Jewish Motherhood, by Julie Hauser

Dovid Stein and Benny Friedman Rock the Collive Concert

This video may already be old (if a month can be called that) but the Collive concert overall looked like it was awesome based on the videos and this clip in particular is my new favorite. Benny and Dovid do a great job with MBD's new song Kulam Ahuvim and I keep watching it over and over! You can even just put it on in the background, it's so leibedike. I wish I could have been there!

Sale at Targum Press

Me, the Newspaper Junkie

There's another book being released every second! As much as I would love to buy a new book every week it's just not monetarily feasible, but more importantly it's simply not necessary. I like to remind myself that books are not a one time experience. It's the yetzer hara that likes to convince oneself that you need "new," and assuming that a book interests you, it's meant to be read more than once. Between all the book shelves in our house I could read and reread from now until the next Birchas HaChamah (4/9/2027- put it on your calendars) but . . . there is something nice about purchasing some fresh material.

This is where the newspapers come in.

I love newspapers.

My two favorite weekly's are the Hamodia and the Mishpacha magazine. Both of them are, in my opinion, the leaders among religious Jewish publications in quality and substance. Besides for the typical news items that are reported everywhere, they also are able to find original interesting stories that are fun and inspiring to read and news items that interest me as a Jewish person. The Hamodia is significantly cheaper (in price, not quality) than the Mishpacha so I am able to buy it every week, but when a particularly good Mishpacha comes out I make an effort to go and get it. And when I say effort, I mean effort. To get the Mishpacha requires strategic coordination on my part because for some reason it is not sold at newsstands or seforim stores in either of my two residences. The closest it is offered is about 45 minutes away so my choices are between finding an excuse to, say, go to Brooklyn, or calling up someone who lives in those locations and asking them to please pick me up a copy. I actually just did that about 2 hours ago when I called up my lovely aunt and asked her if she could buy a copy of this weeks Mishpacha- it's one of the special expanded editions that are put out before Pesach and Succos!!!- which I will pick up when a next get a chance. But going back to the main topic, it's the opportunity to buy the newspapers each Thursday, whether it's the Hamodia, Mishpacha, Jewish Press, etc. that helps feed my addiction for new material. The benefits are twofold. I save money since, for example, the Hamodia only costs me $2, and the papers are long enough to make me feel like I'm getting something new to read while at the same time remaining short enough that I can then go back to the books sitting on my shelf waiting to be finished. You can even save the Mishpacha and Hamodia Magazines and reread those too.

Ah, now that I've just spent a half hour thinking about the papers, come Thursday I think I'm going to be one very pumped up Hamodia buyer. Watch out!

The Week in Books

New Releases:

-Angel of Orphans: The Story of R' Yona Tiefenbrunner and the Hundreds He Saved, by Malka Weinstock
-Speak of Hashem's Wonders: Miracles in the Midbar, by Rabbi Zev Yehuda Shain
-Faith in the Night, by Rebbetzin Rivka Wolbe
-A Time to Laugh, A Time to Listen, by Rabbi Yehoshua Kurland
-Triangle of Despair- Circle of Hope, by Yaffa Farbstein
-Six Constant Mitzvos, Based on a Series of Lectures by Rabbi Yitzchok Berkowitz
-The Essential Malbim, by Rabbi Reuven Subar

Upcoming Releases:

-Aleinu L'Shabeiach- Bereishis, by Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein
-Chizuk: A Primer on Bitachon, Coping, and Hope, by Rabbi Eliezer Parkoff
-Mother's to Mother's: Women Across the Globe Share the Joys and Challenges of Jewish Motherhood, by Julie Hauser
-Moonlight: Stories that Illuminate the Landscape of Our Lives, by Yael Mermelstein

Review: "Search Judaism"

When I am back in my hometown I often have the opportunity to work in one of our local seforim stores, which is a dream come true for a Jewish bibliophile like myself. Despite the fact that you do have to tend to customers, more often than not there is still plenty of time to take a look at all the books lying around and see what looks good. My bosses are great and on my last work day at the store this past summer I was told that I could pick out a book for free. It was a tough decision (iy'h it should be the toughest I am ever faced with), and I finally chose the subject of today's book review, Search Judaism by Rabbi Yitzchok Fingerer.

