Jonathan Magonet comes to the Bible with enthusiasm, wit and infectious humour rare in Bible scholars. As a rabbi he brings the insights of two thousand years of Jewish Bible exegesis, but combines them with the critical skills of today's literary analysis of biblical texts. He draws off his own creativity as poet and songwriter both to read the biblical text and use it as a springboard for exploring the character of biblical personalities. He moves comfortably between the worlds of religious tradition and the questioning of the modern secular person. His skills as a popular lecturer and broadcaster help shape this book. 'How a Donkey Reads a Bible' explores the biases and presuppositions we bring to our reading of the biblical text. 'My Part in the Fall of "King David"' recounts Jonathan Magonet's absurd experiences as technical adviser on a biblical epic but shows how many of the "special effects" of films have their literary equivalent in the pages of the Bible. He introduces us to fellow Bible enthusiasts who illuminate it through approaching it from a variety of disciplines - theology, literary criticism, psychoanalysis and politics.
Suicide killings - both in America and Israel - have focused world attention on international terrorism. The involvement of people claiming that their Islamic faith justified murderous suicide action has intensified the demonization of Islam in the West, and in turn highlighted the need to understand and relate to Muslims in all their diversity. Rabbi Jonathan Magonet has long been engaged in interfaith dialogue, and in this book he explores the issues that arise with such an encounter and challenges the Jewish community to broaden its commitment to interfaith dialogue in a complex and rapidly changing world.
A Rabbi Reads the Torah distils a lifetime of Bible study by a Jewish scholar devoted to popularising the study of the Hebrew Bible in its original language, helped by the wealth of centuries of Jewish interpretation and debate, as well as the best of modern literary approaches.
The Hebrew Bible is subversive, even dangerous, and we take a risk When we read it. It is not just a pious document to be handled with kid gloves; to do so is to forget its wide sweep of concerns, its overarching humanity and its extraordinary power to move and challenge. To do so is also to forget that on some levels it is folk literature which in its origins spoke directly to people and has continued to do so over the millennia. That is the challenging argument of Jonathan Magonet's new book. In it he invites readers to take another look at the different materials to be found within the Bible, recognizing just how unconventional they are once freed from our prejudices against it. After an opening chapter developing the main theme, he discusses a series of central topics: Abraham and Justice, Exodus and Liberation, The Chosen People and the Peoples, and the Book of Jonah and the Day of Atonement. A chapter on The Biblical Roots of Jewish Identity' forms a bridge to the final section, consisting of eight unconventional sermons delivered over the years at the Hedwig Dransfeld Haus, Bendorf, Germany, which has proved a unique place for encounter between Jews, Christians and Muslims. Here a Jewish Rabbi who has already gained a wide readership among Christians reaches out yet further and makes an important contribution to inter-faith understanding.
Why another book on the Psalms? Surely there are enough already. What is the justification for yet one more, and by someone who first found the Psalms almost boringly the same? Jonathan Magonet has a ready answer. After teaching the Psalms for twenty years he has found that within the vast literature about them there is very little that introduces the kinds of interpretations made by the rabbis, whether ancient, mediaeval or modern. Moreover, there are very few books which provide a 'user-friendly' introduction to how one actually sets about working with the Hebrew text or gives access to the richness and complexity of the language of the Psalms to the non-Hebrew reader. It was his first close acquaintance with the Hebrew text, in preparing some translations of the Psalms for publication, which transformed Jonathan Magonet's view of them and helped him to discover their richness. So this book aims to share with the reader the special world that was opened up to him in this way. It provides an introduction to the nature of biblical poetry, a guide to some of the poetic structures that recur in the Psalms, and studies a number of Psalms as a way of illustrating these aspects - and for the fun of exploring the individual dynamic and meaning.
The most memorable prayer of the Jewish New Year—what it means, why we sing it, and the secret of its magical appeal. Through a series of lively commentaries, over thirty contributors—men and women, scholars and rabbis, artists and poets, spanning three continents and all major Jewish denominations—examine Kol Nidre's theology, usage, and deeply personal impact. They trace the actual history of the prayer and attempts through the ages to emend it, downplay it and even do away with it—all in vain. They explore why Kol Nidre remains an annual liturgical highlight that is regularly attended even by Jews who disbelieve everything the prayer says. Prayers of Awe An exciting new series that examines the High Holy Day liturgy to enrich the praying experience of everyone—whether experienced worshipers or guests who encounter Jewish prayer for the very first time.
