Reuven Travis's Books

Sefer BeMidbar as Sefer HaMiddot

The Book of Numbers as the Book of Character Development

By: Reuven Travis

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Sefer BeMidbar as Sefer HaMiddot

The Book of Numbers as the Book of Character Development

By: Reuven Travis

While it is true the Bible does relate important episodes in the history of the Jewish people, it is thought of as being much more than a history book. This is why many question the Bible's rationale for including a book such as Numbers, one that seems to be little more than a history book. In comparison, Genesis as a history book makes sense. It tells of the creation of the heavens and earth and the foundational stories of the Jewish people. Even Exodus, which relates the departure of the Jewish people from Egypt, has many legal sections. This thus begs the question: what exactly is the Book of Numbers, and what role does it play in the overall narrative of the Bible? Presenting Numbers as the book of character development is the major guiding principle of the pedagogical approach set forth in this book for teaching Numbers. This approach can also be used for teaching Genesis. However, the characters in Genesis are portrayed as either "very good" or "evil." Not so in Numbers, whose main personalities can and should be viewed in hues of grey, making it a very appropriate vehicle for teaching character development to high school students.

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224

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1532647808

ISBN 13

9781532647802

A Curious Student’s Guide to the Book of Numbers

Enduring Life Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

By: Reuven Travis

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A Curious Student’s Guide to the Book of Numbers

Enduring Life Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

By: Reuven Travis

As with both its predecessors, this book of life lessons derived from the Bible is meant for elementary school students and their parents. One arguably simplistic approach to looking at Numbers is to see it as a story of a sinful people and a wrathful God. However, the stories in Numbers are rarely black and white. This book strives to examine Numbers in more nuanced depth, while keeping the life lessons simple and easy to understand. By doing so, this book can serve as a valuable guide to parents and students alike as they learn the text of Numbers and gain new insights into it.

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124

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1666706752

ISBN 13

9781666706758

A Curious Student's Guide to the Book of Genesis

Enduring Life Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

By: Reuven Travis

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A Curious Student's Guide to the Book of Genesis

Enduring Life Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

By: Reuven Travis

Genesis contains a rich, nuanced text, and yet, when taught to children, it is often done through a series of “factoids,” such as the number of animals brought into the ark or Esau’s red lentil soup. Worst still, children are frequently discouraged from asking questions about its complex storylines. This book was written to redress both pedagogical shortcomings. It does so by reminding children that the Bible teaches us to be truly good people via amazing stories of brave men and women doing incredible things. However, the most valuable lessons we learn from the Bible seem to come from people’s daily lives: how they speak to their spouses, how they treat their children, how they interact with their neighbors. Perhaps most importantly, the Bible teaches us to ask questions. At times, the answers to our questions come easily. At other times, the answers we seek are hidden away, and so we are left to think and wonder. Nonetheless, ask we must, because by asking questions, we can deepen our connection to the ones we address the questions to, be it parents, teachers, or even God himself.

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132

Publisher

Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1725256924

ISBN 13

9781725256927

A Curious Student's Guide to the Book of Deuteronomy

Enduring Life Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

By: Reuven Travis

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A Curious Student's Guide to the Book of Deuteronomy

Enduring Life Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

By: Reuven Travis

One of the most common phrases in the Torah is “And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying . . .” So many of the Torah’s commandments are introduced in this way. These words represent God speaking to Moses and instructing him what to repeat or teach to the Jewish people. Yet, this phrase is not found at all in Deuteronomy, and this helps explain why this book is so very different from the other books of the Torah. Deuteronomy is Moses’s book. It is the record of Moses’s final speech to the Jewish people before his death. But this leads to a very basic and very fundamental question. Why are the words of man, even a man as great as Moses, part of God’s holy Torah? A very good question, a powerful one indeed. And while we may not come up with a good or satisfying answer, this book examines and presents life lessons just as important as those found in any other biblical text.

