Author of Going Kosher in 30 Days and numerous explanatory guides, Rabbi Zalman Goldstein is known for making Judaism easy to understand. Compiler of the 1,600-page Complete Index to the Rebbe’s Talks, Rabbi Michoel A. Seligson is known for his encyclopedic grasp of Jewish texts, particularly Chabad teachings.
In a collaboration that took nearly a decade of research and writing, the two scholars have produced Jewish Living Simply Explained, which summarizes dozens of core Chabad teachings that explain and inspire Jewish faith and observance.
Written in a simple and easy-to-understand language, the 184-page beautifully designed large-format book is geared for individuals of all backgrounds and covers an extraordinarily wide selection of oft-questioned and discussed topics. Creation, the age of the universe, Jewish history, Torah and mitzvot, reward and punishment and the purpose of the Jew are all covered, as are dozens of topics surrounding life-cycles, Jewish culture, holidays and more.
Culled from more than 60 Hebrew-language books, including works written by the Rebbes of Chabad, the entries present a clear and enlightening view on many of the issues discussed, offering a rich learning experience for beginners and advanced scholars alike.
Laboring over each page was painstaking and difficult, explained Goldstein, considering their aim to provide a clear and robust treatment for each topic on a single page. Their meticulous efforts are reflected in the final results, as well as in the unabridged seven-hour audiobook of the same title (available on Audible.com).
“Writing a book on a single topic is easy now compared to writing one on more than 100 individual topics,” said Goldstein. “Ensuring the accuracy of what’s presented for each topic weighed most on my pen, and it was Rabbi Seligson’s authoritative encyclopedic knowledge of Chabad Chassidus that ultimately enabled the project to come to fruition.”
Even before the books hit the shelves, advance acclaim has been pouring in from scholars and lay people alike. After reading the book, bestselling author and columnist Dennis Prager dubbed it a concise “Encyclopedia Chabadiana,” alluding its sweeping and authoritative nature.
Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, author of Permission to Believe and Permission to Receive, called it “the most concise, eloquent and broad guide about Jewish life and belief through the lens of Chabad teachings ever produced in English,” and renown Chassidic scholar Rabbi Manis Friedman proclaimed it “a wonderful resource for every home, school and Chabad House worldwide.”
Jewish Living Simply Explained (hardcover, $19.95, ISBN 978-1891293290) is available at bookstores, as well as on Audible, Kindle, Apple Bookstore and at: www.JewishLearningGroup.com.
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