Selected Works on Judaism
Below is just a small sampling, there are many other great Torah works. A work not being listed here, does not imply anything about that work.
Links to the books are generally from Amazon. Preferably, support your local Jewish Bookstore or order directly from the publisher (who often have periodic sales). If you like one of these books, look into other works by the same author.
In addition to learning Torah on your own, set up a daily or weekly study session with someone who is passionate about Judaism and will be a role model for you. (Ask people you know, contact the local kollel or partnersintorah.org. If you are able to, contact that organization and offer to learn with someone.)
Preferably, join a daily cycle of learning. This will make it easier to stay on track and ensure that you learn Torah every day. Outorah.org hosts some of these daily cycles, such as Nach Yomi. There are other daily cycles focused on Mishnah, Halacha (Jewish law), the laws of forbidden speech, and strengthening one’s faith.
Every day, aim to strengthen your faith in God. You can do this by reciting Psalms, where you understand what you are saying, by studying a book on faith, or by signing up for a daily email, podcast, WhatsApp or calling a daily hotline.
Many people, including some who are not even observant, find learning the daily cycle of the Talmud, the Daf Yomi, to be deeply satisfying. There are many wonderful teachers available on alldaf.org as well as local Daf Yomi classes. If you’re interested, try different teachers until you find one that resonates with you. There are other cycles of studying the Talmud, including Oraysa.org, Amud Yomi, Daf Hashavua and kinyanhamasechta.com.
There is an inspiring documentary about R’ Eli Stefansky’s popular Daf Yomi class which many find enlightening and entertaining. The name of the documentary is, “A Day with the Biggest Daf Yomi in the World.” Even if you don’t learn the Daf Yomi, it is worthwhile watching the video. You can watch this video on batorah.com or yiddishvideos.com or other venues.
The more you learn Torah which speaks to your soul, the more you will crave it!
Books:
Psalms That Speak to You- A Clear and Meaningful Translation for Our Generation by R’ Yitzchok Leib Bell (There are two versions: The hardcover has a traditional translation format and the soft cover has an interlinear translation.) There are other fine translations of Psalms available as well, such as the Gutnick Tehillim, the one by Artscroll, and others as well. There is both a weekly and a monthly cycle of Psalms.
Healing Leaves: Prescriptions for Inner Strength, Meaning and Hope by R’ Yitzchok Leib Bell (This is a short book, with powerful ideas to think about, even for those with no to minimal Jewish education.)
A Bit More Advice by Rabbi Shimshon Barski (One of my top recommendations for inspiring spiritual advice based on the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and his students.)
Gateway to Judaism: The What, How, And Why of Jewish Life by Rabbi Mordechai Becher (An overview and introduction to the fundamental practices and holidays of Judaism. Especially if you don’t have a strong background in Judaism, this is a great work to start with.)
The Story of our Lives by Rabbi Yaakov Klein (Spiritual life advice based on a story by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov). He also has a Soundcloud channel (and other venues) called Eilecha with a large offering of classes.
Olam HaAvodah: A guide to understanding and achieving our purpose in this world by Rabbi Moshe Don Kestenbaum (Exploring the spiritual heart of Judaism)
Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh (entitled in English, Building A Sanctuary In The Heart Part One & Part Two in one book) by Rabbi Itamar Schwartz. This contemporary and popular work is available in English or in the original Hebrew. It explores many fundamental ideas, including clarifying the reason God created us and the concept of coming close to God. You can buy the print version or you can read it first online (To go to the next page, scroll to the bottom and then click on the link next to: “next in series.”) http://bilvavi.net/english/bei
The Scent of Eden by Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter. You can read some of his inspiring articles here, https://breslev.com/author_post/rabbi-yaakov-meir-shechter.
A popular work on enhancing faith in God is called The Gate of Trust or Shaar HaBitachon. There are a couple of translations and commentaries available on it. A work based on this gate, but not a translation is, A Daily Dose of Bitachon by Rabbi David Sutton (he has other works on faith as well).
An in-depth discussion about faith for those who are comfortable with Jewish terminology, is Becoming a Ba'al Bitachon: A journey through Sha'ar HaBitachon of the Chovos HaLevavos by Rabbi Yechezkel Abramov. For daily WhatsApp messages by the author see https://becoming-a-baal-bitachon.com/.
A Taste of Maharal by Rabbi Doniel Baron (Excerpts from the works of the Maharal)
Bat Ayin translated into English by Rabbi Yisrael M. Mendelovits and available at Feldheim.com (3 volumes). (A translation of a Chassidic work on the weekly Torah portion.)
Read biographies of righteous men and women. Artscroll has many biographies available on their website (as well as other publishers) or you can borrow from friends or family.
