Judaism: A Short History

by Lavinia Cohn-Sherbok and Dan Cohn-Sherbok

A study of the long history of the Jewish people and their faith, tracing their origins from a Semitic tribe dwelling in the land of Canaan 2000 years before the birth of Christ. It draws a picture of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1851682066
• ISBN13: 9781851682065
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: ONEWorld Publications
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A Brief Overview and Introduction

Dan Cohn-Sherbok's JUDIASM: RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD offers the student of comparative religion and/or Judaism a brief overview of crucial themes in Judaic belief and practice. The work consists of approximately 100 pages of text, followed by a glossary and pronunciation guide (both of which should be enormously helpful to novices). The book's strengths include the following: a) readers are given a strong introduction to Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Humanistic Judaism; and b) a chapter on contemporary observance takes the reader through religious practices. I would submit that the book would be even more helpful had it offered a more extensive discussion of historical Judaism and textual exegesis. However, the author did not seek to write a comprehensive history; that which is presented is solid, well-written, and student-friendly.

Very interesting reading on the search for truth!

Reading this book gives one the delightful sense of seeing a kaleidoscope in action or of seeing fractals unfold. In describing how truth is sought in letters, words, and texts, and how symbolism is applied and sought and re-applied, one starts to sense the joy and sheer intensity with which scholars probe the Torah for divine direction as well as hints about the nature of reality. These are material and insights I just would not have seen otherwise.