Product Description

The author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People explores how modern Judaism provides guidance for times of joy and tragedy, describes the relationship between Christianity and Judaism, and advises on living a holy life. Reprint.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20680 in Books
• Published on: 1994-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Kushner, a rabbi and author of the bestseller When Bad Things Happen to Good People , here presents a wise and lucid guide to what it means to be Jewish. Distilling his extensive study and reflection, he defines the goal of Judaism as "bringing God into the world" by sanctifying ordinary events and by helping people to become fully human through their relatedness to others. As he sees it, God's covenant with the Jews means that God and humans have obligations to one another. Kushner illuminates this reciprocal relationship, emphasizing that people exercise free choice in what direction they take toward goodness and articulating Judaism's expectation that social justice will ultimately prevail. His exuberant approach and organic bonds to a living faith pervade this book, which includes chapters on rituals, holidays, prayer, anti-Semitism, Jews' attachment to Israel and Jewish-Christian relations.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Kushner ( When Bad Things Happen to Good People , Avon, 1983) has here written a lucid analysis of Jewish life, thought, and customs. Enlightening to those who want to learn more about Judaism, this work serves as an excellent introduction to the roots of Christianity and Jewish belief. Kushner discusses the essence of Judaism in a simple and clear language, touching upon the meaning of Jewish customs and ceremonies and the purpose of prayer. He talks about such topics as the love of Israel by Jews, how Jews and Christians need to understand one another, and anti-Semitism in terms of why people hate. The essence of the book is its tone of optimism, its sense of living and making the ordinary sacred; this tone is enhanced by an ease of writing and the use of examples and memories from the author's life. Recommended to all libraries.
- Maurice Tuchman, Hebrew Coll. Lib., Brookline, Mass.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Bestselling Conservative rabbi Kushner (Who Needs God, 1989; When Bad Things Happen to Good People, 1981) on the joys of Judaism. Kushner tilts this good-natured panegyric toward practicing Jews, who would be most willing to embrace his view of Judaism as God's greatest gift to humankind. ``Life is the question, Judaism is the answer,'' he exhorts, with such ebullience that even nonbelievers may be swayed. He promotes the Jewish people, tiny in numbers, as ``the most influential group on earth,'' producing everything from the theory of relativity to psychoanalysis to Marxism, and, through the Hebrew Bible, shaping ``the way the world thinks about God.'' Judaism, he emphasizes, is primarily a community rather than a theology, finding expression in its own calendar, holidays, rituals, and land (for Kushner, love of Israel as the ancestral home is incumbent upon all Jews). He's at his best when justifying religious customs--for instance, he explains kosher dietary laws, which may strike non-Jews as needless complications, as ``spiritual calisthenics'' that ``sanctify the act of eating''; the same applies to laws on sexuality, speech, Sabbath behavior, and so on. Discussion of controversies like abortion or homosexuality is glaringly absent, although he argues for traditional religious language--i.e., referring to God as ``He'' rather than ``She'' or, God forbid, ``It.'' Kushner never minces his beliefs, explaining why he won't officiate at marriages where one partner is non-Jewish (the ``words and rituals do not apply to non-Jews''). This ardency, which has much to do with the rabbi's popularity, doesn't prevent him from striking an alliance with his potentially vast Christian readership; these two religions are both part of ``God's ultimate plan for the world,'' allies in a sacred battle against ``apathy and selfishness and a neo-paganism that sees Man as an animal and his every urge as legitimate.'' Kushner at his very best, abubble with enthusiasm. L'Chaim! -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Great Introduction to Judaism
I had read two dozen intro-to-Judaism books, but found Rabbi Kushner's explanations to be comprehensive, accessible, profound, and quite moving. He provides a great overview in the broadest sense of the word - instead of focussing on the details of Jewish history, ritual, practice, prayer, or belief, he does a superb job of summarizing or encapsulating the underlying attitudes, assumptions, values, and "whys" of Judaism. "To Life" is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to know what Judaism is *about*, beyond the superficial aspects of Jewish practice, holidays, events, words, etc.

A must read
This is an amazing book by an amazing man. It's valuable for Jews and people who want to know about Jews as well. Additionally there is a good section in the book about Jews and Christians and why we ought to get along. It's the kind of book that makes you feel good after you read it.

Down to the point.
I was born to catholic parents, later in my teens became a methodist, about two years now I've been doing a lot of reading about judaism.
During the course of reading this book I learned a lot. Specially the last chapter where he expresses his opinion about both faith.
When I was a catholic I was guided into believing that the jews where not really the good guys. What they did was unforgiving. (read any book about the expulsion of the jews from Spain in 1492 and after, that should give you a very good idea.) Until recently (1962-65) the vatican published the "Nostra Aetate" asking the jewish community for forgiveness for past "mistakes" and for the christian (catholic) community to make peace and be more tolerant with jews.
As a methodist ( and other branches for that matter )that part of history "doesn't" apply. Why? Well protestants started around the 16th c. and much later. That doesn't mean that they are saints either, they have their blemishes too. But what is more troublesome about them (evangelicals) is the insistence of converting you over. No matter what the conversation may be, sooner or later the pitch comes. I know, I've done it.
The only way to get along is like Kushner proposes in his book, is a mutual respect for each others faith. (period) His opinion about the events of the crucifiction (refering to the jews participation) might not coincide with many, after all he is jewish, and indirectly he is expressing two thousand years of pain and suffering, unfortunately some of it is still with us today. So think about it, what would your opinion be if you where in his place.
I highly recommend this book to all non-jews and jews alike.