One of the first things that drew me to Search Judaism was that it bills itself as another book in an ever growing category of attempts to answer some of the often posed tough theological questions, such as whether there is a G-d, are we inhabited with divine souls, and does mankind truly have free choice. I believe that these and the other questions in the book, which relate to fundamental tenets of the Jewish belief system, are important for everyone, especially frum Jews to know. I personally try to solidify my commitment as a religious Jew by attempting to learn that which is within my capacity to understand about Judaism, Hashem, and the Torah, and this book is an appropriate catalyst towards that mission. Other topics that were addressed by Rabbi Fingerer that interested me were how the Torah and science can be compatible and insights into the subject of reincarnation. Each chapter is filled with delightful stories and anecdotes that expound on the designated topic, and all answers are referenced to leading Rabbi's and secular authorities. Actually, there is a strong emphasis on secular references which is great because it's no chiddush to back up Jewish beliefs with Jewish sources, rather when the outside world also comes to the same conclusions that the Torah does, that is impressive.

This book is similar in subject style to "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" by R' Shmuel Waldman and "The Eye of the Needle" from Aish HaTorah. For those of you have read similar books some of the sources and arguments may be a little old but there is fresh material here as well. Search Judaism stands out in that is is very easy to understand and could be read comfortably read by Jews of all kinds. Rabbi Fingerer really does a great job posing tough questions and giving good answers. Something that really showed me how much this book is meant for everyone to be able to learn is that on the last page there is contact information for Rabbi Fingerer and links to websites for furthering Jewish education. As I mentioned before, I believe that it is important for frum Jews to review this material because it is through doing so that we can also try to transmit this information over to our less knowledgeable brothers and sisters so they too can come to an understanding about what a wonderful gift it is to be a Jew.

Review: "It's Never Too Little, It's Never Too Late, It's Never Enough."

"You better knock my socks off." Thus said my 9th grade English teacher at the start of every class in the hopes that we would be on better behavior. If I had to use a phrase to describe the impact that, "It's Never Too Little, It's Never Too Late, It's Never Enough" is capable of I would have to borrow her phrase and say "it knocks your socks off." Anyone who is familiar with Rabbi Yissocher Frand's previous works, whether his essays or his Divrei Torah, knows that his eloquent style and poignant sense of humor have the power to both inspire and make you smile. This book is no exception.

"It's Never Too Little etc." is a breath of fresh air, an enlightening perspective of Torah amidst the turbulent world around us. Day after day we are subject to voices of foolishness, misguided priorities and false promises. One of Rabbi Frand's essays takes on the so called Shidduch crisis, a crisis that is largely of our own making through improper goals and requirements from young boys and girls. Another essay talks about interpersonal relationships and how we are to understand the seemingly impossible task of truly loving another person as we love ourselves. A third essay discusses the financial meltdown and how important it is for us to reevaluate our priorities. Do we earn money as a means to an end, or is the money the end itself? We are shown through real examples of the gadlus and chesronos of our broad communities what our mistakes are, how great our potential really is, and how simple introspection is something we could all make use of.

Here is a little vort from " It's Never Too Little, It's Never Too Late, It's Never Enough" to give you some inspiration as we go into the Aseres Yemei Teshuva.

Have you ever noticed that all of the berachos in Shemoneh Esrei end by defining Hashem as One Who can provide the specific form of salvation that we seek: He is the Chonein Hada'as- the Gracious Giver of knowledge; the Rofeh Cholei Amo Yisrael- the Healer of the sick of His nation, Israel; Bonei Yerushalayim- the Builder of Jerusalem. Only one beracha stands out. We ask Hashem, "Hashiveinu Avinu l'Sorasecha- Bring us back, our Father, to your Torah, and bring us near, our King, to your service, and influence us to return in perfect repentance before You. Blessed are You, Hashem, Who desires repentance."

Why is this beracha different from all the rest?

The answer is simple. Hashem can do everything for you. He can give you knowledge, He can heal you, He can build Jerusalem- all without your input. But He cannot do teshuvah for you.

There is one thing He does do, however. He profoundly desires your teshuvah, and eagerly awaits the day when we will choose to return to Him. (p.137)

Rabbi Frand's latest book is a gem and I encourage others to take a look at it. Even as an avid reader there are few books that are just too much to take a break from and put down. This was one of them and I enjoyed every minute of reading. It is very hard to give this book a good read and not come away wanting to strive for improvement and to grow closer to Hashem. If you are looking for a book to help you start the New Year off on the right foot look no farther and go read "It's Never Too Little, It's Never Too Late, It's Never Enough."

