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A Code of Jewish Ethics, Volume 1: You Shall Be Holy
A Code of Jewish Ethics, Volume 1: You Shall Be Holy is the initial volume of the first major code of Jewish ethics to be written in the English language. It is a monumental work on the vital topic of personal character and integrity by one of the premier Jewish scholars and thinkers of our time.
With the stated purpose of restoring ethics to its central role in Judaism, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin offers hundreds of examples from the Torah, the Talmud, rabbinic commentaries, and contemporary stories to illustrate how ethical teachings can affect our daily behavior. The subjects dealt with are ones we all encounter. They include judging other people fairly; knowing when forgiveness is obligatory, optional, or forbidden; balancing humility and self-esteem; avoiding speech that shames others; restraining our impulses of envy, hatred, and revenge; valuing truth but knowing when lying is permitted; understanding why God is the ultimate basis of morality; and appreciating the great benefits of Torah study. Telushkin has arranged the book in the traditional style of Jewish codes, with topical chapters and numbered paragraphs. Statements of law are almost invariably followed by anecdotes illustrating how these principles have been, or can be, practiced in daily life. The book can be read straight through to provide a solid grounding in Jewish values, consulted as a reference when facing ethical dilemmas, or studied in a group.
Vast in scope, this volume distills more than three thousand years of Jewish laws and suggestions on how to improve one’s character and become more honest, decent, and just. It is a landmark work of scholarship that is sure to influence the lives of Jews for generations to come, rich with questions to ponder and discuss, but primarily a book to live by.
With the stated purpose of restoring ethics to its central role in Judaism, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin offers hundreds of examples from the Torah, the Talmud, rabbinic commentaries, and contemporary stories to illustrate how ethical teachings can affect our daily behavior. The subjects dealt with are ones we all encounter. They include judging other people fairly; knowing when forgiveness is obligatory, optional, or forbidden; balancing humility and self-esteem; avoiding speech that shames others; restraining our impulses of envy, hatred, and revenge; valuing truth but knowing when lying is permitted; understanding why God is the ultimate basis of morality; and appreciating the great benefits of Torah study. Telushkin has arranged the book in the traditional style of Jewish codes, with topical chapters and numbered paragraphs. Statements of law are almost invariably followed by anecdotes illustrating how these principles have been, or can be, practiced in daily life. The book can be read straight through to provide a solid grounding in Jewish values, consulted as a reference when facing ethical dilemmas, or studied in a group.
Vast in scope, this volume distills more than three thousand years of Jewish laws and suggestions on how to improve one’s character and become more honest, decent, and just. It is a landmark work of scholarship that is sure to influence the lives of Jews for generations to come, rich with questions to ponder and discuss, but primarily a book to live by.
576 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2006
73 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Telushkin
49 books168 followersJoseph Telushkin (born 1948) is an American rabbi, lecturer, and best selling author. His more than 15 books include several volumes about Jewish ethics, Jewish Literacy, as well as "Rebbe", a New York Times best seller released in June 2014
Telushkin was raised in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Solomon and Hellen Telushkin. He attended Yeshiva of Flatbush where met his future co-author Dennis Prager. While at Columbia University, they authored Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism and Why the Jews?: The Reason for Antisemitism.
While at University, Telushkin was an active leader of the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry. As part of his position, Telushkin visited the Soviet Union where he met with dissidents such as Andrei Sakharov. He was eventually listed by the KGB as an anti-Russian agent.
An Orthodox rabbi by training, Telushkin serves as a spiritual leader of Los Angeles’ Synagogue for the Performing Arts, founded in 1972 by Rabbi Jerome Cutler. He is an associate of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and a former director of education at the non-denominational Brandeis-Bardin Institute. Telushkin is also a Senior Associate with CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and is a member of the board of directors of the Jewish Book Council. He has been on the Newsweek's list of the 50 most influential Rabbis in America since 1997.
