The Talmud of Relationships, Volume 2 - by Amy Scheinerman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

How can I lead others with authority and kindness? How can I strengthen my self-control? How can I balance work and family? How can I get along with difficult coworkers? How can I best relate to people in need?

Enter the Talmudic study house with innovative teacher Rabbi Amy Scheinerman and continue the Jewish values-based conversations that began two thousand years ago. The Talmud of Relationships, Volume 2 shows how the ancient Jewish texts of Talmud can facilitate modern relationship building--with family members, colleagues, strangers, the broader Jewish community, and ourselves.

Scheinerman devotes each chapter to a different Talmud text exploring relationships--and many of the selections are fresh, largely unknown passages. Overcoming the roadblocks of language and style that can keep even the curious from diving into Talmud, she walks readers through the logic of each passage, offering full textual translations and expanding on these richly complex conversations, so that each of us can weigh multiple perspectives and draw our own conclusions. Scheinerman provides grounding in why the selected passage matters, its historical background, a gripping narrative of the rabbis' evolving commentary, insightful anecdotes and questions for thought and discussion, and a cogent synopsis.

Through this firsthand encounter with the core text of Judaism, readers of all levels--Jews and non-Jews, newcomers and veterans, students and teachers, individuals and chevruta partners and families alike--will discover the treasure of the oral Torah.

Review Quotes

"Amy Scheinerman gently and adroitly guides us through some of the most fascinating and provocative passages of Talmudic literature. . . . The Talmud of Relationships amply demonstrates that Talmudic/rabbinic literature retains its power to speak to the spiritual issues we face individually and communally, even more than a millennium and a half later."--Gail Labovitz, associate professor of rabbinic literature, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies-- (3/3/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"Finally, an opening to the Talmud for all to enter! Master teacher Amy Scheinerman addresses topics that are key to our most important relationships and self-understanding. She deftly walks us through the logic of the passage, asking thought-provoking questions along the way, and allowing us to draw our own conclusions."--Rabbi Louis Rieser, teacher, scholar-in-residence, and author of The Hillel Narratives-- (3/3/2018 12:00:00 AM)

"In this two-volume set, Rabbi Amy Scheinerman provides a useful demonstration of how the [Talmud] text can be analyzed and used in contemporary society. . . . This is a worthy and thoughtful approach to Talmud study and its broader applications. Rabbi Scheinerman's questions are deep and the discussions offered are both incisive and complex. . . . Recommended for all libraries."--Fred Isaac, Association of Jewish Libraries News and Reviews

"Scheinerman seeks to teach value-based Judaism through a talmudic lense. . . . Readers do not need any previous experience with the talmudic text since Scheinerman does an excellent job explaining its history and meaning in clear, easy-to-read prose. Her work manages to combine religious and scholarly understanding of the text in ways that will appeal to those unfamiliar with the Talmud."--Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Reporter

"Through this firsthand encounter with the core text of Judaism, readers of all levels--Jews and non-Jews, newcomers and veterans, students and teachers, individuals and chevruta partners and families alike--will discover the treasure of the oral Torah."--Jewish Book Council

About the Author

Rabbi Amy Scheinerman is a teacher, writer, and hospice rabbi. She is a former trustee on the Board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), former president of the Baltimore Board of Rabbis, and a current member of the CCAR Responsa Committee.