The Blog @ ArtScroll.com

A GPS helps us navigate unknown highways, deal with the detours, and find the best way to get to where we want to go. Halachah is like that too: It shows us where to go, directs us to the most effective route – the path that Hashem has set out for each of us to follow.

Just as a GPS is only as good as the maps loaded into it, we can only follow the halachah if we’ve “loaded” ourselves with the often complex concepts that make up Torah law.

ArtScroll’s Halachah Series gives us those maps. Each of the more than fifty halachah titles are written by rabbanim who are experts in their fields. The books are comprehensive and clear, explaining halachic concepts and bringing practical examples of how they apply to modern life.

From now until April 27, all titles in the ArtScroll Halachah Series are available at an incredible savings of 30% off the list price.

The Halachah Series includes books on the laws of Shabbos and Yom Tov, kashrus, business and finance, medical halachah, proper speech, life cycle events, laws pertaining to women and to children and parents, and the popular Laws of Daily Living series.

Here’s a closer look at a few titles: Currently, three volumes of the Kleinman Edition of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch have been released, and the final two in the series will be published during the course of the next year. This edition of Rav Shlomo Ganzfried’s classic work of halachah includes a fully vowelized Hebrew text, followed by a phrase by phrase translation and elucidation. It also includes rulings from the Mishneh Berurah and Rav Moshe Feinstein, whenever their rulings differed from those of the Kitzur.

Behind the shemiras halashon revolution, that changed the way we speak, are several works on the laws of proper speech, including the bestselling Chofetz Chaim: A Lesson a Day and A Daily Companion, and the recently released Positive Word Power and The Family Lesson a Day, all published in association with the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation. With tens of thousands of copies in print, these daily readers have taught two generations the halachos of proper speech, offering real-life examples and inspirational pieces to help make these laws a part of our lives. As we travel the sometimes puzzling road of life, we must turn to our “Torah GPS” — the halachah that has defined us since we stood at Sinai.

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Not long ago we celebrated the Jews’ triumphant exit from Egypt. It was the first step in a journey that would lead to Mount Sinai, to the giving of the Torah that would mark us forever as Hashem’s Chosen People.
There is no better way to reaffirm our commitment to Torah than by studying and reviewing the halachos that define our lives as Torah Jews. And what better time to enrich our libraries and homes with quality halachah books than during ArtScroll’s special sale on all halachah titles?
For the next two weeks all ArtScroll books on Jewish law are available at 30% off the list price. Here are just a few of the many important titles:
Since its publication 15 years ago Rabbi Binyomin Forst’s classic work, The Laws of Kashrus, has become a fixture in tens of thousands of homes, the English-language sefer of choice for people trying to understand the complex laws of kashrus and how they are implemented in today’s world. The Laws of Kashrus clearly explains the principles of kashrus laws, and shows how real-life problems fit into the framework of halachah; to make it even more practical, it includes copious diagrams and a listing of appliances.
In a new and highly acclaimed companion volume, The Feuereisen Edition: The Kosher Kitchen, Rabbi Forst gives us a hands-on, clear and practical guide to kashrus in our modern kitchens. The Kosher Kitchen is a beautifully organized and magnificently-designed book, close to 600 pages of vital information. In its pages we find everything we need to know about eating kosher: from microwaves and barbeque grills to meals cooked by non-Jewish housekeepers; from shechitah to sushi, from pet food to Passover kitchens – and everything in-between.
Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen is renowned as an authority in Jewish law as it applies to the questions and dilemmas of modern life, and his many books of halachah have been hailed by tens of thousands of readers as exceptionally clear and comprehensive. His six books on various aspects of the laws of Shabbos observance are all classics, and now, for the first time, they are available on one impressive slipcased set that includes The Shabbos Home (volumes 1 & 2); Muktzeh: A Practical Guide; The Shabbos Kitchen; The Radiance of Shabbos; and The Sanctity of Shabbos. Either individually and as a set, these books will enhance our Shabbos observance and, yes, change our lives.

