A thoughtful and accessible compilation that provides religious perspectives on many contemporary ethical issues.
Tenenbaum and Kohn edit an impressive anthology of essays that address contemporary ethical challenges through Jewish perspectives.
This new publication of the CCAR Press, the publication arm of the professional association of Reform rabbis, touches on a range of issues, from the philosophical, such as why morality is needed in addition to law in order to have a functional society, to the specific, like addressing issues ranging from reproductive technology and artificial intelligence. In probing these issues through the lens of what it means to be human, this book includes a particularly challenging essay regarding the traditional hierarchy of human life over animal life, and how people can avoid, or at least minimize, the exploitation of animals in their daily lives—something that seems more feasible in an age when there are so many alternatives to animal-based products. One of the most intriguing and hopeful works in this collection includes one on artificial intelligence, which both demystifies and lays out what AI’s real hazards are (“We have already ceded much of our agency to artificial intelligence, and we haven’t even noticed,” writes rabbi Geoffrey A. Mitelman), and another on changing communications technologies, which lays out their rewards, as well as their risks. This book features many thought-provoking essays, and most do a skillful job of making abstruse issues intelligible, although some work better than others. One essay, for instance, uses queer theory to reinterpret the biblical ben sorer u’moreh (wayward and rebellious son); it makes a good effort to address a troubling biblical passage, but ends up sounding forced in its conclusions. Also, the afterword seems like odd placement for the summary of the book’s chapters, which would have worked better as an introduction.
A thoughtful and accessible compilation that provides religious perspectives on many contemporary ethical issues.Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2025
ISBN: 9780881236682
Page Count: 202
Publisher: Central Conference of American Rabbis Press
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A short, smart analysis of perhaps the most famous passage in American history reveals its potency and unfulfilled promise.
Words that made a nation.
Isaacson is known for expansive biographies of great thinkers (and Elon Musk), but here he pens a succinct, stimulating commentary on the Founding Fathers’ ode to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” His close reading of the Declaration of Independence’s second sentence, published to mark the 250th anniversary of the document’s adoption, doesn’t downplay its “moral contradiction.” Thomas Jefferson enslaved hundreds of people yet called slavery “a cruel war against human nature” in his first draft of the Declaration. All but 15 of the document’s 56 signers owned enslaved people. While the sentence in question asserted “all men are created equal” and possess “unalienable rights,” the Founders “consciously and intentionally” excluded women, Native Americans, and enslaved people. And yet the sentence is powerful, Isaacson writes, because it names a young nation’s “aspirations.” He mounts a solid defense of what ought to be shared goals, among them economic fairness, “moral compassion,” and a willingness to compromise. “Democracy depends on this,” he writes. Isaacson is excellent when explaining how Enlightenment intellectuals abroad influenced the founders. Benjamin Franklin, one of the Declaration’s “five-person drafting committee,” stayed in David Hume’s home for a month in the early 1770s, “discussing ideas of natural rights” with the Scottish philosopher. Also strong is Isaacson’s discussion of the “edits and tweaks” made to Jefferson’s draft. As recommended by Franklin and others, the changes were substantial, leaving Jefferson “distraught.” Franklin, who emerges as the book’s hero, helped establish municipal services, founded a library, and encouraged religious diversity—the kind of civic-mindedness that we could use more of today, Isaacson reminds us.
A short, smart analysis of perhaps the most famous passage in American history reveals its potency and unfulfilled promise.Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
ISBN: 9781982181314
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 29, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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