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142

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

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ISBN 10

1666737585

ISBN 13

9781666737585

Finding America in Leviticus

Reflections on Nation Building in the Twenty-First Century

By: Michael J. Broyde,Reuven Travis

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Finding America in Leviticus

Reflections on Nation Building in the Twenty-First Century

By: Michael J. Broyde,Reuven Travis

It would seem that we have taken on an impossible task in this book: trying to demonstrate to modern Americans, be they secular or religious, Jews or Christians, that the sacrificial rites found in Leviticus have any germaneness to their lives. After all, to the extent that any modern reader turns to the pages of Leviticus at all, the notion that they would be inspired by the text and pine for the restoration of animal sacrifices is ludicrous! However, Leviticus is more than laws of sacrifices. As we demonstrate, Leviticus sets forth a template for nation-building via large, regularly-scheduled communal gatherings intended to foster national unity and identity among the Jewish people.

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101

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1666767891

ISBN 13

9781666767896

A Curious Student's Guide to the Book of Leviticus

Enduring Life Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

By: Reuven Travis

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A Curious Student's Guide to the Book of Leviticus

Enduring Life Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

By: Reuven Travis

Judaism has always found meaning in the sacrificial rites, called avodah or service in Hebrew. For more than twelve hundred years, beginning with the Mishkan (the Tabernacle) in the Sinai wilderness and continuing through both the First and Second Temple periods, animal sacrifice was the principal form of communal service of God for the Jewish people. This all came to an abrupt end with the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans in 68 CE, and the Jewish people turned to prayer as their primary mode of worship. From this perspective, it might seem that the study of Leviticus, which is largely about the laws of sacrifice, would seem unnecessary, if not irrelevant, for young children. Nothing could be further from the truth. Leviticus is replete with important life lessons for children, ranging from not bearing grudges to being truthful in business. From the responsibility to care for the poor to the obligation to strive to be “holy,” we find everyday aspects of one’s life (as opposed to limiting this to rituals and religious celebrations). Throughout the book, Leviticus emphasizes the dignity of human beings and what this means for our personal interactions with one another. It can and ought to be taught (in an age-appropriate manner) to young children, and that is what this book strives to do.

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111

Publisher

Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1666754781

ISBN 13

9781666754780

Jewish Marriage

A Halakhic Ethic

By: Reuven P. Bulka

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Jewish Marriage

A Halakhic Ethic

By: Reuven P. Bulka

Bibliography: p. 245-255.

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284

Publisher

KTAV Publishing House, Inc.

Published Date

ISBN 10

0881250775

ISBN 13

9780881250770

Between the Laws of God and Man

Punishment and Forgiveness in American and Biblical Jewish Law

By: Reuven Travis

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Between the Laws of God and Man

Punishment and Forgiveness in American and Biblical Jewish Law

By: Reuven Travis

How does one navigate living religiously in a secular world? Where life is governed not just by the laws of faith, but by the laws of the state as well, what does “doing the right thing” actually mean? When people think about the interplay between religious and secular law, certain meta-issues arise, such as, how does one weigh what is legal (which secular law demands) versus what is right (that is, the moral code which religion expects its followers to adhere to)? Such questions inevitably lead one to ponder the purpose of law as well as its underlying expectations. This book tackles such questions, from the perspective of a Jewish educator who has lived his life according to two distinct (and sometimes conflicting) legal systems: halakha (Jewish law) and the United States Code (U.S. legal code). With this as a starting point, Between the Laws of God and Man explores key core elements of Jewish and secular law to determine commonalities, divergences, and implications for each.

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125

Publisher

Wipf and Stock Publishers

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ISBN 13

9798385221370

A Critique of Nicotine Addiction

By: Bassam Tabbara,Hanan Frenk,Reuven Dar,Abdallah Tabbara,Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli

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A Critique of Nicotine Addiction

By: Bassam Tabbara,Hanan Frenk,Reuven Dar,Abdallah Tabbara,Alberto Sangiovanni-Vincentelli

Nicotine is almost universally believed to be the major factor that motivates smoking and impedes cessation. Authorities such as the Surgeon General of the USA and the Royal College of Physicians in the UK have declared that nicotine is as addictive as heroin and cocaine. This book is a critique of the nicotine addiction hypothesis, based on a critical review of the research literature that purports to prove that nicotine is as addictive drug. The review is based on a re-examination of more than 700 articles and books on this subject, including animal and human experimental studies, effects of `nicotine replacement therapies', and many other relevant sources. This review concludes that on present evidence, there is every reason to reject the generally accepted theory that nicotine has a major role in cigarette smoking. A critical examination of the criteria for drug addiction demonstrates that none of these criteria is met by nicotine, and that it is much more likely that nicotine in fact limits rather than facilitates smoking.

