Jewish Ethical Values: A Sourcebook of Classic Texts and Their Practical Uses for Our Lives

Learn how to live life inspired by the timeless wisdom of Jewish ethical values.

"The works that comprise Jewish ethical literature are self-help manuals in the art form of life. Their primary goal is not to inform but to transform their readers…. No human emotion, no human conflict, no moral problem eludes their grasp."
―from the Introduction

Jewish ethical literature is a genre that has been centuries in the making―and yet the wisdom and guidance offered in these classic texts has transcended the gap between ancient and medieval worlds and our own society today. With insightful commentary, passion and expertise, Rabbis Byron L. Sherwin and Seymour J. Cohen guide us through traditional texts. They give us clear explanations of the historical context of each writing and thoughtful applications of their wisdom on the problems we grapple with today.

Explore some of the most influential Jewish ethical texts, including:

• The Zohar, the cornerstone text of Kabbalah
• The Holy Letter, the first book of its time to apply Kabbalistic ideas to marriage, holiness and sexual relations
• The Path of the Upright by Moshe Hayyim Luzzatto
• Duties of the Heart by Bahya ibn Pakudah
• Nahmanides' Commentary on the Torah

Dr. Seymour J. Cohen (z"l) opened up to English readers the previously little-known genre of medieval Jewish ethical literature through his masterful translations of its classics, including The Ways of the Righteous; The Book of the Righteous and The Holy Letter. He was president of the Rabbinical Assembly and the Synagogue Council of America.

Dr. Byron L. Sherwin (z"l), a leading scholar in Jewish theology, served for over forty years as professor of Jewish philosophy and mysticism at Chicago's Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies. He is the author of twenty-five books and over 150 articles, including In Partnership with God: Contemporary Jewish Law and Ethics; Why Be Good? and Jewish Ethics for the 21st Century. Active in international Jewish communal affairs and interfaith relations, Rabbi Sherwin was the first recipient of the "Man of Reconciliation" award from the Polish Council of Christians and Jews.