Israel Books

Besides the clear exposition of the Middle Pillar exercise, the book also contains an element borrowed from astrology - the seven principal ideas symbolized by the sun, moon and inner planets (every idea and thing can be classified within one of these root ideas). For example, the sun represents power & success, life, money, growth, etc., its positive color is orange, its negative color is yellow or gold, and its magical name is Elohim Tsa-vo-os. So for example if one has a need of money, you would visualize the negative color (yellow/gold) as a next step following the Middle Pillar and vibrate the name. To help someone else who needs money, one would visualize the positive color (orange) and the person concerned and vibrate the name. I have seen the Middle Pillar described using six chakras (Ted Andrews)or all seven chakras where Regardie uses only five (he combines the Throat & Third Eye centres), but I suppose it doesn't matter, since the effect is the same. And the effect is immediate and very tangible. An important little book, very useful for spiritual healers, alternative therapists and for everybody who takes responsibility for their own health.

One can finish this title within a half hour and it will leave quite the impression. One can utilize the wisdom and tools taught. Although flavored with Jewish Mysticism, any spiritual path will benefit from Israel's work. An asset to any library.

I originally saw these photos on exhibit in Chicago, and couldn't get them out of my mind. So, I bought the book. The photos aren't at all gory, there are no shots of skinny corpses or gruesome remains in ovens. Instead they are photos of every day people. I think that makes them all the more chilling because these are people we can relate to. It's hard to put this book down once you start reading it. The story is fascinating, the photos will haunt you. You can clearly see the looks on the peoples' faces. It's a look of blind terror, the faces of people resigned to their doom. As a reader you know most all of these people will be dead an hour after these photos were taken. It's not light reading but it's one of my most remembered books.

Collaboratively compiled and edited by Israel and Bella Gutterman, The Auschwitz Album: The Story Of A Transport is a chillingly historical, photographic album accurately preserving and presenting the memory of the unspeakable, methodically planned, Nazi genocide perpetrated in World War II which came to be called the Holocaust. Black-and-white images of the Auschwitz concentration camp and transportation thereto, along with a compelling historical overview and commentary, make The Auschwitz Album a sober and seminal contribution to personal, academic, and community library Holocaust Studies reference shelves.

Rabbi Elfasi was the companion of the Holy Baba Sali. He does a good job in capturing necessary details and teachings of this tzadik's life.

baba sali performed great miricles this is an excellent overview view of him and his life. Baba sali was an incredible amazing person

This is the best tour guide for Israel that I have found. The only problem is that the publisher revises it and allows it to go out of print during the process. This time, it have been for well over a year. Is there any way to find out when it will be available again?

My wife and I are going on a tour to Israel in late March and were looking for concise information about the land of Israel. Someone loaned us this book (I have now purchased my own) and it is the best. I have heard many talks, watched my friends slides, attended meetings of former tourists, but nothing has given me better insight into the land, customs, people and sites than the Baedeker book. Our trip is to include an extension into the Sinai peninsula and Mt. Sinai. This book has an excellent description of this area as well as the St. Catherine's Monastary on the mount. The book's pocket size make it excellent for sticking in your day pack. All of the information is arranged in alphabetical form so it is very easy to access. It also includes a fold-out map. Don't miss this one! Fred Brock (fbrock@bbc.edu

When I first saw the title of this book, I had no idea what I was getting into and how MUCH I would be moved by this author, who was all of 15 years old in 1996. The writer in me was absolutely astounded and in awe of the gift this young girl has with the written word. Her diaries cover every thought young people everywhere think, and she endeared herself to my heart forever by the time I finished the book and put it down amidst my tears. As a grandmother, I was deeply moved by the wisdom shown through these words that this young girl had for all of us reading her diaries.

I urge every parent out there to read this book with your kids, and be available for tons of questions. Bat-Chen was named after a beautiful flower that dots the hillsides of Israel. Like her namesake, Bat-Chen was also beautiful, inside and out. No thought on anything was left out of her diaries. She had a wisdom well beyond her 15 years at the time of these writings.