K'siva V'Chasimah Tovah!

Haskamos

Today I heard a shiur from Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser and one of the topics that he brought up was the importance of checking haskamos when you buy a sefer or a book that represents itself as expressing Torah ideas and values. I thought it would be worth it to reiterate this message again here as our main focus at the Jewish Book World is, you guessed it, Jewish books. When you are purchasing seforim with which you are not familiar it is very important to see who wrote it and whether the writer's ideas are supported by the Gedolei HaTorah and leaders of our respective communities. Just like we are careful about the food that goes into ours mouths, the things our eyes see and the words that we speak we must also be careful about what we read and learn in the name of Torah.

The Week in Books

New Releases:

-Torah for your Table, by Rabbis' Osher Anshel and Yisroel Jungreis and Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis
-Festivals of Life, by Rabbi Zev Leff
-Nefesh HaChaim, a new translation by Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Finkel
- The Legacy of the Mashgiach, compiled by Rabbis' Alter and Tzvi Gartenhaus, edited by Rabbi Yitzchok Kirzner
- Delivery From Darkness: A Jewish Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Postpartum Depression, by Rabbi Baruch Finkelstein, Michal Finkelstein and Doreen Winter
- The Yellow Notebook: A Novel, by Devorah Rosen
-Musawi: A Novel, by A. Shalom
-The Daily Halacha, by Rabbi Eli Mansour
-Grow! Inspiration, Stories, and Practical Advice, by Rebbetzin S. Feldbrand

Upcoming Releases:

-Mother's to Mother's: Women Across the Globe Share the Joys and Challenges of Jewish Motherhood, by Julie Hauser
-Six Constant Mitzvos, Based on a Series of Lectures by Rabbi Yitzchok Berkowitz
-The Essential Malbim, by Rabbi Reuven Subar

Review: Malei Olam

Malei Olam is Shlomo Katz's latest release, following the successful debut of V'hakohanim as well as a joint project on K'shoshana with Aaron Razel and Chaim Dovid. The influence of Shlomo's self-stated spiritual mentor, Reb Shlomo Carlebach, can be seen through his style of music which also encorporates Israeli rhythms and accents, differentiating his style from his brother and another great singer, Eitan Katz. I'll tell you upfront that I was very impressed with this CD, so much so out of all the albums I own I decided to try and put out my first music review using this one. As I do not have the book jacket in front of me, 200 miles away from home, I may be missing information on guest appearances or composers (I know one song is a Carlebach song buy I'm not sure which). Either way, here we go:

V’af Al Pi: Shlomo starts off the album with a slow song; something that I’m seeing more and more with newer releases. This song is a brilliant composition and gives you the feel for what to expect from the rest of the songs. It’s soft, heartfelt and meaningful. The violin at the beginning adds a nice touch as does the rest of the instrumental accompaniment. This song was first released a couple months back (see here) and it definitely gave me something to anticipate from the rest of the album. The interlude at 3:01 is particularly moving. I don’t know why but every time I hear it, it reminds me of the African savannah. Strange, right?

Hazorim Bedimah: Another slow song. Not a big fan of the opening music but once the lyrics get started this song really starts to take off. Again, the essence of this song is the beautiful medley. It’s repetitive (yes, I know that Jewish music is repetitive but this one a bit more so than others) but it has beauty in it's simplicity. The higher and lower parts all flow into each other creating an enjoyable and singable zemer for an opportune time like the Shabbos table or long car rides.

Shma Koleinu: Wow, now we’re moving up the tempo! I love fast songs and while the first two songs we’re beautiful they’re nothing you can get up and dance to. Great electric guitar rock beginning! The chorus- v’kabel brachamim u’vratzon, has a pumped up beat while the shma koleinu part is a bit more soft rock Israeli. This song makes me think of something that Aryeh Kuntsler might perform. This is a fun song. Enjoy!

Ana Avda: Moving back to slow now. The lyrics begin with Ava Avda and then switch to the words from Asapra Lesudasah at 1:51. I love how the melody and the words flow together but I’m just not enjoying the choice of instruments. It's great when Shlomo is singing but the musical interludes are when it gets bothersome.

Yartzeit Niggun: It's hard to describe such a Niggun so I'll just use one word: stunning.