Telushkin is the author of sixteen books on Judaism. His book, Words that Hurt, Words that Heal, inspired Senators Joseph Lieberman’s and Connie Mack’s Senate Resolution #151 to establish a National Speak No Evil Day in the United States, a day in which Americans would go for twenty-four hours without saying anything unkind or unfair about, or to, anyone. His book, Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History, is one of the best-selling books on Judaism of the past two decades. More than two decades after its publication, the book remains a foundation text for Jews, non-Jews, and prospective converts alike. The first volume of A Code of Jewish Ethics, entitled A Code of Jewish Ethics: You Shall be Holy, which Telushkin regards as his major life's work, was published in 2006. The second volume, entitled, A Code of Jewish Ethics: Love Your Neighbor, was released in 2009.
In 2013, Telushkin was invited by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres to speak before the commission in Geneva.
In 2014, Telushkin released "Rebbe: The life and teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the most influential Rabbi in Modern History" which appeared on all the major best seller lists including New York Times Best Seller list, Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly.
Telushkin tours the United States as a lecturer on Jewish topics, and has been named by Talk Magazine as one of the fifty best speakers in the United States. He wrote the episode 'Bar Mitzvah' on Touched by an Angel guest starring Kirk Douglas.
Telushkin was raised in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Solomon and Hellen Telushkin. He attended Yeshiva of Flatbush where met his future co-author Dennis Prager. While at Columbia University, they authored Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism and Why the Jews?: The Reason for Antisemitism.
While at University, Telushkin was an active leader of the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry. As part of his position, Telushkin visited the Soviet Union where he met with dissidents such as Andrei Sakharov. He was eventually listed by the KGB as an anti-Russian agent.
An Orthodox rabbi by training, Telushkin serves as a spiritual leader of Los Angeles’ Synagogue for the Performing Arts, founded in 1972 by Rabbi Jerome Cutler. He is an associate of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership and a former director of education at the non-denominational Brandeis-Bardin Institute. Telushkin is also a Senior Associate with CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and is a member of the board of directors of the Jewish Book Council. He has been on the Newsweek's list of the 50 most influential Rabbis in America since 1997.
Telushkin is the author of sixteen books on Judaism. His book, Words that Hurt, Words that Heal, inspired Senators Joseph Lieberman’s and Connie Mack’s Senate Resolution #151 to establish a National Speak No Evil Day in the United States, a day in which Americans would go for twenty-four hours without saying anything unkind or unfair about, or to, anyone. His book, Jewish Literacy: The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History, is one of the best-selling books on Judaism of the past two decades. More than two decades after its publication, the book remains a foundation text for Jews, non-Jews, and prospective converts alike. The first volume of A Code of Jewish Ethics, entitled A Code of Jewish Ethics: You Shall be Holy, which Telushkin regards as his major life's work, was published in 2006. The second volume, entitled, A Code of Jewish Ethics: Love Your Neighbor, was released in 2009.
In 2013, Telushkin was invited by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres to speak before the commission in Geneva.
In 2014, Telushkin released "Rebbe: The life and teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the most influential Rabbi in Modern History" which appeared on all the major best seller lists including New York Times Best Seller list, Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly.
Telushkin tours the United States as a lecturer on Jewish topics, and has been named by Talk Magazine as one of the fifty best speakers in the United States. He wrote the episode 'Bar Mitzvah' on Touched by an Angel guest starring Kirk Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 26, 2018
While I wouldn't consider my reading of this book an example of hate-reading, I read this book knowing that my thoughts on it would be somewhat mixed and complicated. On the one hand, I am deeply critical of the mishnaic approach to God's law, seeing as it tends to substitute human reasoning for divine lawgiving, and this book is organized in the same format as the Talmud with various chapters and references to non-authoritative rabbis and the like. While I did not know what organization the book had, I knew that the author's statement that this was a code of Jewish ethics meant that it would engage more with the human religion of Judaism than with the biblical worship I endeavor to follow, although on the positive side there is certainly a great deal of overlap between the two at least. Since I read this book looking to see what a reasonably conservative look at Jewish ethics would be, I came in with curiosity as to whether there would be any worthwhile nuggets for me to examine and found to my pleasure that there was much to think about and much to reflect on and even repent about, and so I consider the reading successful in that regard. I came looking to learn something and I did indeed, and if you come to learn there will likely be something here for you as well.