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 Let’s take an imaginary visit to a group of Jewish homes on seder night. The Roth’s seder lasts for hours, while the Sheinfeld family keeps it short. The Cohens emphasize deep divrei Torah, while the Levis tell the story in simple terms that the children enjoy. The Mermelsteins have been gathering together for generations, while the newly-observant Hersh family is making the seder for the very first time. Different as they are, the goal of all these seders is the same: to celebrate the miracles, the Exodus, and our becoming Hashem’s People. Because people have different kinds of seders – and because they share the goal of making seder night memorable and meaningful — ArtScroll has more than 40 Haggadahs, for every need and every family.

Here’s a sampling:

The Family Haggadah by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: With more than a million copies in print, this is the most popular haggadah of all time. Its flowing translation, elegant graphics, clear instructions and economical price makes it a perennial favorite.

 The Schottenstein Edition Interlinear Haggadah by Rabbi Menachem Davis: Using the unique, patented interlinear format, this haggadah enables readers to see the original Hebrew and English translation simultaneously.

 The Seif Edition Transliterated Linear Haggadah by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: The line by line transliteration, accompanied by translation, allows those less familiar with Hebrew to fully participate in the seder.

The Children’s Haggadah by Shmuel Blitz: Written for children ages 4-10 (and adults love it too!), the full Hebrew text of the Haggadah is accompanied by a child-oriented yet accurate English translation. Includes fascinating facts, easy-to-understand instructions, and breathtaking illustrations.

 The Illustrated Youth Haggadah: Perfect for ages 6 and up, this popular haggadah features gorgeous full color pictures, simplified translation and instructions, and kid-friendly comments to enhance young people’s seder experience.

The Vilna Gaon Haggadah: Written by Rabbeinu Avraham, the Vilna Gaon’s son, this haggadah, translated by Rabbi Yisrael Herczeg, clarifies the major themes of the night through the unique approach of the Vilna Gaon.

The Abarbanel Haggdah adapted by Rabbi Yisrael Herzceg: The great fifteenth century scholar, Abarbanel, combines the classic teachings of the Sages with his own penetrating insights, driving home the relevance of the Haggadah for his day — and ours.

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Nachum hosted renowned Mohel, author, and lecturer Rabbi Paysach Krohn live at The Nachum Segal Show to discuss Rabbi Krohn’s latest project, entitled Golden Shadows: An Inspirational Expedition to Morocco, Gibraltar and Spain with Rabbi Paysach Krohn. This new project is a 10 Disc set that includes 2 Video DVDs and 8 Audio Cds. Hundreds of years ago Judaism flourished throughout a golden era in Northern Africa and Spain. Sadly, Jews often maintained their shuls, yeshivos, and lifestyle under duress, hardship, and persecution. America’s favorite Maggid, Rabbi Paysach Krohn, author of ArtScroll’s bestselling Maggid series leads us on a tour of the rich Jewish history of Morocco, Gibraltar, and Spain. Click here to listen!!

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Nachum interviewed Arieh Banner of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation about Rabbi Zalman Menachem Koren’s amazing new publication “The Beit HaMikdash, The Temple and The Holy Mount.” Rabbi Koren brings to this groundbreaking work a profound knowledge of the Mishnah, Talmud, and the classic commentaries, and a deep familiarity with modern archaeological findings. A respected scholar, he has devoted decades to studying the Temple and the Temple Mount. Nachum emphasized that every Jewish home should have a copy of this book. Click  here to listen.

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“These are the names of the children of Israel.” With these holy words Sefer
Shemos begins, with its extraordinary narrative of how a family of 70 became a nation of millions. As always, ArtScroll is there for us, with over forty commentaries illuminating the parshiyos. Here’s just a sampling:

To browse our complete selection of titles on Shemos, please click here.

Classic commentaries:

The Sapirstein Rashi:  You can’t understand Chumash without Rashi, “the father of commentators.” This classic work includes a translation of Rashi’s words, together with ArtScroll’s trademark “elucidation” to clarify the flow of the commentary and explain what Rashi is telling us.

