Category: New Releases

ArtScroll spoke with Rabbi Yosef Chaim Golding, who compiled and edited the autobiography of his father-in-law, Reb Yossel Friedenson.

AS: Faith Amid the Flames is a stunning autobiographical portrait of Reb Yossel Friedenson z”l. We get to know him through his writings and speeches, and through interviews conducted with him over the years. How did you go about compiling all these different sources into one work?

RYCG: I viewed about 100 hours of video interviews, editing, compiling, and editing some more … plus I worked from 6 hours of transcribed cassette tape discussions between us. And, of course, I had his extensive writings to draw upon.

AS: Where did Reb Yossel’s incredible moral courage and emunah have its roots?

RYCG: Unquestionably, they were from his father, Rav Eliezer Gershon Friedenson Hy’d, who accomplished so much for Klal Yisrael, all before he was incarcerated in the Warsaw Ghetto at the age of 39.

AS:  There is so much suffering in these pages, yet this book is uplifting and, yes, even optimistic. How did you (and Reb Yossel) make that happen?

RYCG: It wasn’t me; it was all him. He always spoke about the positive things that he witnessed; he let the secular historians dwell on the pain and suffering.

AS: Reb Yossel was the unofficial spokesman of the entire generation of survivors. What was the overriding message that Reb Yossel left for the generations that followed?

RYCG:  In his own words:

“The first thing I learned is that there is a Hashgachah Elyonah on every one of us, at all times. If I personally survived, it is because there is an Ayin roeh, a watchful Eye, Who kept me alive in spite of the reshaim who wanted to kill me.

“Secondly, I saw how Jews differ from the other nations. We are an am hanivchar. We are rachmanim and gomlei chassadim. Even those who, chalilah, go astray still have in them some of these elevated middos tovos.

“The third, and by far the most important, lesson that I internalized was that Klal Yisrael is truly eternal, indestructible, and will always outlive their oppressors and those who wish to destroy them. The same is true for our eternal Torah.

“The secular world lauds the Jews who physically resisted the Germans. But much greater was the spiritual resistance of those whose faith in Hashem never wavered, even under the most torturous conditions.”

Get your copy of this phenomenal book today at artscroll.com

It’s never too early to show our children how much Hashem loves them and to begin instilling within them the incredible power of emunah. Following the very successful first volume of Living Emunah for Children, ArtScroll is proud to present Living Emunah for Children 2, a brand-new collection of fun and kid-friendly stories, carefully chosen and adapted from the Living Emunah series by Leah Sutton for youngsters ages 4 – 8, with delightful, full-color pictures by Sarah Zee.

We spoke with Mrs. Sutton about children, emunah, and her new book:

AS: How did you go about choosing stories from among the hundreds in the Living Emunah series?

LS: I reread some of the books that I’d loved when I was young, including many of ArtScroll’s children’s books. I thought about my childhood favorites, the books I still remember today, and I analyzed what made me love them so. Then I read through all of Rabbi Ashear’s Living Emunah books, looking for stories that could work for young people. A story with a child at its center, a story with one focus, not with many complicated details, a story with an exciting turn of events. And, of course, I got input from Rabbi Ashear.

AS: How can we inculcate even young children with emunah?

LS: Children have a certain simplicity and acceptance that makes emunah very special to them. When they hear these stories, they see themselves in them. Children often see themselves as the heroes, and in these stories the heroes are ba’alei emunah. And the heroes of these stories are often simple, everyday people, so children feel it could have been them.

AS: What is your personal favorite from among the many stories?

LS:  I love the story called “The Cry of the Baby.” Such simple hashgachah, the very day a person needed to hear a baby cry, Hashem sent that baby. Also, the story “Friendly Competition,” about a famous ice-cream manufacturer coming to the rescue of his competitor. The story was such a kiddush Hashem, it made me proud, and children love ice cream, so it was so appropriate.

AS: What was the feedback you received on the first volume of Living Emunah for Children?

LS: It was really amazing. The number of books that were sold kept going up. People who’d gotten so much out of Rabbi Ashear’s Living Emunah books had been waiting for something like this for their children.