When Prime Minister Yizhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995, Bat-Chen was so moved by it that she wrote a poem (she was 14) and a condolence letter, then sent these to his widow, Leah. Leah wrote a moving afterward at the end of Bat-Chen's book. The reason? Bat-Chen and two of her best friends were killed in March, 1996, four months after Rabin's death, in a suicide bombing at a bus stop in which 13 people were killed. It was the holiday of Purim, and it also happened to be Bat-Chen's 15th birthday. Ironically, Bat-Chen firmly believed that peace could be possible one day in her part of the world. Oh, how I wish that were true, and that we didn't lost this promising young lady and all that she would have offered to us on this earth.

Her writings are full of the hope of a young girl for a peaceful future, and includes several cards to her Arab pen pal, a thank you note to her ear doctor, she wrote about a typical teen's anger towards her parents for something she wasn't allowed to do, and then love towards her siblings and parents, in this diary that ran the gamut of every emotion that is part of life. This young girl was so full of life, and so full of wisdom, it is uncanny. As a writer, I envy the simplicity and clarity of her words, and their strength, and their purpose. She also wrote about the terror she felt living in Israel, where there is never really peace for either side. Her one desire was for everyone to get along - that is one of the reasons she had an Arab pen pal - so that they could learn from each other not to hate.

We hear about the suicide bombings on the news all the time. In our part of the world, I think we get immune to them because they aren't happening here, and there are so many of them "over there". This young girl, through her diaries, letters, poems, and drawings, put a name and a face to this terrible tragedy our world endures, and she will never be forgotten, at least by me, for the rest of my life. As a writer, I cannot even begin to describe the incredible talent of Bat-Chen Shahak, and how much her eloquent words have moved me forever - I'll never be the same.

I thank Bat-Chen's family for opening their personal wounds, and letting the rest of us in to celebrate the short life of their incredible daughter.

This book is a lesson to all of us - to be thankful for what we have, and to work harder as individuals, to make world peace a reality. This is a must-read for all of us to wake up and become more proactive in our own personal lives to make our own lives count for whatever amount of time we are gifted with here on earth.

an amazing book about an israeli girl who was killed in a terrorist attack. the book is great for any teacher who wants to teach and encourage writing and expression. it is great for youth groups and encounter groups dealing with cross-cultural differences and conflict. sensitive insights into life. wonderful gift for anyone over 9 years old.

This is a very informative and enlightening CD to listen to. It's very hard these days to get down to what the roots of fundamentalism are. Ms. Armstrong goes back to the very beginning and explains it well across all three faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam and I found my self learning a lot along the way. I really enjoyed listening to this CD and recommend it to anyone who subscribes to a middle way and wants everyone to get along.

Karen Armstrong is, by far, the most accessible yet deeply academic author concerning religion today. Her knowledge of all religions is astounding. From Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Budhism, etc.... if one feels the need to broaden their horizons concerning religious and spiritual matters, Karen Armstrong is the place to start to dig more deeply into what concerns them. The War for God as well the A History of God compare and contrast the 3 prominent religions in the world today and give the lay person(myself for sure) a deeper and more objective understanding of why things are the way they are concerning these sects of religion.

Outstanding!

This book has just been reprinted by Sefer v' Sefel Publications in Jerusalem. They have made a very attractive book with many pictures of the participants of the battle, and the battlefields themselves.
Rabinovitch interviewed over three- hundred people, traveled all over the country for this work. He is a first- rate journalist and he has a real eye for the battlefield and ear for those who were able to tell their stories of what happened. I have done research on an important figure in the whole story Rabbi Shlomo Goren, and paid special attention to Rabinovitch's account of Rabbi Goren on that day. It was moving, and dramatic, and caught the spirit of the time.
The whole story, the threat to Israel before the 67 war, the build- up of tension with the long - waiting period, the great fear that another Holocaust might be on the way, - all this followed by the dramatic turnaround the startling unexpected victory which had as its penultimate stage the taking and retaking of Jerusalem is chronicled here.
The fact is that there would not have been a battle for Jerusalem had not the Jordanians attacked. Rabinovich tells the story of many of the quiet heroes of the battle, the people from every walk of life who came to defend their homes and found themselves part of the one great moments of modern Jewish history.
This is journalism at the highest level about a great historical event.

