Date:         Fri, 1 Dec 2000 12:35:53 +0200

Organization: "Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel <http://www.biu.ac.il>"

Reviews in this issue:

1. New publications:

Jewish Answers, by Rabbi Shmuel Jablon, Iuniverse publishers. Reviewed by Avi Silverman

Gemara Arucha, by Michael Vegoda, Bar Ilan University and the Ministry of Education, publishers. Reviewed by Stan Peerless

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

2. Classics revisited: Nevarech (a bentcher), by Michael Haruni, Israel Observer Publications Reviewed by Rachel Berger

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

3. Software review: Discover Jerusalem, Its History & People, a CD-ROM in English, by Torah Educational Software (www.jewishsoftware.com) and Donchin Studios Reviewed by Judy Siegel-Itzkovich

****************************************************** 1. New publications:

Jewish Answers, by Rabbi Shmuel Jablon, Iuniverse publishers. Reviewed by Avi Silverman

Rabbi Shumuel Jablon's recently released, Jewish Answers offers insights and advice on topics and issues as broad as, "Where do the Gentiles go (after death)," "How is it possible for a woman to become a baalat teshuva?," The Jewish people cry out to Hashem after Pharaoh dies, Why?," " My friend died shortly after we had a fight. How can I ask her forgiveness?," "My Orthodox raised son is now living with a non-Jewish girl: what do I do?," "We want to set up a kosher kitchen in our Hillel House. Can you give us some helpful hints?" These and many other stimulating questions form Part One of Jewish Answers. Culled from letters written to him on his "ask a rabbi" section of the internet site, Jewish.com, Rabbi Jablon answers these questions in forthright, easy to understand language. The answers are personalized in a way that gives the reader the sense that Rabbi Jablon is in the room with them answering their personal queries.

Part Two of the book, entitled Holidays and Seasons are a series of short divrei Torah centered around a particular holiday. The divrei Torah, which are given over in the name of the some of the world's leading Rabbanim offer divrei chizuk and mussar for the reader.

This book will be most successful for the teen audience who are seeking short, uncomplicated answers to very sophisticated issues. For those teens who are seeking to become more observant in their Jewish practice, this book will enhance their overall knowledge level, while at the same time give them a sense of purpose and support as their pursue their religious goals

For those interested in the book, Barnes and Noble.com now carries it or you can order it from the publishers, www.iuniverse.com

For more information on JEWISH ANSWERS, see Rabbi Jablon's website at www.rabbijablon.com.