Get your copy today at artscroll.com!

Three years ago, Incredible! From the Bronx to Bnei Brak: The amazing true story of Rabbi Yossi Wallis by Rabbi Nachman Seltzer burst upon the Jewish literary scene. Tens of thousands of readers were amazed by Rabbi Yossi Wallis’s fascinating (incredible!) story of his metamorphosis from Bronx gang member to head of one of the world’s largest kiruv organizations. Readers were also astonished by the mesiras nefesh of Yossi’s family:  his grandfather, who chose death over betraying his deepest convictions; his father, who defied the Nazis with his tefilin wrapped proudly on his head as he awaited to be executed on the gallows; and – five hundred years earlier – his ancestor, who was burned in the Inquisition’s auto-da-fe.

Yes, Incredible, with more than 30,000 copies in print, left readers inspired, engaged, fascinated – and clamoring for more.

And now here it is – Rabbi Seltzer’s incredible sequel, Incredible 2! From Corporate LA to Arachim Seminars : More of the amazing true story of Rabbi Yossi Wallis.

In Incredible 2 we will join Yossi on his journey from successful weapons dealer to totally committed Torah Jew. We’ll be astonished by the hashgachah that he experiences as he decides to pay back anything that he’d taken in a manner that was against halachah. We’ll meet the people who helped him on the way: an old man who vanishes as mysteriously as he’d appeared; an even more mysterious laughing rabbi; great men such as Rav Shach zt’l and Rav Chaim Greineman zt’l, who had to restrain their eager student in his quest for greatness in Torah, until he was ready for it.

When it comes to Yossi Wallis, we know to expect the unexpected, and that’s just  as true when he’s CEO of Arachim as it was when he was a young man trying to cut his ties to the Mafia. We will see him boldly take on the “fake news” of the Israeli media when they libel the Torah community. We’ll be with him as Rav Chaim Greineman instructs him to refuse a $400,000 donation (and we’ll be astounded by the wisdom of our gedolim as we read the startling reason why). In Rabbi Wallis’s world, everything turns into a kiruv opportunity – even an FBI investigation!

Incredible 2. It’s as incredible… as Incredible!

Get your copy today at artscroll.com!

A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. As we look into ArtScroll’s newly-released Great Jewish Photographs, we can clearly see how effective images can be in enhancing the reading experience. Photos touch the heart and mind in an incomparably direct and powerful way. 

In Great Jewish Photographs, Rabbi Moshe Bamberger has collected 100 black and white and color photographs of Torah luminaries, learning, praying, laughing, crying, giving blessings and encouragement, and, of course, sharing their immense Torah knowledge. Some photos are iconic, others have been rarely seen. Some tell a story, others capture vital moments in recent history – and all of them touch our hearts and souls.

A remarkable picture of Rav Hutner learning, while he is being held hostage by terrorists on an aircraft, teaches us the power of Torah study in a way that, yes, a thousand words cannot. Gaze at the picture of the Chafetz Chaim davening in tallis and tefilin; your own prayers will be different, deeper. The  Kanievsky’s  were on the way to a  bris when their car got a flat tire; the photo of them standing at the side of the road, Rav Chaim staring into his sefer and Rebbetzin Batsheva into her Tehilim,  is both a delight and a mussar lesson!

The vignettes and biographical information that accompany each photograph add still another dimension to Great Jewish Photographs. You’ll smile at the adorable picture of Rav Shimon Schwab and his brothers, taken when he was a youngster. But then you will read how Rav Schwab took the lesson he learned at the age of four from that photo shoot and cherished it all his life, and you’ll have learned something of great value. Rav Avigdor Miller’s smile, Rav Chaim Shmulevitz’s tears, Rav Shach’s laughter: so many emotions that touch us — and teach us.

Great Jewish Photographs is a compact size, full-color paperback volume. It includes Birchas Hamazon and the berachos of bris and shevah berachos and has room for imprinting on the back, making it an ideal gift for personal simchahs and institutional events.

