Edited by Lewis Browne

PREFACE by Lewis Browne

GLOSSARY

Part 1: The Old Testament

INTRODUCTION

NOTE ON THE LAW

THE TEN WORDS

THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT

THE CODE OF HOLINESS

DEUTERONOMY

Concerning Cod's Demands---Justice—False Witnesses—Society—

Military Exemption—Female War Prisoners—Lost Property, etc.

—Seduction and Rape— Sundry Humane Laws—Conclusion.

NOTE ON THE PROPHETS

THE ORACLE OF SAMUEL

THE PARABLE OF NATHAN

THE WORD OF AMOS

THE WORD OF ISAIAH

THE WORD OF MICAH

THE WORD OF JEREMIAH

THE WORD OF THE SECOND ISAIAH

The Folly of Idolatry---True and False Fasting---Good News to the Lowly.

  NOTE ON THE WRITINGS

  THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

EXHORTATIONS:

Introduction-A Father's Warning---The Fruit of Wisdom---The Worth of Wisdom---Wise Counsels---Reproof to the Lazy---What the Lord Hates.

APHORISMS

QUATRAINS

DISCOURSES:

On This and That---Advice to a King---The Woman of Virtue.

THE DRAMA OF JOB

THE JIBES OF ECCLESIASTES

All Is Vanity---Wisdom Is Vain---Wealth Is Vain---Life Is Vain—Eat, Drink, and Be Merry---Conclusion.

PSALMS OF WISDOM

Psalm 1—15—37--49—133.

SOLOMON'S DECISION

Part II: Between the Testaments

INTRODUCTION

NOTE ON THE APOCRYPHA

THE APHORISMS OF JESUS BEN SIRACH

Wise Counsel Concerning, Men—Sharp Counsel Concerning

Women---Aphorisms on Friendship, etc.---On Good Manners---

On Folly and Wisdom---Counsel Concerning, Sin—Wisdom Concerning Wise Men and Fools.

THE ADMONITIONS OF TOBIT

THE TWELVE TESTAMENTS

Reuben's Warning against Unchastity— Simeon's against Envy—Levi Commends Fear of God---Judah Condemns Drunkenness and Avarice---Issachar Commends Sincerity—Zebulun Urges Compassion---Dan Condemns Anger---Naphtali Commends Steadfastness---Cad Urges Brotherly Love---Asher on Vice and Virtue---Joseph Commends Unity-Benjamin Commends Purity of Heart.

THE STORY OF BEL

THE DISPUTE OF THE COURTIERS

THE APOCALYPSE OF ESDRAS

NOTE ON THE FIRST RABBIS

SAYINGS OF THE FATHERS

THE WISDOM OF H1LLEL

NOTE ON THE HELLENIZED JEWS

THE ADMONITIONS OF PHILO

Against Overweening Pride of Birth---Against Asceticism---On the

Treatment of Slaves---Against Tampering with Piety and Customs

—Against Ostentation in Worship.

THE CONFESSIONS OF JOSEPHUS

BLESSED ARE THE HEROES

AGAINST APION:

The Religion of Moses---The Laws of Moses---Encomium on the Torah.

Part III: The New Testament

INTRODUCTION

THE CRY OF JOHN THE BAPTISER

THE WISDOM OF JESUS

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

The Beatitudes—Concerning the Commandments---Concerning Charity and Prayer—The Lord's Prayer—Concerning Forgiveness, Fasting and Thrift—Sundry Proverbs—Epilogue.

ON HYPOCRISY

ON FORGIVENESS

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

FURTHER SAYINGS OF JESUS

On Keeping the Sabbath---On Wealth---On Caesar and God---On the Chief Commandment—Who Casts the First Stone?

 THE WISDOM OF SAUL OF TARSUS

The Way of Virtue—Concerning Marriage—Concerning Love---

Concerning Idleness.

 THE WISDOM OF JAMES

Concerning Partiality-Concerning Faith and Works---Guard Your Tongue—Concerning the Rich.

Part IV: The Talmudic Period

INTRODUCTION

WISDOM FROM THE MISHNA

WISDOM FROM THE GEMARA

On God---Prayer---Man's Individuality-Equality among Men---Israel—Gentiles—Proselytes--Kindness---Friendliness---Comradeship—The Social Conscience—Giving of Charity—Taking of Charity---Study of the Torah---Masters of the Torah---Teachers and Disciples---Wise Men and Fools—Honoring Parents ---Women—Marriage—Family Life—Children—Teaching the Young---Poverty---Dignity of Labor---Wages of Labor---Treatment of Animals

---Sickness and Health---Physicians---Government---Leaders and Leadership—Conduct of Judges—Sincerity—Virtue of Silence---Pride and Humility—Good Manners—Thrift—Prudence—Honesty—Greed and Usury— Sin—The Evil Impulse—Lust—Drinking—Quarreling—Deception—Gossip and Slander—Anger—Hatred---Men of Violence—Theft—Catching Thieves—Penitence—Excessive Piety—Sabbath—Asceticism—Miracles—Miscellaneous Aphorisms—Sundry Sayings.