Ramban on the Torah: Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman’s commentary to the Chumash permeates all aspects of Jewish thought. Because of the depth of his ideas and his terse style, though, much of his work remained a closed book. This translation, with its explanatory notes, introductions, and elucidations makes this masterpiece accessible and understandable.

The Davis Edition of Baal HaTurim: Best known as the author of the forerunner of the Shulchan Aruch, the “Tur” also wrote a Chumash commentary like no other. This elucidation of the Baal HaTurim is unexcelled in any language, and casts a brilliant light on previously unnoticed aspects of the Chumash.

Contemporary commentaries:

Aleinu L’Shabei’ach: This is a fascinating and inspiring collection of stories and teachings from the writings, shiurim, and conversations of Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, the noted rav and posek who is a son-in-law of HaGaon Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and a brother-in-law of HaGaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky. A best-seller in Hebrew, it is fast becoming a household word in English- speaking homes as well.

Rabbi Frand on the Parashah: These wonderfully insightful essays on the
parashah by a beloved teacher and author are a marvelous combination of
Torah thought and insightful understanding of our lives, our challenges, our
strengths and weaknesses. No wonder tens of thousands have made Rabbi Frand a steady “guest” at their Shabbos table!

Torah for your Table: Compiled by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, bestselling
author, renowned speaker, and founder of the pioneering outreach
organization Hineni, this is a beautifully crafted collection of essays on
the parashah, written by her sons, Rabbis Yisroel and Osher Anshel Jungreis. The lessons on the parashah are beautifully articulated and explained by
a family that has spent decades bringing the splendor of Torah thought to
hundreds of thousands of Jews of all levels of observance.

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Nachum interviewed Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, CSW, about his new book “Salomon Says: 50 stirring and stimulating stories.” In these marvelous stories – brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective – we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street.  Click here  to listen.

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The Laws of Shabbos:
The Kleinman Edition Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Volume 3

Written in 1864, reprinted more than twenty times in the lifetime of its author, Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried, and hundreds of times since, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch is one of the most widely disseminated halachah sefarim of all time. It is a masterpiece of clarity, comprehensive and yet highly accessible, the classic guide to the laws of daily living for Ashkkenazic Torah-observant Jewry – and as usable and relevant today as it was 125 years ago.
With the publication of the first volume of the The Kleinman Edition Kitzur Shulchan Aruch last year, the timeless words of the Kitzur became widely available to the English-speaking public. Many thousands were introduced to the sefer for the first time, while others, scholars and laymen alike, were able rediscover its beauty, clarity, and, yes, the depth behind its simplicity. Using the integrated style of ArtScroll’s Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud, the Kleinman Edition of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch offers readers a fully vowelized Hebrew text, followed by a phrase by phrase translation and elucidation. To make the Kitzur even more useful as a contemporary halachic reference, the footnotes include rulings from the Chofetz Chaim’s halachic classic, Mishneh Berurah, and from Rav Moshe Feinstein’s Igros Moshe, whenever their rulings differed from those of Rav Ganzfried.
The third volume of what will be a five-volume set has just been made available, and is a particularly exciting and important part of the work, as it contains all of the laws of Shabbos observance that appear in the Kitzur.  Here are the halachos that affect every Shomer Shabbos Jew, as clearly and beautifully laid out as the most elegant Shabbos table – the “shulchan aruch” –  the set table –  that Rabbi Ganzfried and, before him, Rav Yosef Karo used as the title of their great halachic works. This newest volume is a vitally important work for anyone wishing to review or better understand the laws of Shabbos observance (Also included are the laws of eiruvin, rosh chodesh, and kiddush levanah.)
Writers of promotional pieces love to use the word “classic.” It’s one of those catchwords that are applied to almost everything today. But what, really, makes something a classic?
The dictionary tells us that a classic is: “an author or a literary work of the first rank, esp. one of demonstrably enduring quality.”
Enduring quality. By that definition, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch is most certainly a classic. One that belongs on every Jewish bookshelf.

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Sample Chapter of Kitzur volume 3

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