LIST OF HELPFUL SEFORIM
Hanan Balk's suggestions
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‫תפילה כהלכתה‬
‫ספר ואהבת לריעך כמוך‬
‫ פסק( הליכות שלמה‬and ‫ הנהגות‬of Rav Sh'lomo Zalman Auerbach)
‫אוצר המדרשים‬
‫רמב"ם‬
Nisson Shulman
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‫תועפות הרי"ם‬:
Drasha outlines Rabbi Yehiel Michel Kossowsky, zt"l and thought kernels for all year
long and the holidays.
Efrem Goldberg
www.science-halacha.com/theBooks.htm
Has online editions of books on Contemporary Halacha and Science
Jacob J. Schacter's list of recommended sources
Rabbi Schacter gave a session at the 2004 RCA Convention entitled: "How to present a
lecture." On the CD Rom Rabbi Schacter shares a wealth of recommended S'forim and
helpful websites. Contact the Soloveitchik Institute to order a copy of the CD Rom.
(617)232-7443.
Jonathan Rosenblatt's list of recomended sources
Register/Listen to his course (four one hour sessions) taught as part of the RCA’s Rabbi
Dworken Continuing Rabbinic Education program. Here he gives a far more thorough list
of practical suggestions for preparing for a Drasha.
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‫נציב‬
‫מדרש תנחומא‬
‫מדרש רבה‬
‫מדרש המעוברת‬
‫אברבנאל‬
Luzato
‫דעת זקנים‬
‫כלי יקר‬
‫אור החיים‬
‫( תולדות אהרון‬lookup the ‫ סוגיא‬he brings down)
Avoiding Burnout
Key #1 = In order to avoid burnout… constantly look at material in a fresh new way.
Key #2 = Constantly be learning! Not just Gemara!
Key #3 = Try to help your congregants understand the difficult areas of the Torah. Parts
they never knew.
Key #4 = Try to find a section of the Parsha that you consider interesting (5-6 Psukim)
and learn everything you have on it. Especially see the above list of Meforshim.
Key #5 = Blend in with contemporary reading …Jewish Week, New York Times, Sports
Illustrated.
Joseph Radinsky's list of recommended sources
Joseph Radinsky's books, Torah Concepts Volumes 6,7,8,9 are available at $20.00 each
(including postage). Please make check payable to: United Orthodox Synagogue 9001
Greenwillow, Houston, Texas 77096. Call (713)729-6750.
Kenneth Hain's list of recommended sources
‫( שמן הטוב‬Hebrew) by Rabbi Bernard Weinberger. ‫מועדים & פרשה‬
‫ באר יוסף על התורה‬by Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Salant
‫ פננים חדשות בתורה‬by Rabbi Benzion Feerer. Short essays on each Parsha
Marc Penner's list of recommended sources
Full Derashot/Essays on the Parsha
Night of Watching (Out of Print) by Rabbi Zvi Dov Kanatopsky. (The first half of the
sefer is currently available under the title The Depths of Simplicity)
‫( דרשות אל עמי‬Out of Print), Hegyonot el Ami – Rabbi Moshe Avigdor Amiel
‫פרשה ופרשה‬, ‫ – פרשה ולקחה‬Rabbi Moshe Gorelick
Good Beginnings (available from Rabbi Azarya Berzon at Shaarei Mevaseret Zion) and
Sermons the Year Round (available online at http://www.jr.co.il/books/rberzon/) by
Rabbi Bernard Berzon
‫פנים חדשות לתורה‬, ‫פנים מסבירות לתורה‬, ‫ הגיונות של תורה‬by Rabbi Ben-Zion Firer
Table Talk, Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz
Margin for Triumph and Margin for Living by Rabbi Joseph Singer
Ner Uziel, Rabbi Uziel Milevsky
‫טל חרמון‬, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner
‫ ספר לקח טוב‬on the Parshiot
‫חמדת ימים‬, Rabbi Yaakov Filber
‫ספר מוסרי התורה‬, Rabbi Yerucham Halevi of Mir
‫שיחות מוסר‬, Rabbi Chaim Shmulevitz
‫ אש קודש‬by Rabbi Kalonymous Shapira
‫ תורת המקרא‬by Rabbi Shlomo Goren
‫ נתיבות שלום‬by Rabbi Shalom Noach Brozofsky (the Slunimer Rebbe)
Torah Therapy and More Torah Therapy, Rabbi Reuven Bulka
‫הגהות בפרשיות התורה‬, Rabbi Yehudah Nachshoni
Prof. Nechama Leibowitz
‫הגיונות מקרא‬, Yisrael Eldad
Sifrei Derush/Shorter Thoughts on the Parsha
‫באר יוסף‬, Rabbi Yosef Salant
‫אמת ליעקב‬, Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetzky
‫חידושי מהרי"ל דסקין על התורה‬
Peninim on the Torah set published by the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland 216-321-5838.
