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Over 130 Jewish Beliefs and Observances Simply Explained
Nearly a decade in the making, this unique compendium summarizes dozens of core Chabad teachings that explain and inspire Jewish faith and observance. Drawn from the vast body of works of the Rebbes of Chabad, it will engage, educate, and inspire readers from all backgrounds. A concise bottom-line, plus an extensive list of follow-up references round out this encyclopedic collection that can be read in minutes, yet inspire for a lifetime.

Written in a simple, easy-to-understand language, this book is perfect for individuals and students of all backgrounds, and will make a great addition to any home, synagogue, outreach center, and library bookshelf.

An encyclopedic collection that can be read in minutes, yet inspire for a lifetime!

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

“Finally! Rabbis Goldstein and Seligson have created an amazingly clear and comprehensive work that introduces people from all walks of life to the wisdom of Chabad Chassidut, one that can serve as a wonderful resource for every home, school, and Chabad House worldwide.” —Rabbi Manis Friedman, world-renowned Chassidic scholar, author, and lecturer, and dean of the Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies

“There’s a lot of wisdom packed into this well-written and clearly organized book. One can read it straight-through or use it as a reference book. Regardless of one’s beliefs or current level of religious observance, “Jewish Living Simply Explained” relates a pure and unique perspective on mankind’s relationship with the Almighty and the world, offering moral and spiritual insights that will inspire and uplift anyone who reads it.” —Rabbi Simon Jacobson, Chassidic scholar, author of “Toward a Meaningful Life,” and dean of The Meaningful Life Center

“Einstein is reputed to have said, ‘Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.’ In clear precise language, Rabbis Goldstein and Seligson, two ardent and profound students of Chassidut, convey a great deal of valuable information about Judaism—and do so on page after page. The reader will learn a lot, and no less important, have a wonderful time while doing so.” —Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of “Rebbe” and “Jewish Literacy”

“Jewish Living Simply Explained is the most concise, eloquent, and broad guide about Jewish life and belief through the lens of Chabad teachings ever produced in English. It is beautifully and clearly presented, and represents a priceless resource for anyone interested in the basics of Chabad philosophy.” —Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, author of “Permission to Believe” and “Permission to Receive”

“Many people know what Chabad Chassidim look like; not many know about their about their approach to Jewish life and belief. In this volume, Rabbis Zalman Goldstein and Michael A. Seligson set forth the essence of Jewish Living from a Chabad perspective. The result is an easy-to-read guide that curious folks of every kind may learn from and appreciate.” —Professor Jonathan D. Sarna, University Professor and Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History, Brandeis University

“This beautifully written book is a description of the history, ideas and practices of traditional Judaism as seen from the perspective of Chabad Chassidism. It shows how Chabad teachings infuse spiritual significance into the life of a Jew and can therefore serve as a guide to those seeking a Jewish life of meaning and true religious connection.” —Professor Lawrence H. Schiffman, Ph.D., NYU professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, prolific author, and expert on the history of Jewish law and Talmudic literature

“As befitting its name, Chabad [Chochma, Binah, Daat] Chassidut is a deep and profound source of Jewish wisdom. Rooted in the depths of Kabbalah, it also strives to bring the esoteric down to earth and to translate the ethereal into practical guidance for living as a Jew and indeed as a human being. “Jewish Living Simply Explained” brilliantly encapsulates both the essential theoretical teachings and their practical applications in a manner that is accessible and helpful to people at all levels of Jewish learning. It also provides detailed sources for further study. A wonderful work that I recommend highly.” —Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz, rabbinic scholar, prolific author, and renowned lecturer on Jewish law and ethics

“There is no Jewish organization in our time that is touching Jews—and non-Jews—as effectively as Chabad. If you want to know what Chabad believes about almost any issue—religious or secular, Rabbis Goldstein and Seligson have done you great service. They have distilled Chabad teachings on myriad subjects into over 150 single-page descriptions. It’s like a concise ‘Encyclopedia Chabadiana.’” —Dennis Prager, bestselling author, columnist, and nationally syndicated radio talk show host.

