This unique treasury of practical information and daily inspiration has long been acknowledged as the classic guide to the traditional Jewish laws and customs as they apply to contemporary Jewish daily life. Features a new introduction by Dr. Norman Lamm, President, Yeshiva University.
To Be a Jew, Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin's classic guide to Jewish life, philosophy, and law has guided generations of Americans, Europeans, and Israelis to discover the treasures of their own religious traditions. First published in 1972, the book still stands as a reliable, practical and versatile resource for everyone from young girls preparing for bat mitzvah to old men returning to their spiritual roots. The book begins with an overview of Judaism's basic credo (including chapters on Israel's people, land, God, and Torah), moves on to describe the laws governing Jews' daily lives, the Jewish calendar, and "The Special Occasions of Life" from birth to death and mourning. One great strength of To Be a Jew is its blending of folk wisdom and scholarly learning. Rabbi Donin not only describes what right belief and righteous action look like but provides a rationale for these observances that engages and embraces the basic conditions of modern life. --Michael Joseph Gross
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
TO BE A JEW by HAYIM DONIN:
EXCELLENT,EXCELLENT,OUTSTANDING,THE VERY BEST,THE MOST CONVIENENT,SIMPLE,USEFUL, INFORMATIVE AND GUIDING BOOK. WHAT MORE CAN I SAY.THE VERY BEST BOOK WHICH EVERY YOUNG JEW MUST POSSESS.A JEWEL IN MY COLLECTION OF BOOKS. AN IDEAL GIFT FOR ALL AGES. I ALWAYS REFER TO 'TO BE A JEW by HAYIM DONIN' WHENEVER IN DOUBT ABOUT HOW TO CONDUCT,PRACTICE OR NEED INFORMATION QUICKLY. I JUST LOVE THIS BOOK.
It is what it says it is: a guide.:
If you're looking for a practical and comprehensive guide to daily living as a Jew, this book is excellent in terms of the material that it offers. It covers all the bases, most of the time in sufficient detail that one finishes a section with complete understanding. It is written in sections or chapters which enable one to go from the front to the back to the middle of the book without losing anything by the detours. It's really a cookbook. If it has any serious fault it would be in the fact that... more info
Good but Slanted:
This is a good book for those who want to learn about the Orthodox practice of halacha, but doesn't always seem to have a positive view of the other systems. So good but slantied.
As Modern as Ever:
This book is as relevant today as it was when first written. A very good read.
