Becoming a Mensch: Timeless Talmudic Ethics for Everyone

by Ronald Pies Professor of Psychiatry

Overview

Becoming a Mensch is a 'user's guide' to becoming a better person, taking readers through a process of personal growth by means of modern-day vignettes that draw upon the Talmud's ancient wisdom. By examining character traits such as 'kindness and compassion,' 'self-mastery and self discipline,' and 'humility and flexibility,' readers of any or no faith learn what it takes to become a 'mensch' —- a decent and honorable human being. Readers are introduced to the greatest sages of the Talmudic era and many modern masters of ethical behavior. Becoming a Mensch is not only a guidebook for personal growth —- it is also a useful guide for parents who want to foster the ethical development of their children.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761852971
Publisher:	Hamilton Books
Publication date:	11/04/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	150
Sales rank:	721,997
File size:	263 KB

About the Author

Ronald Pies, M.D. is a professor of psychiatry and lecturer on bioethics and humanities at SUNY Upstate Medical University and professor of psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. Pies is author of Everything Has Two Handles: The Stoic's Guide to the Art of Living (Hamilton Books), The Ethics of the Sages (Rowman&Littlefield), several psychiatry textbooks, a collection of short stories, Zimmerman's Tefillin, and a collection of poems, Creeping Thyme. He lives outside Boston and pursues independent studies in Judaic ethics.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction: What it Means to Be A Mensch
Chapter 2 Chapter 1: A Brief Tour of the Talmudic Territory
Chapter 3 Chapter 2: Kindness and Compassion
Chapter 4 Chapter 3: Generosity and Charity
Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Self-Mastery and Self-Discipline
Chapter 6 Chapter 5: Moderation and "The Middle Way"
Chapter 7 Chapter 6: Humility and Flexibility
Chapter 8 Chapter 7: Forgiveness and Apology
Chapter 9 Chapter 8: Justice and Retribution
Chapter 10 Chapter 9: Respect for Self and Others
Chapter 11 Chapter 10: Attentive Listening and Understanding
Chapter 12 Chapter 11: Acquiring Knowledge and Wisdom
Chapter 13 Chapter 12: Caution and Prudence
Chapter 14 Chapter 13: Discussing and Criticizing Others Fairly
Chapter 15 Chapter 14: Honesty and Integrity
Chapter 16 Chapter 15: Trustworthiness and Fidelity
Chapter 17 Chapter 16: Gratitude and Contentedness
Chapter 18 Chapter 17: Politeness and Tact
Chapter 19 Chapter 18: Honoring and Revering Parents and Teachers
Chapter 20 Appendix 1: Selective Chronology of Sages and Principal Evens in Land of Israel
Chapter 21 Appendix 2: Glossary of Terms
Chapter 22 Afterword
Chapter 23 References

Editorial Reviews

…Wonderfully uplifting and practical guide to the cultivation of universal virtues such as kindness, generosity, and self-discipline…[Pies] adapts the ancient wisdom of the Talmudic rabbis [and]…shows himself a master teacher in interpreting the written and lived lessons of the great spiritual and ethical figures of the Jewish tradition in meaningful ways for readers of any or no religious background or commitment.

Cynthia M. A. Geppert

…Pies is a brilliant scholar, a splendid writer, and a deeply thoughtful man. In Becoming a Mensch, he evinces thoughtfulness in two senses of the word: remarkable intellectual depth and sincere concern about the needs and rights of others. By creating modern-day vignettes that illustrate a wide variety of ethical issues, and by drawing on scores of Talmudic and rabbinical sources, Dr. Pies teaches readers of all faiths (and of no faith) what it takes to be not merely a human being, but a humane being.

Robert H. Deluty