Get your copy today at artscroll.com!

“Why don’t you produce an ArtScroll Siddur for the Sephardic community?”

We heard it over the years from countless people in Brooklyn, in Deal, in L.A. and beyond, indeed, wherever Sephardic Jews live. While ArtScroll’s other sefarim and books speak to Jews of every stripe and background, there was no ArtScroll’s siddur in the nusach of Sephardim and Edot Hamizrah. Why not?!

It was a valid question. There are well over a million copies of ArtScroll siddurim in print, making them the most widely-used siddurim in history. They are hailed the world over for their magnificent translation and wide-ranging, inspiring commentary, their crystal clear instructions and halachahs, and their state-of-the-art typography. “Why isn’t there a Siddur of such outstanding quality for Sephardic Jews?”

Mr. Jay Schottenstein, patron of the ArtScroll Talmud and many other ArtScroll projects, was visiting Rav David Abuchatzeira shlita, a year and a half ago. The Hacham had that same question: “You have dedicated so many works of Torah and Tefillah. Why don’t you sponsor an ArtScroll Sephardic Siddur?” Together they called Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz, President of ArtScroll and put the question to him.

Rav Gedaliah didn’t flinch, and in a moment the exciting decision was made: The time had come for an ArtScroll Sephardic Siddur!   And so the work began immediately on Siddur Kol Simcha.

There was much to do. The Hebrew text and English translation had to follow Sephardic traditions. Transliterations would reflect Sephardic pronunciation, and laws and customs would follow Sephardic poskim and minhagim.

Dozens of pizmonim and piyyutim for Shabbat and other occasions would be accurately translated and sourced. Shem Hashem would appear according to Sephardic tradition, and there would be taamim for selections from the Tanach. There would be a commentary and introduction that would explain and inspire.

There were other innovative features as well. When a person is praying, he or she wants to see the relevant laws conveniently appear next to the prayers, so in this new Siddur, the halachot are right where they are needed – and there is also a comprehensive halachot section in the back of the Siddur. Special typography and graphics indicate when there are differences in text between various communities, so everyone can pray according to his or her own custom without confusion.

Artscroll is proud to add this magnificent state-of-the-art Sephardic Siddur to its repertoire. A new gem in the treasure house of ArtScroll.

Get your copy today at artscroll.com!

AS: Amazing! Your 5^th collection of stories, and yet they are still so fresh, so vibrant and varied. What’s your secret to finding such intensely interesting stories?

CBW: There’s really no secret to finding interesting stories. All you need is a willingness to ask and the capacity to listen—to really listen. I find that the most rewarding stories come when I close my mouth and just absorb what the other person is saying! Sometimes, during a conversation or interview, I think the story is over, but if I stay quiet for another minute or two, I’ll find the story has only just begun.

AS: One of the sections of the book is called Faith and Courage. What’s the connection between the two?

CBW: One is often an outgrowth of the other. Being whacked by a ‘double whammy’ of challenges can either make one shrivel and give up in defeat, or it can bring out the most potent parts of our neshamah. In “Dance of Life,” for instance, a man facing the loss of a long-awaited kidney draws on his faith and finds the courage to dance, to celebrate the fact that it wasn’t meant to be. In “Guided by an Angel,” the protagonist draws on his faith and finds the courage to travel alone to meet his brothers, whom he had never met before.

AS: When writing these stories, many of them poignant, did any of them actually bring you to tears? Which one, and why?

CBW: The story “Judge and Jury,” about a woman whose husband is experiencing an emotional breakdown, had a powerful impact on me.  I know many people who are living like this, acting as if they had perfect lives, in a desire to preserve their dignity and protect their families. In reality they are dealing with unfathomable challenges and intense pain—and the judgment of their own family members, which is sometimes hardest of all to bear.

AS: And here’s the toughest question of all: Which of the stories are your favorites?

CBW: Asking me to name a favorite would be like asking me to name a favorite grandchild—I love them all so intensely, and each has a special place in my heart.

Get your copy today at artscroll.com!

