Aesthetically beautiful... loaded with a tremendous amount of very useful information, magnificently organized and very helpful to every reader, no matter his or her background in Torah learning.
RABBI BENJAMIN BLECH, AUTHOR OF THE COMPLETE IDIOTS GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING JUDAISM, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF TALMUD AT YESHIVA UNIVERSITY
A brilliant body of work that traces Maimonides' ideas back to their roots in core textual sources... I would not be exaggerating if I said that by addressing these core issues Rabbi Miller has opened up the gates of true understanding to the English speaking Jewish community.
RABBI SHLOMO YAFFE, CHABAD OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY
I am very impressed by Rabbi Chaim Miller's anthology-analysis of Rambam's Principles of Faith – Principles VIII-IX. Evidently a lot of thought, and immense effort and labor, went into producing this illuminating work. The scholarship is profound and thorough, yet the arrangement of the material is well-organized into easily understandable lessons following a logical sequence of issues and concepts implicit in the basic principles, to present a user-friendly text from which both scholar and layman will benefit greatly. The insertion of invaluable insights from Chassidic sources, and in particular from the vast treasure of the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory, provide a truly original work which casts new light and understanding into this all-important subject-matter. I congratulate "Kol Menachem – The Gutnick Library of Jewish Classics" for providing this intellectually, spiritually and physically beautiful volume, and look forward to the joy of subsequent installments.
RABBI J. IMMANUEL SCHOCHET, NOTED SCHOLAR AND AUTHOR
This book is a revelation for all Klal Yisrael; the foundations of chasidic thought have never been available in such detail. It should be incorporated into the school curiculum at many different levels; it is an ideal tool for shluchim, especially those devoted to adult education and campus work, and it is required knowledge for every G-d fearing Jew.
RABBI NOSSON GURARY PhD., SHLIACH TO BUFFALO, NY. AUTHOR OF BOOKS ON CHASIDIC THOUGHT
Without exaggeration this is one of the finest resource/study texts that I have encountered in the English language. Together with meticulous methodical research, clarity, lucidity in writing and comprehensiveness, this volume is filled with important informative knowledge and relevant concepts.
Your format of structuring the work in specific lessons, organized by excellent analysis of the subject makes this a natural and effective book to be used in both adult education and formal school environments... Almighty G-d granted you the ability and merit to bring holy concepts to the wider community in a manner that is easily digestible and enjoyable. The Rebbe surely has much nachas from you as you prepare the world for the coming of Moshiach.
RABBI SHOLOM D. LIPSKAR, THE SHUL, BAL HARBOR, FLORIDA
A thorough presentation of Judaism's core principles, this book is an excellent resource which will join the ranks of the few, far too few, books that dispel myths and offer a sophisticated approach to Jewish thought, both for individual and group study. Its step by step lessons do all the homework for you, providing teachers with a fully prepared series of classes.
RABBI SIMON JACOBSON, AUTHOR TOWARD A MEANINGFUL LIFE
The first impression that strikes any student of Rambam's Mishneh Torah is the perfection of its thematic structure. The second is its distinctive lucidity. Little wonder, then, that when a scholar who is steeped in the writings of Rambam addresses a classic subject such as his Thirteen Principles of Faith, he produces a masterpiece that emulates those qualities quite spontaneously - structure and lucidity. In this work, echoing Rambam's own writings, each Principle divides into a dozen or so closely-defined lessons, and each lesson in turn comprises self-sufficient subsections. Rabbi Chaim Miller has created a mosaic of rare beauty.
URI KAPLOUN, TRANSLATOR OF THE ALTER REBBE'S SHULCHAN ARUCH, LIKUTEI DIBURIM AND OTHER CHASIDIC TEXTS
Congratulations and thanks for another fine piece of scholarship and presentation. The clarity of the layout and of the explanation make it accessible to all, without sacrificing depth. I look forward to a Hebrew edition, which will contain the original sources, for Yeshiva students and Lomdim (scholars)... Chazak ve'ematz!
RABBI LEVY WINEBERG, RAV OF JOHANNESBURG S.A., TRANSLATOR OF LESSONS IN TANYA
I was impressed with this work...Since these are "Principles of Faith" it is essential that they be clearly understood so that there be no misinterpretations nor misunderstandings. Studying a sefer such as this which is based on the interpretations and insights of the Rebbe ZT"L ensures that one will have the proper Hashkofa (philosophical approach) and true understanding of these principles.
The wonder of this sefer is that Rabbi Miller, who compiled this work, gathered all the relevant information that are found in the Rebbe's prolific writings. This has now been collected in one sefer and this will make it possible for one to find all the Rebbe's explanations on these subjects in one place with complete clarity.
Yashar Kochacha for this immense undertaking and for the worthy contribution this will give to those who study the works of the Rebbe.
RABBI Y. LEIB SCHAPIRO, DEAN OF YESHIVAH GEDOLAH RABBINICAL COLLEGE OF MIAMI
A true masterpiece! The clarity with which each opinion is presented and the entire structure of the book is phenomenal....As one who has been working with this subject for years, it is a teacher's dream come true.
RABBI SHLOMA MAJESKI, PRINCIPAL MACHON CHANA SCHOOL FOR WOMEN
Congratulations on releasing a book that deals with the fundamentals of our faith. The chapters address core questions of our belief with clarity and lucidity and bring to light many of the Rebbe's teachings on the subject. This book should be added to the curriculum of high-school students.
RABBI SHOLOM BER GRONER, JOHANNESBURG SOUTH AFRICA
I couldn't put it down for over a week!
