A Code of Jewish Ethics, Volume 1: You Shall Be Holy

Although not Jewish, I have recently been drawn to Judaism - and this book has encouraged that.

The book is intended for Jews, though a non-Jew like myself, can benefit greatly from it. In matters of ritual, instructions for a Jew and non-Jew may be very different. In matters of ethics - of doing the right thing - what is right for a Jew is right for a non-Jew and vice-versa. What's right is right.

One thing I've learned from this book, is that what's right is not always obvious. Rabbi Telushkin discusses so many nuances to every subject covered that I gained great insight on things which before reading, I felt pretty confident that I understood. One can always gain from further study.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to show more become a better person. And now I must begin reading volume two. show less

A truly excellent book on Jewish ethics. Through this I learned that the things I thought I was doing wrong based on waht other people have said I was actually doing correct (by the book). I highly recommend everyone read this book if you are interested in Jewish ethics. Next I will catch part two.

A great study in both historical and current Torah-Talmudic commentary. Accessible.

NO OF PAGES: 559 SUB CAT I: Ethics SUB CAT II: SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: All societies have ethical codes that distinguish between right and wrong actions. For Jews, this is especially significant since Judaism ranks behavior as more important than belief. Behavioral prescriptions are set forth in sacred writings, anecdotes, medieval codes, rabbinical teachings and present-day stories. Telushkin?scholar, author, lecturer, teacher and rabbi?is compiling this voluminous material in order to help Jews "become more honest, decent, and just people." He plans to present his research in a three-volume series of which You Shall Be Holy is the first. Its primary emphasis is character development, while later volumes will deal with interpersonal show more relationships and issues of family, friendship and community. This installment is divided into five sections: the task of a lifetime; basic vices and virtues; fair speech; leading a holy life; God and ethics. Basic vices and virtues take up 257 pages, by far the longest section. Here and in the section on fair speech, there are especially stimulating discussions of when hatred and lying are permissible. Telushkin is definitive in his judgments about what is right and wrong behavior. This is an outstanding contribution to understanding Jewish ethics and their relevance for people of all faiths.NOTES: Purchased from the Amazon MarketPlace. SUBTITLE: You Shall Be Holy show less