Before Manga captured the imagination of the world, Japanese artists sculpted a miniature society of human and not-quite human characters. These are ‘netsuke’: tiny figures, threaded by cords, which were used to hold in place the ‘purse’ that hung from a kimono. Carved from wood, ivory or bone, they formed an exotic society, reflecting the history, culture and fantasy life of Japan.Now, for the first time, their individual stories come to life, and the unfamiliar and often startling nature of their society. Meet Momo, the beautiful but conflicted geisha cat; discover the dreams of the mermaids who worship Esther Williams; witness the rise and fall of a ruthless politician who plays the ‘alien’ card; encounter the creatures of legend and the demons who star in horror movies; learn the peculiar practices and customs of netsuke sexuality; try to solve the mystery of why netsuke suddenly disappear; admire the heroic quest to create a national orchestra; enjoy the embarrassment of a martial arts struggle gone peculiarly awry; share the hopes of an autumn and spring love story; face the threat to netsuke society of the plastic invasion. This unique work of fiction will appeal to those interested in Japanese culture and whimsical stories. “Inspired by The Hare with Amber Eyes to collect netsuke, I found they offered a fascinating introduction to Japanese culture. On my daily walk to the university in Fukuoka where I was teaching, some character in my small netsuke collection, would suggest a story that fed into an emerging idea of Netsuke Nation, a mixture of imagination and the experience of Japanese life.”
A varied and fascinating look at sin, confession and pardon in Judaism. Through a series of lively introductions and commentaries, almost forty contributors—men and women, scholars, rabbis, theologians and poets, representing all Jewish denominations—examine the history of confession in Judaism, its roots in the Bible, its evolution in rabbinic and modern thought, and the very nature of confession for men and women today. Featuring the traditional prayers—provided in the original Hebrew and a new and annotated translation—this third volume in the Prayers of Awe series explores the relevance of confession today in what is bound to be the most up-to-date, comprehensive and insightful reconsideration of sin and confession in Judaism.
An engaging and sobering look at memorializing in Judaism and why memory—ours and God's—is so central to people. Through a series of lively introductions and commentaries, over thirty contributors—men and women, scholars, rabbis, theologians and poets, representing all Jewish denominations—examine the history and ideas behind Yizkor, the Jewish memorial service, and this fascinating chapter in Jewish piety. Featuring the traditional prayers—provided in the original Hebrew and a new and annotated translation—this fourth volume in the Prayers of Awe series explores the profound theological questions at the core of this service and our own humanity: What happens to us after we die? Is there really an afterlife? Does our fate after death depend on the goodness with which we have pursued our earthly life? And more. Prayers of Awe: A multi-volume series designed to explore the High Holy Day liturgy and enrich the praying experience for everyone—whether experienced worshipers or guests who encounter Jewish prayer for the very first time. Contributors: Yoram Bitton Dr. Annette M. Boeckler Dr. Marc Zvi Brettler Rabbi Lawrence A. Englander, CM, DHL Rabbi Edward Feinstein Rabbi Solomon B. Freehof, PhD (z"l) Dr. Eric L. Friedland Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand Rabbi Edwin Goldberg, DHL Rabbi Andrew Goldstein, PhD Dr. Joel M. Hoffman Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, PhD Rabbi Walter Homolka, PhD, DHL Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar Rabbi Daniel Landes Catherine Madsen Rabbi Jonathan Magonet, PhD Rabbi Dalia Marx, PhD Rabbi Charles H. Middleburgh, PhD Rabbi Jay Henry Moses Rabbi Aaron D. Panken, PhD Rabbi Jakob J. Petuchowski, PhD (z”l) Rabbi Jack Riemer Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso Rabbi David Stern Rabbi David A. Teutsch, PhD Rabbi Margaret Moers Wenig, DD Dr. Ron Wolfson Rabbi Daniel G. Zemel Dr. Wendy Zierler
Rabbis Lionel Blue and Jonathan Magonet provide an inspirational guide to how to have a happy holiday. The book reminds us that God is everywhere, and is full of practical advice for body and soul to show readers how to have a heavenly holiday.
