You know how, back when you were in school, the teachers used meshalim left and right to explain different concepts to the class? I know that my Chumash and Navi notes were always full of the terms “mashal” and “nimshal,” both the ones that Chazal teach us and the ones the teachers came up with on their own in order to clarify whatever point they were trying to make. Of course I can only speak for myself, but those lessons taught via these meshalim were usually the ones I understood—and remembered—best.

There’s definitely something about the mashal that makes it such a powerful tool in the hands of teachers and storytellers—and this power of the mashal becomes even more apparent when it comes to children. Fables, especially, with foxes that are hungry, frogs that are jealous, and clever chickens and birds, are extremely popular with youngsters. When a child hears a story about a weak chick who comes up with a plan and outsmarts a wily (and of course hungry) fox, that truly drives home the message that intelligence and forethought are superior to physical strength. And the downfall of the traitorous bat, who turned against his friends in order to ensure that he remain on the winning side, speaks louder than words about the importance of loyalty.

If you’re in agreement with me as of this far, then you will absolutely love the newest kids book we have just released out on the market, a book called A Mashal and a Message. This beautifully-illustrated, extra-large-sized book is a collection of eleven of the meshalim of Rav Berachya ben Rav Natronai Hanakdan, a master of meshalim who lived during the Middle Ages and authored the sefer Mishlei Shualim (“Fox Fables”). In this book, Rabbi Avrohom Ochayon presents these meshalim to young readers in an age-appropriate way that they can comprehend and enjoy.

Who says learning important lessons for life can’t be fun? Sit back and read this book to your child—and let the magic of the mashal overtake you…

For those craving an excellent historical novel, a book that provides a breathtaking glimpse into another era, even as it entertains you with its goosebump-raising tale…well, well, have we got the book of the season for you…!

This is a classic that has been out of print for way too long. Now, finally, it has come back in print, complete with a new look and updated front cover. Avrohom Ben Avrohom is the spellbinding, heart-wrenching story of the legendary ger tzedek of Vilna, who lived during the upheavals that were so much a part of Jewish life in the Ashkenazic communities of mid-eighteenth-century Europe. Amidst the heart-stopping tale of the young cardinal-to-be who discovers Judaism and converts at a risk to his life, though never dreaming what the outcome of his decision would eventually turn out to be, readers are introduced to the Torah giants of that generation, including Rav Yechezkel Landau, Rav Yonasan Eibschutz, Rav Yaakov Emden, and the Vilna Gaon, in a fascinating way.

You will love the twists and turns Avrohom Ben Avrohom will take you on. For years and years, many readers have been riveted by this emotion-laden and suspenseful book. Now it’s your turn to sink your teeth into it. Just be prepared to give yourself a big chunk of reading time for the book, as this is one read you will not be putting down until the very last page!

Click here to purchase online.

I remember that book report quite clearly. I was in the sixth grade at the time, and my English teacher was extremely fond of assigning book reports, doing so on a monthly basis at least. I’ve always been a voracious reader, so reading all those books was something I could handle…but the problem was that the books had to be ones that we’d never read before. Otherwise, for all the teacher knew, we could be writing up whole book reports based on books that we’d read three years ago. (Never underestimate the memory of a child, you know!)

Back then, Jewish books weren’t coming out every few weeks. So every book report assignment found me wracking my brains, trying to find a book that I hadn’t yet read.

I think it was my father who suggested I read Baron Korff. Even back then (with all these “back then’s,” by now you probably think I’m ancient… but really, I still have some time for that, b’ezras Hashem!), it was considered a classic, and I had to track down someone who still owned a copy of it. Once I’d done that and read the book, though, I was glad I’d gone to the trouble of finding it—it was a phenomenal book.

There was nothing petty or modern-day about this book; this was the real deal—a novel with fully fashioned characters such as a guilt-ridden Russian baron, a perceptive Galician count, a wise old rabbi, and of course the main character, Abram, who began his life as an abandoned Christian baby boy…

Like I said, I loved every minute reading this book—and now you can have this same enjoyment, too! After years of being out of print, Baron Korff –with a new look due to its updated front cover—is now once again being released and put back onto the shelves of your local bookstore!

This is a classic that has never lost its charm. Read it, and you’ll agree. Whether you’ve read this book in the past and are buying it for the nostalgia it evokes within you, or for your kids to read as a kind of “ma’aseh avos siman la’banim”; or you’re young enough to have never heard of Baron Korff and are buying it simply out of curiosity (what is this book about anyway, that they were going on and on about it in that article?), this is a purchase you will not regret having made!

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By Sarah Irons

Books on health and nutrition tend to make me feel guilty. About every six months I resolve anew to change my lifestyle. I buy a new book, along with plain nonfat yogurt and whole-spelt crackers from the grocery store, and promise myself that this time I’m going to see it through. I’ll end my relationship with pizza and sushi in favor of bright leafy greens, unsweetened fruit shakes and grilled chicken on half a whole wheat wrap. My most successful attempt lasted for four months, about two years ago.

At this point I have almost an entire library of diet and nutrition books in my house. Yet Dr. Shmuel Shields’s book, L’Chaim: 18 Chapters to Live By (published by Brand Name Publishing),stands out among them. Dr. Shmuel Shields, a certified nutritionist with a private practice in New York, himself made the transition from what he calls a “standard American diet” (SAD): “about 150 pounds of sugar annually…and the amount of fat found in one stick of butter every day.” With the help of a local health food store proprietor, Dr. Shields discovered firsthand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. He experimented with a range of eating habits, including a foray into veganism, before settling on a “high-fiber, primarily plant-based diet” that includes chicken or meat on Shabbos. Now he uses his knowledge and experience to help other people. In addition to his practice, Dr. Shields is also a popular lecturer and health columnist.

The book is organized into eighteen distinct chapters, and each chapter focuses on one aspect of living a healthier lifestyle. Dr. Shields explains it fully using a blend of current scientific findings, Torah perspectives, and tips for practically incorporating it into our lives. The nutritional information is cleverly interspersed with personal anecdotes from both Dr. Shields’s life and practice—showing how people have successfully integrated these changes into their own lifestyle.

The topics include ways to boost your immunity and avoid colds and flu; how to distinguish between “good” carbs and “bad” carbs; the role of fat in our diet (it’s not as bad for you as you might think); how to wean ourselves off sodas and other artificially sweetened drinks with the only beverage your body really needs: water; debunking the most common excuses for why we don’t exercise and feasible ways to increase daily activity; stress reduction, especially in an age of increasing reliance on technology; and sleep—why it’s so essential for both physical and mental health.

Each chapter ends with a practical application for the concepts it covers, including meal plans, original recipes, strategies for staying on track on Shabbos and Yom Tov, tips on longevity from a woman who passed her 100^th birthday and, most importantly, healthy alternatives for some of the most unhealthy foods we love to eat, like pizza and hot dogs.

Many readers will find chapter 17, “Transitions: Step by Step,” to be particularly helpful and hopeful. This chapter acknowledges the difficulty of changing our habits and routines and recommends a slow but steady process to make it stick. There are even useful tips for getting used to new tastes and foods, like mixing small amount of unfamiliar foods with familiar ones.

L’Chaim: 18 Chapters to Live By may be the solution that so many of us, who would like to be healthier but are not quite sure how to go about it, are looking for. It’s easy to read and strikingly concrete and of-the-moment. With the integration of Jewish life into the core of its premise, this book fills the unique niche of the observant, kosher consumer. It’s a book that has given me a lot to think about and one I certainly plan to refer back to as I attempt, once again, to commit to a healthier lifestyle for myself and my family.

Click here to purchase online.