In terms of this book's contents, this book consists of 57 short chapters and other material in five larger parts and numerous smaller sub-chapters that take a bit more than 500 pages of reading. Despite the book's size, its structure does mean that the material flows well, even when the author is writing about material that is obviously meant for Jewish insiders who know (and care) what was said by the Vilna Gaon or Maimonides or one of the figures from the Talmud. After a long set of acknowledgments, the author discusses the task of a lifetime (I) including Judaism's ethical essence (1) and building character by dealing with free will and human nature (2), developing goodness (3), and knowing ourselves and guarding against our weaknesses (4). The author then discusses basic virtues and vices (II) including the need to judge others fairly (5,6), become a grateful person (7), show good manners and civility (8,9,10), develop common sense (11,12), repent (13,14,15,16,17), properly forgive (18,19), develop humility (20,21,22,23), manage anger (24,25,26,27,28), avoid humiliating others (29,30,31), overcome envy (32,33), and deal with hatred and vengefulness (34,35,36). After this the author moves on to dealing with fair speech (III), examining the Jewish laws on the subject (37,38,39,40,41,42,43), examining criticism (44,45,46), and dealing with truth and lies (47,48,49,50). After that there are two brief chapters on living a holy life (IV) as ambassadors for God (51,52), some chapters on God and ethics (V) that involve the relationship between belief in God and personal morality (53,54) and the importance of Torah study (55,56,57) before an appendix looks at the nine most important commandments according to rabbis, including the Sabbath and circumcision.
Is this particular volume worth reading? If you have an interest in applied Jewish ethics, where there is some biblical discussion but a great deal of discussion about Jewish culture and history and tradition, there is a lot to appreciate here. Even if one has ambivalent and complicated views about such matters, there are still a few things one can read here that are worth applying. I particularly appreciated the author's discussion of embarrassing others as being a sin almost as serious as murdering someone, something which I think ought to be more highly appreciated by those who seek to obey God's laws, and also thought a great deal about the author's discussion on the lashon hara--evil tongue--which manifests itself in a variety of discussions concerning gossip, deception, rumors, and related forms of forbidden speech. These are matters I struggle against, and as a book critic, even more often than most people do. I also was pleasantly surprised to share the author's views concerning permissible lies in scripture, something I may write about at more length if someone wants to hear what I have to say about the subject. The book gave me plenty of food for thought and some areas in life that could probably use a bit more work, and that is a good deal of worth in a book on ethics.
In terms of this book's contents, this book consists of 57 short chapters and other material in five larger parts and numerous smaller sub-chapters that take a bit more than 500 pages of reading. Despite the book's size, its structure does mean that the material flows well, even when the author is writing about material that is obviously meant for Jewish insiders who know (and care) what was said by the Vilna Gaon or Maimonides or one of the figures from the Talmud. After a long set of acknowledgments, the author discusses the task of a lifetime (I) including Judaism's ethical essence (1) and building character by dealing with free will and human nature (2), developing goodness (3), and knowing ourselves and guarding against our weaknesses (4). The author then discusses basic virtues and vices (II) including the need to judge others fairly (5,6), become a grateful person (7), show good manners and civility (8,9,10), develop common sense (11,12), repent (13,14,15,16,17), properly forgive (18,19), develop humility (20,21,22,23), manage anger (24,25,26,27,28), avoid humiliating others (29,30,31), overcome envy (32,33), and deal with hatred and vengefulness (34,35,36). After this the author moves on to dealing with fair speech (III), examining the Jewish laws on the subject (37,38,39,40,41,42,43), examining criticism (44,45,46), and dealing with truth and lies (47,48,49,50). After that there are two brief chapters on living a holy life (IV) as ambassadors for God (51,52), some chapters on God and ethics (V) that involve the relationship between belief in God and personal morality (53,54) and the importance of Torah study (55,56,57) before an appendix looks at the nine most important commandments according to rabbis, including the Sabbath and circumcision.
