Where Judaism Differed: An Inquiry Into the Distinctiveness of Judaism

by Abba H. Silver and Abba Hillel Silver

Book Overview

This fine volume is exactly what it sounds like: an extended discussion of the features that make Judaism unique. If you're interested in this topic and if this book ever returns to print, buy it at once -- and in the meantime, pick up a used copy.

Abba Hillel Silver (an American Reform rabbi probably best known for his staunch support of Zionism when it wasn't fashionable) takes the reader on a grand tour of Judaism's distinguishing features, comparing it not only with Christianity but also with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism where these are relevant. Mainly, though, this volume is a positive portrait of what Judaism has historically stood for.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0876689578
• ISBN13: 9780876689578
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Jason Aronson
• Length: 318 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The Optimistic Jew

A companion piece to Trude Weiss-Rosmarin's "Judaism and Christianity: The Differences" it is written by a Reform Rabbi (Rosmarin being Orthodox). It is more extensive than Rosmarin's book (relating to religions other than Christianity) and a bit easier to read for those with an ecumenical temperament. But Rosmarin's is more useful for finding concrete examples in the sources that highlight the distinctive differences between the two traditions. Also should be compulsory reading for every young Jew.This was also a vital source for my chapter "Living with the Christians" in my book "The Optimistic Jew: a Positive Vision for the Jewish People in the 21st Century".

What sets Judaism apart

This fine volume is exactly what it sounds like: an extended discussion of the features that make Judaism unique. If you're interested in this topic and if this book ever returns to print, buy it at once -- and in the meantime, pick up a used copy.Abba Hillel Silver (an American Reform rabbi probably best known for his staunch support of Zionism when it wasn't fashionable) takes the reader on a grand tour of Judaism's distinguishing features, comparing it not only with Christianity but also with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism where these are relevant. Mainly, though, this volume is a positive portrait of what Judaism has historically stood for.The discussion is broken up topically; Rabbi Silver devotes chapters to various topics including e.g. Judaism's rejection of belief in Original Sin, its moderation and anti-fanaticism, its orientation toward daily life in the present world, its belief that every human being has direct and unmediated access to God, and its gratitude for the gift of the Law (and its concomitant inability to countenance Pauline Christianity's description of the Torah as an instrument of death). His prose occasionally turns a bright shade of purple (and a lot of his sentences begin with "Judaism was never . . ."). Nevertheless the volume is extraordinarily well-written and highly informative.A note on the title: Although Rabbi Silver's original preferred title was _Where Judaism Differs_ (since both Judaism and its differences continue to exist!), the book was published as _Where Judaism Differed_. A later edition was published under Rabbi Silver's original title and with an introduction by his son Rabbi Daniel Jeremy Silver. In other respects the two titles refer to the same book.