Od Yishama: I’ve spotted my new favorite song! I just can’t stop playing it. The music has this great folksy feel and the simcha just jumps right out. Everything from the beginning to the end is fun and leibedik. It has rhythm, a great choice of instruments and Shlomo’s vocals at 2:40 are the highlight of the song.. At first I wished that it would have been longer but then I realized that the length keeps you coming back for more instead of getting bored from it dragging on.

K'vodo: While this song is titled K'vodo, the title for the album, Malei Olam, can be found here as part of the lyrics. Gorgeous violin solo right off the bat. Then guest singer, Avshalom Katz, Shlomo's father and an accomplished singer and chazzan, begins to sing. I have never heard Avshalom before but his voice is so deep and rich. A great choice on Shlomo's part to include his father as it adds so much to the song. Shlomo appears at 2:04, letting his father have the spotlight until then. The two of them together afterward just make this song a hit. A++

Niggun Mitzpe: From what I remember reading on the book jacket this song was inspired from a place that Shlomo is very connected to in Israel, Mitzpe Nevo. His first niggun which became a huge hit, Niggun Nevo, was also from Shlomo's connection to this community, hence the names of the niggunim. I love Niggun Nevo but this has no similarities in any shape or form to it's predecessor. It just reminds me too much of cowboys and barnyard square dances. It's got a good beat but I'll pass on this niggun.

B’chayechon: Hmmm, how to classify this song . . . probably a medium tempo, like a slow song with beat. This is a good song and it’s got the same soft/sweetness that we’ve already come to expect but I’m not overly excited about it. Listen for the nice harmony at 00:51

Yom Shekulo: The final song and it's a great one to end off with. After a packed and uplifting CD this song sort of places you softly back down leaving you wanting to press play and start all over again. Thinking about it, all the songs just seem to blend right into each other, in a positive way, and that's what makes this CD all the more impressive. Yom Shekulo is slow and meaningful, powered with a sense of sweet simcha dripping from the words and voices. I think that's Aaron Razel I hear starting at 00:50. The whole song is just great.

So that's all folks. My final impressions are simply that this is an album worth giving a chance. As an avid JM follower I'm usually inclined to listen to fast and upbeat simcha music but the d'veikus of these compositions give the neshama a different type of boost and is a breath of fresh air when you just need something to calm down with. The simplicity of the compositions is really the essence of this album’s beauty. Some people need more to work with to create a better product but Shlomo takes simple verses and soft tunes and creates gems. A really nice job all around.

Mishpacha Interviews Authors

"A Shabbos Story at It's Best"

This past weeks Mishpacha Magazine (Issue 274) had an interesting interview with two big name Jewish authors, Yair Weinstock and Yeruchem Landesman. In They were asked some great and insightful questions and I was very impressed by the level of responsibility these two authors felt towards imparting their ideas and stories onto the klal, as well as the appropriate kavanos they have when they write their stories. In much of society writing is solely a means of earning a living but it's nice to see these two Chassidish authors who feel that it is also a way of Avodas Hashem. Rabbi Weinstock even gives some examples of people who were influenced positively by his stories, so much show that it further influenced their growth towards Hashem.

Here's one of the questions that was asked:

Reb Yeruchem, you're not daunted by the new computerized generation that has encroached upon the reading market?

"The Jewish People are the People of the Book. There is no substitute for a good story written black on white. The small setback in popularity is only marginal. Our youth grew up on books, not on computers. When I deliberated about publishing a book, it was Reb Yair (Weinstock) who pushed me to do so with his hearty encouragement."

Hey There!

Just got two new books today- "Search Judaism" by Rabbi Yitzchak Fingerer, and "It's Never too Little, It's Never Too Late, It's Never Enough" by Rabbi Yissochor Frand. Both are new releases and look great. I hope to give them a good read over Shabbos and report back to you ASAP. Also, look out for some of the music side of this blog with a review of Shlomo Katz's new CD, Malei Olam, coming soon. Those of you who aren't familiar with it yet, this is definitely an album that is worth giving a good listen. Be back soon!