In June 1967 the third Arab Israeli war broke out. Although Jerusalem had been but a side show and not a prime objective, it ended up being one of the symbols and one of the most important victories in the war.

Famous scenes of men crying at the Western Wall(the holiest site in Judaism) and Dayan(eye patch included) strolling down the Old city steps. Similar important battles such as Ammunition hill went down in Israeli military history as some of the bloodiest and bravest ever fought.

Of all the books on the six day war, this is by far the best one on the Battle for jerusalem. Many subjects are covered, including the many units involved, the commands, the ordinary soldiers, the UN workers, the Mayor, the Israeli museum, the children and the hospital staff. Few people are left unmentioned in this tour of the battlefield, that puts the reader in the picture. The only downside of this book, like most on the conflict, is an almost total lack of maps and few if any acounts of the jordanian experience. Nevertheless this is the standard on the subject.

Seth J.Frantzman

Zvi Harry Hurwitz wrote his first biographical work on Menachem Begin, only 6 months after Begin was elected as Israel's sixth Prime Minister Prime Minister, and first Prime Minister, outside the ranks of the Labour Party.
This work covers the life span of life, thoughts and achievements of the phenomenal and great Son of Israel , a true leader , Menachem Wolfovitch Begin, until his sad passing in 1992.
The author notes that when the events of our times are chronicled by objective historians, he will emerge as one of the greatest Jews of our era- the bar Kochba of the twentieth century.
Begin Menachem Begin Menachem Begin was born in Brest-Litovsk, Poland on 16 August 1913, son of Zeev-Dov and Hassia Begin. He joined the Betar movement during his youth. Begin was imprisoned by hte Soviet authorities, in 1940-1941, ironically charged with being a 'British agent'.
His entire family was destroyed by the Nazis during the holocaust, and this experience reinforced his resolute fortitutde that 'Never again will Jews be attacked without being able to defend themselves and hitting back'.
During World War II, as evidence of the enormous catastrophe of European Jewry was revealed, Britain's callousness in continuing to prevent the entry into Palestine of hundreds of thousands of Jews, who could have been saved, shocked the Yishuv (Jewish community of Palestine), and as part of the Irgun national liberation movement, Begin led the way in the struggle against British control over the ancient Jewish homeland.
Menachem Begin led the political opposition to the Labour Party government in Israel, for thirty years, until his Likud alignment formed a government in 1977, and he was elected Prime Minister.

Unlike current Likud leader and Thatcherite Bejamin Netanyahu, Beginwas also committed to social justice and upliftment of the poorer sections of Israeli society.
He refused to countenance the situation that where so many families, in Israel, living in such dire poverty, and one of the greatest doemstic achievments of his Premiership was Project Renewal which put $ 100 million into one of the most sucesful urban renewal projects in modern history, and which gave hope to Israel's poor and underprivileged.

His first act as Prime Minister was to grant assylum to 66 Vietnamese refugees who had already been rejected by a host of nations.
This international humanitarian gesture was a living reminder of the repulsive lie by enemies of Israel, that 'Zionism is racism'.
He also saved Israel from probable nuclear destruction by giving orders to destroy Saddam Hussein's nuclear reactor at Osirak, thus preventing Saddam from gaining nuclear capability against Israel, and others in the region.
Begin later revealed that he prayed incessantly and thought of his parents and familiy who had been killed by the Nazis. He was determined to protect his children and grandchildren from anihilation by the enemies of the Jewish people.
It was Menachem Begin who said, when addressing President Carter, shortly after becoming Prime Minister, stated: " To us, with the experience of physical annihilation and spiritual redemption, national security may mean the lives of every man, woman and child in Israel. Their lives can be, under certain circumstances, directly threatened and put in jeopardy."
Menachem Begin also told Europe, in no uncertain terms: " Europe, whose rivers flow with Jewish blood has no right to lecture Israel on matters which could involve it's life and death, and the safety of every man, woman and child in our country.'
Begin refused to flinch on principles, and worked for a peace based on principle, without compromising the rights of Israel or it's people. He stood up for the right of Jews to live in every inch of historic Israel, from the Jordan to the Mediterranean, and refused to negotiate with the Palestine Liberation Organization, an organization whose sole aim was and remains the destruction of Israel, and the mass murder of her people.

