The Book of Jewish Values: A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living

Ok but could be simpler and more direct; too many cam loose the message

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's The Book of Jewish Values: A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living was informative causing to rethink how to act out one's faith; it re-established a truth - that Judaism is indeed very similar to Christianity. I liked how the author gave so many practical examples of ways to actually "do good." Christianity says "do good," but they fail sometimes to give simple, everyday examples of carrying out that mandate. Everyone can benefit from knowing "how" to do good. I also liked the passages where the author truthfully disclosed problems some Jewish people face: poverty, sickness, lack, as well as character issues that are common to man. Telushkin gave good examples of ways to help such individuals. For those like me, it gave a platform to lift the Jewish community to the LORD in fervent, effectual prayer that He, the God of Israel, will perform all His good promises to His people Israel.The references to the Talmud unless based on Torah were less enlightening. Some passages referred to did not pan out as truth when compared to Torah and/or Tanakh: When one weighs Torah against what man (Rabbis) say, the Torah should win every time. The passages included caused much prayerful cautiousness every time the word Talmud was used in this piece. To assure of its truthfulness, it needed to be compared with the Torah, Tanakh, and B'rit Hadashah (New Testament) - for I am a Christian and know ALL God's good word must line up affirming each other. Telushkin writes in response to writing by Maimonides, "According to Maimonides, killing a child while disciplining him should be regarded as an accident. But of course no child dies from a minor physical punishment. For physical punishment to result in death, it must be very brutal. Furthermore, in the very next paragraph, Maimonides similarly exonerates from punishment a teacher who kills a child while punishing him. Maimonides explains that parents and teachers are not punished in such an instance, "for they unintentionally killed while performing a mitzvah (commandment)." Telushkin further states, "One can only wonder how many young people who suffered in the past were cruelly hit, or otherwise endured physical abuse. I think it is fair to say that teachers who hit students in the past bear considerable responsibility for the mass defection from Jewish observance a century ago." If one knows God's word, though; it is easy to see the fallacy of both Rabbis' thoughts. God plainly states in the 10 Commandments, "Do not murder" (Exodus 20:13). This command applies across the board. Murder is forbidden. Period. No justification should be made by man to soften the consequences of that command (Only God can give exceptions to His word.) making Maimonides words stand as false. On the other side of the spectrum, though, Telushkin would do away with Biblical wisdom found Proverb 22:15 - "Doing wrong is firmly tied to the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away from him." Proverb 29:15 says, "The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame on his mother." Also, Proverb 23:13 states, Don't withhold discipline from a child - if you beat him with a stick, he won't die! If you beat him with a stick, you will save him from Sh'ol." That sounds harsh! "Beat him with a stick?" Is that found in the Jewish Scriptures? Absolutely! God Himself disciplines His own beloved children (Deuteronomy 8:5) & (Hebrews 12:6); should not He require that in love we discipline our children as well? The B'rit Hadashah states, "Don't quench the Spirit, don't despise inspired messages. But do test everything - hold on to what is good, but keep away from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22). Much proof exists to show what happens when children are left to themselves in the American school system. Frightened teachers are manning classrooms that are uncontrollable - because it is law they do not "spank" the child. A child who is not disciplined grows to despise authority, ignore the teachings of Torah and tend to jeopardize the safety and well-being of a nation. We have countless examples to prove this; enough school shootings prove the veracity of God's word. What happens to children who are left to themselves and become obstinate and uncontrollable? "He who remains stiffnecked after much rebuke will be suddenly and incurably broken" (Proverb 29:1). That is the path the children of America are traipsing down without guidance and accountability for their actions in the school system. An undisciplined child is heady, disobedient and is headed for certain trouble. In the end (as an adult) he will be what is considered a fool. "On the lips of the intelligent is found wisdom, but a stick is in store for the back of a fool" (Proverb 10:13). There WILL be beatings; there WILL be reproofs; there WILL be correction in life for every human being. Better it come from the hands of loving parents and concerned teachers than to be issued by the lawless, law enforcement officers, society, or God Himself. I found the Talmud passages (with the exception of those referencing Torah or Tanakh) to be only thoughts of man. One Holocaust victim is recorded in Yad Vashem as saying: "I would stand with God against man; rather than stand with man against God." I agree: God's Word is truth and stands alone; it requires no addition. These added Talmud passages without reference to Torah or Tanakh were flies that spoiled the ointment of an otherwise great article. This is a good read for Christian clergy, and lay members as well if read prayerfully listening to the Holy Spirit who guides in all truth. He will give wisdom to help one separate the hay from the sticks.For the Jewish reader, I do not say this book is helpful. To my limited but growing understanding of Jewish people, they are filled with good works - taught from youth to perform mitzvot before God as requirement to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This book is no new revelation to Jewish people, rather it stands a source to add more guilt and pressure to perform more of what they all - observant and secular alike - are already doing! This book does not meet Jewish need. The Jewish people do not need to do more mitzvot. They need assurance God sees their labor of love and kindnesses; that He is watching faithfully over them even as He promised. Instead of more mitzvot to follow, they need to receive Light which lets them know they ARE OKAY! They don't have to WORK SO HARD to enter God's love: He loves them already with an everlasting love - THAT is why they are chosen!!!! They need the added light of their Messiah Yeshua Who alone can take away the sins they are working so feverishly to eliminate. Rest, Israel, in your God! His Light is shining making You all He intends you to be! Come into His loving arms and let His comfort and joy give you rest! May all Israel have the peace their loving God wants to give each of them.

This book is brilliant. I am learning a lot. It's helping me be a better disciple of the greatest Jew that ever walked this earth - Yeshua

It is more of a page-turner than you would think, exposing my mind to a positive attitude on a wide variety of subjects.

Great knowledge written by a great scholar.