Book & Audio Forum

     Humanist Readings in Jewish Folklore by Bennett Muraskin is a new softcover book published by the International Institute for Secular Humanistic Judaism (IISHJ). Complete with an introduction, commentary and bibliography, it consists of over 120 Jewish folktales that exemplify the pre-modern roots of Secular Humanistic Judaism.

     Organized in 15 chapters including "Arguing with God," "Confronting Injustice," "The Dangers of Fanaticism," "Women," "Jewish-Gentile Relations" and "Humor," these stories reflect the side of Jewish tradition that values freedom of thought, social justice, egalitarianism and respect for the "other."

     Searching our ancient literature for humanistic ideas can be a daunting task because of the theism, ethnocentrism and legalism that pervades so much of the Bible and Talmud. But there is an alternative literature in Agada, Midrash, Hasidic folktales and other popular sources that can inspire us. For the first time, it appears between the covers of one book.

Available in English

$20.00

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