
Wisdom of the Heart
The Teachings of Rabbi Ya'akov of Izbica-Radzyn
Ora Wiskind-Elper(Author)
Jewish Publication Society (Publisher)
Published on 3. May 2010
Book
Hardback
298 pages
978-0-8276-0894-8 (ISBN)
Description
In this fascinating book, Ora Wiskind-Elper introduces us to a figure who was ahead of his time: the Hasidic leader Rabbi Ya'akov Leiner of Izbica-Radzyn. Her translations and interpretation of his writings present the Rabbi's central ideas in a compelling form to modern readers. Though Rabbi Ya'akov lived a full century and a half ago, his teaching weaves midrash, medieval commentary, Kabbalah, and Hasidic thought together to create an innovative perspective on long-established Jewish concepts. His works, known as the Beit Ya'akov fill four large volumes of commentary on the weekly Torah portions and the cycle of Jewish festivals-the traditional genre known as derashot. In exploring the diversity of the sources Rabbi Ya'akov used for his reflections on Jewish life and spirituality, the author suggests he devoted uncommon attention to emotion, human, relationships, and gender issues. Thus, in many ways, Rabbi Ya'akov's thought was extraordinary for its time and even for ours. Wiskind-Elper's insights touch readers on many different levels-intellectually, emotionally, and psychologically.
Reviews / Votes
"Ora Wiskind-Elper takes these texts seriously, presents intelligent and sensitive readings of difficult themes, and rigorously plumbs concepts and formulations that formed the basis of this approach within Hasidic thought."-Jewish Book WorldMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Philadelphia
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
590 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8276-0894-8 (9780827608948)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Ora Wiskind-Elper holds a M.A. in comparative literature and a Ph.D. in Hebrew literature from Hebrew University. She has taught at Michlalah College in Jerusalem since 1992 and has been an associate lecturer at the Lander Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem since 1999. She and her family live near Jerusalem, Israel.