JUDAISM SPEAKS TO THE MODERN WORLD

Rabbi Levinthal has, for over 40 years, been serving at one of the great Brooklyn Jewish centers which he helped to found. He is the son of an outstanding leader in early Jewish orthodoxy, Rabbi Levinthal of Philadelphia. Here is a collection of sermons delivered on Jewish holidays, talks at Zionist affairs, Israel rallies, and regular services. From first to last they are full of inspiration, wisdom, challenge, faith, courage and hope for a stronger Judaism and a better world. There is much of the teacher, the scholar, the prophet, the fighter in these sermons; they speak to all men with a universal message. Back in 1957 he was appealing through Ezekiel for purification of the sanctuaries in defense of the Negro, specifically, the ""underdog"" in general, regardless of race, religion or color. He asks for a continuing upsurge of religion; he warns against worship of the Golden Calf of today's world. His analysis of Toynbee's blind spot regarding Judaism is masterly. Most readers are allergic to any collection of sermons, particularly when interlaced with Hebrew words and phrases, but Rabbi Levinthal not only translates but adds his own commentary. Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jews will find these sermons not only helpful but inspiring, and Christians might arrive at a better understanding of Judaism through reading them.