The Jewish Action Reader: Volume 1 / Jewish Action, the quarterly journal of the Orthodox Union, is one of Jewry's great treasures. Its articles inform and question, inspire and entertain, challenge and enlighten. It is a forum for a broad spectrum of Orthodox thought, opinion, and experience; a force for uniting Jews of all stripes and colors. And it is distinguished not only for excellent content, but for superb writing.
This volume brings together nearly two-score outstanding articles from Jewish Action's stellar roster of authors, on a wide variety subjects. A small sampler: biographical sketches of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Aharon Kotler; a discussion of brain death; the Vilna Gaon's approach to resettlement of the Land; soul-searching in the wake of the Hebron massacre; the Frankfurt secession controversy; new ideas on evolution and thoughts on the sources of faith.
Jewish Action is distinguished for its openness to ideas and opinions. It knows that Orthodoxy is a wheel with many spokes, and all are important, provided they connect to the center and move in the same direction. Like the Orthodox Union, its parent and publisher, Jewish Action brooks no compromise regarding the Thirteen Principles of Faith, but it recognizes that Orthodoxy must go on the offensive, to show that the Torah speaks to the twentieth century no less eloquently than it did to the times of Maimonides and the Vilna Gaon.
The voices in this volume proclaim that message with force and verve. This book will stimulate its readers and fill them with new pride and confidence, and become a repository of ideas and strengthened conviction for Orthodox Jews of all shades.
