Holy Woman Author Publishes New Book This Week!

Eighteen months ago, who could have predicted that Sara Yoheved Rigler’s book Holy Woman would become the second bestselling biography in ArtScroll’s history? Many readers have declared it to be one of the most important mussar books they’ve ever read. A leading Lakewood Rosh Yeshivah urged all of his married students to buy the book -- not for their wives, but for themselves to read!

In time for the reflective month of Elul, ArtScroll is releasing Sara Rigler’s new book, Lights from Jerusalem: reflections on growth in the Holy City. Comprising over 50 thought-provoking essays, Rigler’s work demonstrates a depth and breadth of practical Torah perspective, while speaking to the heart of many contemporary concerns. Much of the content from Lights from Jerusalem was originally featured on Aish.com, the mega-site of Aish HaTorah which receives over two millions visitors monthly.

Learning Shevi’is in Advance of Shemitta Year

This Elul culminates with the onset of a Shemittah year in Eretz Yisrael. In preparation for observing its Torah-mandated agricultural laws, tens of thousands of Jews -- especially in Israel -- are studying the laws of Shemittah, just as it is a universal practice to study the laws pertaining to a Jewish holiday thirty days prior to its arrival. The primary Talmudic source of these complex laws is Tractate Shev'is in the Tamud Yerushalmi -- which has been a problem for centuries, due to the great difficulty of, and shortage of commentaries on Yerushalmi. Thus it has been nearly impossible for most Jews to study the source of the laws. They have been linguistically locked out -- until this year.
For the first time in history, the Torah public has in-depth access to . Both volumes of the English elucidation of Shevi’is are available in Judaica bookstores nationwide. Volume 1 of the Hebrew edition is also in print, with Volume 2 scheduled for release next month.
In addition, the Hebrew language Ryzman Edition of Mishnah Shevi’is is available to study the tractate solely from the Mishnah. This edition includes the commentary of R’ Ovadiah of Bertinoro [the “Rav.”] The anthologized commentary, edited by Rabbi Pesach Goldman, was composed in consultation with Jerusalem’s famed Kollel for Agricultural Halachah, directed by Rabbi Yosef Efrati and guided by Maran Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv shlit”a. And, of course, the English-language Mishnah Shevi'is is available, as well.

Talking to Yourself? Here’s How!

In the Introduction of his latest book Conversations With Yourself, Rabbi Zelig Pliskin enthuses, “The quality of your life is the quality of your on-going self-talk!" Throughout the book, Rabbi Pliskin guides the reader to become aware of mental chatter and to transform it into a steady stream of purposeful thought. After the first three chapters, readers may sense themselves achieving an inner strength previously unrealized. Drawing on the wisdom of the Jewish sages, his personal humor, and experiences common to all, Rabbi Pliskin details how anyone can shift habituated negative self-talk into a positive inner dialogue. Rabbi Pliskin adds, “We were all taught to speak appropriately to rebbes, teachers, parents, and even our siblings. But taught us how to speak appropriately to ourselves? Now we can remedy that!” The book releases to Judaica stores this week.

To read a short review of Conversations With Yourself, click HERE.

Students Leaving to Israel for the Year?

New and returning students to Eretz Yisrael for the approaching year will welcome a set of essential ArtScroll books. With so many of ArtScroll’s volumes now available in travel and pocket size editions, students appreciate the peace of mind that comes from having everything needed before departure.

Here’s a list of suggested ArtScroll resources for your traveling son or daughter, all available in a travel friendly pocket size edition. (Note: ArtScroll recently published the popular Ner Naftali siddur which is widely used throughout Israel. Also, hardback and soft back Siddurim and Machzorim are available in nusach Sefard and Ashkenaz.)

Travel size volumes:
• Stone Tanach • Five Megillos • Chumash with Rashi • Tehillim • Interlinear Tehillim • Complete Siddur • Interlinear Siddur • Women’s Siddur • Ner Naftali Siddur (for Israel) • Machzorim • Chofetz Chaim Lesson A Day • Perek Shirah • Pirkei Avos • Mishna • Gemara (Travel edition) • Daily Dose of Torah