Path of the Prophets - by Barry L Schwartz (Paperback)

About the Book

"Devoted to the legacy of the biblical prophets, identifies the prophetic moment in the lives of 18 biblical characters, offers up an intimate view of their inner thoughts, illuminates their ethical legacies, and challenges each of us to walk the path of the prophets today"--

Book Synopsis

Illuminating the ethical legacy of the biblical prophets, Path of the Prophets identifies the prophetic moment in the lives of eighteen biblical figures and demonstrates their compelling relevance to us today.

While the Bible almost exclusively names men as prophets, Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz celebrates heroic, largely unknown biblical women such as Shiphrah, Tirzah, and Hannah. He also deepens readers' interpretations of more familiar biblical figures not generally thought of as prophets, such as Joseph, Judah, and Caleb.

Schwartz introduces the prophets with creative, first-person retellings of their decisive experiences, followed by key biblical narratives, context, and analysis. He weighs our heroes' and heroines' legacies--their obstacles and triumphs--and considers how their ethical examples live on; he guides us on how to integrate biblical-ethical values into our lives; and he challenges each of us to walk the prophetic path today.

Review Quotes

"Path of the Prophets is the most significant new contribution to our understanding of the prophets so far in the twenty-first century--filled with new insights, important for Jewish scholarship, and a joy to read for anyone who has ever grappled with the meaning and contemporary relevance of the Bible."--Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine

-- (9/18/2017 12:00:00 AM)

"An enjoyable, thought-provoking, and revelatory book. While the intended audience might be Jewish, I can say, as a Christian pastor, this book will speak important truths to Christians as well. This wonderfully written book explores the ethical implications of the spiritual life in conversation with eighteen persons found in the Hebrew Bible."--Robert Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journal-- (3/22/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz identifies the prophetic moment in the lives of the eighteen biblical figures that we know as the Prophets and he shows us their relevance today in his new book."--Reviews by Amos Lassen

"Rabbi Schwartz brings new life to the men and women of the Bible, ordinary people who did extraordinary things--and challenges us to do the same, to make the most of life's journey."--Rabbi Sally J. Priesand, author of Judaism and the New Woman
-- (9/18/2017 12:00:00 AM)

"Schwartz's new book works as both an intelligent class textbook, complete with appended study guide, and absorbing personal reading."--Ray Olson, Booklist-- (2/15/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"The prophets call us passionately to justice--but, alas, the prophetic books are not easy to understand. Schwartz has done the seemingly impossible by delving clearly into the prophets' ethical dilemmas and urging readers to face those injustices of yesterday and today. As we yearn for religious voices that will challenge entrenched ideologies, this is a desperately needed volume."--Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president emeritus, Union for Reform Judaism-- (9/18/2017 12:00:00 AM)

"This title would be a fine addition to any collection used by adult readers."--Arthur G. Quinn, Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews

About the Author

​Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz is director of The Jewish Publication Society and rabbi of Congregation Adas Emuno, Leonia, New Jersey. He is the author of Judaism's Great Debates: Timeless Controversies from Abraham to Herzl (JPS, 2012) and Jewish Heroes, Jewish Values, among other volumes.