WISDOM FROM THE MIDRASH

On God— Prayer—Israel— Gentiles— Proselytes— Chief Commandment—Way of Goodness—Forgiving the Enemy—Brotherliness—The Social Conscience—Tribulations of Good People—Charity—Justice—Hospitality—Humility—Kindness to Animals—Study of the Torah—Value of Learning—Education—Learned Ones—Fools—Importance of Work—Learning a Trade—Rights of I.abor—Marriage — Family Life — Bastards —Poverty — Prudence — Being

Shrewd—Office-Holders— Sin—The Evil Inclination—Unchastity—Drink—Slander—Hate and Anger—Usury—Theft—Penitence---Asceticism—Mourning the Dead—Sundry Sayings—Miscellaneous Aphorisms—Anecdotes.

Part V: Medieval Noon

INTRODUCTION

THE SPECULATIONS OF SAADIA

Eight Sources of Scepticism—Thirteen Fallacious Ideals—Three Kinds of Education.

THE LAW ACCORDING TO HANANEEL

THE TESTAMENT OF ELEAZAR THE GREAT

THE WISDOM OF IBN GABIROL

THE CHOICE OF PEARLS:

ConcerningWisdom—Patience-Faith— Fortitude— Contentment-- Perception — Companions — Confidences — Silence — Speech —Truth---Poverty---Envy--The Evil Tongue.

THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MORAL QUALITIES;

On Haughtiness — Modesty — Lust — Hate — Hard-heartedness —Gloom and Apprehension—Wrath—Good-Will— Envy— Alertness— Generosity — Niggardliness — Courage — Cowardice.

THE ROYAL CROWN

THE ETHICS OF BAHYA

The Divisions of Wisdom—Inward and Outward Religion—Primacy of Inward Religion—The Reason for This Book—The Scope of the Book—Why Men Are Blind—Seven Evidences of Divine Wisdom—Philosophy Is Man's Knowledge of Himself—Marks of Providence in the Infant—In the Growing Child—The Miracle of the Body—Of the Mind—Blessings of Comprehension—Blessings

of Speech—All Things Serve Man—Concerning Mutual Aid---Altruism Is Enlightened Egoism.

THE CONTENTIONS OF JUDAH HA-LEVI

Who Is a Pious Man?—The Individual and Society—Concerning Astrology.

THE COUNSEL OF A NAMELESS POET

THE WISDOM OF A YEMENITE

Two Opinions of the World—On Calumniators—On Incurring Needless Debt—Thc King and the Sage.

THE TESTAMENT OF TIBBONIDES

THE BOOK OF DELIGHT

On the Wisdom of Wives—On the Wickedness of Women—On Singers.

THE SENTIMENTS OF AL-HARIZI

THE PHILOSOPHY OF MAIMONIDES

On the Existence of Evil---All That God Made Is Good—Was the Universe Created for Man?—Concerning Gentiles—Astrology— Other Superstitions—Who Can Be a Prophet?—Prophets vs. Scientists—The Purposes of the Torah—Why the Dietary Laws?—Concerning Free WiIl—On the Messianic Age—When Will the Messiah Come?—What Can a Man Believe?—What Can a Man Know?—Men Are Not Born Good or Evil—The Virtue of the Middle Course—How Can One Become Good?—Concerning Asceticism—Rules for Physical Health—Ways of Giving Charity—How a Wise Man Should Behave— Why All Men Cannot Be Intellectuals—Four Kinds of Perfection —Obiter Dicta.

Part VI: Medieval Night

INTRODUCTION

SAYINGS FROM THE ZOHAR

On Virtue and Charity—Piety and Prayer— Love and Marriage---Parents and Children—Learning—Sin and the Evil Impulse—Various Admonitions—Miscellaneous Sayings.

THE ADMONITIONS OF JUDAH THE PIOUS

Sinful Meekness—Sinful Charity—Sinful Piety—Sinful Kindness.

THE TESTAMENT OF NAHMANIDES

THE LAMENT OF JEDAIAH OF BEZIERS

THE PLAINT OF KALONYMOS

THE TESTAMENT OF JUDAH ASHER

THE TESTAMENT OF ELEAZAR OF MAYENCE

DON ISAAC ON MONARCHISM

THE OATH OF AMATUS

THE SHULHAN ARUK OF RABBI KARO

Blessings of the Charitable —Obligations of Charity — The Amount

of Charity—The Spirit of Charity—The Quantity of Alms—The

Distribution of Public Funds—Who May Receive Charity—The

Duty to Ransom Captives.