Is this particular volume worth reading? If you have an interest in applied Jewish ethics, where there is some biblical discussion but a great deal of discussion about Jewish culture and history and tradition, there is a lot to appreciate here. Even if one has ambivalent and complicated views about such matters, there are still a few things one can read here that are worth applying. I particularly appreciated the author's discussion of embarrassing others as being a sin almost as serious as murdering someone, something which I think ought to be more highly appreciated by those who seek to obey God's laws, and also thought a great deal about the author's discussion on the lashon hara--evil tongue--which manifests itself in a variety of discussions concerning gossip, deception, rumors, and related forms of forbidden speech. These are matters I struggle against, and as a book critic, even more often than most people do. I also was pleasantly surprised to share the author's views concerning permissible lies in scripture, something I may write about at more length if someone wants to hear what I have to say about the subject. The book gave me plenty of food for thought and some areas in life that could probably use a bit more work, and that is a good deal of worth in a book on ethics.
January 30, 2020
As a totally secular (but identified) Jew, lacking in any religious education, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin’s masterful volume was a revelation to me. Imagine my surprise to learn how closely my deepest beliefs about how one should try to lead one’s life tracked what the rabbis were saying millennia before I was born! Maybe my time wouldn’t have been entirely wasted in Hebrew school after all!
I unreservedly recommend this book to Jewish and non-Jewish readers interested in religion, ethics, philosophy or just trying to be a better person.
I unreservedly recommend this book to Jewish and non-Jewish readers interested in religion, ethics, philosophy or just trying to be a better person.
January 3, 2011
I'm reading this to prepare myself for a new 7th grade class I'm teaching; it is fascinating so far! I particularly like how Telushkin differentiates between ritual observance and ethical observance: is a crooked businessperson who goes to services every week, keeps kosher, and celebrates every holiday an "observant" Jew? Teleushkin says no.
April 25, 2012
A thought provoking book. Tells how Judaism deals with issues such as envy, greed, etc. I liked how the book gave present day stories, etc, in addition to ancedotes from the Bible.
It would have been nice to hear about present day Jews standing up for persecuted groups today, such as Muslims, and issues like divorce, but that might be for another book.
It would have been nice to hear about present day Jews standing up for persecuted groups today, such as Muslims, and issues like divorce, but that might be for another book.
February 23, 2018
A truly excellent book on Jewish ethics. Through this I learned that the things I thought I was doing wrong based on what other people have said I was actually doing correct (by the book). I highly recommend everyone read this book if you are interested in Jewish ethics.
November 8, 2009
Clear and concise discussion of jewish ethics that are already discussed in many other places. A good "starter" book
December 21, 2019
Good commentary on Jewish culture and mores.
April 14, 2022
Joseph Telushkin's A Code of Jewish Ethics is a comprehensive compendium on Jewish ethics and values that places conduct at the heart of the Jewish faith. Backed by an exhaustive list of source material from Jewish texts, Telushkin's stated purpose is to put ethical conduct at the heart of the conversation on what it means to be Jewish.
"Over the past centuries the role of ethics in Judaism has been deemphasized. Most significantly, the word 'religious' has come to be associated exclusively with ritual observance." Telushkin's thesis is that ethics has come to be viewed as "an extra-curricular activity and not very important" when in fact such a perception is contrary to thousands of years of Jewish teachings and texts.
While the book can be dry at points, Telushkin does a wonderful job of not only citing extensive Jewish texts on ethics and moral behavior, but reflecting on the modern application of the concepts. A Code of Jewish Ethics (as the title suggests) is not a literature review, but rather set of rules of conduct that the reader can consider and apply in their daily lives.
The subject matter and topics covered are voluminous and there are among them some that seem to have been forgotten in a world increasingly gripped by toxic polarization. Judging people fairly, expressing gratitude, conveying anger without inflicting irrevocable hurt, not speaking unfairly of others, considering when (if ever) it is appropriate to lie, and asking for forgiveness are modes of conduct that can not only strengthen our own character, but which can help salve the fear and wounds that affect our broader society today.
This isn't necessarily light reading, but there are pearls of wisdom here that are deep reminders of what it takes to be a good person and not coincidentally what it means to create a good and productive society living in cooperation with others who may be different from. Both individuals and society would benefit from a thorough review of this material.
"Over the past centuries the role of ethics in Judaism has been deemphasized. Most significantly, the word 'religious' has come to be associated exclusively with ritual observance." Telushkin's thesis is that ethics has come to be viewed as "an extra-curricular activity and not very important" when in fact such a perception is contrary to thousands of years of Jewish teachings and texts.