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248

Publisher

Springer Science & Business Media

Published Date

ISBN 10

0792372255

ISBN 13

9780792372257

From Job to the Shoah

A Story of Dust and Ashes

By: Reuven Travis

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From Job to the Shoah

A Story of Dust and Ashes

By: Reuven Travis

In Job's final concession to God, he uses a phrase generally translated from the Hebrew as, "Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (afar va-eifer). A very small number of scholars see this translation as forced. While most translations have Job referring to himself with the words afar va-eifer, this small group of scholars does not believe the Hebrew to be so clear. They maintain that the phrase afar va-eifer could just as easily be translated as referring to God. In this translation of the text, Job is calling God "dust and ashes." Can Job truly be referring to God, not himself, as dust and ashes? How dare he? And if he did, what did this mean theologically? If this linguistic analysis is correct, how are we to understand not only the ending of the book, but also the entire story of Job? These are the questions From Job to the Shoah strives to answer. The conclusions it reaches have profound theological implications, especially in our modern era when the "dust and ashes" of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust still hang heavily above us.

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157

Publisher

Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1625644124

ISBN 13

9781625644121

Sefer BeMidbar as Sefer HaMiddot

The Book of Numbers as the Book of Character Development

By: Reuven Travis

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Sefer BeMidbar as Sefer HaMiddot

The Book of Numbers as the Book of Character Development

By: Reuven Travis

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224

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

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ISBN 10

1532647808

ISBN 13

9781532647802

The Torah Revolution

Fourteen Truths that Changed the World

By: Rabbi Reuven Hammer, PhD

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The Torah Revolution

Fourteen Truths that Changed the World

By: Rabbi Reuven Hammer, PhD

Unlock the powerful truths that shattered ancient beliefs and paved the way for the new and revolutionary religion that became Judaism. This is a unique look at the Torah—the foundation of Jewish existence—and the revolutionary teachings of Moses embedded within it that gave birth to Judaism and influenced the world. Dr. Reuven Hammer presents fourteen radical ideas found in Torah, explains their original intentions, and shows how understanding these "truths" can help you better understand the narrative and laws of Judaism. He shows how when taken together, these value concepts present a picture of human life that is surprisingly modern and relevant to our goals for repairing the world today: • Humanity is one as God is one • Human beings are responsible for their actions and have the choice to do good or evil • Poverty, deprivation, slavery and hatred are evils that must be eradicated • The earth is not ours to destroy • The love of others is a divine command • And much more ...

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270

Publisher

Turner Publishing Company

Published Date

ISBN 10

1580235239

ISBN 13

9781580235235

The Torah Revolution

Fourteen Truths that Changed the World

By: Reuven Hammer

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The Torah Revolution

Fourteen Truths that Changed the World

By: Reuven Hammer

The Torah is the foundation stone of Jewish existence. Embedded within these teachings of Moses are core concepts that radically transformed the important religious insights of the patriarchs into a dynamic new religion that would go on to influence the world. This religion of Israel yielded a new way of understanding God and the meaning of the human life. Some of these concepts have never been fully realized, some have gone unrecognized, and many are obscured under so many layers of interpretation that the original vision is difficult to discern. In this accessible look at these revolutionary teachings of Moses, Dr. Reuven Hammer presents fourteen radical ideas found in Torah, explains their original intentions, and shows how understanding these "truths" can help you better understand the narrative and laws of Judaism. Dr. Hammer shows you that when taken together, these value concepts present a picture of the world and human life that is surprisingly modern and relevant: humani

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242

Publisher

Jewish Lights Publishing

Published Date

ISBN 10

1580234577

ISBN 13

9781580234573

Entering Torah

Prefaces to the Weekly Torah Portion

By: Reuven Hammer

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Entering Torah

Prefaces to the Weekly Torah Portion

By: Reuven Hammer

For the believing Jew today, no less than for those in the past, the study of the weekly Torah portion is a religious experience. For this reason it is customary to consider the section along with its traditional commentaries. It is important to know not only what the Torah meant when it was written, but also what it has meant within Judaism since then. It is also important for intellectual honesty to distinguish between the two. Moderns also have the advantage of using the results of linguistic studies and comparative studies of other ancient texts as well as archaeological finds to help us better understand the text. The Torah reflects an entire worldview concerning the nature of God and of human beings, the task of Israel and the way in which we are to live. Thus it is an ancient text that is ever new and always renewing itself. One studies it not only to learn what was, but also to discover what we are and how we are to live. These prefaces are meant to complement and enrich your study of the portion by pointing out important ideas found therein and raising problems and questions for consideration. Enter into the Torah text with this insightful companion and experience the full impact of the age-old and totally new weekly portion

