Fifty Synagogue Seminars - Softcover

Baron, Jeremy Hugh

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0761851070 ISBN 13: 9780761851073

Publisher: Hamilton Books, 2010

During the last twelve years, Dr. Baron has led fifty pre-Sabbath-service seminars at the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, New York and/or the New London Synagogue. These didactic essays explore the Bible, theology, liturgy, social responsibility, and the arts - from Who wrote the Bible? to Mark Twain's Concerning the Jews. Each chapter examines a problem that had perplexed Baron, and for which he provides a detailed evidence-based review together with sources. He pursues each issue from hundreds or thousands of years ago to the present, including both the Diaspora and Israel. He looks at what countries bordering Palestine had discussed and practiced, and scrutinizes the attitudes of other Abrahamic and Eastern religions and their differing denominations. Finally, he attempts to assess the relevance of each topic for the twenty-first century.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Jeremy Hugh Baron trained as a physician-scientist-scholar at Oxford, London and New York, leading to clinical and academic positions at university hospitals in London. Since 1996, he has held honorary posts in the schools of medicine of Imperial College, London and Mount Sinai, New York. He is the author of numerous books and articles in his biomedical field, and also on bioethics and social responsibility.

Review:

...a delight to the enlightened Jewish reader who is treated to a feast of informative and entertaining essays on the Bible and Jewish belief. Combining a commitment to Jewish life with an enquiring mind and free-ranging spirit, Dr. Baron exhibits both erudition and original thought in an exhilarating series of essays that constantly surprise and offer food for thought. (Rabbi Dr. Reuven Hammer, former president of the Rabbinical Assembly and head of the Rabbinical Court of the Masorti Movement)

These days with so many authors questioning religion, this book is a treat for thoughtful readers interested in religious problems and challenging portions of the Biblical text. Dr. Baron has selected fifty issues and has given us his detailed research mostly didactic, but sometimes witty role-play. Choose any of his topics, study his arguments, pursue his sources and you will be enlightened. (Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, Society for the Advancement of Judaism, New York)

From Assyriology to opera and all points in between; these enquiries of an inquisitive and capacious mind illuminate all kinds of shadowy alleyways of Jewish history, lore thought and practice. This is a collection perfectly suited to those whose interest in Judaism inclines toward fact rather than dogma and history rather than histrionics. (Rabbi Jeremy Gordon, New London Synagogue, London)

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.