The Right and the Good: Halakhah and Human Relations (Expanded Edition)
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By Daniel Z. Feldman
ISBN 1-933143-03-7 Softcover, 304 pages $19.95 Buy it now | ||
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In an effort to respond to the baseless criticism that Jewish law is overly pre- occupied with religious ritual at the expense of issues having to do with interpersonal relationships, Daniel Z. Feldman presents readers with a detailed exploration of the vast attention that the masters of Jewish thought have given to relations between and among individuals. This book is not a legal guide to interpersonal relationships in Jewish life, nor is it a volume of moral exhortation. Rather, Rabbi Feldman aims to convey the importance of his subject bye exhibiting its hallowed place within the structure of Jewish and within the analysis that interpersonal relationships have been given among the giants in the field of Jewish thought. |
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Fourteen topics that impact relationships between people are discussed in detail. Among those issues are the prohibitions of humiliation, derogatory nicknames, taking revenge, raising a hand in violence, and the mandates toward peace, love, truth, and generous judgment. For each of these topics, a detailed overview of the discussions found in Jewish classical literature is provided within a conceptual framework that addresses the nature of the relevant concepts involved.
The author writes, "It is hoped that those who have felt that Jewish law does not sufficiently address these concerns will find the opposite to be the case, and that those who consider these issues to be outside of the realm of obligatory behavior will be convinced otherwise."
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"Each essay is a complete and very detailed scholarly shiur! When I read the book, it brings to mind the extraordinary style of Rabbi Feldman in his oral presentations!"
Rabbi Hershel Schachter Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel at Yeshiva University "In this richly-documented and engagingly written volume, distinguished by characteristically impressive erudition and careful scholarship, Rabbi Daniel Feldman guides the reader to a keener appreciation of the nexus between halakhah and ethics — law and spirituality — as reflected in every facet of human existence. The need for a clear exposition of this subject — especially in the realm of interpersonal relations — is compelling, and the author’s response to that need is illuminating and inspiring." Rabbi Dr. Michael A. Shmidman Dean, Touro Graduate School of Jewish Studies "An important contribution to Jewish learning... The author is superbly knowledgeable of the law and I doubt if there is any other extant book which brings so much information on the topics discussed." Journal of Law and Religion "A work of meticulous scholarship, Rabbi Feldman casts a wide net that produces both a comprehensive and an in-depth treatment of his subject matter... The reader will delight in the Brisker style lomdus of this outstanding work." Rabbi Aaron Levine Dayan and rabbi in Brooklyn, chairman of the economics department at Yeshiva University Praise of previous works by the author (translated from Hebrew): "Manuscripts of Torah chiddushim were brought before me... and all was written properly. [The author] faithfully gives and takes in the words of our teachers, the poskim, rishonim, and acharonim, both recent and ancient... May it be pleasing [Above] that he may soon bless over a completed work and that his wells continue to give forth in order to enlarge and glorify Torah..." Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef former Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel "Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman showed me a number of essays that are only a small portion of a book he plans to publish. I found them all delightful and that he explained completely every topic he addressed, both by bringing the pilpulim (argumentation) and the reasonings from a variety of books and by explaining the practical differences between the various reasons. There is no doubt that the book will be of tremendous benefit both to those who learn in depth and to those who learn to know the basic topics..." Rabbi Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg Dayan and Rosh Kollel in Jerusalem "I saw the book Binah BaSefarim that was written by Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman. When I studied it I saw that the author engages and delves into the Torah works of our sages with good knowledge and understanding, proper thinking, and delightful words of Torah..." Rabbi Natan Gestetner Dayan and Rosh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, author of LeHorot Natan |
Daniel Z. Feldman (Google
him) received his rabbinical ordination at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and teaches at its Stone
Beit Midrash Program and at the Torah Academy of Bergen County. Rabbi Feldman attended Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh and was a fellow
of the Bella and Harry Wexner Kollel Elyon. He is the author of three volumes in Hebrew titled Binah BaSefarim and has co-edited six
volumes in Hebrew. He has headed summer kollel programs in Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Beverly Hills and is a frequent lecturer in the United
States and across the world.
Inside the Book
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Emotional Homicide: Embarassing Others
2. A Rose by Any Other Name: Derogatory Nicknames
3. Better to Stand on a Box: Honoring Oneself at the Expense of Others
4. All’s Fair in Love and Peace: Instigating and Perpetuating Disputes
5. More than the Best Policy: Honesty
6. Not to Be Brutally Honest: Lying for the Sake of Peace
7. Burying—and Lending—the Hatchet:Vengeance and Grudges
8. See No Evil: Favorable Judgements of Others
9. Hello, Good Morning, and How Are You?: Greetings in Jewish Law
10. To Forgive is Divine, and Human: The Bilateral Obligation of Forgiveness
11. One Strike and You’re Out: Hitting and Raising a Hand in Violence
12. The Love-Hate Relationship: Love and Hatred
13. When Push Comes to Shove: Aggressiveness and Insensitivity toward Others
14. Created in His Image: Concerns for Human Dignity
List of Sources Cited
Glossary
Index
Excerpt:
Chapter 12. The Love-
Hate Relationship: Love and Hatred
About the Author:
Online Articles by Daniel Z. Feldman
Other Ethics Books
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