Great New English Halacha Releases

In the past few months Israel Book Shop has come out with a very impressive selection of English Halacha seforim. A few of these new seforim include:

• Ginzei HaKodesh by Rabbi Yechezkel Feinhandler on the laws of treatment of religious articles 
• Inside Stam by Reuvain Mendlowitz, which contains questions for the consumer when purchasing a Torah, mezuzos, and tefillin
• The Laws of an Eruv by Rabbi Shlomo Francis and Rabbi Yonason Glenner which is a detailed sefer on Hilchos Eruvin, complete with diagrams (the release conicided well with Daf Yomi) 

Another new release that caught my attention in particular is Dvar Yom by Rabbi Dovid Braunfeld. This sefer is quite remarkable in it's depth and detail. It is an explanation of all the zmanim on the Luach with pages of colored charts and diagrams of astronomical phenomena. The author explains in the introduction "An innovation of this sefer is that before explaining when Tzais HaKochavim and Alos are, it explains what they are. Just as one who knows the anatomy of a cow has a completelty different understanding of Maseches Chullin than one who has never seen a cow, so too when one understands the astronomical facts of Tzais and Alos, he will have a completely different understanding of the intent of the Gemara and the Poskim." There are many chapters in this sefer that are incredibly complex and scientific and, as an aid to the reader, the author clarifies at the beginning of the sefer which chapters are good for a basic understanding of the Luach and which chapters are for more advanced learning. 

All of these new releases can be viewed at the Israel Book Shop website. 

From Sarah to Sarah: Back in Print

Does it ever happen to you that you haven't thought about a certain person for a while and then on the day you think about them their name starts to pop up everywhere? Recently I received an e-mail from a woman who was looking for a copy of Rebbetzin Sara Feldbrand's book "From Sarah to Sarah." I hadn't been aware that it was out of print and this woman was looking to borrow a copy. I own the book but haven't read it in several years. Now, only a few weeks after receiving that e-mail I saw that Israel Book Shop is releasing a new, expanded version of this fantastic book. The original book included short biographical details about tens of women throughout Jewish history and I am assuming that the expanded edition includes new women. The title of the book is a reference to two particular women, Sarah Imeinu and Sarah Schenirer, but it includes so much more about women both known and unknown spanning all times and places in Jewish history. With the majority of Jewish biographies focusing on our great Rabbinic leaders, this comprehensive book on great Jewish women is a welcome addition to any Jewish library.

You can click on the picture above to see the names of some of the women included in this book. 

Artscroll and Feldheim 20% Off Sale

Artscroll and Feldheim are both having a 20% off sale. Now's a great time to stock up on books before Summer vacation begins. If you want to save a bit more money buy the books in a book store instead of online. It depends on where you live, but in the New York area books often have a cheaper list price than the price posted online, and the stores still honor the 20% off sale.