A Beautiful Rendition of Machnisei Rachamim

Orad Katz & Tsudik Grindwald Machnise Rachamim from "The Rebbe's Dream" Heichal Hatarbut Tel Aviv

The Week in Books

New Releases:

-Moments: Unexpected and Incredible Moment's In Our Lives, by Nachman Seltzer
-It's Never Too Little, It's Never Late, It's Never Enough, by Rabbi Yissocher Frand
-Raising Kids to Love Being Jewish, by Doron Kornbluth
-Life is Now, by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
-The Torah of Brisk - Rosh Hashanah-Yom Kippur, by Rabbi Shimon Yosef Meller
-Voice of Nobles: Commentary of the Dubner Maggid on the Book of Ecclesiastes, by David Zucker
-Rosewood Court, by Libby Lazewnik

Upcoming Releases:

- Delivery From Darkness: A Jewish Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Postpartum Depression, by Rabbi Baruch Finkelstein, Michal Finkelstein and Doreen Winter
-Festivals of Life: The Depth and Meaning of Mo'adim, by Rabbi Zev Leff
- The Yellow Notebook: A Novel, by Devorah Rosen
-The Daily Halacha, by Rabbi Eli Mansour
-Mother's to Mother's: Women Across the Globe Share the Joys and Challenges of Jewish Motherhood, by Julie Hauser
-The Legacy of the Mashgiach: The thought-provoking teachings of Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein, Mashgiach of Yeshivas Mir and Ponevez
-Torah for your Table, by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis and Rabbis Yisroel and Osher Anshel Jungreis
-The Essential Malbim, by Rabbi Reuven Subar

It's Finally Here

After many delays and false release dates the new Yeshiva Boys Choir album, Shemoy Shel Melech, is now available for purchase. I was just listening to some clips on Mostlymusic and it sounds okay but you can't tell everything from just 30 second previews. I have to say that although I was not at the Big Event Concert I just bought the DVD (a great buy! Review coming soon) and I was very impressed with the "Pirchei Boys Choir" which from what I understand was just YBC singing the songs of the old Pirchei Choir and R' Eli Teitelbaum. The harmonies and solos were gorgeous with none of the shrieking that I have sometimes come to associate with YBC. They we're, to put it simply, phenomenal. I would hope that Eli Gerstner was able to recreate that same smoothness into this album. Anyways, when the CD becomes available in my local store I will try to pick up a copy and give it a good listen. I'd be interested to hear what you also thought of the album, and stay tuned for more Jewish music news and reviews here at the Jewish Book World.

Comic Laugh

People of the Book

Books are a wonder of creation which never ceases to expand and amaze. They are full of new and exciting information and there is always one out there for whatever mood you're in. When I was younger I remember my mother telling me that one of her greatest pleasures in life as a child was to curl up in bed on a rainy day with a cookie and a good book. I don't have trouble believing that since I have experienced that same wonderful pleasure myself- and it's not limited to bad weather days or to when you have some cookies lying around. Every day can be a book day. I personally find that Shabbos is the best day to sit down and lose yourself in a book or sefer. Put yourself in a comfortable environment and just read. Prepare ahead of time for moments where you will have to pass the time, like sitting at the DMV or a the doctors office, by bringing that new book you haven't had time for yet or the newest edition of Mishpacha Magazine. If you doubt that there is a book out there that could interest you try walking into a large bookstore like Eichlers in Brooklyn or Shanky's in Yerushalayim, take a step back and you will be amazed at the never ending line of row after row of bookshelves piled high with books. Go to the Library of Congress and see how many categories of books exist within those walls. Humanity does not lack for reading material. Food, maybe, but not books!

My young brother has a book called The Very Best Gift by Genendel Krohn. It's a cute book that describes the giving of the Torah in a fun to read rhyme. I have made an observation about the Torah which has led me to believe why it is the very best gift. It never ends! I get overwhelmed walking into a Rav's house and seeing how many seforim line the walls. To imagine that one person could learn through those thin pages and thick books in a lifetime, and that's just referring to the books that were on those particular shelves! There is a book that was on the NY Times Bestsellers List called The Know-It-All by A.J. Jacobs, which is the quest of one man (the author) to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. One certainly views that as a great accomplishment- it's one of the most comprehensive lists of knowledge in the secular world. However, the Encyclopedia is but a drop in the sea compared to how many seforim currently available (and still growing) we have access to and that are being learned. The Gemara alone is tremendous in size and there have been uncountable numbers of commentaries written since then. Only a work such as the Torah, which is from the Hand of our G-d who is infinite, could give forth such a stream of knowledge which is still growing. Hafoch Ba V'Hafoch Ba D'Kula Ba- turn it (the Torah) and turn it for everything is within it. The quantity of knowledge out there shouldn't intimidate, rather it should excite because you know that there will always be something waiting for you to dig right into.

