7 New Books Worth Checking Out

1. What Chabad Really Believes

Danni and Jay are on a flight to visit the Nazi concentration camps in Poland on an education Jewish Federation mission. One is observant, the other ‘disenfranchised’. And thus begins their dialogue about faith, responsibility and community.

Penned as an encounter between two friends, the book is interlaced with their animated interaction and Chassidic philosophy written by an experienced Shliach – Rabbi Yosef Kahanov, Director of Chabad Lubavitch of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville, FL.

In Jay’s unaffiliated character, Rabbi Kahanov attempts to address the prevalent state of affairs within the broader Jewish community—the untold number of religiously challenged, due to a lack of Jewish education.

Why we are excited: Whatever Chassidic basics you missed while daydreaming in elementary school, you might complete with this page turner.

Publication date: Pre-order on seforimdeals.com and get it by Chanukah. Sample pages

The first country the Rebbe sent Shluchim to was Morocco and the impact is felt today around the globe. Author Schneur Zalman Berger was commissioned to write this book by the family of one of those Shluchim, Rabbi Shlomo Matusof OBM.

Over 430 pages, it described the network of schools Rabbi Matusof and the Shluchim built. It also details the Rebbe’s warm connection with Moroccan rabbis and Jews over the years, among them Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar.

Why we are excited: Tedious researched went into the making of book, promising to shed more light on the fascinating friendship between Chassidic and Sephardic bond.

Publication date: Already available in Crown Heights stores. Coming to Israel next week.

3. The Practical Tanya

There has been a renaissance of late in how the Alter Rebbe’s foundational book of Tanya is learned. Beginning with Rabbi Shais Taub‘s “Map of Tanya” and continuing with the interpolated interlinear new English edition of Rabbi Yosef Wineberg‘s classic “Lessons in Tanya.”

Now, renowned author Rabbi Chaim Miller presents a new translation and commentary on Tanya, rendering the text relevant for the contemporary reader with elegant simplicity. Over 720 pages, the Practical Tanya guides you on the path of spiritual consciousness to a state of inner freedom and liberation.

Why we are excited: Rabbi Miller excelled in offering deep Torah thoughts and Chassidic concepts in his past works on Chumash, Tehillim and Rambam. His Tanya work is sure to become mandatory reading in a confused world.

Publication: Available at Crown Heights stores and on kolmenachem.com. Sample pages.

4. Rav and Rebbe

The two great Jewish sages of the past century, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik – The Rav – of the Yeshiva University and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson – The Rebbe – Chabad grew up in Russia. They both studied at the University of Berlin and each became a leading figure in post-Holocaust Judaism in America.

Read now, for the first time ever, about their unique relationship and respect for each other and how their message was universal. The author is the Rabbi Chaim Dalfin who has written over 32 books to date.

Why we are excited: The 2014 conference at Yeshiva University titled “The Rebbe and Rav” showed how little we know, and how much we are interested in, this special relationship.

Publication date: Available in stores and on Amazon.com.

Since morning routines are hectic for the average person, how seriously are you able to daven Shachris? That’s one of the topics tackled in the innovative work, Sea Traveler – A Step-by-Step Guide to Prayer and Chassidic Meditation.

Its author, Rabbi Dov Ber Klein, an educator in Manchester England, provides techniques for focusing the mind along with a structured system of contemplation for developing a joyful and increasingly deeper attachment to Hashem as one’s Tefilla proceeds.

Why we are excited: The book garnered praise from Dayan Levi Raskin, Rav of the Lubavitch community in London, England, and Rabbi Gershon Miller, Mashgiach at the prestigious Gateshead Yeshiva.

Publication date: Just hit the Crown Heights stores and at Kehot.com.

The Vedibarta Bam series from veteran Crown Heights Rabbi Moshe Bogomilsky is a go-to reference for a thought or quick sermon on the weekly Parsha, Jewish holidays and special occasions – such as a Bar Mitzvah celebration.

The 337-page book veers from the question and answer format and instead presents ready-to-repeat speeches connection each Parsha to a Bar Mitzvah. Intended by rabbis, teachers and parents, the author said “it is my fervent wish that a Bar Mitzvah boy refer to this book, read it, and study it.”

Why we are excited: Rabbi Bogomilsky’s grandson recently commented to him that “we need fresh new sermons for the attendees of shul.” We couldn’t agree more.

Publication date: Already available at Crown Heights stores.

7. Kehot Tehillim

California’s Rabbi Yosef B. Marcus once again compiled a staggering treasure house of commentary and insights on the book of Tehillim, offering us a deeper appreciation for every letter and every word of Psalms.

Anthologized from hundreds of commentators, this work will allow Tehillim readers to bring newly-found inspiration and meaning to their daily, weekly and monthly recitations. It is enhanced by original artwork and an elegant deluxe binding

Why we are excited: The combination of Kehot, Spotlight Design and Rabbi Marcus has resulted in the magnificent works of the Haggadah and Pirkei Avot. This new volume is an appropriate addition to this growing series.

Publication date: Pre-order at Kehot.com and get a 15% discount.