We’re all so excited about Simply Gourmet, the fabulous cookbook being released! We spoke with author Rivky Kleiman about her culinary journey and how she develops such amazing recipes.

AS: Rivky, you are a star in the kosher culinary world: a popular contributor to kosher.com and Family Table, co-author of the Bais Yaakov Cookbook, and now a member of ArtScroll’s incredible cookbook team. How did you do it?

RK:  My mother went to medical school when I was in 6th grade. We were three sisters, so while she was in school she would leave a list on the fridge with the jobs we should do. Because I enjoyed the kitchen so much, I wound up making all the cakes, kugels, desserts, salads. When it came to food my mother was very forward thinking, and she loved variety. My friends loved to come to supper; they knew they’d get something interesting and delicious. Actually, when I was newly married, I was afraid of making traditional chicken soup and gefilte fish — but I could make gourmet meals!

AS: What is your cooking philosophy, and how does it play out in Simply Gourmet?

RK: I like to work with foods that are familiar to people, foods that they recognize, but I also want a twist. I keep up with today’s trends and modernize. I love to layer the flavors, to give foods depth of flavor. We’re long past just salt and pepper. You can transform a dish with a few spices or herbs. I use items in your pantry, or items that you will incorporate into your pantry after you’ve discovered them.  

AS: Some examples?                                                             

RK: I love chili powder. It’s a mixture of different spices, and it elevates the taste of the meat and poultry. People don’t realize the value of it. And you can easily make your own. Fish-free Worcestershire sauce adds that little oomph. Or a bit of lemon zest — it takes no extra work, you’re using the lemon anyway, and you get an explosion of flavor!

AS: What do you hope to accomplish with Simply Gourmet?

RK: I taught for many years, and I’m using the skills I’ve developed to teach home cooks so that they can elevate what they do. I’m taking away some of the fear of the unknown. When you try something and it works, what a great feeling!

Get your copy today at artscroll.com!

Gedolei Torah. You’ve heard so many stories about them. Perhaps you’ve even had some personal encounters with them. You know about their incredible diligence, devotion to learning and unfailing concern for the Klal. But have you ever wondered what it’s like to have constant contact with gedolim? To interact on a daily basis with Torah leaders? To see how daas Torah deals with the most important issues of our time?

In his long career in Agudath Israel of America, which culminated in his position as Executive  Vice President, Rabbi Shmuel Bloom had the zechus of interacting with some of Jewry’s greatest gedolim. Now, in On the Shoulders of Giants, he shares the stories and memories, the lessons learned and the insights discovered in more than half a century of encountering greatness.

We asked Rabbi Bloom to describe some of the traits that gedolim tend to have in common. His answer was both insightful and surprising:

“In my encounters with gedolei Yisrael I found that they had a unique blend of humility and confidence. The first time I saw R’ Moshe Feinstein at the Agudah convention, he was waiting for Minchah to begin. A man came over to him and asked the gadol hador if he could ask him a shayla. Reb Moshe answered: “Far vos nit – why not?”  It was as if he was saying, in his profoundly humble way – of course you can ask me, this is why I am here in this world, to help other Jews. Yet when there was an accident in front of his house and Rav Moshe was told a boy wearing a yarmulke had been run over by a car, he said that it couldn’t be true. He felt that his Torah learning would prevent such a tragedy from happening. As it turned out, a gentile boy had grabbed a yarmulke from a Jewish boy, and the non-Jew was run over as he was running away. This combination of knowing that he is in this world to serve the Klal, at the same time knowing that he was given a special role to play, is something that I found to varying degrees in almost every gadol.”

Personal stories of gedolim, askanim and politicians, and many rare photos — you’ll find them all here, in On the Shoulders of Giants.

Get your copy today at artscroll.com!

On the long Shabbos afternoons of spring and summer, Pirkei Avos offers us the perfect way to reconnect with the richness of Torah wisdom. ArtScroll has just released two special editions of Maseches Avos that will make that time extra special. Both editions contain all the text and features of ArtScroll’s acclaimed Mishnah series, in a new convenient size — and at a great price.

