Nuggets of Wisdom from Great Jewish Thinkers: From Biblical Times to the Present

Front Cover
Rodopi, 1994 - 194 pages
This book offers a copious selection of insights about the world and life, crafted in engaging language by Jewish sages, scholars, rabbis, and literary luminaries, from ancient to modern times. These remarkable explanations, queries, and proposals are connected by expository comments and comparisons by the author. The passionate care for human values which underlies much of Jewish thinking is made accessible in this comprehensive work. In it the reader may find counsel on how to achieve a good and satisfying life while responding to the joys and sorrows that touch us all.

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Contents

The Apocrypha
4
The Pseudepigrapha
13
NUGGETS OF WISDOM FROM RABBINICAL
49
The Midrash
77
Note to Part Three
105
Bahya Ibn Paquda About 1075
111
Rabbi Solomon Ben Isaac Rashi
117
Rabbi Levi Ben Gershom Gersonides
129
Note to Part Four
139
What Are the Basic Truths About
161
What Happens When We Die?
171
Sources of Quotations
179
Teachers or Rabbis
180
Copyright

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Page 36 - There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
Page 31 - The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart : the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Page 32 - It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, And to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High : To shew forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, And Thy faithfulness every night.
Page 28 - Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the Sons of God shouted for joy?
Page 19 - And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts : but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
Page 32 - The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Page 15 - Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Page 38 - And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Page 36 - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Page 27 - But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me; and the sea saith, It is not with me.

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