In 1982, after years of terrorist attacks on Israeli civillians, from Lebanon, Begin ordered millitary intervention in Lebanon to stop PLO atrocities.
This was welcomed by Lebanon's Christian community, who had suffered for years under the Syrian and PLO yoke, which had murdered over 100 000 Christian Lebanese men, women and children between 1970 and 1982.


Since Begin's departure Israel's leaders have been less resolute, with loss of Israeli life the result, and paradoxically more international hatred of Israel from a world of loathsome hypocrisy-the more Israel yields the more the world demands her destruction.
Let us pray for a return of a government in Israel ready to resolutely defend the right of an independent Jewish State in all of Biblical Israel, where her people are safe and secure and free to pursue life , liberty and happiness.
May G-D preserve the Jewish State of Israel forever.

Menachem Begin was one of the great leaders of the people of Israel in modern times. His whole life was a struggle to help return Jewish sovereignty to the Holy Land, to build a state for the Jewish people in which they could live in security and freedom. His struggle began in his native Poland where he was initially involved in the Betar Movement under its charismatic leader Ze'ev Jabotinsky. It continued even when he was exiled to Siberia by the Soviets and when he released made his way to the Holy Land as a soldier in the Anders' Polish Army. In Eretz Yisrael he became the leader of the Irgun one of the leading groups which fought the Mandate and the British efforts at restricting Jewish immigration to the Holy Land. At the time of the struggle for Independance Begin showed his characteristic nobility and greatness when he refused to open a Civil War even though his people were attacked on the Altalena. This ability to be self- effacing to think of the overall well- being of the people of Israel characterized Begin throughout his life, and made him in the most beloved leader the people of Israel has known in modern times. This type of thinking for the benefit of the people as a whole were also evident in later Israeli crisis situations, including the Suez campaign of 1956 , the Six- Day War of 1967, the Yom Kippur War, the Entebbe operation. When after eight failed attempts in 1977 he became the first non- Labor Party Prime Minister of Israel he too followed this path, and led to the first Israeli peace - agreement, and most important to this day with Egypt under Anwar Sadat. Begin as Prime Minister also devoted himself to improving the situation of the poor families of Israel.He also during his time in power made the critical decision which led to Operation Osiris an action which prevented Saddam Hussein's Iraq from obtaining nuclear weapons. This action almost universally condemned at its time was later hailed by many Western leaders as one of tremendous importance . His Lebanon war campaign aimed at preventing Terrorist action against Israel led to a complicated, prolonged war he had not intended. As this campaign wore on and the protests from within Israel against it increased , Begin also suffering from bad health , suffered a cruel personal blow , the loss of his wife and helpmate of over forty years Aliza. This blow and the strain of the political situation led to his resignation.
Zvi ( Harry ) Hurwitz was a member of the Begin team and writes this biographical work with understandable sympathy. He details the main events of Begin's life and career. Unfortunatelty he does not go deeply into any area of Begin's life or tell us anything that is not generally known. He also does not focus on the many controversies of Begin's life.
Nonetheless this work provides an outstanding general picture of one great Israeli leader's life and development.
I can only comment parenthetically that as someone who lived through the Begin years as a citizen of Israel, I can attest to how deeply he was loved and how much respected by the greatest share of the people. He was paradoxically a humble, modest person with a great sense of the importance of national honor and pride. He was a person who asked little for himself but to serve his people. And he did this with dedication, courage and greatness.
His memory is and will be a blessing and inspiration for the people of Israel for all the generations to come.