The Schottenstein Edition Midsize Mishnah Elucidated: Maseches Avos

This popular series offers a multilevel learning experience. Do you have an hour before Minchah and want to review a chapter in Pirkei Avos? You can. Want to spend the entire afternoon delving deeply into its meaning? You can do that too — in the same volume.

Each volume in The Mishnah Elucidated series includes the fully vowelized Hebrew text of the Mishnah and the full text of “the Rav’s” (Rabbeinu Ovadiah of Bertinoro) classic Mishnah commentary. The phrase-by-phrase translation and elucidation follow the format of the Schottenstein Edition Talmud. Words and phrases, based on the Rav’s interpretation of the Mishnah, are added to make the Mishnah text read smoothly and clearly. Notes clarify and explain the Mishnah further by drawing on the Gemara or other classic Mishnah commentaries, and the general introductions to each masechta and topic discuss many important concepts. For those most comfortable with English-language study, this is the volume for you.

The Ryzman Edition Hebrew Mishnayos Special Edition: Maseches Avos

Each volume of the Ryzman Edition Hebrew Mishnayos contains the full text of the Mishnah, as well as the commentary of the Rav (Rabbeinu Ovadiah of Bertinoro), newly-typeset. This series, too, offers multilevel learning. The first level is a phrase-by-phrase translation and elucidation, in readable Hebrew, following the format of the Schottenstein Edition Talmud.  This level gives a brief, flowing explanation of the words of the Mishnah, perfect for those seeking a simple explanation of the p’shat. Next comes the “Biyur.” Here we find an expanded explanation of the Mishnah, based on the commentary of Rav, and also drawing on the Gemara and classic Rishonim and Acharonim. On this level, terms and concepts are explained more fully, providing a deeper understanding of the p’shat. Finally, the “Iyunim” level is designed for those seeking more profound, in-depth study of the Mishnah.

Whatever you are looking for in your Pirkei Avos study, you’ll find it in these very special, special editions!

Get your copies today at artscroll.com!

After all the work — the cleaning, shopping, koshering — you’ve certainly earned some time to relax. And what better way to relax than with a novel that transports you to a different time and place? A novel that brings you characters who become almost real to you? A novel that keeps you turning page after exciting page?  

ArtScroll has two fantastic new historical novels for you. Enjoy your well-earned literary treat!

Freefall by Miriam Zakon:

Freefall is the epic saga of a young woman searching for happiness, a war orphan searching for words, and a young man searching for his father’s love.

The year is 1941. The flames of war are blazing throughout Europe. By the end of the year, with the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, America will join the Allies in their desperate struggle against the Axis powers.

In the Freed Hotel, a simple Coney Island boarding house, other battles are being fought. Its owner, Yeruchum Freed, is determined and resolute in his vision: to raise his children as uncompromising Torah Jews. But do his children, Annie and Moe, share that dream?

Set against the fascinating backdrop of the American experience during the Second World War, as well as the battlefields of war-torn Europe, Freefall offers a vivid and unforgettable cast of characters, a wealth of riveting historical details, and an engaging, suspense-filled story that readers will not be able to put down. 

Twilight (Expanded Edition) by Avner Gold:

Twilight is the next novel in the famed Strasbourg Saga. This expanded edition follows the exploits of the popular characters of the Saga from the end of 1649 through 1658.

As the story begins, a report of twins abducted by the Cossacks spurs Elisha Ringel to action. He manages to secure a meeting with Bogdan Chmielnicki, the hetman of the Cossacks, in his headquarters in Zaporozhiye, and there the exciting story unfolds, coming to a climax in Warsaw nine years later. In the course of the story, we also meet Rav Shabsi Kohein, the Shach, and follow the turbulent events of his life through the eyes of Rav Shloime Strasbourg, rabbi of Pulichev.

Twilight is that fragile moment that is not quite night and not quite day. The period described in this book was a twilight time. The wounds of war were not yet healed, but there was hope once again. Here is historical fiction at its best.

Get your copies today at artscroll.com!