In 2006, Telushkin, a scholar, writer, lecturer, teacher and rabbi, presented the first of his projected three-volume series on Jewish ethics. Subtitled You Shall Be Holy
, the initial contribution focused on character development. This second volume uses the biblical commandment, “love your neighbor as yourself,” to explore ethical behavior in interpersonal relationships. Among the topics considered are hospitality, visiting the sick, obligations to the dead, comforting mourners, kindness, advice-giving, charity, relationships between Jews and non-Jews, treatment of animals, self-defense, justice and tolerance. Masterfully presented, Telushkin’s straightforward opinions are supported by enlightening anecdotes drawn from the Bible, Talmud and Midrash as well as contemporary Jewish and non-Jewish thinkers. While this superlative compendium focuses on Jewish ethics, people of all faiths will find the precepts so unambiguously presented here to have significant value. (Feb.)
