As most books of Even-Israel (or Steinsaltz) this is a highly readable book, clearly explaining the traditions and regulations of prayer. Read it once to get a basic grip, and then keep it as a reference work.

The above reviewer spoke for me. I'll only add that for beginners or those not steeped in Judaica, or for those not Jewish, who want to get his work, I recommend starting with "The Thirteenth Petalled Rose." It's short, exquisite and an excellent introduction to this also great book

Our Talmud group studied from Rabbi Steinsaltz's translations. He is a tremendous scholar, but writes accessibly for the layperson. Where some rabbis of this stature are cool and arrogant, R. Steinsaltz is warm. Most importantly, he makes *you* feel like a scholar, even if you don't read a bit of Hebrew.

--Yitzhak Ya'akov ben Yosef

I used this book for a report and I am purchasing it for my own library. Wonderful insights into the many characters of the OT.

If you think you've seen it all in bible commentaries, read this book.
Every chapter will make you say, "I never thought of that."
While the book doesn't give any direct practical advice on problems of
our day, it does offer much theoretical insight. For example, most of
the chapters on "Genesis" offer insights on strong
relationships, and the chapters on "Kings" offer insghts on
effective leadership.

Rabbi Steinsaltz's work is continuing to allow the non-Hebrew speaking reader access to one of the greatest living books of Judaism. This introductory volume to the Tractate Sanhedrin captures for the non-Yeshiva student the insight and nuances of the Rabbis of long ago. The basis of Jewish law is layed out before the reader with succinct eludication.
Unlike other English translations of the Talmud, Steinsaltz "fills in the blanks" to the novice and the student of the Talmud unlike the others.
Rabbi Steinsaltz has given the modern reader a gift of great value in his work and by sharing his insight, opens the gates of understanding.
It is rumored that Random House will no longer publish the English editions of the Steinsaltz Talmud. If this is true, it is a great lost to all of us who are attempting to unearth the gems of wisdom and understanding.
Any of the Steinsaltz Talmud tractates are worth their weight in gold.

This edition is perfect if your not too hot on your aramaic. It has a clear lay out and a good translation. It provides an easy to follow english version with the hebrew layed out along side and tries its best to keep the style and order of the original. San Hedrin deals with the laws of the law keeping body in Israel, 2000 years ago.

Rabbi Steinsaltz continues to allow modern readers to delve into the history, spirituality, and insights of the Rabbinical authorities of antiquity. Steinsaltz allows the interested reader to enjoy and understand the Talmud without years of study. Although there has been recent criticism of the Steinsaltz edition of the Talmud, it is simply the best and most accessible Talmud available. I highly recommend any of the Steinsaltz Talmud volumes to all readers.

This edition is perfect if your not too hot on your aramaic. It has a clear lay out and a good translation. It provides an easy to follow english version with the hebrew layed out along side and tries its best to keep the style and order of the original. San Hedrin deals with the laws of the law enforcing body of Israel, 2000 years ago.

Rabbi Steinsaltz beautifully translates and interprets these seemingly simple stories. Each is a masterpeice-shedding light on Rav Nachman's thoughts, Jewish philosphy and world view.

Rabbi Abrams has a magical way of exciting the soul and opening up what on first glance can be quite intimidating, the Talmud. She learned with Rabbi Seinsaltz and gives readers insights into his marvelous works. This book is useful for those experienced in Talmud study but will be particularly helpful for those with little exposure.

The Guide is a 'end in and of itself' - readers will gain insight and inspiration from the guide even if they do not go forward with their Talmud studies.

An amazing translation of difficult chasidic chabad concepts, wriiten and published in an exeptionally clear format by one of this generations great Torah scholars. Looking forward to future translations of hitherto essays not accesable to the english speaking admirer of chassidic thought.

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, perhaps best known for his multi-volume translation of and commentary upon the Talmud (currently being published in both Hebrew and English, as well as a few other languages), has put together a wonderfully simple, small, thought-provoking book of spiritual wisdom that promises the careful reader insight into new ways to think, feel, act, and be.

Steinsaltz has worked with Talmudic literature (to a very extensive and intimate degree), as well as Hasidic tales and liturgies, and having absorbed the teachings and spirit of this body of literature, has distilled it into simple, useful bits for reflection and illumination.

Deceptively simple words, which embrace huge concepts -- nature, good, family, friends, death, God, faith, love -- these are words we use all the time. But what do they really mean? 'Rabbi Steinsaltz explores some of the meanings of these powerful words that are so central to our lives. He transforms each word into a gem, turning it this way, then that, examining it to see more clearly its brilliant facets and what lies behind them.'

Perhaps the key to Steinsaltz's way of looking at these terms and concepts is to emphasise the fluid, malleable character -- these are not concepts that are set in stone; their meaning changes as our lives change, as our society changes -- the wisdom from the past must be used as a guide for understanding, but our lives in the present have validity too. That having been said, we owe our ancestors as well as our descendants a debt to carry on the line of tradition in some ways, lest we dishonour our ancestors and rob our descendants of their inheritance.

This is a difficult balance, not always the same for each person.

Steinsaltz also examines elements of our present culture in unique ways. In his chapter on Hollywood, he discusses Hollywood in terms of being a dreamworld, and a religion that deserves the appellation of being opiate of the masses. 'Being a very self-satisfied religion, Hollywood is not revolutionary; it is even anti-revolutionary. For one thing, Hollywood does not try to change norms, and certainly does not have the presumption to steer them; it merely reflects existing ones.... Hollywood glorifies the status quo, or at least promotes the dreams of Middle America as the best of all possible worlds, and thereby diminishes the possibility for change.'

Steinsaltz concludes by a frank and interesting discussion on God, in which he argues for a removal of limitations on God, and a greater understanding of just what it is we are saying when we use the word 'God'. God is, in present culture, often depicted in mostly poetic terms. 'Poetry is wonderful, but we should not expect God to conform to our images. Yet we do. For many people, the image of God is quite clear: a big, white-bearded man sitting on a throne very high in the sky. He has--at least figuratively--a stick in one hand, and a bag of candy in the other, bestowing each on His subjects.'

Alas, this is this picture of God most grow up with, and when they in their adolescence or adulthood jettison the image, they jettison God along with it, because they have not been taught more compelling ways to think about God.

Ultimately, this is a book (in great Talmudic style) of opening up the realm of questioning, rather than providing answers. In much the same way that a literate person, when confronting a page of writing in a foreign language, will recognise it as writing, and perhaps attempt to decipher it, a person with no literacy or no knowledge of the concept of writing will merely see designs or smudges on a page, and look no further. One has to have the framework for a question before one can answer it, and look for the meanings in the foreign writing.

A very simple book, a very short book (only 200 small-format pages), the wisdom in this book is timeless and invaluable for all, regardless of your religious (or non-religious) orientation.

This is a book by a profoundly wise man, mystic, scholar. Accessible, humble and meaningful in a very deep way. He connects humanity, us, me and you to everything else in the world in a meaningful, non-jargon filled writing. It is thought provoking. I wouldn't have picked it up, because the title seemed so bland, but I saw his name on the cover, and knew a book by him, begs to be looked at. There is nothing simplistic or simple at all about any of the book. This is an extraordinary work.

Really makes you appreciate the importance of simple words in life.

A lucid introduction to Jewish mysticism as it exists in the modern era. I've read quite a lot on the topic, yet the book taught me things I honestly did not know previously. Also, I appreciate the fact that Weiner generally avoids the syncretism that is common in works that attempt to relate Jewish mysticism to the contemporary spiritual quest.

This is another one of those 20th century classics that I am delighted to see back in print. First published in 1969, it remains an excellent and very readable introduction to Jewish mysticism as practiced by Jews in modern times. I discovered it in the early 1970's and literally wore out my first copy. It was one of the pivotal books in my own personal quest, and remains a favorite today.

The "half mystic" in the title is Rabbi Herbert Weiner (Reform), who describes his personal interactions with various Jewish mystics and schools of thought, ranging from the highly academic university professor, Gershom Scholem, to the Breslover Hasidim in Israel, to an eccentric old scholar living in obscurity on East Broadway. There's a fascinating interview with the late Lubovitcher Rebbe (Menachem M. Schneerson) back in the days when he still met with seekers one-to-one, a personal invitation to a Belzer Hasidic wedding celebration, and a dip in the holy mikveh used by 16th-century Rabbi Isaac Luria. Especially interesting are Weiner's experiences among various Hasidic groups in Jerusalem, in a more spiritual time before the "ultra-Orthodox" became so highly politicized. In short, the book is a sort of travelogue through two critical decades, bridging the kabbalah from the last generation to remember the pre-Holocaust world, and into the modern era. For this reason alone, it's a very valuable testimony.

But don't get me wrong --- this book is not just history. Weiner's quest is as valid today as it was over 30 years ago. Interwoven with his personal experiences are clear explanations of the teachings, given in the context where he first received them. His quest to unravel the secrets is your quest also. Little by little, the book teaches you about kabbalah in a very practical, down-to-earth way. Highly recommended!

Review of several related streams in the Hassidic tradition of mystic practice. Not a "How to" but does whet one's appetite for the experience.

Some very contradictions indeed. Judiasm does welcome those who want to be more observant. However the laws of the sabbath, dress, social relations, and keeping kosher are very strict.

The All or Nothing and Where To Start Chapters are very helpful. Rabbi Steinsaltz has a patient tone that one should not make the jump too vigorously to become observant. Start with lighting sabbath candles and maybe wearing tefilin is a good suggestion.

This book contains some very good information on some of the laws and their meanings. The kashering process is especially captivating. Some of the contradicitions are a bit confusing for those whom are not too informed. However, many can strike up interesting discussions. The glossary is quite helpful. A nice book for those who are considering taking the step to becomming more observant jews.

Although presented as a guide for the newly observant Jew, this is the one book that I recommend to non-Jews who ask for a book about Judaism. Rabbi Steinsaltz' very insightful and yet succinct work on authentic Judaism is written for adults who expect their theology and religious practices to be on a level commensurate with their secular education.

This book is an excellent book. It is well-written and flows smoothly. Like the title says, it is a guide for the newly observant jew. This book really bridges the gap from non-practicing to practicing. It explains why and how in an easy to read and understand format...I really enjoyed this book and have put it in my permanent library.