''The majority of these articles deal with subjects which may trouble the thinking believer, and perhaps even more so the person who has not yet come to terms with belief in the Torah and its interpreters, the carriers of our sacred tradition. This is why I have chosen the above quotation from Habakkuk as the title of this book.'' ~ From the foreword by Eliyahu Munk
Contents
- The Book of Jonah as an Indictment of the Jewish People
- Discrepancies Between Chronicles and the Book of Kings
- Are There Really 613 Biblical Commandments?
- On the Who, When, and How, of Prayer
- Solar and Lunar Eclipses and Their Impact on Society
- Leviathan in the Bible, the Talmud, and in Our Liturgy
- Amalek, Then and Now
- Yiftach and His Daughter
- A Strange הלכה – Mayim shelanu
- On the Phenomenon of the Scapegoat for Azazel
- Reflections on G-d’s Impartiality and the concept of זכות אבות
- Prophets Who Misunderstood the Visions Granted Them
- Lip- service in Lieu of Animal- sacrifice?
- How Does the Bible Relate to the Death Wish of a Person?
- Imperfections in Nature
- Judaism and Collective Punishment
- Does G-d Favour Democracy as a Form of Government?
- Yaakov – Yisrael
- Contradictions in the Laws About Vows
- Is There a Limit to G-d’s Power?
- Does a Prophet Forfeit His בחירה?
- In Defence of Nadav and Avihu
- Why Were Jacob’s Remains Embalmed?
- Reflections on the Appointments of Successors by Our Leaders of Old
- Dilemmas Inherent in Acceding to Popular Demands
- Hair (Human and Animal) as Viewed by the Bible, the Talmud (Halachah) and Aggadah
- Ruth as the Ideal Convert
- Son or Daughter – Whom Do You Prefer (Is Preferable in the eyes of G-d)?
- Discretion Versus Transparency
- Are the Jewish People Lovable?
- Examination of Marit Ayin Related Legislation in the Shulchan Aruch
- Non- observance of the Challah Legislation as a Cause of Death during Childbirth
- Parshat Balak: The Evil Eye
- קדוש השם – אמונה – והשואה
- From Metaphysics to Physics
- The Torah’s Major U- turn
- God’s “Racism” Versus His “Impartiality”
- Why Two תוכחות?
- Michal Daughter of King Saul and Wife of King David
- Cloning – the Ultimate Form of Idolatry
- Why Does Man Shun G-d? Is G-d Frustrated with Man?
- Hereditary Elitism?
- A Nation in the Making
- Torah Versus Time
- Two Toras, Why?
- Extra Dimension
- Chidushei Torah
About the Author
Mr. Eliyahu Munk was born in Frankfurt on Main, where he received his education at the Samson Refael Hirsch Realschule, as well as at the Yeshivah headed by Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breuer, ZT''L.
After emigrating to England, he continued his studies at the Yeshivah in Gateshead.
He served in Jewish education, primarily in Toronto, Canada for close to 30 years, before making aliyah to Israel in 1978. During his years in Canada he also pursued a business career while teaching. Since settling in Jerusalem, Mr. Munk has been busy translating numerous classical Torah commentaries into English. Publication of the Torah commentary by Samuel David Luzzatto (Sha'dal), brings the number of authors whose works Mr. Munk has translated to 14, comprising 53 volumes totaling over 23,000 pages.
It is this editor's hope that the volume submitted herewith will be as enthusiastically received by his ever increasing circle of readers as have his earlier efforts.
Also translated and annotated by Eliyahu Munk:
Torah Commentary by Samuel David Luzzatto (4 volumes)
Torah Commentary by Rabbi Bachya ben Asher (7 volumes)
Haketav Vehakabbalah by Rabbi Tzevi Mecklenburg (7 volumes)
Or Hachayim by Rabbi Chaim ben Attar (5 volumes)
Tzror Hamor Torah Commentary by Rabbi Avraham Saba (5 volumes)
Mikraot Gedolot, Hachut Hameshulash, Rabbeinu Chananel, Rash bam, R dak, Rabbi Ovadiah Seforno, (4 volumes)
Tur on the Torah by Rabbi Yaakov ben Rabbeinu Asher (4 volumes)
Shney Luchot Habrit by Rabbi I. Horowitz (3 volumes)
Midrash of Rabbi Moshe Alshich (3 volumes)
Kedushat Levi, Torah commentary by Rabbi Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev, plus many anecdotes about him, (3 volumes)
Akeydat Yitzchak by Rabbi Yitzchak Arama (2 volumes)
Chizkuni Torah Commentary by Rabbi Chizkiyahu Ben Rabbi Manoach (4 volumes)