Description
What should a Jew consider before marrying a non-Jew? What should a Jew know about Hebrew? What does it mean to keep the Sabbath? In the Medieval period, young Jews found answers to their most pressing questions about Judaism in The Book of the Kuzari. That book, written in the form of a dialogue, addressed an array of questions that led from explanations of everyday practices to the depth and grandeur of the Torah. On Being a Jew brings The Book of the Kuzari up to date. In a conversational format, it answers basic questions about the purposes of ritual, the duties of study, work, and home life, the importance of prayer and history, and the subtleties of the Torah and its interpretations that are obscured or lost in translation.
I hope that readers will not only savor Jim Kugel's engaging conversation about Judaism, but will participate in it. -- Adin Steinsaltz
About the Author
James Kugel is the Starr Professor of Hebrew Literature at Harvard University and Professor of Bible at Bar Ilan University, Israel. He is the author of Poetry and Prophecy, Early Biblical Interpretation and The Idea of Biblical Poetry, the last available from Johns Hopkins. His The Bible as It Was, an introduction to the Torah's ancient interpreters, was published in 1997.
Reviews
Ideal for students, parents, and rabbis, and those who wish to resolve what it means to be a Jew. Judaica News This book is more than a highly readable presentation of the basics of Judaism. It is a provocative and persuasive argument that the true meaning of being a Jew has been obscured for many Jews today as well as a stirring reflection on some of the deepest themes in Jewish practice and belief. Jewish Star A compelling introduction to being a religious Jew. Moment An honest, provocative and important work. Jewish Action For today's generation, this book is a necessary acquisition. Jewish Libraries Newsletter No apologist, and no fan of what he terms the 'halfway affair'of American Judaism, [Kugel] demonstrates the deepest continuities of Jewish history. Economist
Book Information
ISBN 9780801859434
Author James Kugel
Format Paperback
Page Count 202
Imprint Johns Hopkins University Press
Publisher Johns Hopkins University Press
Weight(grams) 272g
I hope that readers will not only savor Jim Kugel's engaging conversation about Judaism, but will participate in it. -- Adin Steinsaltz
About the Author
James Kugel is the Starr Professor of Hebrew Literature at Harvard University and Professor of Bible at Bar Ilan University, Israel. He is the author of Poetry and Prophecy, Early Biblical Interpretation and The Idea of Biblical Poetry, the last available from Johns Hopkins. His The Bible as It Was, an introduction to the Torah's ancient interpreters, was published in 1997.
Reviews
Ideal for students, parents, and rabbis, and those who wish to resolve what it means to be a Jew. Judaica News This book is more than a highly readable presentation of the basics of Judaism. It is a provocative and persuasive argument that the true meaning of being a Jew has been obscured for many Jews today as well as a stirring reflection on some of the deepest themes in Jewish practice and belief. Jewish Star A compelling introduction to being a religious Jew. Moment An honest, provocative and important work. Jewish Action For today's generation, this book is a necessary acquisition. Jewish Libraries Newsletter No apologist, and no fan of what he terms the 'halfway affair'of American Judaism, [Kugel] demonstrates the deepest continuities of Jewish history. Economist
Book Information
ISBN 9780801859434
Author James Kugel
Format Paperback
Page Count 202
Imprint Johns Hopkins University Press
Publisher Johns Hopkins University Press
Weight(grams) 272g