‫דרש משה‬, Bastion of Faith, Rav Moshe Feinstein
‫לימודי ניסן‬, Rabbi Nisan Alpert
Call of the Torah by Rabbi Elie Munk (translated into English by Artscroll)
‫ תוספת ברכה‬by Rabbi Baruch Epstein
‫( שם דרך‬commentary on ‫ )רמב"ן‬by Rabbi Mordechai Ziskind Broide
‫טעם ודעת‬, Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch
‫שמן הטוב‬, Rabbi Bernard Weinberger
‫שבת בשבתו‬, Rabbi Abraham Shtall
‫מאוצרינו הישן‬, B. Yeushson
‫ברכת פרץ‬, the Steipler Gaon
‫חידושי רבינו יוסף נחמי'ה‬, by Rabbi Yosef Nechemia Kornizer
For Ideas
Understanding Judaism, Rabbi Benjamin Blech
The Royal Reach, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm
This Way Up, Rebbetzin Tzipporah Heller
Equality Lost, Rabbi Yehuda Henkin
The Jewish Imagination, Rabbi Basil Herring
Tapes of Rabbi Isaac Bernstein (available from Mr. Milton Nordlicht, see
http://members.aol.com/TorahShiurim/)
Works of:
i. Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik (see http://www.math.tau.ac.il/~turkel/engsol.html)
ii. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (see http://www.chiefrabbi.org/)
iii. Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo (see http://www.cardozoschool.org/)
iv. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
v. Rabbi Shimshon Dovid Pinkus
vi. Dr. Avivah Zornberg
vii. Rabbi Berel Wein
viii. Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss
ix. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
x. Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner
The ‫הפטרה‬
‫מכתב מאליהו‬, Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler
‫ספר מעלות התורה‬, Rabbi Binyamin Moshe Bernstein (connects thoughts of Rabbi
Yechezkel Levenstein on ‫ תפילה‬to the ‫)פרשיות‬
‫( ספר החנוך‬by ???)
Eim HaBanim Semeicha by Rabbi Yisachar Shlomo Teichtel
13. The Temple by Rabbi Josh Berman
14. Editorials (NY Times, Washington Post)
15. Articles in The New Republic
For Stories
Parsha Parables series by Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky
Books of Rabbi Chanoch Teller
Sarei Hameah by Rabbi Yehudah Leib haKohen Maimon
Ishim veShitot by Rabbo Shlomo Yosef Zevin
Not Just Stories by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski
Rabbi Krohn’s Maggid Series
Internet Resources
YU Torah - http://www.yutorah.org//
RCA Rabbinic Resources - http://www.rabbis.org/resources/resources.cfm
Virtual Beis Medrash of Yeshivat Har Etzion - http://www.vbm-torah.org/
Daat – http://www.daat.ac.il/index.htm
Rav Meir Goldvicht – online audio shiurim - http://www.goldvicht.com/listen.cfm
Rabbi Mordechai Elon Parsha Archives - http://www.elon.org/archives/archives.htm
Weekly Halacha Archives by Rabbi Daniel Neustadt http://www.torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/archives.html
Menachem Leibtag Archives - http://www.tanach.org/
Bar Ilan University Faculty Parshat Hashavua Archives http://www.biu.ac.il/JH/Parasha/
Rabbi Yisachar Frand Archives http://roshhashanah.torah.org/learning/archives.php3?class_name=ravfrand
Rabbi Yaakov Menkin Archives http://roshhashanah.torah.org/learning/archives.php3?class_name=lifeline
Yeshivat Shaalvim – Parshat Hashavua by Aaron Weiss http://www.shaalvim.org/torah_overview.htm#parsha2
Sichot of Rav Nebenzahl - http://www.netivaryeh.org/torah/index.php?go=thisweek
Yeshivat Beit El – Parshat Hashavua - http://yeshiva.org.il/midrash/Emidrash.asp?Cat=1
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Parsha Archives - http://www.ohrtorahstone.org.il/parsha/
Marc Penner's suggested sefarim for writing speeches
For Kids Speeches:
Sifrei Nechama Leibowitz
‫הגהות בפרשיות התורה‬, Rabbi Yehudah Nachshoni
‫ספר דעת חכמים‬, Rabbi Joseph B Weinstein
‫שבת בשבתו‬, Avraham Shtall
Derashot for the Rav to say at a Bar Mitzvah
‫דורון דרש‬, Rabbi Nachman Yosef Vilhelm
‫הנאום והדרוש‬, Rabbi Avraham Orenstein (The “Bar Mitzvah” vol. of his 8 vol. set)
‫ דרשות לשמחות‬:‫עת לשמוח‬, Rabbi Yehudah Shaviv
Or Hamizrach
Torah Journal put out by the Religious Zionists of America
Nefesh Harav
Based on Rav Schachter's prodigious memories and notes of the Rav and his teachings. In
addition to extensive treatments of major themes, it also includes important notes on the
‫ימים טובים‬, ‫מצוות‬, ‫הלכות‬, various dates in the Jewish calendar, and many of the ‫פרשיות‬
Rabbi Daniel Alter's list of recommended sources
In The Rabbinate, similar to other professions, there is a desire to excel and to be the
best that we possibly can. There are a tremendous amount of resources that can assist us
in growing in many different directions. Some of these are easy to apply to the Rabbinate
and some tend to be more business oriented. The following is a list of some of my
favorites which I feel can translate pretty well into our work in the Rabbinate. This is an
initial list. If you have other suggestions please e-mail me at rebdaniel@aol.com
Management
 The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell.