Lively guide to Jewish history, Jewish readings of the Bible, rabbinic Judaism, the changing roles of Jewish women, and Jewish law, liturgy, ritual, life cycle.
Uplifting and amusing, this guide, written by two brilliant rabbis, leads readers to discover and acknowledge their own expertise and resilience in coping with life's inevitable trials, the lessons they have learned, and the guidance they, in turn, can provide for others.
Design Methods for Reactive Systems describes methods and techniques for the design of software systems-particularly reactive software systems that engage in stimulus-response behavior. Such systems, which include information systems, workflow management systems, systems for e-commerce, production control systems, and embedded software, increasingly embody design aspects previously considered alone-such as complex information processing, non-trivial behavior, and communication between different components-aspects traditionally treated separately by classic software design methodologies. But, as this book illustrates, the software designer is better served by the ability to intelligently pick and choose from among a variety of techniques according to the particular demands and properties of the system under development. Design Methods for Reactive Systems helps the software designer meet today's increasingly complex challenges by bringing together specification techniques and guidelines proven useful in the design of a wide range of software systems, allowing the designer to evaluate and adapt different techniques for different projects. Written in an exceptionally clear and insightful style, Design Methods for Reactive Systems is a book that students, engineers, teachers, and researchers will undoubtedly find of great value. * Shows how the techniques and design approaches of the three most popular design methods can be combined in a flexible, problem-driven manner. * Pedagogical features include summaries, rehearsal questions, exercises, discussion questions, and numerous case studies, with additional examples on the companion Web site.
Before Manga captured the imagination of the world, Japanese artists sculpted a miniature society of human and not-quite human characters. These are ‘netsuke’: tiny figures, threaded by cords, which were used to hold in place the ‘purse’ that hung from a kimono. Carved from wood, ivory or bone, they formed an exotic society, reflecting the history, culture and fantasy life of Japan.Now, for the first time, their individual stories come to life, and the unfamiliar and often startling nature of their society. Meet Momo, the beautiful but conflicted geisha cat; discover the dreams of the mermaids who worship Esther Williams; witness the rise and fall of a ruthless politician who plays the ‘alien’ card; encounter the creatures of legend and the demons who star in horror movies; learn the peculiar practices and customs of netsuke sexuality; try to solve the mystery of why netsuke suddenly disappear; admire the heroic quest to create a national orchestra; enjoy the embarrassment of a martial arts struggle gone peculiarly awry; share the hopes of an autumn and spring love story; face the threat to netsuke society of the plastic invasion. This unique work of fiction will appeal to those interested in Japanese culture and whimsical stories. “Inspired by The Hare with Amber Eyes to collect netsuke, I found they offered a fascinating introduction to Japanese culture. On my daily walk to the university in Fukuoka where I was teaching, some character in my small netsuke collection, would suggest a story that fed into an emerging idea of Netsuke Nation, a mixture of imagination and the experience of Japanese life.”
A Rabbi Reads the Torah distils a lifetime of Bible study by a Jewish scholar devoted to popularising the study of the Hebrew Bible in its original language, helped by the wealth of centuries of Jewish interpretation and debate, as well as the best of modern literary approaches.
Suicide killings - both in America and Israel - have focused world attention on international terrorism. The involvement of people claiming that their Islamic faith justified murderous suicide action has intensified the demonization of Islam in the West, and in turn highlighted the need to understand and relate to Muslims in all their diversity. Rabbi Jonathan Magonet has long been engaged in interfaith dialogue, and in this book he explores the issues that arise with such an encounter and challenges the Jewish community to broaden its commitment to interfaith dialogue in a complex and rapidly changing world.
Uplifting and amusing, this guide, written by two brilliant rabbis, leads readers to discover and acknowledge their own expertise and resilience in coping with life's inevitable trials, the lessons they have learned, and the guidance they, in turn, can provide for others.
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