Product Description

What does it mean to be a Jew? How does one begin to answer so extensive a question?

In this insightful and completely updated tome, esteemed rabbi and bestselling author Joseph Telushkin helps answer the question of what it means to be a Jew, in the largest sense. Widely recognized as one of the most respected and indispensable reference books on Jewish life, culture, tradition, and religion, Jewish Literacy covers every essential aspect of the Jewish people and Judaism. In 352 short and engaging chapters, Rabbi Telushkin discusses everything from the Jewish Bible and Talmud to Jewish notions of ethics to antisemitism and the Holocaust; from the history of Jews around the world to Zionism and the politics of a Jewish state; from the significance of religious traditions and holidays to how they are practiced in daily life. Whether you want to know more about Judaism in general or have specific questions you'd like answered, Jewish Literacy is sure to contain the information you need.

Rabbi Telushkin's expert knowledge of Judaism makes the updated and revised edition of Jewish Literacy an invaluable reference. A comprehensive yet thoroughly accessible resource for anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of Judaism, Jewish Literacy is a must for every Jewish home.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8742 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-01
• Released on: 2008-06-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 800 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780061374982
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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About the Author

A widely known spiritual leader and scholar, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin is the author of eleven influential Jewish books, including A Code of Jewish Ethics; Words That Hurt, Words That Heal; Biblical Literacy; and four novels. He lives in New York City and lectures throughout the United States.

Customer Reviews

A Worthwhile Survey of Judaism
This volume is commonly given to Jewish Confirmands, and with good reason. It covers, in a compact and well-written fashion, Jewish history, religion, and culture. There are 15 parts: 1) Bible, 2) The Second Commonwealth, the Mishna, and the Talmud, 3) Early Medieval Period: Under Islam and Christianity, 4) Late Medieval Period, 5) Modern Period--Western and Eastern Europe, 6) Zionism and Israel, 7) The Holocaust, 8) American-Jewish Life, 9) Soviet Jewry, 10) Antisemitism, 11) Jewish Texts, 12) Jewish Ethics and Basic Beliefs, 13) The Hebrew Calendar and Jewish Holidays, 14) Life Cycle, and 15) Synagogue and Prayers. This volume is much easier to read than an alphabetically-organized encyclopedia.

The author is a member of the Modern Orthodox movement (which combines traditional Talmud study with secular study). His work treats quite fairly the three largest denominations of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform), but the section on Mordecai Kaplan and Reconstructionist Judaism is rather weak--a much better summation is given by Emanuel S. Goldsmith in the Preface to Dynamic Judaism (pp. 15-30). Humanistic Judaism isn't treated at all.

The typography is very good; I found just two typos (p. 345, "statue" instead of "statute"; p. 364, "Orthodox rabbits" instead of "Orthodox rabbis"). The index is fine, but there is no glossary of terms. One glaring omission in the history section is a table of famous, accomplished Jews in the areas of mathematics, science, engineering, business, philosophy, music, and sports. (The history section is really very gloomy and disturbing; it ignores the lives of many high-achieving and happy Jews.) Leon Trotsky is covered, but Ayn Rand isn't! The section on theodicy discusses supernaturalism and atheism, but not transnaturalism. The section on afterlife fails to compare and contrast bodily resurrection versus reincarnation (held by many Jewish thinkers, beginning with Philo). There are sources and further reading at the end of each topic, but there is no bibliography at the end of the work. Other than these few minor issues, there isn't much to complain about--the book is recommended to both Jews and non-Jews.

A must have for your Jewish Library
I really can't say enough good things about this book. It is deep in the subjects that it covers. I also love the way it is broken down into topics like an encyclopedia is. Articles are arranged in alphabetical order, and they are concise and cover so many subjects. While the book is large, it is over 700 pages, it isn't overwhelming. Want to learn more about all things Jewish? I couldn't recommend this book enough.

good revision of already excellent research book
The original version was a well-acclaimed research book, and the revision adds some updating material that was missing from the original. It is not as good as others regarding Jewish holidays, but its other aspects more than compensate. It is helpful for both Jews and non-Jews regarding Jewish life, Jewish history, and Jewish religion.