Chumash (5 Books of Moses):
At least once, preferably yearly, go through the entire Chumash (The Five Books of Moses) in English as well as the Haftorahs. (Preferably, follow along with the weekly schedule of the Torah portion (Parsha) or learn it at your own pace. There are different translations from different publishers. One very readable translation, which incorporates Rashi’s commentary in the translation, is by Rabbi Chaim Miller: Chumash: The Gutnick Edition. Artscroll offers the popular Stone Edition Chumash as well as an interlinear version.
There is a weekly practice referred to as Shnayim Mikra V'Echad Targum. This is where you read the verse of the weekly Torah portion twice (or you read along when the Torah is read in the synagogue and then read it one more time alone) and a commentary once. Observant Jews often fulfill this practice by reading the Aramaic translation of Onkelos and/or the commentary of Rashi. If that is currently too challenging, there are rabbis who say that you can fulfill the requirement with an English translation that is based on a commentary such as Rashi. (The Gutnick Chumash and the Stone Edition Chumash would likely meet that requirement, but talk to your rabbi about which translation is best for you.) Even if you use an English translation to fulfill this practice, try to also study some of Rashi’s commentary each week (this commentary is available in English by Artscroll or Metsudah). One suggestion is to study Rashi on 1-3 aliyot of each weekly Torah portion, and every year, learn different aliyot (there are 7 aliyot in each weekly Torah portion). This way you will learn all of Rashi on the weekly portion, over the course of a few years.
Works on Jewish law:
Halacha 24/7/12 by Rabbi Aharon E. Marcus (a digest on Jewish law)
Shaarei Halacha (English) by Rabbi Zeev Greenwald (a digest on Jewish law).
Learn Shabbos in 3 Minutes a Day by Rabbi Daniel Braude (comes in two different sizes, with likely different font sizes).
Learn Hilchos Lashon Hara In Just 3 Minutes A Day by Rabbi Daniel Braude (comes in two different sizes).
The Code of Jewish Conduct: The laws of interpersonal relationships by Rabbi Yitzchok Silver. You can receive free daily segments from this book at, http://jvalues.ohrsites.com/subscribe.php.
Online Torah resources:
There are a number of great Torah podcasts and videos you can listen to. Two websites, among others, are https://torahanytime.com (you can also access their classes by phone in the USA at 718-298-2077) and Outorah.org. Ask people you respect to recommend Torah classes or podcasts to you.
Sefaria.org is a non-denominational website that has Jewish texts in the original Hebrew and has many translated into English as well. (Speak to your spiritual mentor if this is an appropriate resource for you, and if yes, how best to utilize it).
There are a number of free apps you can learn Torah from:
OU Torah app is one option.
The Breslov app offers translations of Breslov works.
Links to the books are generally from Amazon. Preferably, support your local Jewish Bookstore or order directly from the publisher (who often have periodic sales). If you like one of these books, look into other works by the same author.
In addition to learning Torah on your own, set up a daily or weekly study session with someone who is passionate about Judaism and will be a role model for you. (Ask people you know, contact the local kollel or partnersintorah.org. If you are able to, contact that organization and offer to learn with someone.)
Preferably, join a daily cycle of learning. This will make it easier to stay on track and ensure that you learn Torah every day. Outorah.org hosts some of these daily cycles, such as Nach Yomi. There are other daily cycles focused on Mishnah, Halacha (Jewish law), the laws of forbidden speech, and strengthening one’s faith.
Every day, aim to strengthen your faith in God. You can do this by reciting Psalms, where you understand what you are saying, by studying a book on faith, or by signing up for a daily email, podcast, WhatsApp or calling a daily hotline.
Many people, including some who are not even observant, find learning the daily cycle of the Talmud, the Daf Yomi, to be deeply satisfying. There are many wonderful teachers available on alldaf.org as well as local Daf Yomi classes. If you’re interested, try different teachers until you find one that resonates with you. There are other cycles of studying the Talmud, including Oraysa.org, Amud Yomi, Daf Hashavua and kinyanhamasechta.com.
There is an inspiring documentary about R’ Eli Stefansky’s popular Daf Yomi class which many find enlightening and entertaining. The name of the documentary is, “A Day with the Biggest Daf Yomi in the World.” Even if you don’t learn the Daf Yomi, it is worthwhile watching the video. You can watch this video on batorah.com or yiddishvideos.com or other venues.
The more you learn Torah which speaks to your soul, the more you will crave it!
Books:
Psalms That Speak to You- A Clear and Meaningful Translation for Our Generation by R’ Yitzchok Leib Bell (There are two versions: The hardcover has a traditional translation format and the soft cover has an interlinear translation.) There are other fine translations of Psalms available as well, such as the Gutnick Tehillim, the one by Artscroll, and others as well. There is both a weekly and a monthly cycle of Psalms.
Healing Leaves: Prescriptions for Inner Strength, Meaning and Hope by R’ Yitzchok Leib Bell (This is a short book, with powerful ideas to think about, even for those with no to minimal Jewish education.)
A Bit More Advice by Rabbi Shimshon Barski (One of my top recommendations for inspiring spiritual advice based on the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and his students.)
