Our Favorite Books of the Year

By COLlive staff

Vast amounts of Torah and Chassidic books are being purchased on Thursday, the 5th of Teves, in what has become an annual custom in Chabad communities around the world.

Hei Teves is celebrated as the “holiday of the seforim” marking the anniversary of the court victory in 1988 for the return of the Lubavitch books and manuscripts to the Agudas Chassidei Chabad Library at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY.

The Rebbe encouraged to utilize the auspicious day to strengthen our commitment to learning and purchasing holy books for the home to “be prominently displayed and easily accessible for family members or guests.”

In honor of Hei Teves, COLlive.com asked 8 Chabad individuals involved in writing and publishing to choose their favorite book of this past year. Here are their answers:

Mrs. Rishe Deitsch, Senior Editor of Nshei Chabad Newsletter:

I receive lots of books from people who would like to see them reviewed and excerpted in the N’shei Chabad Newsletter. One stands out for the pure pleasure it gave me, “The Gilded Cage – The Real Story of Esther” by Sorele Brownstein.

After reading it, I immediately called Sorele to share my excitement. A talented yet humble and unassuming Shlucha in Davis, CA, she was surprised by my enthusiasm. This is a novel in the voice of Queen Esther, with many Midrashim included. After finishing it, I felt for the first time that I truly knew, loved, respected, and admired our heroine, our queen. I laughed, I cried, I didn’t sleep much.

Rabbi Eli Matusof, an editor at Otzar Hachassidim of Kehot Publication Society and author of the new research book “Ayin Tachas Ayin”:

Learning a Chassidic discourse gives you spiritual elevation, but this year I was captivated by a less studious sort of sefer: The Igros Kodesh of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, edited by Rabbi Sholom Ber Levine.

Its chapters cover many diverse topics, from halacha and chassidus to advice and guidance for day to day life.

There are also letters that discuss the various debates with the misnagdim or other Chassidic opinions. I learned about many historical events and gained a better glimpse into the personality of the founder of Chabad. Reading it was even a source of enjoyment for me.

Rabbi David Eliezrie, Director of North County Chabad Center in Yorba Linda, California, and author of “The Secret of Chabad”:

“Samarkand” is Rabbi Hillel Zaltzman‘s superb account of the Chassidic underground in Russia during the Communist regime. Mesirus Nefesh comes alive in the pages of this book.

The remarkable story of the renowned Chassid Reb Berke Chein who hid from the KGB for years in the Zaltzman home, how Chassidim educated their children during Stalin‘s evil regime and the story of the quest of Chassidic manuscripts across Russia helps us discover the difficult life of many Chassidim across Russia. Secret agents, informers and intrigue.

Zaltzman has done a magnificent job in Samarkand bringing to life a great story of self-sacrifice in the face of adversity. It is inspirational and important history that every Lubavitcher needs to know.

Buy it on Amazon.com, Kehot.com or Jewish book stores.

Mrs. Rishe Majesky, Principal of Bnos Menachem High School for girls in Crown Heights:

I am very much looking forward to the new volume 32 of the Rebbe’s Igros Kodesh, as these are the seforim I read most often. In fact, I try reading a few letters each night before going to sleep.

The Rebbe’s views on every facet of life is so clear and so consistent. Sometimes when I find a particularly interesting or relevant letter, I will make copies to share with my students or people that I know.

In one letter that really impacted me, the Rebbe says there’s no “unsuccessful” person. There’s one who is lazy and one that utilizes all of his/her abilities to the fullest.

Rabbi Aaron Raskin, Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Avraham and Director of Chabad of Brooklyn Heights. His latest book is “Guardian of Israel”:

I like Gematria, so I was drawn to the new “Yalkut Levi Yitzchok al Hatorah,” the commentaries by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, compiled by Rabbi Dovid Dubov.

I also read “Rebbe” by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, and similar biographies by Rabbi Adin Even Yisroel and Rabbi Chaim Miller. Though they overlap in some areas, each has pearls of information and anecdotes that are priceless. Growing up in Crown Heights, we were always enamored with the Rebbe, but we didn’t see the kaleidoscopic impact of the Rebbe. These books give us an intimate picture of bais harav and allows us to grow in our love.

Mrs. Joannie Tansky, a resident of Montreal, Canada, is an acclaimed author and speaker:

“The Secret of Chabad” by Rabbi David Eliezrie is like taking a journey on the Orient Express. It is as if one is looking into the window of history, gathering delicate morsels of the inner workings of Chabad.

Who are the elder Shluchim sitting in the front row of the Shluchim picture and why are they given that honor? What happened when the first public Chanukah menorah was lit in 1975? Who was involved in the heart-wrenching hours in Mumbai?

Elegantly and clearly written, the reader travels the world with Eliezrie while discovering the secrets of Chabad, the most successful Jewish movement in history. Not to be missed.

Buy it on Amazon.com and Jewish books stores.

Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin, Associate Rabbi of Cong. Young Israel of Tucson and Outreach Director of Chabad Tucson, AZ. He is the Editor of COLlive.com:

My most recent purchase was the contentious chronicle of Jewish history known as “Josippon.” Based on the writings of Yosef ben Matityahu (“Josephus”), its 96 relatively short chapters review the “Wars of the Second Temple,” particularly under the Greek and Roman empires extending the familiar Chanukah and Purim narratives.

Many questioned its authenticity for the reverence Josephus treats Titus, his Roman master and the destroyer of Jerusalem. Nevertheless, “Josippon” is quoted by the likes of Rashi, Ramban, the Maharal and even the Rebbe. It is a fascinating (and easy) read that concludes with the yearning for the ultimate redemption.

The 1544 Venice version is online at chabadlibrarybooks.com. An updated Hebrew version is sold at seforimsets.com.

Mendy Pellin, CEO ‎of Jewish Abstract Media is a comedian and entertainer:

Oy… I’ve thought about it and there’s no full Chabad book that I read this year. Waiting for the videos to come out! I gotta learn more.

Tell us what is your favorite book.