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.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Admirable purpose less than perfect realization:
James Kugel writes his own up-to- date Kuzari in the form of a dialogue between a young man newly interested in Judaism and a wise old practicioner of the faith. This is not a very harsh dialogue but rather a kind of ' maieutic dialogue' in which the questioner brings out the great knowledge inherent in the older master. In this there comes much explanation and justification of traditional practices. The problem is that this is done in a largely humorless and non- appealing way. The book is admirable in... more info
For better and worse, a modern "Cuzari":
While I take issue with some of his views, especially those on non-Orthodox religious Judaism, Kugel's book deserves attention because of its unique approach. Instead of explaining Jewish religious traditions in humanistic terms, as do most contemporary defenses of traditional observance (Orthodox and non-Orthodox), Kugel does what Yehuda Halevi did for medieval Jews. Like Halevi's, Kugel's is not a rationalist approach. He describes the life of observant Jews as it is experienced by (at least some of)... more info
Honest, Stimulating, and Provocative:
Kugel's book provokes you to think rather than present you with pre-packaged answers to complex questions. If you're looking for easy answers, look elsewhere. If you're looking for an approach, this is a good place to start.
Rather than use the stadard approach to selling religion: It will make you happier and healthier, Kugel provides an alternative to this narcissistic version of G-d's place in our lives.
Biased Presentation of Judaism:
I would give this book zero stars if it were possible to do so. Kugel's presentation of what it means to be a Jew in the world today has a heavy-handed Orthodox bias that is most present in its presentation of other Jewish movements. The most disappointing aspect of the book was Judd Lewis's (Yehuda HaLevi's) failure to raise any serious questions to the dogma and doggerel laid down by the man who is supposed to convince him not to intermarry. If you are seeking a good book about what it means to be a Jew... more info