This book describes how change can be created in a rather quick fashion, similar to
an epidemic. It is a study of those who have achieved major change with limited
resources in a relatively short time.
 Seven habits of highly effective people by Stephen Covey.
This book is a classic. It talks about becoming more effective in oneâ??s personal and
business life. Issues such as productivity, time management, and positive thinking are
some of the topics. Not an easy read though.
 Who Moved My Cheese:An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in
Your Life by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard
This book is a very easy read. An interesting approach regarding those who are
resistant to change. A word of warning: Individuals who are trying to create change
have been known to give this book to those holding back the change. This method
usually backfires.
Speaking Skills
 Toastmasters.org
This is the website for an international speaking club. Check the site for locations.
There is probably one near you. Professional speaking coaches are extremely
expensive. This is a well known program that is affordable and can be very helpful in
improving your speaking abilities.
Program Evaluation
 http://archive.jesna.org//pdfs/re_pathways.pdf
This is a good article on evaluating programs. All too often we get stuck in routine
and continue to do shiurim or programs without evaluating them. A good evaluation
can often be the difference between an okay program and a great program.
Governance and Board issues
Often Rabbis are not involved in governance and board issues. If one wants to create
significant cultural and spiritual change, it is often important to work in tandem with the
board. As such, an understanding of how boards should function is important, especially
since many Synagogue boards are incompetent. Below are two helpful websites:
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Boardcafe.org
This is a website with many helpful ideas and resources related to boards.
Nonprofitrisk.org
This website deals with risk management for boards.
Negotiation Skills
 Getting To Yes: Negotiating Agreement without Giving In by Roger Fisher and
William Ury.
Running a shul is often about negotiation. This book provides strategies for coming to
mutually acceptable agreements with others. It presents a solid approach to dispute
resolution and agreement making.
Leadership
 The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.
Deals with leadership issues such as inspiring others to share your vision, creating
change, empowering others and other important leadership skills.
 The Leadership Genius of George Bush: Ten Common Sense Lessons from the
Commander in Chief by Thompson and Ware.
You can read this book and gain from it even if you don’t like his politics. The book
does not dwell on Bush, but rather on universal leadership principles. The focus of
this book is the philosophy, strategy and tactics that make a leader great.
Reuven Bulka's list of recommended sources
‫בשם אומרו‬, 4 volumes with snippets from all sources for almost every pasuk.
‫חמשה חומשי תורה עם מדרש הלכה‬, Yehiel Stern - 5 volumes with great halakhic derivations
and embellishments. Somewhat different but akin to Torah Temimah.
‫אוצר המדרשים‬
‫ נחלת צבי‬by Elazar Pinter - ‫ חידושים‬with ‫מעשיות‬
‫ כבודה של תורה‬,‫ מורשת אבות‬,‫שלל רב‬
But the absolute best source for Derashot is, believe it or not, ‫ חומש‬and ‫רש"י‬, with ‫רמב"ן‬
and ‫ספורנו‬.
Ruby Spolter
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‫מאוצרינו הישן‬:
Yiddish vortlach printed in Yiddish newspapers in Europe. It has an edge to it though
-- but is especially good for divrei torah.
Steven Pruzansky
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"‫"טללי אורות‬: Chumash, tefillah.
‫( טל חרמון‬Rav Aviner) as background material and inspiration
Elul/Tishrei
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‫ אורי וישעי‬:‫מי מרום‬: collection of ‫ שיחות‬from R Yaakov Moshe Charlop on ‫אלול‬, ‫תשובה‬,
‫ראש השנה‬, and ‫יום כיפור‬.
‫ קונטרוס המשך תשרי‬,‫ ראש השנה‬:‫פחד יצחק‬
B'Or Ha'Torah www.borhatorah.org
The B'Or Ha'Torah journal publishes articles on the relationship between Torah and
science. The special quality of these articles is their significant attempt to discuss
scientific subjects from the Torah point of view.
Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society
The cost is $22 for a two year subscription (4 issues sent out over the course of two
years). Must pay in advance. You can also order back issues at $6 a copy. Call (212)3342285
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Elul/Tishrei
‫ אורי וישעי‬:‫מי מרום‬:
Collection of ‫ שיחות‬from R Yaakov Moshe Charlop on ‫אלול‬, ‫תשובה‬, ‫ראש השנה‬, and
‫יום כיפור‬.
‫ קונטרוס המשך תשרי‬,‫ ראש השנה‬:‫פחד יצחק‬