Essential Classics: Books that Have Made a Difference

by Berel Wein

When it comes to books, history gets the final vote on what becomes a classic. The Mesilat Yesharim and Toldot Yaakov Yosef were so controversial, they were banned and burned in their times - only to be revered in future generations. The Mishna Brurah, in contrast, enjoyed both instant success and lasting success, while the Ohr Yisroel is largely unknown today, yet its ideas shaped yeshivos worldwide. Books can make a tremendous impact on the world, but only time can tell the breadth and nature of their influence. Rabbi Wein explores four masterpieces of Jewish thought - the controversies they stirred up and their triumph over their critics.

Genres: Jewish

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Berel Wein is an American-born Orthodox rabbi, scholar, lecturer, and writer. He is regarded as an expert on Jewish history and has popularized the subject through more than 1,000 audio tapes, a four-volume book series, newspaper articles and international lectures.

Reviews

[Kressel Housman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Jewish people are called "the people of the book" but not all Jewish books get a warm reception when they're first written. Two discussed in this series - the Ramchal's Mesillas Yesharim and Toldos Yaakov Yosef were banned books in their times, but considered classics now. The Mishnah Brurah is THE seminal work of Jewish Law for Ashkenazim both then and now, and Ohr Yisroel is hardly known as a title, but its ideas have had tremendous influence. The entire series is one of Rabbi Wein's best ever.