If one only looks at the pictures on this book, one has "read" it. Of course, the text just highlights the illustrations. Every child - and every adult- should have this book to read and absorb on a regular basis. It stimulates the imagination in every way. Something beautiful to behold.

This short history of trees in the Holy Land melds fact with poetic language and magnificent art. Unfortunately cataloged by the Library of Congress as fiction, this book presents an accurate description of the natural history of the small slice of land called Israel over a 7,000 year period. The language is simple enough for a child to understand, yet contains little-known history, deep truths, and complex concepts.

The sensitive illustrations have a magical quality, managing to show the historical realities of each period within the context of trees. The illustrator's use of color is outstanding, with color fading as the land is denuded, then rebuilding to lush blues and greens as new forests darken the hillsides.

This book would make a wonderful gift for any child, and for any adult interested in either the environment or the Holy Land.

BEYOND THE WALLS:
CHURCHES OF JERUSALEM
by
Aviva Bar-Am

Photographs: Shmuel Bar-Am
ISBN 965-90048-7-7

If walls could talk
Whether ancient or contemporary, the churches of Jerusalem are wrapped in that very special aura which surrounds the Holy City.
Now, with publication of "Beyond the Walls: Churches of Jerusalem", you can unravel the mysteries which lie behind each magnificent - or modest - facade. In "Beyond the Walls: Churches of Jerusalem", former Jerusalem Post correspondent Aviva Bar-Am offers in-depth narratives, stirring legends, and lively anecdotes which bring 30 of the Holy City's historic churches to life.
Among the sanctuaries and sites described in the book are the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (including a step-by-step walk-through guide), St. James' Cathedral, the Church of St. John the Baptist in the Old City, the Basilica of the Agony at Gethsemane, and Dominus Flevit.
Read about the Ethiopian Church, the Church of the Visitation, Ecce Homo Basilica, St. Andrew's Church, Mary's Tomb (the Church of the Assumption), the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, the Church of the Flagellation, the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky ... and more!
The perfect gift for pilgrims planning to visit the Holy Land, "Beyond the Walls: Churches of Jerusalem" is also, of course, an incomparable souvenir. But even if you can't make the journey, add this wonderful book to your home library. Peruse its captivating pages at your leisure and prepare to take an adventurous "trip" from the comfort of your armchair!

100 pages
50 color photographs

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mount of Olives map - Ein Karem map - Old City map
1 - Saint Lazarus' Church
2 - Church of Beitphage
3 - Basilica of the Agony - Church of all Nations (Gethsemane)
4 - Church of the Assumption (Saint Mary's Tomb)
5 - Church of the Ascension (also known as Dome of the Ascension)
6 - Church of the Ascension - Augusta Victoria
7 - Church of Saint Mary Magdalene
8 - Convent of the Pater Noster
9 - Dominus Flevit
10- Church of the the Ascension (Russian)
11- Monastery of the Holy Cross
12- Church of the Visitation
13- Church of Saint John the Baptist (Ein Kerem)
14- Church of the Redeemer
15- Church of Saint John the Baptist (Old City)
16- Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky
17- Church of the Holy Sepulchre
18- Ecce Homo Basilica
19- Church of the Flagellation
20- Church of the Condemnation and Imposition of the Cross
21- Church of Saint Anne
22- Church of Saint Mark
23- Saint James' Cathedral
24- Christ Church
25- Dormition Abbey
26- Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu
27- Church of Saint Andrew
28- Ethiopian Church
29- Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
30- Cathedral of Saint George

When you travel to Jerusalem - take this book with you! Because it is as if a legend teller is acompanying you in your visit to the beautiful churches of Jerusalem. It tells you stories that no tourist guidebook will tell you, and it makes your days in Jerusalem's churches unforgettable.