The Way Into Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) »

An accessible introduction to the Jewish concept of our responsibility to care for others and repair the world.

For everyone who wants to understand the meaning and significance of tikkun olam (repairing the world) in Jewish spiritual life, this book shows the way into an essential aspect of Judaism and allows you to interact directly with the sacred texts of the Jewish tradition.

Guided by Dr. Elliot N. Dorff, Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Judaism, this comprehensive introduction explores the roots of the beliefs and laws that are the basis of the Jewish commitment to improve the world. It looks at the various motivations that the sacred texts provide for caring for others, the ways the Jewish tradition seeks to foster such concerns in our social and family relationships, and the kind of society that Jews should strive to create as partners with God.

* What tikkun olam is. Ancient idea? New concept? The underlying theory has developed over time and branched into related terms and concepts that Judaism has used over thousands of years to describe the duties we now identify as acts of tikkun olam.
* Why we engage in acts of tikkun olam. Reasons include, but go far beyond, a general humanitarian feeling that we might have or the hope that if we help others, others will be there to help us.
* How we repair the world. The concrete expressions of tikkun olam in our families, our communities, the wider Jewish community, and the world at large help shape one of the most important aspects of the Jewish tradition.

By illuminating Judaism s understanding of the components of an ideal world, and the importance of justice, compassion, education, piety, social and familial harmony and enrichment, and physical flourishing for both the individual and society, we see how this ancient quest for a world with all these elements helps us define Jewish identity and mission today.

Publishers Weekly

In this straightforward, inspiring book, Dorff (who won the National Jewish Book Award for To Do the Right and the Good) introduces the Jewish practice of tikkun olam-healing or repairing the world. He opens with the history of tikkun olam, tracing the concept from the time of the Mishnah (circa 200 C.E.), showing that the imperative to repair the world is closely related to other Jewish values like justice and loving-kindness. After laying this theological and historical groundwork, Dorff moves on to practical considerations: what does repairing the world actually entail? Tikkun olam calls Jews to acts of social justice-it's no coincidence that throughout American history, Jews have been at the forefront of movements for civil rights and a living wage. But tikkun olam also governs issues like speech; people interested in repairing the world shouldn't gossip or commit slander. In Dorff's view, tikkun olam encompasses celebrating marriages and births with our neighbors, and mourning deaths with them. Indeed, even maintaining good relationships with our family is part of repairing the world, and Dorff devotes three chapters to explaining marital, filial and parental obligations. Jews and non-Jews alike will find Dorff's exhortations challenging and provocative. (Dec.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.