The Week in Books

New Releases:

-Kedushat Levi: Torah commentary by Reb Levi Yitzchak M'Berditchev in a 3 Volume Set, translated by Eliyahu Munk

-Path to Greatness: The Life of Maran HaRav Elazar Menachem Man Shach Vol. 1, by Rabbi Asher Bergman
-Midnight Intruders, by Avner Gold

-Search Judaism: Judaism's Answers to a Changing World, by Rabbi Yitzchak Fingerer

-All of Our Lives: An Anthology of Contemporary Jewish Writing, by Sarah Shapiro
-In Defense of Torah Values: My Memories of Moreinu Reb Yaakov Rosenheim and the Struggle for Yiddishkeit in Eretz Yisrael (1938-1968), by Zev Schlesinger

Upcoming Releases:

-Life Is Now, by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
-It's Never Too Little, It's Never Late, It's Never Enough, by Rabbi Yissocher Frand
-Mother's to Mother's: Women Across the Globe Share the Joys and Challenges of Jewish Motherhood, by Julie Hauser
-The Daily Halacha, by Rabbi Eli Mansour
- The Yellow Notebook: A Novel, by Devorah Rosen
- Moments: Unexpected and Incredible Moment's In Our Lives, by Nachman Seltzer
- Delivery From Darkness: A Jewish Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Postpartum Depression, by Rabbi Baruch Finkelstein, Michal Finkelstein and Doreen Winter
-Festivals of Life: The Depth and Meaning of Mo'adim, by Rabbi Zev Leff

JMR Upcoming CD Report!

The Jewish Music Report has just published a great list of some of the new albums that are in the works and are due out soon. The list includes, among others, new albums for Yaakov Shwekey, Yeshiva Boys Choir, Benny Friedman, Ohad, and MBD. I am personally looking forward to see what each CD has to offer, and I am especially excited for the albums from Shua Kessin, Benny Friedman, and YBC 4. One new release is the CD and DVD from the Big Event Concert which featured Lipa, Dedi, MBD, and others and iy'h I intend to purchase that as well (I'm deliberating between getting the CD or the DVD- which do you think is a better buy?). It was billed as the concert of the year and although I wasn't able to make it to that one LifeofRubin has reported that there will be another Big Event concert next year so maybe I'll have the chance to go to that one. In the mean time, keep looking out for all those new CDs (and books) due out within the coming weeks. These are exciting times!

Rivky Holtzberg's 29th Birthday

Time may heal all wounds but certain incidents need many years before their shock begins to disappear. Since the tragic events that took place last December at the Chabad House of Mumbai the incredible sadness of it all continues to linger with an awesome strength. Yesterday, Tu B'Av, was the 29th birthday of Rivky Holtzberg, Chabad shlucha to Mumbai, and as a zechus for her neshama the Holtzberg and Rosenberg families have asked Collive to please publicize that in her honor we should recite Rivky's chapter of Tehillim (as corresponding to her age +1), which is Perek 30/Lamed. This can be recited for Rivky throughout this coming year and it serves as a measure of hakaras hatov for the work that she was moser nefesh for. In the merit of all the kedoshim we should see good tidings very soon.

Watch a video of Rivky Holtzberg a'h as she speaks about her work in Mumbai:

(Video HT: Gruntig)

The Week in Books

Recent Releases:

- Green Fences, by Riva Pomerantz
- Positive Word Power, from the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation

Upcoming Releases:

- Path to Greatness: The Life of Maran HaRav Elazar Menachem Man Shach Vol. 1, by Rav Asher Bergman
- Moments: Unexpected and Incredible Moments In Our Lives, by Nachman Seltzer
- 6 Constant Mitzvos, by Mordechai Plaut
- Search Judaism: Judaism's Answers to a Changing World, by Rabbi Yitzchak Fingerer
- All of Our Lives: An Anthology of Contemporary Jewish Writing, by Sarah Shapiro
- Life is Now, by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
- Midnight Intruders, by Avner Gold
- It's Never too Little, It's Never Late, It's Never Enough, by Rabbi Yissocher Frand

Review: “The Rav Thinking Aloud”

Almost every student in either a Hebrew day school or a yeshiva nowadays has heard of Rabbi Joseph B. Soleveitchik, or as he's more commonly referred to- the Rav. It shows something about the impact that an individual has made on society when all you need to say is "the Rav" and people know who you mean. I had also grown up hearing about the Rav, both in the classroom and at shul, but I never read any of the works by him or about him.

