|
|
|
|
Listing Details |
Judaism for Dummies
Like the many other Dummies books, Judaism for Dummies organizes a wealth of material into an easy-reading format with a warm, accessible voice. Readers can expect to find translations of common Yiddish words, the difference between Orthodox and other denominations, the meaning and rituals of high holidays, the origins of the Jewish people, and a stirring passage about the Holocaust.The authors make this book especially engaging by deftly tackling those "I've always wondered..." kinds of questions about Judaism. For instance, what are the guidelines for kosher food? What's the Jewish version of sin? Was Marilyn Monroe really Jewish? (Yes, she converted.) And what exactly do Jews believe about God? The authors answer this last question with characteristic reverence and humor: "Some Jews see God as an external force, a Being outside of the universe.... Some Jews say that God contains the Universe.... Other Jews say that God is the universe.... The one thing that Jews won't argue about, period, is that God--whatever you imagine God to be--is ultimately unknowable and therefore un-nameable." They also note that Jews argue with God in order to know God better. They're called "Children of Israel" because of the biblical story in which Jacob wrestles with an angel and gets his name changed to Israel, meaning "one who wrestles with God." The authors' lively voices give this stylistically formatted book a unique personality. Sometimes they sound as though they're telling jokes at a dinner party: "Have you heard the one about the two rabbis arguing over the Torah?" and "Yom Kippur means always having to say you're sorry." Other times they sound like fireside elders sharing the old stories of an ancient faith. This is an excellent book for someone preparing to become a bar or bat mitzvah. It could also be helpful for gentiles marrying into Jewish families, or any adult who is planning on converting.
CA
Ted Falcon
Also listed in:
 Introductory Judaism » Jewish Books
|
 |
Products [0] |
 |
Images [0] |
 |
Documents [0] |
 |
No email |
 |
Reviews [0] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sitemap | © 2005-2008 Jewish in the City
All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER NOTE: JewishinNY.com is not responsible for the accuracy of the Jewish listing information provided, although we do take care to provide the best information possible. Opinions expressed in reviews of listed Jewish services within JewishinNY are those of our users and are not our own. If you are aware of any errors in our listings or if you would like your listing to be removed, please contact us. All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owners.
|
|