While the book can be dry at points, Telushkin does a wonderful job of not only citing extensive Jewish texts on ethics and moral behavior, but reflecting on the modern application of the concepts. A Code of Jewish Ethics (as the title suggests) is not a literature review, but rather set of rules of conduct that the reader can consider and apply in their daily lives.
The subject matter and topics covered are voluminous and there are among them some that seem to have been forgotten in a world increasingly gripped by toxic polarization. Judging people fairly, expressing gratitude, conveying anger without inflicting irrevocable hurt, not speaking unfairly of others, considering when (if ever) it is appropriate to lie, and asking for forgiveness are modes of conduct that can not only strengthen our own character, but which can help salve the fear and wounds that affect our broader society today.
This isn't necessarily light reading, but there are pearls of wisdom here that are deep reminders of what it takes to be a good person and not coincidentally what it means to create a good and productive society living in cooperation with others who may be different from. Both individuals and society would benefit from a thorough review of this material.
July 3, 2022
This is a truly worthy and ambitious project, to catalog the rules of Jewish ethics, but it is marred by Rabbi Telushkin's unfounded certainty in response to difficult questions and his gratuitous insertion of anti-Arab and anti-Communist diatribes (while ignoring the wrongdoing of other authoritarians). As well, Rabbi Telushkin too often reads Divine approval into the behavior of problematic Biblical actors merely because the Bible recounts their stories.
February 11, 2020
How to be holy - discussion vices and virtues, and a lot of dealing decently with other people.
When is it good to be angry, when is "being nice" not a good thing, and don't forget to say thank you to people.
Really nice overview on Jewish ethics - but if 'how to be holy' is 'treat others well' then is volume 2, 'love your neighbor', more of the same?
When is it good to be angry, when is "being nice" not a good thing, and don't forget to say thank you to people.
Really nice overview on Jewish ethics - but if 'how to be holy' is 'treat others well' then is volume 2, 'love your neighbor', more of the same?
June 22, 2022
Must read Book
Rabbi Telushkin is shaping my life through his wisdoms for a long time now. I learned much Bible in my lifetime but I couldn't apply it, in my everyday life until I devoted myself to study, under the Jewish People.
Bless Hashem for the Jews!
Rabbi Telushkin is shaping my life through his wisdoms for a long time now. I learned much Bible in my lifetime but I couldn't apply it, in my everyday life until I devoted myself to study, under the Jewish People.
Bless Hashem for the Jews!
October 14, 2017
A work to study.
March 14, 2021
Found that a lot of the morals and beliefs I have come from Judaism.
March 13, 2023
Read for a study group. This is a good book for discussion, but some of the chapters are a bit weak. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.
January 7, 2015
This is one of the most insightful and thought-provoking books I've read -- I read it years ago, just after my divorce, when I felt adrift.
I pick it up now and then and reread parts of it. There are some parts that seem unimportant, but there is a lot that is very important. It makes me think again about the intersection between Jewish and Christian ethics (and about their differences, which it tries to delineate); most importantly, it makes me think about what is important in the way a life is lived.
"Love your neighbor as yourself"; this is the major principle of the Torah. Rabbi Akiva
I pick it up now and then and reread parts of it. There are some parts that seem unimportant, but there is a lot that is very important. It makes me think again about the intersection between Jewish and Christian ethics (and about their differences, which it tries to delineate); most importantly, it makes me think about what is important in the way a life is lived.
"Love your neighbor as yourself"; this is the major principle of the Torah. Rabbi Akiva
June 30, 2016
I have yet to finish this book. But each page offers more to ponder over. This is self-reflection in a good way. I keep it on my nightstand with a pencil and read from it now and then when I need to be inspired.
February 1, 2008
Really worth reading
Read
March 15, 2009How to live an ethical life. One of the most practical religious books I've ever read. Its part of whats renewed my lifelong interest in Judaism.
April 26, 2011
Intensely informative.
July 29, 2012
Everyone should read this book. This to me is where spirituality is found...in the basic way we live our day to day lives.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews