Covenant, Compromise, Sacrifice, and Kindness (Re-Release)

Ir HaHariga is an epic poem written by Chaim Nachman Bialik in response to the Kishinev pogrom of 1903. The poem expresses themes of Jewish suffering, helplessness, and rage in the face of violence. Bialik explores the themes of divine silence, the desecration of human dignity, and the psychological toll of persecution on the Jewish community. Ir HaHariga stands as a powerful testament to the trauma and collective memory of a community enduring violent anti-Semitism. It is considered a cornerstone of modern Hebrew literature and is frequently referenced when discussing the challenges of Jewish identity in the face of historical and contemporary persecution.

The novel follows a young Jewish American writer named Jonathan Safran Foer as he travels to Ukraine to find the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis. Accompanied by a Ukrainian translator, Alex Perchov, and Alex’s grandfather, the story unfolds through multiple narratives and timelines. The book explores themes of identity, history, and the search for meaning, blending elements of fiction and non-fiction in a unique and non-linear narrative style.

In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.

The Book of Esther is a historical fiction narrative set in the Persian court during the fifth century BCE. It tells the story of Esther, a Jewish maiden who becomes the wife of King Xerxes and risks her life to save the Jewish people from annihilation. The book explains the origin of the Jewish feast of Purim and highlights God's providential care for His people even in exile. The story includes themes of divine intervention, courage, and the tension between Jews and Gentiles.

This book is a comprehensive analysis of Xenophon's dialogue Hiero, in which the tyrant Hiero and the poet Simonides discuss the advantages and disadvantages of exercising tyranny. The work includes a translation of the dialogue from its original Greek, Strauss's commentary on it, a critique of Strauss's commentary by Alexandre Kojève, and the complete correspondence between Strauss and Kojève. The discussion delves into the nature of tyranny, the distinction between tyrants and kings, and the philosophical implications of these concepts. The book also explores the debate between Strauss and Kojève on the role of philosophy in ruling the world and the concept of the Universal Homogenous State.