It's All in the Angle

The average twenty-first century individual is facing challenges his great-grandparents never dreamed of. On one hand, the opportunities available to mankind are unparalleled in the history of the world. On the other hand, making the right choices has never been so difficult. To whom can we turn to help us navigate this increasingly complex world? Are we at the whim and mercy of Ms. Journalist’s personal opinions, or Mr. Random Blogger’s philosophies? Like a breath of fresh air, Rabbi Avi Shafran, prominent Jewish communal figure and prolific author, presents his articulate, logical, Torah-based perspectives on issues such as tradition, morality, science and anti-Semitism. His winning combination of distinguished eloquence and decisive rationality coupled with his clear and unwavering grounding in Torah provides us with a fascinating read, written in classic, engaging Shafran style. Contrasted with the often skewed and unfocused perceptions prevalent in our contemporary society, this inside glimpse into the little-understood world of the faithful Torah-observant Jew teaches us how to view life and its challenges through the sharp lens of a Torah perspective. As Rabbi Shafran explains, It’s All in the Angle. "For many years, Rabbi Avi Shafran has been presenting a perspective on current issues and basic Torah ideas in many forums, among them as spokesman of Agudath Israel of America. He has done this through insightful thinking expressed in brilliant writing. It is gratifying that he is now publishing his writings in a book which will greatly enhance contemporary English Torah literature." -- HaRav HaGaon Aharon Feldman, shlit"a, Rosh Yeshivas Ner Israel Rabbinical College, Baltimore, Maryland "I always look forward to reading Avi Shafran’s writings. They are invariably on the mark: well thought out, well written, provocative -- what could be a better combination? From all angles, he is a cut above the rest." -- Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Beth Jacob, Atlanta, Georgia, and former editor, Tradition: The Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought "Rabbi Shafran’s consistently insightful analysis of contemporary events and challenging issues invariably reflects a profound appreciation for Torah-true Judaism at the highest level. His superb language skills and considerable secular knowledge, together with proven bona fides as a legitimate Torah scholar, emerge gracefully in every writing." -- Rabbi Meyer H. May, Executive Director, Simon Wiesenthal Center "A lot of journalism is ephemeral -- here today and gone tomorrow -- but Rabbi Shafran’s words endure. And that is because he writes about things that matter in a compelling and entertaining way. He provides a clear window into how the Orthodox world sees a variety of issues, from science to politics to contemporary culture, and he is not afraid to ask tough questions. Most of all, Rabbi Shafran is a great storyteller who gently guides the reader along. We are all the richer for his insights and guidance." -- Professor Ari L. Goldman, Columbia University, Author, Being Jewish and The Search for God at Harvard About the Author: A talmid of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael in Baltimore and a musmach of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman, ztz”l, Rabbi Avi Shafran served as a Jewish educator in California and Rhode Island for nearly twenty years before joining Agudath Israel of America in at the urging of its legendary president, Rabbi Moshe Sherer, z"l. He currently serves as the organization’s spokesperson and media liaison. Rabbi Shafran has written widely in the Jewish and general press, and is the author of four books, including Migrant Soul: The Story of an American Ger (Targum/Feldheim), and with his father, Rabbi Simcha Shafran, Fire, Ice, Air: A Polish Jew’s Memoir of Yeshiva, Siberia, America (Hashgacha Press). He has also penned a weekly column on hashkafah (Jewish theology) and current events for more than a decade, first for Agudath Israel, and more recently for Ami magazine. Rabbi Shafran and his wife reside in Staten Island, New York.