The Holy Scriptures - Jewish Publication Society - Book Report/Review Example

The Holy Scriptures - Jewish Publication Society Analyzing The Holy Scriptures: Jewish Publication Society it can be argued that this book is of paramount importance to modern Judaism. Primarily this is due to the fact that it gives an opportunity to get a coherent picture of the main tenets of the Jewish faith. In this regard, consideration of the relationship between God and the Jewish people is of great importance. The Holy Scriptures focuses on the extremely close relationship between the Jewish people and God. In this regard, the book notes particularly important personalities such as Noah, Abraham, and their descendants. This relationship determines the fate of not only the Jewish people but also of all mankind. Every time God is trying to find a man who is fully consistent with his ideas of moral human qualities. As a result of these searches, God enters into a contract with the chosen. The book gives an opportunity to see a particularly important agreement that was made between God and Noah. The relationship between Noah and God is seen as a further guarantee of a harmonious interaction between people and God. Further interaction between the Jewish people and God assumes the establishment of the contract between God and Abraham. In addition, the descendants of Abraham also take an active part in the future of the Jewish people. As the book shows, God watches over their lives and intervenes only when it is necessary to comply with His plan. The value of this book lies in the fact that it points to the particular importance of the Jewish people throughout humanity. I have learned about the special status of the Jewish people in God's eyes. God had chosen the Jewish people as a nation that is able to set an example for all humanity. The book shows that God saw a special meaning in the Jewish people as able to provide the highest moral guide for all mankind. On the other hand, such an attitude towards the Jews has another aspect. In particular, the book clearly shows that the Jewish people should demonstrate and prove their willingness to be an example for all humanity. The Exodus from Egypt is an extremely important part for the reason that it focuses on the spiritual readiness of the Jews to accept God as their sole spiritual leader. God tests the Jews not only physically but also spiritually. He wants to be sure that the Jews can accept this important mission (that is, to become a spiritual guide for all mankind). In this regard, as the book shows, many years of wandering in the wilderness can be seen primarily as a spiritual test for the Jews. They have to prove to God that they are ready to become an example of a stable and strong people from the moral point of view. They have to prove that they accept God as their only Lord. Spiritual willingness to follow God occupies a central place in this book. The book is of great importance also in the sense that it portrays God as “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (126). God is an awesome creature that is able to forgive people for all their sins and wrong doings. The book shows that the kindness and mercy of God are no less important part of His nature as His desire to punish the people in those cases when they completely ignore the will of God. The book allows us to understand that God is not cruel to people. The God sends punishment to the people with only one purpose, namely He wants them to live in accordance with His own plan. In the face of the Jewish people, God hopes to see the people’s ability to live according to His moral laws without committing evil deeds and causing harm to others. In general, The Holy Scriptures has one very important advantage. In particular, the book harmoniously combines all the elements of the Jewish faith, focusing on the moral mission of the Jewish people. The history of the relationship between God and the people is represented by the stages of harmonious coexistence as well as controversies between God and the spiritual and political leaders of the Jewish people. All this makes it possible to see a unique history of interactions between the human and divine natures, which constantly interact with each other. The history of the Kingdom of Israel is presented in its close connection with God, who is the sole guarantor of its prosperity and harmonious existence. I can say that the book is extremely important for me as a modern rabbi. It focuses on the fact that the mission of the Jewish people is not complete. God needs the Jewish people to carry His truth all over the world being an example of spiritual purity and inner harmony in unity with God. As a rabbi, I understand the particular importance of my mission, not only among Jews but also among other people around the world. I clearly understand that God wants all the people to live in harmony and peace worldwide. My spiritual challenge is to embody the spiritual ideal which is of fundamental importance to God. The influence of this book to my spiritual development is indisputable. The book gives me the opportunity to be aware of the particular importance of the unity of all human beings as creatures of God. I understand that I must strive to increase harmony in the world. In addition, after reading this book, I realized that the inner individual faith is the most important to follow God's path. External manifestations of faith are also of great importance to God. Nevertheless, the inner faith living in the heart and soul of any person including me is a guarantee of the connection between man and God. I believe that this book is a consistent description of the history of the relationship between God and humanity in the face of the Jewish people. Read More