Sage Tales Wisdom and Wonder from the Rabbis of the Talmud [Hardcover]

These ancient stories whisper truth to your soul.

Great stories have the power to draw the heart. But certain stories have the power to draw the heart to God and awaken the better angels of our nature. Such are the tales of the rabbis of the Talmud, colorful, quirky yarns that tug at our heartstrings and test our values, ethics, moralityand our imaginations.

In this collection for people of all faiths and backgrounds, Rabbi Burton Visotzky draws on four decades of telling and teaching these legends in order to unlock their wisdom for the contemporary heart. He introduces you to the cast of characters, explains their motivations, and provides the historical background needed to penetrate the wise lessons often hidden within these unusual narratives.

In learning how and why these oft-told tales were spun, you discover how they continue to hold value for our lives.

One of our tradition's liveliest teachers has managed to capture all of his rare vibrancy on the page. Who knew that Midrash could read like a great detective story?
Abigail Pogrebin, author,Stars of David

Both ancient and timeless & this retelling and retooling of ancient rabbinic wisdom tales [does] the sages and us a great service. Brings these & sages alive that we might hear their wisdom once more. A book to be savored.
Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author,Hasidic Tales: Annotated and Explained

Enlivens ancient wisdom with modern whimsy, decodes Talmudic enigmas with narrative grace, and humanizes the giants of early rabbinic Judaism in ways that make each character real, quirky and unforgettable. Has there ever been a book of solid scholarship that was this much fun to read?
Letty Cottin Pogrebin, author,Deborah, Golda and Me: Being Female and Jewish in America; founding editor,Ms. magazine

A treasure trove of informatiolãŠ