“Jewish Living Simply Explained is a veritable ‘Wikipedia’ of Chabad thought—the first ‘go-to’ source for understanding an aspect of Jewish living or learning through the wisdom of Chassidic thinking. It will give the beginner a starting point for further discussion with a Rabbi or Rebbetzin. And it will prove just as useful to a Rabbi or Rebbetzin looking for a practical and simple way to introduce a new concept to a student. Each topic is explained in a way that allows it to be easily applied to daily life. For the instructor, the collection of references alone justifies the cost of the book.” —Chana Silberstein, Ph.D., Director of Education at the Roitman Chabad Center, Cornell University, and educational consultant for the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI)

“A wonderful resource for every Jewish home. The breadth of subjects treated in this deceptively small, yet masterful work is simply staggering!” —Rabbi Shais Taub, acclaimed Chassidic mentor, author, and teacher of Jewish mysticism

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
How to Use this Book

Creation
The World
Creation in Six Days
Age of the Universe
Time
Stars and Planets
Worldly Upheavals
Jewish History
Jewish History
Our Patriarchs
The Giving of the Torah
The Land of Israel
The Holy Temple
Kohen, Levi, Yisrael
Sacrifices
Exile
Dispersion
Moshiach

Torah & Mitzvot
The Torah
The Oral Torah
Mitzvot
Jewish Customs
Free Choice
Reward & Punishment
Repentance
Prayer
The Synagogue
Tefillin
Honoring Parents
Tzedakah
Love of a Fellow Jew
The Nations of the World
The Noachide Laws
Conversion

Torah Study
Sacred Books
Spiritual Intuition
Kabbalah
Practical Kabbalah
The Talmud
Rishonim & Acharonim
The Study of Talmud
The Daily Study of Chitat
The Daily Study of Rambam

Chabad Chassidut
Chassidut
Chabad Chassidut
The Role of a Rebbe
The Role of a Chassid
The Soul’s Purpose
The Purpose of the Jew
Serving the Almighty
Harnessing the Physical
Integrating Form & Material
There is None Beside Him
Divine Providence
Inward Simplicity
Self-Awareness
Character Refinement
Mind Over Emotions
Serving God with Joy
Every Jew Matters
The Simple Jew
Outreach
The Mitzvah Campaigns

Lifecycles
Pregnancy & Birth
Circumcision
Naming a Child
Pidyon Haben
Upshernish
Birthdays
Bat Mitzvah
Bar Mitzvah
Dating
Marriage
Livelihood

Applying One's Talents
Illness
Old Age
Death & Afterlife
Funeral
Mourning
Tombstone
Resurrection
Reincarnation
A Tzaddik’s Resting Place
A Tzaddik’s Yahrtzeit

The Jewish Home
The Jewish Home
Choosing a Community
Mezuzah
Kosher Dietary Laws
The Jewish Woman
Modesty
Mikvah
Marital Harmony
Having Children
Education
Yeshiva
Setting an Example
Hospitality
Challenges
Drifting Children
Disabilities

Health & Culture
Eating
Sleep
Health Maintenance
Self-Improvement
Doctors
Medicine
Psychology
Meditation
Art
Music
Secular Knowledge
Science
Technology

Around the Year
Shabbat
Rosh Chodesh
Rosh Hashana
The Fast of Gedaliah
Yom Kippur
Sukkot
Simchat Torah
Chanukah
The Fast of the 10th of Tevet
Tu B’Shvat
The Fast of Esther
Purim
Passover
Sefirat HaOmer
Pesach Sheini
Lag BaOmer
Shavuot
The Fast of the 17th of Tammuz
The Fast of Tisha B’av
Notable Days in Chabad

Resources
Glossary
The Rebbes
Recommended Reading
Study Guide
Listing of Works Cited