As someone who has an enduring interest in the roots of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as well as those religions deemed “pagan,” I found the subject of this book compelling. Delving into the much debated subject of whether the bible is relevant today, the author draws parallels between the issues faced in the book of Judges (or Shoftim as it is called in Judaism) and the issues we face in modern society. This book can serve as a reminder of the cycles of human experience, and how we can utilize this ancient text today.

this is a very interesting book that opens the pages of Judges in the Old Testament to amateurs like me.. Interpretations of some of the Judges are deep and worth reading. However, those unfamiliar with the Bible and or the Hebrew names of the Judges will be lost, I had to spend too much time figuring out who was being discussed. I actually had to get out the old family Bible to find my way...so I was using the Bible to understand a discussion of the Bible. Ironic, isn't it? I am not familiar with the Bible, although I am slightly litererate. I think that part of the problem may be that the author is using Hebrew names. A glossary would have been helpful. the author cits Malbim 6:7. Ever heard of it? That's the problem throughout. ( )

While obviously designed as a Torah based study tool this is an interesting read due to the references to Old Testment stories. And what stories! Women's Liberationists, see Devora - Woman of Valor. Shy guys, see the Sword of gideon. And those of you who think the world today is going to hell in a handcart, read The Concubine's Murder. Sprinkled with references as to how these old stories have current day applications this book gives an insight into the troubles of modern Israel.

I am not Jewish. Sure, I've been asked if I was, but let me set the record straight: I am not.

There, that being said, let me tell you about a book I just read. It's called "Judges for Our Time", and deals with the book of Shoftim (otherwise known as the book of Judges, as it appears in the Bible). This book takes us through several of the key judges and we gain a little insight both on what respected and knowledgeable individuals have interpreted these tales to mean as well as contemporary lessons that we can derive from them (hence the book's subtitle).

Being raised in a very religious (though non-Jewish) environment, I was already familiar with the subject material, even having had to write several exegeses on the matter (particular on Ehud). So, a lot of the information I already know. However, Pruzanky introduced texts I didn't grow up reading (or didn't immediately recognize them in their original Hebrew names), so I did learn a thing or two about the larger effects the Judges had on the world, and such.

This book would probably miss the mark for you unless you were (a) a practicing Jew, (b) interested in Judaism, or (c) interested in many different religions and their respective histories. It helps to already have some familiarity over the subject matter at hand. ( )

The lessons that are presented in this book are political lessons, drawing the parallel between the time of the Judges when the nation of Israel was first formed in the land of Canaan, surrounded by enemies and the 21st century nation of Israel, established in the 1940's and surrounded by enemy nations. I was initially disappointed that the lessons were political, not personal or moral, but realized that from the orthodox perspective of the rabbi author, political questions are inherently moral in nature, and the political failings that he attributes to Israel's leaders are traced to moral failings. The disconnect between the modern political state of Israel and Torah Israel seems to the author to be a tragedy. For me as a reader, though it was not what I thought going into it, I did appreciate the perspective of an exegesis radically different than my own, Christian tradition. On the other hand, it seemed that some of the moral lessons that were drawn from the text were that political expediency trumped personal morals, and that the preservation and expansion of the state of Israel could be justified by any means whatsoever, including inherently immoral ones (deceit, seduction, betrayal, etc.).