That all changed a month ago when I picked up a new book, "The Rav Thinking Aloud: Transcripts of Personal Conversations with Rabbi Joseph B. Soleveitchik," by Rabbi David Holzer, Rabbi Soleveitchik's close confident and a personal attendant of his for many years. This book is a collection of informal conversations with the Rav about a variety of topics, including thoughts on Zionism, women in Halacha, medical ethics and a personal history of the Rav's early years, including recollections of his grandfathers, the giants of the Brisk Yeshiva. This book is unique because it contains the actual words of the Rav as recorded by Holzer, as opposed to recollections or retellings of his views. The downside (which is not a big one) to this is that because the book contains unscripted conversation the sentence structure is not always complete, and sometimes a word or two is missing due to the recorder not picking up clearly the Rav's voice. However, these unedited informal conversations are really one of the most genuine ways to get a close up look at the Rav's thoughts and ideas. The Rav is literally "thinking aloud", which is how he himself expresses his views in one of the later chapters, and the reader gets the authentic feeling of being in conversation with the Rav.

The format of the book is divided between sections of recorded conversation and notes that Rabbi Holzer took down from certain conversations. The bottom of each page explains that the standard text is the words of the Rav from the recordings, and the text that is surrounded by a border is based on notes. The author does a good job making sure that everything is clear, making a distinct separation between who is asking the Rav questions versus when the Rav is the one talking, as well as when the text is based on notes.

The book is also accompanied by footnotes that add both sources and interesting additional information about the topic being discussed. As a reader, I have always preferred footnotes over endnotes because then you can remain on the page and see the added information, as opposed to having to turn all the way to the back of the book to find the same information. A brief album of pictures is included at the end of the book, with most of them showing the author or members of his family with the Rav. This author makes clear the connection that existed between himself and the Rav. Instead of any haskamos the book begins with a transcript of the Rav speaking affectionately at the author's sheva brachos, and throughout the book the Rav visibly shows a high esteem for his young attendant. This lends legitimacy to the author's credentials towards writing such a book since he is clearly familiar with the subject being portrayed and was found worthy of such a task by the subject himself.

One of the most interesting chapters, as well as one of the longest, is the recording of a shiur at YU that the Rav conducted following Shacharis on the morning of Yom Ha'atzmaut 1978. The focus of the shiur stemmed from the recitation of Hallel during Shacharis and the Rav delves into whether or not in his opinion one should recite Hallel on that day. The chapter goes into so many different scenarios and aspects of Yom Ha'atzmaut, answering pretty much every possible question. Concepts of Halacha for the day, such as Hallel, K'rias HaTorah, and music are brought into the conversation, as well as hashkafic concepts like aliyah and our responsibilities to the land. One question that was posed to the Rav was:

"What should be done? Is the whole idea of Yom Ha'azmaut a proper idea?"

The Rav answers:

"I don't know, it's no idea. For my part Yom Ha'atzmaut can be Yom Yerushalayim. I don't care about the date. In my opinion there is no kedushas ha'yom in the day. But the fact, the event, of Medinas Yisrael requires shevach v'hodaah to Hakodosh Baruch Hu, and not only on Yom Ha'atzmaut. One 365 days of the year." (p. 214)

The Rav's views on this topic are not accepted by everyone but it is interesting to read into his thoughts on the matter and the ways that he came to his conclusions. It took me a while to make my way through this chapter and the rest of the book but overall one puts it down with a sense of understanding another approach to Torah within the framework of Shivim Panim LaTorah and I would recommend this book for anybody interested in learning more about the Rav and his teachings. Even someone like me, who does not necessarily come from the same school of thought as the Rav, enjoyed learning more about a person who is respected and revered by many thousands around the world.

Feldheim Sale

Feldheim presents it's first ever sale on Hebrew Sefarim with prices discounted 15-25 % off. The sale ends August 3rd.

