- Hardcover: 784 pages
- Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (Oct 3 1997)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0688085067
- ISBN-13: 978-0688085063
- Product Dimensions: 23.9 x 15.7 x 6.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 1.3 Kg
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #347,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
From Amazon.com
In 1988, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin undertook a mission to heal "Jewish ignorance," an affliction whose symptoms include the ability to name the three components of the Trinity, coupled with an inability to explain mitzvah. Telushkin's contribution to the cure is his wide-ranging, entertaining Jewish Literacy. First published in 1991, Jewish Literacy contains almost 350 entries on subjects ranging from the Ten Commandments to The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Entries are numbered (for easy, encyclopedia-style reference) and organized topically (to smooth the experience of reading each page straight through). And the revised edition contains several new entries (including articles about the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the vice-presidential nomination of Joseph Lieberman) as well as numerous corrections, enlargements, and updates. One might expect Rabbi Telushkin's project of inspiring Jewish literacy to be overly earnest, but the author's understated wit adds considerable levity to most entries. The entry on "Sodom and Gomorrah," for instance, ends this way: "A number of years ago, some Israeli promoters of tourism suggested transforming the modern city of Sodom into a tourist haven with casinos, nightclubs, and even strip shows. The Chief Rabbinate in Israel sharply demurred, warning that there was nothing to prevent God from destroying the city a second time. The plan was dropped." --Michael Joseph Gross
From Library Journal
Traditionalist Rabbi Telushkin ( The Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism) presents 364 brief explanations of the most important concepts and topics concerning Judaism, Jews, and their history and culture. Each entry runs from one to three pages in length. Basic religious terms, ethics, historical events, religious texts, Jewish personalities, and more are covered in a lively, popular style. A useful feature is that each entry is followed by a short bibliography of further readings on the subject. Despite the occasional superficiality of its coverage, this book is a useful introductory course for Jewish and non-Jewish "illiterates" from teenagers on up. A useful addition for general Judaica collections.
- Robert A. Silver, Shaker Heights P.L ., Ohio
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Robert A. Silver, Shaker Heights P.L ., Ohio
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
TA-NAKH-RHYMES WITH BACH-IS AN ACRONYM FOR THE THREE categories of books that make up the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
TA-NAKH-RHYMES WITH BACH-IS AN ACRONYM FOR THE THREE categories of books that make up the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eye-opening to a Christian,
By
This review is from: Jewish Literacy (Hardcover)
I found the book to be very interesting. It certainly gave one Gentile a footstep into a world previously unknown. The book is an easy read and the Rabbi's wit and honesty is refreshing. I almost rated the bood a 3 because the views on Jesus and Christianity were just so far off-base.Then I realized that this view reflected the Rabbi's and probably most Jewish people. How could I criticize him for his own view. I was truly amazed and saddened by just how much two people groups who both love the God of the Hebrew Bible could know so little about each other.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Great introduction, slightly simplistic,
By
This review is from: Jewish Literacy (Hardcover)
This is a good book, with several small flaws. First off this is the perfect book for any return Jew, secular Jew or anyone interested in the many facets of Judaism. For instance: How did Reform Judaism start? What was the Sanhedrin? Who was the Baal Shem Tov? Probably many Jews would stumble over the answers or be left speechless and this is where this book shines. This book details almost every facet of Judaism anyone could ever want or need to know. What is the difference between the Mishnah and Midrash? Once again this book gives short concise answers to this. From Ertez Israel to the Oral law this book outshines many like it in the sheer breadth of knowledge contained. The major flaw in this book is that it is almost useless if you are already versed in Judaism. If one wants something deeper and wants a more thorough explanation of the items contained here they will not get it. This book is written in a folksy manner, like someone lecturing a small group of interested students. Jokes protrude from the page for instance "many Europeans believed Jews had to kill every tenth patient...I wouldn't want to be the 10th guy in line at the doctor". While funny these passages detract from the text and sometimes makes the book feel more like '1000 things you didn't know about Judaism'. Nevertheless this book is an essential text for any Jewish household and an essential read for anyone exploring Judaism, thinking of conversion, in a relationship with a Jew or simply wanting to learn more about this worlds first monotheists. Seth J. Frantzman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Christian's perspective,
By
This review is from: Jewish Literacy (Hardcover)
As a Christian, I found that reading this book gave me a rare and honest footstep into a world pretty much been closed to Gentiles. I loved Rabbi Telushkin's wit and ability to get to the point without a lot of rhetoric. Initially, I wanted to lower my rating from 5 to 3 because I could not agree less with anything he said about Christianity or Jesus. I changed the rating to a 5 because the Rabbi wrote what he and probably most Jewish people really do believe about Jesus and Christianity. It's both amazing and sad that we know so little about each other.
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