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Abraham's Journey: Reflections on the Life of the Founding Patriarch
Abraham s Journey, the ninth in the series MeOtzar HoRav: Selected Writings of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, focuses on the life of Avraham Avinu, founding patriarch of the Jewish People. Abraham is not only the first Jew, but also a historical prototype, his experiences and actions foreshadowing critical patterns in the history of his people. In addition, Abraham serves as a spiritual and ethical model to his descendants. He is a teacher, a paragon of kindness, a lonely iconoclast, a master of sacrifice, and a knight of faith. Through careful exegesis of verses, illuminating analyses of character, and insightful readings of classical commentators, the essays in this book seek both the eternal and the contemporary messages of the Abraham story.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2008
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About the author
Joseph B. Soloveitchik
62 books65 followersRabbi Joseph Ber Soloveitchik (1903-1993)
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik was born into a family already known for its great Torah learning. His grandfather and father, emphasized a thorough analysis of Talmud, and it is in this way that Rav Soloveitchik studied and taught his own students. He was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Berlin, and then settled in Boston in the early 1930’s. He became Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva University, and gave weekly shiurim to senior students, while delivering philosophy lectures to graduate students. His accomplishments in both Halachic study and secular study made him a unique Torah personality to Torah scholars all over.
His limitless expertise in and appreciation of secular disciplines never lessened his total devotion to Torah study. Indeed Torah study was the central focus of his life and his teachings. His public historic shiurim in memory of his great father, Rav Moshe Soloveitchik, and his public shiurim between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur organized by the Rabbinical Council of America known as Kinus T’Shuva, were attended by thousands of Torah students from all groupings in the Torah community. Thus he was one of the leaders of the generation.
He never engaged in pejorative or invectives when speaking of non-orthodox Jews. He was polite and respectful to others. Yet he was firm and inflexible in protecting and advocating the Mesorah of Torah tradition. His ruling, written by him, that one is not allowed to pray in a house of worship that violates Halachic standards even if it would result in not fulfilling the Mitzvah of Tekiath Shofar is an illustration of his strong stand on Torah and Mesorah.
This can also be seen from his opinion that while dialogue with non-Jewish faiths may be necessary, it may not deal with theological topics. This was a historic principle which guided his disciples in all their dealings with non-Jewish clergy, and continues to this very day.
His teachings and shiurim are responsible for literally thousands of men and women in the educational and academic community today.
F.S.
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik was born into a family already known for its great Torah learning. His grandfather and father, emphasized a thorough analysis of Talmud, and it is in this way that Rav Soloveitchik studied and taught his own students. He was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Berlin, and then settled in Boston in the early 1930’s. He became Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva University, and gave weekly shiurim to senior students, while delivering philosophy lectures to graduate students. His accomplishments in both Halachic study and secular study made him a unique Torah personality to Torah scholars all over.
His limitless expertise in and appreciation of secular disciplines never lessened his total devotion to Torah study. Indeed Torah study was the central focus of his life and his teachings. His public historic shiurim in memory of his great father, Rav Moshe Soloveitchik, and his public shiurim between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur organized by the Rabbinical Council of America known as Kinus T’Shuva, were attended by thousands of Torah students from all groupings in the Torah community. Thus he was one of the leaders of the generation.
He never engaged in pejorative or invectives when speaking of non-orthodox Jews. He was polite and respectful to others. Yet he was firm and inflexible in protecting and advocating the Mesorah of Torah tradition. His ruling, written by him, that one is not allowed to pray in a house of worship that violates Halachic standards even if it would result in not fulfilling the Mitzvah of Tekiath Shofar is an illustration of his strong stand on Torah and Mesorah.
This can also be seen from his opinion that while dialogue with non-Jewish faiths may be necessary, it may not deal with theological topics. This was a historic principle which guided his disciples in all their dealings with non-Jewish clergy, and continues to this very day.
His teachings and shiurim are responsible for literally thousands of men and women in the educational and academic community today.
F.S.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 28, 2017
9th book in a series of collections of shorter essays and teachings from across The Rav's years at RIETS, this was the absolute perfect book to read during the Yamim Noraim. Rabbi Soloveitchik brings loads of new (at least to me, a relatively well-educated rabbinical student) insights about Abraham the person, teacher, partner, father, and more. Accessible/easily readable, and highly recommended.
--Caveat: if you're looking for extensive discussion regarding the Akeidah, it's not here. Although that's what I came to this text looking for, I was so blown away by other parts that that lack didn't matter.--
--Caveat: if you're looking for extensive discussion regarding the Akeidah, it's not here. Although that's what I came to this text looking for, I was so blown away by other parts that that lack didn't matter.--
March 2, 2024
This is a book of essays on the biblical patriarch Abraham, with much on Sarah, Lot, Isaac, and Rebekah as well. There are a number of deep spiritual insights to be found here. Highly recommended!
June 15, 2025
This book knocked the theological egotism out of me. Such clarity on Abraham and his position as the apostolic founder of God's Covenantal Community. This book immediately made my top five list. I cannot recommend this book or author enough. He will radically and fundamentally change your approach to how Abraham is seen and understood. More importantly he helps the average reader to learn what it means to be part of God's Covenantal Community.
December 14, 2013
Great thoughts on the life of Abraham. A very important piece about an original thinker and the founder of monotheistic faith.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews