Path of the Prophets

​Rabbi Barry L. Schwartz is director of The Jewish Publication Society and rabbi of Congregation Adas Emuno, Leonia, New Jersey. He is the author of Judaism’s Great Debates: Timeless Controversies from Abraham to Herzl (JPS, 2012) and Jewish Heroes, Jewish Values, among other volumes.

• Acknowledgments    About This Book    Preface: Why the Prophets?Introduction: The Ethics-Driven Life    Part 1. To Do Justly1. Abraham’s Argument: The Path of Protest    2. Shiphrah’s Defiance: The Path of Civil Disobedience    3. Moses’ Encounter: The Path of Freedom    4. Tirzah’s Challenge: The Path of Equality    5. Samuel’s Warning: The Path of Rebuke    6. Nathan’s Parable: The Path of Righteousness    Part 2. To Love Mercy7. Judah’s Step Forward: The Path of Repentance    8. Joseph’s Cry: The Path of Forgiveness    9. Ruth’s Vow: The Path of Kindness    10. Elisha’s Invitation: The Path of Healing    11. Jeremiah’s Scroll: The Path of Hope    12. Jonah’s Lesson: The Path of Compassion    Part 3. To Walk Humbly13. Miriam’s Celebration: The Path of Joy    14. Caleb’s Spirit: The Path of Faith    15. Hannah’s Prayer: The Path of Prayer    16. Elijah’s Voice: The Path of Humility    17. Isaiah’s Vision: The Path of Peace    18. Ezra’s Torah: The Path of Wisdom    A Prophetic Glossary    Study Guide: Living the Bible    Notes    Bibliography

“Path of the Prophets is the most significant new contribution to our understanding of the prophets so far in the twenty-first century—filled with new insights, important for Jewish scholarship, and a joy to read for anyone who has ever grappled with the meaning and contemporary relevance of the Bible.”—Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine“Rabbi Schwartz brings new life to the men and women of the Bible, ordinary people who did extraordinary things—and challenges us to do the same, to make the most of life’s journey.”—Rabbi Sally J. Priesand, author of Judaism and the New Woman“The prophets call us passionately to justice—but, alas, the prophetic books are not easy to understand. Schwartz has done the seemingly impossible by delving clearly into the prophets’ ethical dilemmas and urging readers to face those injustices of yesterday and today. As we yearn for religious voices that will challenge entrenched ideologies, this is a desperately needed volume.”—Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president emeritus, Union for Reform Judaism