20 Best Books On Judaism (2023 Update)

A renowned political speechwriter rediscovers judaism, finding timeless wisdom and spiritual connection in its age-old practices and traditions.“ sarah hurwitz was michelle obama’s head speechwriter, and with this book she becomes judaism’s speechwriter.”—adam grant, new york times bestselling author of give and take, originals, and co-author of option b after a decade as a political speechwriter—serving as head speechwriter for first lady michelle obama, a senior speechwriter for president barack obama, and chief speechwriter for hillary clinton on her 2008 presidential campaign—sarah hurwitz decided to apply her skills as a communicator to writing a book . . . about judaism. and no one is more surprised than she is. hurwitz was the quintessential lapsed jew—until, at age thirty-six, after a tough breakup, she happened upon an advertisement for an introductory class on judaism. she attended on a whim, but was blown away by what she found: beautiful rituals, helpful guidance on living an ethical life, conceptions of god beyond the judgy bearded man in the sky—none of which she had learned in hebrew school or during the two synagogue services she grudgingly attended each year. that class led to a years-long journey during which hurwitz visited the offices of rabbis, attended jewish meditation retreats, sat at the shabbat tables of orthodox families, and read hundreds of books about judaism—all in dogged pursuit of answers to her biggest questions. what she found transformed her life, and she wondered: how could there be such a gap between the richness of what judaism offers and the way so many jews like her understand and experience it? sarah hurwitz is on a mission to close this gap by sharing the profound insights she discovered on everything from jewish holidays, ethics, and prayer to jewish conceptions of god, death, and social justice. in this entertaining and accessible book, she shows us why judaism matters and how its message is more relevant than ever, and she inspires jews to do the learning, questioning, and debating required to make this religion their own. “searching for meaning in the ancient scripture and traditions of judaism, sarah hurwitz takes us along on an enriching journey of discovery. in here all along, she explores her birthright as a jew and finds timeless and valuable life lessons.”—david axelrod, director of the university of chicago institute of politics and former senior advisor to president barack obama

The definitive guide to the conversion process—for a new generation of jews-by-choice.however you choose to fashion your personal journey to judaism, anita diamant is the perfect guide. in this comprehensive, wide-ranging book you will learn how to choose a rabbi, a synagogue, a denomination, and a hebrew name; how to discuss your decision with your birth family; what happens at the mikveh (ritual bath) and at the hatafat dam brit (circumcision ritual for those already circumcised); how to find your footing in a new spiritual family and create a new jewish identity; and how you and your children can maintain bonds to your family of origin. also included are suggestions for readings, prayers, and poems that can personalize conversion rituals; a glossary of terms; and a short history of conversion in judaism. this revised edition contains a completely updated chapter on how the mikveh is used in the conversion process and an updated list of online resources and books for further reading. whether you are just beginning to consider converting or have already started down the path to judaism, here is everything you will need to make the process joyous, sacred, and meaningful.

World renowned historian and lecturer, rabbi berel wein, paints a panoramic picture of our people from the classical era (350 bce) through the modern era, from the end of the first temple era, through cossack pogroms, from the rise of the chassidic movement, to the rebirth of torah in america. this slipcased gift edition includes the compact (7"x9") edition of three best-selling titles: echoes of glory, herald of destiny, and triumph of survival.

Once understood as an inherited tradition, religion is increasingly viewed today as a matter of personal choice, an experience to be examined and explored. yet while many american jews feel an emotional attachment to judaism, they cannot always articulate the beliefs that define their faith. in this provocative study, david ariel explores the diverse and colorful views of jewish thinkers on the profound issues of god, human destiny, good and evil, chosenness, torah, and messianism, among many other subjects. despite a diversity of views, ariel finds an overarching structure in the "sacred myths" that jews of every orientation return to as their core beliefs – the essential ideas that each generation strives to interpret and apply to life. to call these beliefs "myths" does not mean that they are fairy tales, but rather that they are starting points that define the essence of faith. meaning, ariel argues, is always presented in the language of the myths, or beliefs, that a culture holds sacred, and the sacred myths of judaism reveal the special nature of jewish spirituality. this spirited, clarifying discussion guides us toward a definition of the beliefs that shape jewish identity, providing the rationale and stimulus for a reconnection to the spiritual tradition of judaism.

Rabbi milton steinberg's basic judaism is "one of the best presentations of essential judaism" (christian century). concise and elegant, this is a book about the faith, ideals, and practices that form the historic jewish faith. including both the modernist and the traditionalist view in his exploration, rabbi steinberg discusses the torah, what judaism says about god and the relationship between man and god, the nature of good and evil in a moral society, and what exists in the kingdom of god. he also talks about the laws that define judaism, the practices and rituals that sustain it, and the synagogue and the rabbinate that support it.for all students of judaism–be they practicing jews, uncommitted jews, or curious non-jews, rabbi steinberg offers a brilliant chance to understand what the jewish faith is, why it has elicited such intense devotion, and why it remains such a mighty force in the lives of its believers and, beyond them, the world.

This handy primer on all things jewish is filled with funny, surprising and informative facts about jewish life, culture, and religious practice—all presented in an entertaining and witty voice and accompanied by bold illustrations that pack a graphic punch. jews, lapsed jews, and their spouses and friends will surely learn a thing or ten while devouring this addictively readable mix of practical information, fun facts and figures, and amusing trivia. including information on key figures from saul to seinfeld, a lesson in proper jew-fro care, and a basic guide to all those second-tier holidays no one ever celebrates, this engaging compendium is perfect for gifting or for simply learning more while being thoroughly entertained.

It is a story like no other: an epic of endurance against destruction, of creativity in oppression, joy amidst grief, the affirmation of life against the steepest of odds. it spans the millennia and the continents âe" from india to andalusia and from the bazaars of cairo to the streets of oxford. it takes you to unimagined places: to a jewish kingdom in the mountains of southern arabia; a syrian synagogue glowing with radiant wall paintings; the palm groves of the jewish dead in the roman catacombs. and its voices ring loud and clear, from the severities and ecstasies of the bible writers to the love poems of wine bibbers in a garden in muslim spain. and a great story unfolds. not âe" as often imagined âe" of a culture apart, but of a jewish world immersed in and imprinted by the peoples among whom they have dwelled, from the egyptians to the greeks, from the arabs to the christians. which makes the story of the jews everyoneâes story, too.

The author of the runaway bestseller "how the irish saved civilization has done it again. in "the gifts of the jews thomas cahill takes us on another enchanting journey into history, once again recreating a time when the actions of a small band of people had repercussions that are still felt today. "the gifts of the jews reveals the critical change that made western civilization possible. within the matrix of ancient religions and philosophies, life was seen as part of an endless cycle of birth and death; time was like a wheel, spinning ceaselessly. yet somehow, the ancient jews began to see time differently. for them, time had a beginning and an end; it was a narrative, whose triumphant conclusion would come in the future. from this insight came a new conception of men and women as individuals with unique destinies–a conception that would inform the declaration of independence–and our hopeful belief in progress and the sense that tomorrow can be better than today. as thomas cahill narrates this momentous shift, he also explains the real significance of such biblical figures as abraham and sarah, moses and the pharaoh, joshua, isaiah, and jeremiah. full of compelling stories, insights and humor, "the gifts of the jews is an irresistible exploration of history as fascinating and fun as "how the irish saved civilization.

New features of this bible: updated text and an introduction for each book of the bible written from a biblically jewish perspective. why is this bible different from all other bibles? because it is the only english version fully jewish in style and presentation. it includes dr. stern s newly updated version of the tanakh ( old testament ) and his highly acclaimed jewish new testament. the complete jewish bible follows the hebrew bible order of the tanakh s books, the order with which yeshua (jesus) was familiar makes no separation between old and new testaments clarifies misunderstandings by recognizing the jewish historical/ cultural background of the text offers the original hebrew names for people, places, and concepts, using easy-to-read english transliterations and pronunciations focuses on messianic prophecy gives the traditional weekly and holiday synagogue readings, plus relevant readings from the b rit hadashah (new testament)

In this complete, concise, fascinating, and thoroughly informative guide to jewish life and tradition, rabbi alfred j. kolatch clearly explains both the significance and the origin of nearly every symbol, custom, and practice known to jewish culture-from afikomon to yarmulkes, and from passover to purim. kolatch also dispels many of the prevalent misconceptions and misunderstandings that surround jewish observance and provides a full and unfettered look at the biblical, historical, and sometimes superstitious reasons and rituals that helped develop jewish law and custom and make judaism not just a religion, but a way of life. l'chaim!

