The Jewish Book of Why

by Alfred J. Kolatch

Book Overview

Why do Jews eat gefilte fish? Why is a glass broken at the end of a Jewish wedding ceremony? Why must the chapter of curses in the Torah be read quickly in a low voice? Why are shrimp and lobster not... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0824602560
• Release Date: December 1981
• Publisher: Jonathan David Publishers
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 1.3" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Quick yet thorough explanations for many of my questions

This book answers countless questions you may have about Judaism without taking more than a paragraph or two to do so. An easy reference, it is sure to become a staple for anyone curious about the why of Judaism.

"The Jewish Book of Why" : A Jewish Work of Art

This book makes Judaism accessible to a wide range of people. If you are Jewish and you do not remember or do not know the reasons underlying some Jewish symbols, practices and ways (or you just remember one reason out of the 2? 3? 4? ... reasons for one thing), the "Jewish Book of Why" is incontestably a good reference (although not authoritative). Its handy and easy-to-read format favours learning because it renders the answers to your questions, clear and "to the point", pretty much in the same way as a dictionary. But what is most interesting is that the book does not only ask "why" and answers "because" to all the questions one might ALREADY have about Judaism. By going through the entire book like a novel, others will also discover all these Jewish symbols, practices and ways that make Judaism very rich and inspiring as a religion, an art, a culture. That is why, I rank this book as a Jewish Work of Art.

A Great Jewish Guide

The Jewish Book of Why is among the best Jewish books ever published. The book gives insight to Jewish customs like marriage, birth, divorce, holidays, and a lot of Jewish history. Whether reading the book or just leaving it on the coffe table to peruse through, The Jewish Book of Why will be great for a jew, a person that is interested in Judaism, and yourself. I highly reccomend this book. For more jewish reading I reccomend the second Jewish Book Of Why. This is a great book that you will definitley enjoy.HAPPY READING!

Covers a lot of ground

This book was originally published nearly 20 years ago so the fact that it is still a popular seller is a testament to how good a volume this is. A lot of ground is covered in an easy to understand question and answer format. The first few chapters cover Jewish life cycle events such as birth and childhood, marriage and divorce, and finally the end of life itself .. death and mourning. Then the book covers other areas of Jewish life such as rituals, holidays, etc. Obviously a basic book on Judaism written in this format cannot be exhaustive (of course there is now a Second Jewish Book of Why). However, in a very understandable manner, this book explains a lot. This book is very informative but I recommend that it not be considered the last word, ie, it is not authorative. If there is an argument as to what Jewish law requires, this book is a valuable guide but the authority would be original sources.

An Excellent Reference

This book makes an excellent reference because it answers many important questions about Jewish beliefs. Whether its customs related to holidays, marriage, death, clothing, food or otherwise each questions is answered in ane asy to read manner. The authortakes an open minded stance which further adds to the book's value. I frequently look back at this book and learn something new each time I pick it up. Just timeless!

Things you've forgotten and things you never knew!

This is a wonderful book to own or give as a gift. It contains a thoughtful array of Jewish traditions, some significant and some trivial, but all heart-warming and colorful. It's an easy book to read from cover to cover, but it is written in a way that encourages the reader to flip it open to any page and enjoy for a few minutes. An ideal book for elderly relatives who may not have the interest in reading for long periods. Learn why Jewish holidays are celebrated differently when in Israel. Understand the differences between Sephardic and Ashkenazic practices. Hear about Jewish customs in Africa, the Orient, Western and Eastern Europe, Germany, Turkey, Kurdish regions, the US, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries. Incredibly well researched and a pleasure to explore.