From
Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. All societies have ethical codes that distinguish
between right and wrong actions. For Jews, this is especially significant
since Judaism ranks
behavior as more important than belief. Behavioral prescriptions are set
forth in sacred writings, anecdotes, medieval codes, rabbinical teachings
and present-day
stories. Telushkin—scholar, author, lecturer, teacher and rabbi—is
compiling this voluminous material in order to help Jews "become more
honest, decent, and just people." He plans to present his research in
a three-volume series of which You Shall Be Holy is the first. Its primary
emphasis is character development, while later volumes will deal with interpersonal
relationships and issues of family, friendship and community. This installment
is divided into five sections: the task of a lifetime; basic vices and virtues;
fair speech; leading a holy life; God and ethics. Basic vices and virtues take
up 257 pages, by far the longest section. Here and in the section on fair speech,
there are especially stimulating discussions of when hatred and lying are permissible.
Telushkin is definitive in his judgments about what is right and wrong behavior.
This is an outstanding contribution to understanding Jewish ethics and their
relevance for people of all faiths. (Mar. 7)
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Reviews:
“
Rabbi Telushkin’s masterwork is a gift to humankind. In a time of encroaching
darkness, it demonstrates that the light of Torah and Judaism’s teachings
lead to a life of wholeness that advances humanity and civilization. It is
a wonderful and instructive reminder that this complex legal system is so
much about people and filling our sacred spaces with meaning.”
— Richard
Joel, president of Yeshiva University
“ Rabbi Joseph Telushkin displays the vast ethical resources contained
in classical Jewish religious texts and demonstrates how these teachings can
apply to the
daily personal and communal challenges that confront us all. The book speaks
to everyone concerned with leading a virtuous and meaningful life and deserves
a wide readership by Jews and non-Jews alike.”
—Rabbi David Ellenson,
president of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion
“
In every decade, there are a handful of truly great works, and this is one
of them. Joseph Telushkin lifts up the ethical content of our tradition in
whatever form it appears—distilled law, interesting anecdotes, historical
events, or moral fable. To these he brings his modern sensibilities, deep
wisdom, and the common sense of a master teacher. I predict this book will
be required
reading for my grandchildren, and for all others who want to improve themselves
and repair the world.”
— Blu Greenberg, author of How to Run a
Traditional Jewish Household and On Women and Judaism
“ With all his characteristic grace and humanity, Rabbi Telushkin has produced
a masterwork, vast in scope, rich in wisdom, engaging, lucid, and profound.
Read it and you will be inspired. Live it and you will be transformed.”
— Rabbi
Sir Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the
Commonwealth
“
This remarkable guide to goodness shows how holiness begins in decency. It
is a treasure-house of Jewish spirit — compelling, readable, supremely
wise, and sometimes even funny.”
— Rabbi David J. Wolpe, rabbi
of Sinai Temple, Los Angeles, author of Making Loss Matter
“ Judaism has the most sophisticated system of moral theology, or ethics,
of any world
religion, which has been evolving for four millennia. This is the most comprehensive
introduction to Jewish ethics to appear for many decades.”
— Paul
Johnson, author of A History of the Jews