Gateway to Judaism: The What, How, And Why of Jewish Life by Rabbi Mordechai Becher (An overview and introduction to the fundamental practices and holidays of Judaism. Especially if you don’t have a strong background in Judaism, this is a great work to start with.)
The Story of our Lives by Rabbi Yaakov Klein (Spiritual life advice based on a story by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov). He also has a Soundcloud channel (and other venues) called Eilecha with a large offering of classes.
Olam HaAvodah: A guide to understanding and achieving our purpose in this world by Rabbi Moshe Don Kestenbaum (Exploring the spiritual heart of Judaism)
Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh (entitled in English, Building A Sanctuary In The Heart Part One & Part Two in one book) by Rabbi Itamar Schwartz. This contemporary and popular work is available in English or in the original Hebrew. It explores many fundamental ideas, including clarifying the reason God created us and the concept of coming close to God. You can buy the print version or you can read it first online (To go to the next page, scroll to the bottom and then click on the link next to: “next in series.”) http://bilvavi.net/english/bei
The Scent of Eden by Rabbi Yaakov Meir Shechter. You can read some of his inspiring articles here, https://breslev.com/author_post/rabbi-yaakov-meir-shechter.
A popular work on enhancing faith in God is called The Gate of Trust or Shaar HaBitachon. There are a couple of translations and commentaries available on it. A work based on this gate, but not a translation is, A Daily Dose of Bitachon by Rabbi David Sutton (he has other works on faith as well).
An in-depth discussion about faith for those who are comfortable with Jewish terminology, is Becoming a Ba'al Bitachon: A journey through Sha'ar HaBitachon of the Chovos HaLevavos by Rabbi Yechezkel Abramov. For daily WhatsApp messages by the author see https://becoming-a-baal-bitachon.com/.
A Taste of Maharal by Rabbi Doniel Baron (Excerpts from the works of the Maharal)
Bat Ayin translated into English by Rabbi Yisrael M. Mendelovits and available at Feldheim.com (3 volumes). (A translation of a Chassidic work on the weekly Torah portion.)
Read biographies of righteous men and women. Artscroll has many biographies available on their website (as well as other publishers) or you can borrow from friends or family.
Chumash (5 Books of Moses):
At least once, preferably yearly, go through the entire Chumash (The Five Books of Moses) in English as well as the Haftorahs. (Preferably, follow along with the weekly schedule of the Torah portion (Parsha) or learn it at your own pace. There are different translations from different publishers. One very readable translation, which incorporates Rashi’s commentary in the translation, is by Rabbi Chaim Miller: Chumash: The Gutnick Edition. Artscroll offers the popular Stone Edition Chumash as well as an interlinear version.
There is a weekly practice referred to as Shnayim Mikra V'Echad Targum. This is where you read the verse of the weekly Torah portion twice (or you read along when the Torah is read in the synagogue and then read it one more time alone) and a commentary once. Observant Jews often fulfill this practice by reading the Aramaic translation of Onkelos and/or the commentary of Rashi. If that is currently too challenging, there are rabbis who say that you can fulfill the requirement with an English translation that is based on a commentary such as Rashi. (The Gutnick Chumash and the Stone Edition Chumash would likely meet that requirement, but talk to your rabbi about which translation is best for you.) Even if you use an English translation to fulfill this practice, try to also study some of Rashi’s commentary each week (this commentary is available in English by Artscroll or Metsudah). One suggestion is to study Rashi on 1-3 aliyot of each weekly Torah portion, and every year, learn different aliyot (there are 7 aliyot in each weekly Torah portion). This way you will learn all of Rashi on the weekly portion, over the course of a few years.
Works on Jewish law:
Halacha 24/7/12 by Rabbi Aharon E. Marcus (a digest on Jewish law)
Shaarei Halacha (English) by Rabbi Zeev Greenwald (a digest on Jewish law).
Learn Shabbos in 3 Minutes a Day by Rabbi Daniel Braude (comes in two different sizes, with likely different font sizes).
Learn Hilchos Lashon Hara In Just 3 Minutes A Day by Rabbi Daniel Braude (comes in two different sizes).
The Code of Jewish Conduct: The laws of interpersonal relationships by Rabbi Yitzchok Silver. You can receive free daily segments from this book at, http://jvalues.ohrsites.com/subscribe.php.
Online Torah resources:
There are a number of great Torah podcasts and videos you can listen to. Two websites, among others, are https://torahanytime.com (you can also access their classes by phone in the USA at 718-298-2077) and Outorah.org. Ask people you respect to recommend Torah classes or podcasts to you.
Sefaria.org is a non-denominational website that has Jewish texts in the original Hebrew and has many translated into English as well. (Speak to your spiritual mentor if this is an appropriate resource for you, and if yes, how best to utilize it).
There are a number of free apps you can learn Torah from:
OU Torah app is one option.
The Breslov app offers translations of Breslov works.