Keeping to a brief, readable format, Engelberg manages to summarize an array of learned opinions – from more than 80 scholars, each described briefly in the back of the book – to provide perspective and food for thought regarding thorny ethical questions. – Abigail Klein Leichman, Jerusalem Post

Using a plethora of sources, this work often attempts to connect the ideas not only to timeless ethical lessons as its title would suggest, but also to contemporary dilemmas. – Yonatan Horovitz, Jewish Bible Quarterly

Engelberg doesn’t just pose a question and then answer it with the position of one mefaresh [commentator]. Rather, he presents multiple perspectives from both historical and modern authorities, resulting in a well-rounded examination of each subject. – Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, OU.org

The questions are those which a thoughtful adult may wonder about while reading the weekly portion, yet are generally not addressed by those classical commentaries who focus on a localized, verse by verse explanation of the text. – Simcha Rosenberg, Jewish Bible Quarterly

In spite of the tremendous amount of attention paid to the weekly portion, the question arises whether the behavior of the typical congregant is affected in any way by what he has heard. There is a saying that people talk a lot about the weather, but no one does anything about it. Similarly, we hear a lot about the parashat ha- shavua, but does it change us in any way? Do we just accumulate information, or do we assimilate the values that it means to inculcate?

The Ethics of Genesis addresses the ethical questions that emerge from the stories of the first Biblical book. Many people learn these stories when they are too young to ask about their ethical implications. When we revisit these questions in adulthood, we often find the conventional answers are insufficient or require elaboration.

Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg presents original answers, based on traditional and modern sources, to some of the troubling ethical questions raised in Genesis, including:

• Did innocent people drown in the flood?
• Would Abraham slaughter his own son after lecturing against child-sacrifice?
• Was Jacob devious with Esau and his father Isaac?
• Why did the brothers treat Joseph so brutally?
• Was Joseph’s behavior as vindictive as it appears?
• Why are only two women among the seventy who descended to Egypt?

The author also presents in-depth discussions of ethical issues such as:

• The role of repentance in the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Joseph and his brothers.
• The Biblical work-ethic as demonstrated by Jacob.
• The religious attitude toward physical beauty.
• When lying is permitted.
• The Biblical attitude toward hunting.
• Decision-making based on utility, benevolence, and justice.

About Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg

Abba Engelberg graduated from Telshe Yeshiva (valedictorian) and Yeshiva University (cum laude), where he received rabbinical ordination. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University in Operations Research, and served as professor at Jerusalem College of Technology for 40 years, where he founded and headed the women’s division. He served as a Reserve Chaplain in the United States Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Colonel. He is the father of four sons and lives in Jerusalem with his wife.

Keeping to a brief, readable format, Engelberg manages to summarize an array of learned opinions – from more than 80 scholars, each described briefly in the back of the book – to provide perspective and food for thought regarding thorny ethical questions. – Abigail Klein Leichman, Jerusalem Post

Using a plethora of sources, this work often attempts to connect the ideas not only to timeless ethical lessons as its title would suggest, but also to contemporary dilemmas. – Yonatan Horovitz, Jewish Bible Quarterly

Engelberg doesn’t just pose a question and then answer it with the position of one mefaresh [commentator]. Rather, he presents multiple perspectives from both historical and modern authorities, resulting in a well-rounded examination of each subject. – Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, OU.org

The questions are those which a thoughtful adult may wonder about while reading the weekly portion, yet are generally not addressed by those classical commentaries who focus on a localized, verse by verse explanation of the text. – Simcha Rosenberg, Jewish Bible Quarterly

The book of Exodus raises some ethical questions central to the Jewish faith. Too often, we learn these Biblical stories as children and never revisit them—or their ethical implications—once we have reached adulthood. In many cases, we realize that the explanations we learned in childhood call for further elucidation. Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg presents many traditional answers, explained in depth, as well as some original interpretations, to difficult ethical questions raised by the narrative of the book of Exodus, including:

• Can we understand Egyptian oppression as a forerunner to anti-Semitism?
• What does it mean that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened? Is there an ethical problem in removing his free will?
• Did Jethro join the Jewish people out of righteousness or expediency? Do his motivations matter?
• What is the thematic relationship between the two halves of the Ten Commandments?
• Why do the interpersonal laws of Mishpatim precede the God-oriented laws of Terumah and Tetzaveh?
• Was Aaron’s participation justified in the episode of the golden calf?

About Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg

Abba Engelberg graduated from Telshe Yeshiva (valedictorian) and Yeshiva University (cum laude), where he received rabbinical ordination. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University in Operations Research, and served as professor at Jerusalem College of Technology for 40 years, where he founded and headed the women’s division. He served as a Reserve Chaplain in the United States Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Colonel. He is the father of four sons and lives in Jerusalem with his wife.