The complete jewish study bible pairs the updated text of the complete jewish bible translation with extra study material, to help readers understand and connect with the jewish roots of the christian faith. the complete jewish bible shows that the word of god, from genesis to revelation, is a unified jewish book meant for everyone jew and non- jew alike. stern with new, updated introductions by rabbi barry rubin, it has been a best-seller for over twenty years. this translation, combined with beautiful, modern design and helpful features, makes this an exquisite, one-of-a-kind bible. unique to the complete jewish study bible are a number of helpful articles and notes to aid the reader in understanding the jewish context for the scriptures, both in the tanakh (the old testament) and the b rit hadashah (the new testament). features include: – twenty-five contributors (both jewish and christian), including john fischer, patrice fischer, arnold g. fruchtenbaum, walter c. kaiser, jr., rabbi russell resnik, and more – thirty-four topical articles ranging from topics such as the menorah (or candelabra of god ) and repentance (t shuvah) in the bible, to yeshua s sermon on the mount and the noachide laws (the laws given by god to noah and subsequent generations) and their applicability to gentiles – in addition to these topical articles and detailed study notes, there are twelve tracks or themes running throughout the bible with 117 articles, covering topics such as jewish customs, the names of god, shabbat, and the torah – new bible book introductions, written from a jewish perspective – bottom-of-page notes to help readers understand the deeper meanings behind the jewish text – sabbath and holy day scripture readings – offers the original hebrew names for people, places, and concepts"

For hundreds of years, the jewish mystical tradition of kabbalah has not been available for general readership. now, daniel matt – an internationally respected authority on jewish mysticism – has gathered together the most important, delightful, and profound passages from all the literature of kabbalah in this extraordinary presentation, elegantly rendered with poetic nuances, exotic imagery, and bold innovation. beautifully introduced with lucid analysis and vital historical information, the essential kabbalah offers insightful accounts of the primary aspects of jewish mysticism, including ein sof (the radical transcendence of god), the sefirot (the ten divine attributes), and the shekhinah (the feminine aspect of god). selections of text are rendered with clarity and an eye for the magical. the essential kabbalah is a crucial and momentous contribution to the normally esoteric world of jewish mysticism.

From a venerated jerusalem torah scholar and kabbalist comes an extraordinary new book that uses the kabbalah to guide us through our jewish spiritual journey from this world and into the next.

If you have ever wondered what being born jewish should mean to you; if you want to find out more about the nature of judaism, or explain it to a friend; if you are thinking about how judaism can connect with the rest of your life — this is the first book you should own. it poses, and thoughtfully addresses, questions like these: can one doubt god's existence and still be a good jew? why shouldn't i intermarry? what is the reason for dietary laws? how do i start practicing judaism? the nine questions people ask about judaism was written for the educated, skeptical, searching jew, and for the non-jew who wants to understand the meaning of judaism. it has become a classic and very widely read introduction to the oldest living religion. concisely and engagingly, authors dennis prager and joseph telushkin present judaism as the rational, moral alternative for contemporary man.

Honoring tradition, embracing modernity, created in partnership between the central conference of american rabbis and the union for reform judaism, is for readers who seek to deepen their knowledge of judaism–its wisdom, its practices, its beliefs, its customs, its people, and our story. this sourcebook includes selections from judaism's rich library of wisdom literature, classic and contemporary, in a format designed for use with the urj's introduction to judaism classes.honoring tradition, embracing modernity includes five units, as listed below: – beginnings: what is judaism? what are the ethics and values of the jewish people?

A new approach to understanding jewish thought since the eighteenth centuryis judaism a religion, a culture, a nationality—or a mixture of all of these? in how judaism became a religion, leora batnitzky boldly argues that this question more than any other has driven modern jewish thought since the eighteenth century. this wide-ranging and lucid introduction tells the story of how judaism came to be defined as a religion in the modern period—and why jewish thinkers have fought as well as championed this idea.ever since the enlightenment, jewish thinkers have debated whether and how judaism—largely a religion of practice and public adherence to law—can fit into a modern, protestant conception of religion as an individual and private matter of belief or faith. batnitzky makes the novel argument that it is this clash between the modern category of religion and judaism that is responsible for much of the creative tension in modern jewish thought. tracing how the idea of jewish religion has been defended and resisted from the eighteenth century to today, the book discusses many of the major jewish thinkers of the past three centuries, including moses mendelssohn, abraham geiger, hermann cohen, martin buber, zvi yehuda kook, theodor herzl, and mordecai kaplan. at the same time, it tells the story of modern orthodoxy, the german-jewish renaissance, jewish religion after the holocaust, the emergence of the jewish individual, the birth of jewish nationalism, and jewish religion in america.more than an introduction, how judaism became a religion presents a compelling new perspective on the history of modern jewish thought.

