This list is great but it doesn’t differentiate between what constitutes core basic texts, core philosophical texts, modern philosophical texts, etc. Even adding centuries when individuals lived or when their work was published would aid in understanding how this (and any other) list is constructed. Otherwise, the endeavor becomes no more than a singular endeavor to seek knowledge. Certainly commendable but of limited value to others.
Good list!
I made a somewhat similar list, of Jewish Studies books on Amazon Kindle that I recommended:
https://www.ezrabrand.com/p/jewish-studies-books-on-amazon-kindle
Love the list! But surely some Maharal has to be in there?
I personally have not gotten into maharal, maybe I should. I am a little cautious with anything that relies on Zohar/Kabbalah. What do you think ?
Tradition in an untraditional age by Rabbi Sacks
Talmud Reclaimed by Shmuel Phillips
To This Very Day by R Amnin Bazak
Ani Maamin by R Joshua Berman
Torah Goes Forth From Zion: Essays on the Thought of Rav Kook and Rav Shagar by Zachary Trugoff (this is excellent).
Why Be Jewish by Meir Kahane (worth a read despite the extreme author)
Rejoice O Youth by Avigdor Miller (same).
Also by Rabbi Meir Kahane- Uncomfortable Questions for Comfortable Jews, and Never Again
Studies in Halacha and Rabbinic History by R’ Eitam Henkin
Off the subject, but thought I’d point out that Eitam Henkin’s murderer is about to be set free in the upcoming hostage deal.
Shlomo sand??? Really?
I would add Orot HaTeshuva by Rav Kook, Legends of the Jews (I think by Ginzburg?), and something by Ramchal, perhaps Way of Reason or Derech Hashem.
With God In Hell by Berkovits
This list is great but it doesn’t differentiate between what constitutes core basic texts, core philosophical texts, modern philosophical texts, etc. Even adding centuries when individuals lived or when their work was published would aid in understanding how this (and any other) list is constructed. Otherwise, the endeavor becomes no more than a singular endeavor to seek knowledge. Certainly commendable but of limited value to others.
Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch’s Haftarot Commentary has been a favorite and a help to me for perusal on Shabbos. English translation by his son.
Thank you for this.
I think there are many non-essentials here, but it really depends on what your aiming for.
Or Adonai by Crescas is considered the #1 or #2 Philosophy book (competing with the Guide of Course)
I'd read some things from the ben-yehuda website by prestate zionists, like Ehada Ha-Am, and A.D Gordon, Zeitlin
R' Kook is important too.
I'd also add poetry, especially RYL and Ibn Gabirol, but also Zelda
Appreciate the list - would be great if you could periodically add comments or what you found of particular value.
You missed
Rationalism vs. Mysticism; Schisms in Traditional Judaism by Natan Slifkin
Sefer ha-Mitzvot by Anan ben David
Ethics, Demonstrated in Geometrical Order by Baruch Spinoza
Divre Shalom ve-Emet by Naftali Herts Wessely
Te‘udah be-Yisra’el by Yitshak Ber Levinzon
History of the Jews by Heinrich Graetz
Prolegomena to the History of Israel by Julius Wellhausen (we can include non-Jewish authors, right?)
You’re missing some other essentials:
Zakhor by Hayyim Yosef Yerushalmi
Shabbetai Zevi by Gershom Scholem
Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism by Scholem
Jewish Liturgy by Ismar Albogen
John Lennon and the Jews by Ze’ev Maghen
Revelation Reatored by David Weiss Halivni
Changing the Immutable by Marc Shapiro
John Lennon and the Jews, looks interesting for sure😀
I like your additions. I would correct the spelling of Ismar Elbogen. I would also add:
From David Weiss Halivni his other autobiographical works.
I’ll add more when I think of them