For everyone who wants to understand the meaning and significance of tikkun olam (repairing the world) in Jewish spiritual life, this book shows the way into an essential aspect of Judaism and allows you to interact directly with the sacred texts of the Jewish tradition.
Guided by Dr. Elliot N. Dorff, Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Judaism, this comprehensive introduction explores the roots of the beliefs and laws that are the basis of the Jewish commitment to improve the world. It looks at the various motivations that the sacred texts provide for caring for others, the ways the Jewish tradition seeks to foster such concerns in our social and family relationships, and the kind of society that Jews should strive to create as partners with God.
* What tikkun olam is. Ancient idea? New concept? The underlying theory has developed over time and branched into related terms and concepts that Judaism has used over thousands of years to describe the duties we now identify as acts of tikkun olam. * Why we engage in acts of tikkun olam. Reasons include, but go far beyond, a general humanitarian feeling that we might have or the hope that if we help others, others will be there to help us. * How we repair the world. The concrete expressions of tikkun olam in our families, our communities, the wider Jewish community, and the world at large help shape one of the most important aspects of the Jewish tradition.
By illuminating Judaism's understanding of the components of an ideal world, and the importance of justice, compassion, education, piety, social and familial harmony and enrichment, and physical flourishing for both the individual and society, we see how this ancient quest for a world with all these elements helps us define Jewish identity and mission today.
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A deserving finalist of the Jewish Book Council's National Jewish Book Awards:
Dr. Ellot N. Dorff, Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Judaism, presents The Way Into Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), an in-depth introduction to the fundamental building blocks of belief and regulation grounding the Jewish commitment to improve the world. From the motivations offered by sacred texts, to the social and family relationships celebrated by Jewish tradition, to the definition of "tikkun olam" (identified as a wide range of moral and humanitarian duties), to... more info
Making the world a better place as fundamental principle of Judaism:
In this work Elliot N. Dorff explores the historical meaning of the concept of 'tikkun olam'. He begins in Mishnaic times and traces it to our own contemporary world. He then considers a number of specific areas in which the concept of 'tikkun olam ' is specially relevant. He concludes with the following summary.
"Our ultimate goal in tikkun olam, then is a world at peace.That, as we have seen, does not just mean a cessation of hostilities.It also means a world in which we have the blessings of... more info