Uncover the key events in the history of judaism, where and how jewish people worship, the day-to-day customs and festivals they follow, and the major contributions made by jewish figures in the fields of science, medicine, and the arts. discover how judaism began with the story of the first patriarchs–abraham, isaac, and jacob. learn about the the sacred books of the faith including the torah, and find out how kosher laws affect everyday life. available for the first time in paperback and featuring more than 180 images and illustrations, dk eyewitness books: judaism charts the spread of the jewish people, from the time of the hebrews in the middle east to jewish communities around the world today and helps bring one of the world's oldest religions to life. each revised eyewitness book retains the stunning artwork and photography from the groundbreaking original series, but the text has been reduced and reworked to speak more clearly to younger readers. still on every colorful page: vibrant annotated photographs and the integrated text-and-pictures approach that makes eyewitness a perennial favorite of parents, teachers, and school-age kids.awards: 8-time national council for the social studies award winner4-time society for school librarians international social studies trade book award winner2-time oppenheim toy portfolio gold book award winnera parents' choice award winner

The first edition of this book, published in 1961, was a classic overview of the jewish religion. arthur hertzberg combined a superbly chosen anthology of the great writings of the jewish tradition with incisive commentary and explanation. in 1991, rabbi hertzberg produced the first revised edition of this famous book, in which he addressed such contemporary issues as the rights of women, medical ethics, the holocaust, arabs and jews, and homosexuality. these new discussions were incorporated into the earlier writings on the key ideas of judaism: the chosen people, the law, god, the holy land, the cycle of the year, prayer, immortality, sin and atonement, the nature of man, and the purpose of creation. in his interpretations of the contemporary controversies, arthur hertzberg provided moving testimony to the integrity of the jewish spirit through the ages. many of the discussions of the first edition were rewritten to take into account the various forms of judaism in the last two centuries, whether orthodox, conservative, or reform. this revised edition, an integrated whole, provides a readable, contemporary, and authoritative overview of the nature of the jewish religion. "the demands of justice and the fear of sin," wrote rabbi hertzberg, "have been debated in the last three decades by men and women who care passionately about the issues of our time." this book is the result of a lifetime of study and reflection by one of the most distinguished authorities on judaism.

The first edition of this book, published in 1961, was a classic overview of the jewish religion. arthur hertzberg combined a superbly chosen anthology of the great writings of the jewish tradition with incisive commentary and explanation. in 1991, rabbi hertzberg produced the first revised edition of this famous book, in which he addressed such contemporary issues as the rights of women, medical ethics, the holocaust, arabs and jews, and homosexuality. these new discussions were incorporated into the earlier writings on the key ideas of judaism: the chosen people, the law, god, the holy land, the cycle of the year, prayer, immortality, sin and atonement, the nature of man, and the purpose of creation. in his interpretations of the contemporary controversies, arthur hertzberg provided moving testimony to the integrity of the jewish spirit through the ages. many of the discussions of the first edition were rewritten to take into account the various forms of judaism in the last two centuries, whether orthodox, conservative, or reform. this revised edition, an integrated whole, provides a readable, contemporary, and authoritative overview of the nature of the jewish religion. "the demands of justice and the fear of sin," wrote rabbi hertzberg, "have been debated in the last three decades by men and women who care passionately about the issues of our time." this book is the result of a lifetime of study and reflection by one of the most distinguished authorities on judaism.

How to run a traditional jewish household is a modern, comprehensive guide covering virtually every aspect of jewish home life. it provides practical advice on how to manage a jewish home in the traditional way and offers fascinating accounts of the history behind the tradition. in a warm, personal style, blu greenberg shows that, contrary to popular belief, the home, and not the synagogue, is the most important institution in jewish life. divided into three large sections—"the jewish way," "special stages of life," and "celebration and remembering"—this book educates the uninitiated and reminds the already observant jew of how judaism approaches daily life. topics include prayer, dress, holidays, food preparation, marriage, birth, death, parenthood, and many others. this description of the modern-yet-traditional jewish household will earn special regard among the many american jews who are re-exploring their ties to jewish tradition. such jews will find this book a flexible guide that provides a knowledge of the requirements of traditional judaism without advocating immediate and complete compliance. how to run a traditional jewish household will also appeal to observant jews, providing them with helpful tips on how to manage their homes and special insights into the most minute details and procedures in a traditional household. herself a traditional jew, blu greenberg is nevertheless quite sympathetic to feminist views on the role of women in jewish observance. how to run a traditional jewish household therefore speaks intimately to women who are struggling to reconcile their identities as modern women with their commitments to traditional judaism.