Rav Elyashiv, Obama, and French Fries:

So, I was flipping through the Yated Ne'eman today when I came across the makings of an interesting psak from HaGaon Rav Elyashiv:

"Last week, a yungerman came to Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv to ask him if French fries are a food that would be classified as being prohibited if cooked by a non-Jew. According to a report in Bakehilllah, Rav Elyashiv turned to the petitioner and asked, "Does Obama eat French fries?"
The questioner was astounded by the answer and it took him time to register that Rav Elyashiv was referring to the halacha that states that if something is served on a king's table- if it is oleh al shulchan melachim- it falls under the prohibition of bishul akum. Rav Elyashiv was effectively saying that in regard to this matter, President Obama is considered like a king, and if he eats French Fries, they would be considered oleh al shulchan melachim and subject to the laws of bishul akum."

I don't know about you, but I smiled after reading this. I like the idea of the posek hador referencing Obama in a shaila. On a related note, do you think the Queen of England has ever eaten French fries?

On the Struggle to Free the Bochurim

I was very happy to see today the article on VosIzNeis stating that the Japanese Justice Minister has signed the transfer order for the youngest of the yeshiva boys imprisoned in Japan, the only one to be tried and sentenced to date, to serve the rest of his time in Israeli prison. This is a huge victory in the struggle to get these boys into a less harsh prison deal and G-d willing the other two bochurim will also be allowed to be extradited to Israel.

As someone who has been following this story since the very beginning I have seen and heard many of the negative and positive arguments that have arisen from the stories unusual circumstance. Just open up any one of the reports regarding this story from the past year and you will see the gamut of all possible opinions one could concieve of. In that regard, I believe that the Mishpacha cover story from 6/24, which was a detailed interview with the three askanim who have been most involved with the case, as well as any other interview with these Rabbonim, should be required reading for anybody wishing to express an opinion about what is going on in Japan. Every event in our lives contains a lesson for us to learn, and there have been many lessons that we as a people have learned from the details that have emerged from this story, including the importance of not taking any packages containing contents we are not familiar with. We must also learn though not to make quick assumptions about others being guilty, or rather to hope that innocence will eventually be proven.

Most people can not conceive of a society where boys do not even know the word "drugs," as indicated by their initial examinations with a Hebrew translator. Japanese attorneys had to be brought to see Bnei Brak because they themselves couldn't believe such an insular society existed. Furthermore, all three boys were proven innocent of intentional illegal activity through the use of lie-detectors, and while a lie-detector is only 92% accurate, having three identical results usually indicates a common innocence. Their actions leading up to and following the events and are also indicators of innocent activity. I don't deny that there was an unprecedented amount of naivety that went into the suspicious operation of transporting those drugs into Japan, but is that the fault of the boys or the society that they live in, which did not give them a sufficient education about exploitation and drug trafficking? If the goal of punishments is to serve as a lesson to oneself and others, then the lesson in this case should be to increase the knowledge within the Charedi community, as well as for ourselves, about these issues, and not that three boys should sit in one of the toughest prisons in the world. I keep reading comments by people who have handed down harsher sentences on these boys than the courts themselves! Some people say that these boys should just rot or that we have no responsibility for them, challilah! How far from the truth. Kol Yisroel Areivim Ze Lazeh! We have an achrayus for one another and we don't abandon any Jew, whether he is incarcerated or a free man.

To conclude, we all know that the dominant trait of the Jewish people is that we are rachmanim bnei rachmanim, merciful people. There is a good quote from a story in this past weeks Mishpacha, which told the fascinating tale about Yaakov Nakashh who was born a Jew, raised in a monastery during and after the Holocaust, almost becoming a Priest, and than returned to his Jewish roots and moved to Israel. In describing life in the monastery, Yaakov says that "he was put in a room together with three cardinals from the Vatican. As the cardinals chatted to pass the time, much of the conversation involved uncomplimentary remarks about other religions. 'I insisted that it was not nice to say such things about other people, to which one of the cardinals immediately retorted, 'If you're defending other religions, you must be a Jew.'" Even the non-Jews known that we are a merciful nation! We are a nation whose essence is to be kind and compassionate towards others. It is one of Hashem's middos and therefore it must be a middah that we constantly strive for. No matter how you have come to view this issue, it remains a distressing story about diligent Yeshiva boys who are far from home, in a world unlike the one they had prior to then seldom left, and enduring conditions that are hard for any human to endure. Try to think with the benefit of the doubt and remember that how we judge others is how we too will be judged by the beis din shel ma'alah.