Keeping to a brief, readable format, Engelberg manages to summarize an array of learned opinions – from more than 80 scholars, each described briefly in the back of the book – to provide perspective and food for thought regarding thorny ethical questions. – Abigail Klein Leichman, Jerusalem Post

Using a plethora of sources, this work often attempts to connect the ideas not only to timeless ethical lessons as its title would suggest, but also to contemporary dilemmas. – Yonatan Horovitz, Jewish Bible Quarterly

Engelberg doesn’t just pose a question and then answer it with the position of one mefaresh [commentator]. Rather, he presents multiple perspectives from both historical and modern authorities, resulting in a well-rounded examination of each subject. – Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, OU.org

The questions are those which a thoughtful adult may wonder about while reading the weekly portion, yet are generally not addressed by those classical commentaries who focus on a localized, verse by verse explanation of the text. – Simcha Rosenberg, Jewish Bible Quarterly

The book of Leviticus raises ethical questions central to the Jewish faith. Too often, we learn these Biblical stories as children and never revisit them—or their ethical implications—as adults. The Ethics of Leviticus, the third in the Ethics series, provides further elucidation of these narratives and concepts. Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg presents traditional answers, explained in depth, as well as original interpretations, to difficult quandaries, such as:

• What is the rationale for the Torah to mandate animal sacrifice?
• Why are there so many types of sacrifices?
• What are the parameters of “love your neighbor as yourself”?
• Why did Nadab and Abihu deserve to lose their lives?
• Why do we have laws of purity and impurity?
• What is the nature of holiness?
• Why does God legislate family laws and the nature of marriage?
• Why do we need the Sabbath and holidays?
• What is the purpose of shemittah and Jubilee years?
• Why does the Torah need to give tochachah?

About Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg

Abba Engelberg graduated from Telshe Yeshiva (valedictorian) and Yeshiva University (cum laude), where he received rabbinical ordination. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University in Operations Research, and served as professor at Jerusalem College of Technology for 40 years, where he founded and headed the women’s division. He served as a Reserve Chaplain in the United States Air Force, where he achieved the rank of Colonel. He is the father of four sons and lives in Jerusalem with his wife.

Keeping to a brief, readable format, Engelberg manages to summarize an array of learned opinions – from more than 80 scholars, each described briefly in the back of the book – to provide perspective and food for thought regarding thorny ethical questions. – Abigail Klein Leichman, Jerusalem Post

Using a plethora of sources, this work often attempts to connect the ideas not only to timeless ethical lessons as its title would suggest, but also to contemporary dilemmas. – Yonatan Horovitz, Jewish Bible Quarterly

Engelberg doesn’t just pose a question and then answer it with the position of one mefaresh [commentator]. Rather, he presents multiple perspectives from both historical and modern authorities, resulting in a well-rounded examination of each subject. – Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, OU.org

The questions are those which a thoughtful adult may wonder about while reading the weekly portion, yet are generally not addressed by those classical commentaries who focus on a localized, verse by verse explanation of the text. – Simcha Rosenberg, Jewish Bible Quarterly

The book of Numbers raises ethical questions central to the Jewish faith. Too often, we learn these Biblical stories as children and never revisit them—or their ethical implications—as adults. The Ethics of Numbers, the fourth in the Ethics series, provides further elucidation of these narratives and concepts.

Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg presents traditional answers, explained in depth, as well as original interpretations, to difficult quandaries, such as:

• What is the Jewish view of asceticism, worldly pleasure, and self-deprivation for religious purposes?
• What is the role of the Korban Pesach and Pesach Sheni in fostering Jewish faith?
• Did Miriam deserve to be punished with tzara’at for defending the honor of Zipporah?
• Was the punishment of the spies too severe?
• What exactly was wrong with Korach’s plea?
• Does Judaism countenance the act of Pinchas and can religion tolerate vigilante justice?
• What lesson can we learn from Zelophehad’s daughters courage in speaking up?

Abba Engelberg graduated from Telshe Yeshiva (valedictorian) and Yeshiva University (cum laude), where he received rabbinical ordination. He received a Ph. D. from NYU in operations research, and has served as professor at Jerusalem College of Technology for 45 years, where he founded and headed the women’s division. He served as a reserve chaplain in the United States Air Force where he achieved the rank of colonel. He is the father of four sons and lives in Jerusalem with his wife.

Keeping to a brief, readable format, Engelberg manages to summarize an array of learned opinions – from more than 80 scholars, each described briefly in the back of the book – to provide perspective and food for thought regarding thorny ethical questions. – Abigail Klein Leichman, Jerusalem Post

Using a plethora of sources, this work often attempts to connect the ideas not only to timeless ethical lessons as its title would suggest, but also to contemporary dilemmas. – Yonatan Horovitz, Jewish Bible Quarterly

Engelberg doesn’t just pose a question and then answer it with the position of one mefaresh [commentator]. Rather, he presents multiple perspectives from both historical and modern authorities, resulting in a well-rounded examination of each subject. – Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, OU.org

The questions are those which a thoughtful adult may wonder about while reading the weekly portion, yet are generally not addressed by those classical commentaries who focus on a localized, verse by verse explanation of the text. – Simcha Rosenberg, Jewish Bible Quarterly

The book of Deuteronomy raises ethical questions central to the Jewish faith. Too often, we learn these Biblical stories as children and never revisit them—or their ethical implications—as adults. The Ethics of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final in the Ethics series, provides further elucidation of these narratives and concepts. Rabbi Dr. Abba Engelberg presents traditional answers, explained in depth, as well as original interpretations, to difficult quandaries, such as:

• How does the leadership mentioned in Deuteronomy compare with the U.S. Constitution?
• What is the Jewish attitude towards work? Is the obligation to rest on Shabbat related to a mitzvah to work during the other
  six days of the week?
• What role did the manna play in the development of the Jews
  as a nation?
• Does Judaism ever believe the ends justify the means?
• What are the parameters of animal welfare and tza’ar ba’alei chaim in Judaism?

About the Author

Abba Engelberg graduated from Telshe Yeshiva (valedictorian) and Yeshiva University (cum laude), where he received rabbinical ordination. He received a Ph. D. from NYU in operations research, and has served as professor at Jerusalem College of Technology for 50 years, where he founded and headed the women’s division. He served as a reserve chaplain in the United States Air Force where he achieved the rank of colonel. He is the father of four sons and lives in Jerusalem with his wife.