RABBI CHAIM MENTZ, CHABAD OF BEL AIR
Despite the ferment plea of the Rambam, for the primacy of the study of the fundamentals of our belief system, this cardinal discipline has hitherto remained an esoteric, arcane closed book, impenetrable and unintelligible to the average layman. Now, for the first time the Gutnick Library of Jewish Classics has made the Rambam's Principle of Faith - the most widely accepted creedal statement of Judaism – accessible to all.
In a masterful, monumental achievement, combining remarkable scholarly erudition, extensive research, elegance and eloquence of style with clarity and lucidity, the editors have managed to synopsize complex, enigmatic theological issues without sacrificing accuracy and profundity.
Drawing upon the classical figures of medieval Jewish philosophy together with the illuminating light of Chasidic thought, the reader is offered a panoramic view, breathtaking in depth and scope, of the very essence of Jewish belief. This indispensable, authoritative, seminal work, which is both comprehensive and systematic, does not shy away from grappling with philosophical issues of particular interest to the modern reader. Both the scholar and the uninitiated, the seeker and the committed will find great insights, inspiration and material for further reflection in this veritable trove.
RABBI YOSEF Y. CHAZAN, HOLY LAW SOUTH BROUGHTON CONGREGATION, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
Your taking the "Rambam's Thirteen Principles of Faith" from the back burner of Jewish scholarship and putting them on the front burner is a monumental service to Klal Yisrael! Rabbi Miller's brilliant, pervasive mind and soul satisfying exposition of Principles Eight and Nine is amazing – unparalleled! Your applying the Rebbe's teachings to these principles is nothing less than paving the way for the arrival of Moshiach tzidkenu.
RABBI MOSHE FELLER, EXECUTUVE DIRECTOR, CHABAD-LUBAVITCH - UPPER MIDWEST MERKOS
Your book was released today in Yerushalayim, and somehow already made its way to the Mayanot Zal (Study Hall)... When I picked up your absolutely astonishing and awesome work that was on the table, right before putting my talis on, I couldn't put it down for well over an hour.
I am enthralled by your idea, and more importantly, by the extraordinarily effective and brilliant manner in which you carried it out.
Finally the Rebbe's Torah is being presented in all its grandeur, intensity and genius... This is the TRUE hafatzas ha'mayanos, showing how yesodos ha-Torah and pnimiyus ha-Torah are one and the same and completely interdependent.
RABBI SHMUEL BRAUN, MAYANOT INSTITUTE OF JEWISH STUDIES
Bravo! on a brilliant and beautiful articulation of the Rebbe's essential, illuminatory Torah on the fundamentals of Yiddishkeit.
It is imperative to disseminate this work - starting with Lubavitch's own English -speaking population. I encourage you to have it translated into Hebrew and other languages. This volume is hafatzas ha'mayanos at its finest. Kein Yirbeh!
RABBI MOISHE NEW, MONTREAL TORAH CENTER
This is a stupendous book which will be much valued by Jewish scholars as well as those interested in the history of Jewish theology.
DAN COHN-SHERBOK, PROFESSOR OF JEWISH THEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF WALES. AUTHOR AND EDITOR OF OVER 80 BOOKS
I have finally had a chance to spend a lot of time with your newest volume, Rambam’s Thirteen Principles of Faith, Principles Six and Seven—Prophecy. As always, I find your scholarship to be extraordinary. There are simply no English language books available that consistently offer the clarity, the source material, and profound insights of your volumes. I cherish each volume you’ve produced. The books are beautiful inside and out!
ARTHUR KURZWEIL AUTHOR OF TORAH FOR DUMMIES, AND KABBALAH FOR DUMMIES, AND PUBLISHER OF OVER 700 JEWISH BOOKS
For anyone who wants to examine the foundations of Torah Judaism up close, this is an essential work. Those unfamiliar with the material are led through with plenty of guidance, while even those who have studied for many years will find a new perspective.
RABBI TZVI FREEMAN, AUTHOR BRINGING HEAVEN DOWN TO EARTH
This volume brings together classical Jewish discussion of Maimonides' sixth and seventh principles dealing with the phenomenon of prophecy and the prophecy of Moses. Gathered here are the views of classical Jewish thinkers on the issues raised by Maimonides and the detailed discussions of these questions by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory. The combination of this material with Rabbi Chaim Miller's pedagogical, analytical and translation skills presents the reader with an entrée into the lively dialogue on Jewish theological issues that has bridged the difficult gap between rational philosophy and a religion of faith for Jews throughout the ages. Included in the Rebbe's writings are many discussions of these principles, that are especially characterized by bringing together the contributions of Jewish philosophy and Hasidic thought. Making available the Rebbe's unique contribution in so beautiful a way is a great accomplishment.
PROF. LAWRENCE SCHIFFMAN, SKIRBALL DEPARTMENT OF HEBREW AND JUDAIC STUDIES, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Rabbi Chaim Miller's multi-volume work on the Rambam's 13 Principles of Faith is monumental. His recent volume, Principles VI & VII Prophecy, is extraordinary. In one book, R. Miller has presented the Judaic teachings on prophecy, so that scholars and interested readers can appreciate its centrality in Torah and its prophecied restoration for our times. Speaking for and with G-d is our birthright. Bringing together the sages teachings over the centuries, illuminated further by the Lubavitcher Rebbe and other Chassidic luminaries on the topic of prophecy, elevates the subject for the current generations to its rightful station next to prayer, mitzvot and halachah.
J. ZOHARA MEYERHOFF, HIERONIMUS AUTHOR, THE KABBALISTIC TEACHINGS OF THE FEMALE PROPHETS