THE RESPONSA OF RABBI LURIA

        A RESPONSUM OF RABBI LUBLIN

        LEON OF MODENA ON GAMBLING

        TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A WIFE

        THE WISDOM OF SPINOZA

On Democracy- -Freedom of Thought and Speech—Persecution—Superstition—Interpretation of Scripture—"Chosen People"—Divine Help—Miracles---Fanaticism—Man and Nature—We Are As We Are Made ---Of Human Bondage—Virtue—Laughter—The Power of Love---Enforced Order---False Goods-The True Good.

        THE SAINTLY PATH OF MOSES LUZZATTO

Preface-Of Watchfulness-Zeal---Cleanness---Abstinence---Purity—Saintliness—Humility—Fear of Sin—Holiness—Conclusion.

       THE ADMONITIONS OF RABBI JOEL

       THE TESTAMENT OF ELIJAH DE VEALI

       THE COUNSEL OF THE VILNER GAON

       SAYINGS OF THE BAAL SHEM-TOV

       THE SAYINGS OF THE BRATZLAVER

Concerning Joy—Knowledge—Charity—Parents and Children---Good Manners—Faith and Meditation—Honors—Avarice—Other Sayings.

       HASIDIC TALES AND TEACHINGS

Anecdotes--Sayings of the Nikolsburger—Of the Koretzer—Of the Zbarazer---Of the Sassover—Of the Berditschever—Of the Lubliner---Of the Parsischarer---Of the Yud---Of the Riziner—Of the Premislaner—Of the Ropshitzer—Of the Kobriner—Of the Kotzker--Of the Gerer—Of Other Zaddikim—Anonymous Hasidic Sayings.

Part VII: The Modern Period

       INTRODUCTION

      CONVICTIONS OF MOSES MENDELSSOHN

The Ideal Government—The Office of Religion—Church vs. State---Of Human Progress—On Freedom of Conscience.

      THE WORDS OF HEINRICH HEINE

When Germany Goes Berserk—On the Coming of Communism—Israel Among the Nations—Concerning the Messiah—Obiter Dicta—Personalia.

     YIDDISH HUMOR

Anecdotes on This and That—About Schlemiels—About Schnorrers—About the "Fools" of Chelem.

    YIDDISH PROVERBS

God and the World—Man and Woman—Family Life—Money—Self-Criticism— Fate— Life and Death.

    THE WIT OF SHOLOM ALEICHEM

    A TALE BY PERETZ

   THUS SPAKE ASHER GINZBERG

   THE SONGS OF BIALIK

The Fountain—The Dead in the Desert---The City of Slaughter.

   THE PHILOSOPHY OF FELIX ADLER

   THE SENTIMENTS OF ISRAEL ZANGWILL

The American Century---On the Warring of Sects—On Religious Fanaticism—The Wickedness of Saints—Judaism vs. Germanism.

   SOME OPINIONS OF LUDWIG LEWISOHN

Two Views of Jews---The Duty of the Jew---How to Be a Jew—The Jew of the Future—Concerning Assimilation—How Can One Be Saved?---Who Is a Gentleman?

  REFLECTIONS OF JACOB KLATZKIN

To Each Generation Its Laugh—The Task of Culture—Our Lost Soul—What Is Power?---Unconscious Vengeance— Logic vs. Mysticism—A Shield against Ambition—The Value of Laziness—Double Ego—Liar and Gunman—Equality as a Basis for Inequality—Negative Standard---The Value of Revolutions—Sundry Aphorisms — Testament.

  THE RELIGION OF SHOLOM ASCH

Jews and Gentiles—Jews as Persecutors—Defects of Atheism---Man's Sin—What I Believe.

  PRACTICES OF ORTHODOX JUDAISM

Some Moral Precepts—On Arising from Bed—Concerning the Synagogue—Rules for Reading the Law—Rules for the Study of the Law—Rules of Hygiene—Rules of Etiquette—Laws of Buying and Selling—Laws Concerning Loans.

  THE ETHICS OF A CONSERVATIVE JEW

The Ethical Motivation—Economic Justice—Capitalist Ethics—

Socialist Ethics—Judaism and Social Justice.

  PRAYERS OF LIBERAL JEWS

Hear, 0 Israel!—Prayers for Guidance—Prayers for Brotherhood—

Congregational Prayers—A Prayer for Mourners—A Prayer for the

Aged—A Prayer for Young People—Meditation for the New Year

—Exhortation for a Troubled Age—A Prayer for Peace.

  INDEX OF AUTHORS

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to the contributor:
John Peterson

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