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322

Publisher

Gefen Publishing House Ltd

Published Date

ISBN 10

9652294349

ISBN 13

9789652294340

A Year with the Sages

Wisdom on the Weekly Torah Portion

By: Rabbi Reuven Hammer

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A Year with the Sages

Wisdom on the Weekly Torah Portion

By: Rabbi Reuven Hammer

A Year with the Sages uniquely relates the Sages’ understanding of each Torah portion to everyday life. The importance of these teachings cannot be overstated. The Sages, who lived during the period from the fifth century BCE to the fifth century CE, considered themselves to have inherited the oral teachings God transmitted to Moses, along with the mandate to interpret them to each subsequent generation. Just as the Torah and the entire Hebrew Bible are the foundations of Judaism, the Sages’ teachings form the structures of Jewish belief and practice built on that foundation. Many of these teachings revolve around core concepts such as God’s justice, God’s love, Torah, Israel, humility, honesty, loving-kindness, reverence, prayer, and repentance. You are invited to spend a year with the inspiring ideas of the Sages through their reflections on the fifty-four weekly Torah portions and the eleven Jewish holidays. Quoting from the week’s Torah portion, Rabbi Reuven Hammer presents a Torah commentary, selections from the Sages that chronicle their process of interpreting the text, a commentary that elucidates these concepts and their consequences, and a personal reflection that illumines the Sages’ enduring wisdom for our era.

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379

Publisher

U of Nebraska Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0827613113

ISBN 13

9780827613119

Who Are the Real Chosen People?

The Meaning of Choseness in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

By: Reuven Firestone

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Who Are the Real Chosen People?

The Meaning of Choseness in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

By: Reuven Firestone

What Does It Mean to Be "Chosen"? Why Did God Have to Choose? “To be chosen can have a range of meaning from the mundane to the holy, but in all cases it means to be singled out and preferred over others. In a deep sense that permeates much or most of Western culture, having been chosen communicates a sense of something that is extraordinary, is transcendent, and entitles a reward. What is assumed in this sense of the term is that God has done the choosing and the reward is something that is unequaled, for what could possibly equal divinely ordained eternal happiness?” —from the Introduction Religious people who define themselves as monotheists have often advanced the idea that their relationship with God is unique and superior to all others. Theirs supersedes those who came before, and is superior to those who have followed. This phenomenon tends to be expressed in terms not only of supersessionism, but also “chosenness,” or “election.” Who is most beloved by God? What expression of the divine will is the most perfect? Which relationship reflects God's ultimate demands or desire? In this fascinating examination of the religious phenomenon of chosenness, Reuven Firestone explores the idea of covenant, and the expressions of supersessionism as articulated through the scriptures of the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. He explores how and why the ongoing competition and friction between these religions came about, and offers thoughts about how to overcome it.

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Page Count

189

Publisher

Turner Publishing Company

Published Date

ISBN 10

1594733503

ISBN 13

9781594733505

The Hidden Poetry of the Jewish Prayerbook

The What, How, and why of Jewish Liturgy

By: Reuven Kimelman

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The Hidden Poetry of the Jewish Prayerbook

The What, How, and why of Jewish Liturgy

By: Reuven Kimelman

We designed these 18, 30-minute lectures for listening in the comfort of ones home or elsewhere, such as during a daily commute, an exercise routine, an extended car or plane trip, or just a stroll around town. In any case, the learner will come to appreciate Professor Kimelmans clarity of presentation, quality of analysis and precision of delivery.Whether religious or secular, denominational or not, the learner will find this audio coursebook informative, delightful and inspiring.

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Page Count

111

Published Date

ISBN 10

0976933004

ISBN 13

9780976933007

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