Becoming a Jew [Hardcover]

Maurice Lamm (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1991

The author of the highly popular Jewish Way in Death and Mourning and Jewish Way in Love and Marriage offers us a work designed expressly for non-Jews who are contemplating converting, for those who have already converted, and for Jews by birth who wish to gain deeper insight into their heritage. Becoming a Jew describes the odyssey of the convert and charts the traditional approach to conversion. Written in a crisp, contemporary style, this volume addresses questions converts frequently have relating to the procedures of conversion. An invaluable contribution.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Lamm details conversion to Judaism as a process, a series of rituals, and as an entrance to a new community and lifestyle. Seventeen converts give moving testimony to the difficulties and blessings of their becoming Jewish. The traditional conversion process is explained, and various aspects of day-to-day Jewish observance and theology are detailed. Discussion of the Jewish year and rites of passage make this book useful for non-Jews wishing to understand Jewish practices, as well as for nonobservant Jews desiring deeper understanding of their heritage. Highly recommended for public libraries.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Becoming a Jew is a good resource for Jewish educators, those studying basic Judaism, or adult bar/bat mitzvah students. Its use should be accompanied by material written from either a Reform or liberal perspective so that the student has a broad view of the conversion process." -- Compass

"After reading Rabbi Maurice Lamm's new book Becoming a Jew,a, I was doubly impressed: I was left with a renewed respect for individuals who had willingly thrown in their lot with the Jewish people, and, after being afforded a glimpse of my own life-long religion through the eyes of those who were drawn to Judaism's teachings from afar, I was reminded of the power Judaism has had to attract converts throughout the ages, even in times of the most extreme persecution. . . . Becoming a Jew is a book which most Jews, both those born into the Covenant of Abraham and those who later converted, will find most interesting. . . .Many times while reading the book I was moved to tears by Rabbi Lamm's most beautiful and eloquent explanations of Jewish concepts that perhaps I had taken for granted. How grateful I am for having been bestowed access to all these gifts through no act of my own, I thought again and again as I read further. . . . I found Becoming a Jew both informative a! nd inspirational reading which I wholeheartedly recommend without hesitation." -- Algemeiner Journal

"After reading Rabbi Maurice Lamm's new book Becoming a Jew, I was doubly impressed: I was left with a renewed respect for individuals who had willingly thrown in their lot with the Jewish people, and, after being afforded a glimpse of my own life-long religion through the eyes of those who were drawn to Judaism's teachings from afar, I was reminded of the power Judaism has had to attract converts throughout the ages, even in times of the most extreme persecution. . . . Becoming a Jew is a book which most Jews, both those born into the Covenant of Abraham and those who later converted, will find most interesting. . . . Many times while reading the book I was moved to tears by Rabbi Lamm's most beautiful and eloquent explanations of Jewish concepts that perhaps I had taken for granted. How grateful I am for having been bestowed access to all these gifts through no act of my own, I thought again and again as I read further. . . . I found Becoming a Jew both informative and inspirational reading which I wholeheartedly recommend without hesitation." -- Algemeiner Journal

"An invaluable contribution to any reader seeking an accurate description of Jewish belief, custom, and religious lifestyle." -- The Bookwatch

"Becoming a Jew is a good resource for Jewish educators, those studying basic Judaism, or adult bar/bat mitzvah students. Its use should be accompanied by material written from either a Reform or liberal perspective so that the student has a broad view of the conversion process." -- Compass

"Becoming a Jew is primarily directed to non-Jews contemplating conversion and those who have already done so. Rabbi Lamm points out that conversion is much more than a profession of faith. It involves laws and traditions, life cycle events and holidays, ideals and values. This book is excellent for both those born into the Jewish faith and those who have chosen to become Jews." -- The Jewish Voice

"Becoming a Jew is thorough and simple enough to become a textbook for converts, yet its analysis of little-known halachot makes it an important reference manual for even the long-time convert." -- The Jerusalem Post

"Highly recommended for public libraries." -- Library Journal

"Rabbi Maurice Lamm's book Becoming a Jew succeeds admirably in addressing the three audiences to whom it is primarily directed-non-Jews who are contemplating converting, those who have already converted, and Jews by birth who wish to gain a deeper insight into their heritage. But the work is so valuable, so concise in its language and so sensitive in its approach, that I recommend it as well to rabbis, students, recent or potential ba'alei teshuva (born Jews who are returning to the faith) and anyone, Jew or non-Jew, seeking an overview and depth of analysis of Jewish belief and practice." -- Jewish Press

"With the publication of Rabbi Maurice Lamm's Becoming a Jew, we now hear loudly and clearly the voice of a spokesman of the Modern Orthodoxy of Yeshiva University. Becoming a Jew is an informative and sensitively written book about everything the potential convert, the new convert, and the extended born Jewish family should know about the halakha that governs conversion to Judaism." -- Jewish Spectator

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 462 pages
• Publisher: Jonathan David Publishers (December 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824603508
• ISBN-13: 978-0824603502
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Jewish Life

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars converting the orthodox way, October 7, 2002

By 

Maria S. (Monza, Milano Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Becoming a Jew (Hardcover)

The path for judaism starts somewhere. Maybe a jewish friend that take us to temple, maybe we're dating a jewish girl/guy or just curiosity... and we want to know more. What is judaism about? Is conversion possible? Is other people going through the same process?. Maybe is too soon to go to a Rabbi to talk about this, or we are just too shy. These and other questions are answered in this book. Personal experiences, holidays, jewish belief, traditon, etc.
I bought it 4 years ago. Good introduction to judaism. Gave it to my boyfriend as a gift. Actually he is going through the convertion process with an orthodox rabbi, and it was pretty usefull to him.
If you want a conservative / reform guide, maybe you'll be more interested in Anita Diamant's book: Choosing a Jewish life.
Another good book is Living Judaism, by Rabbi Wayne Dosick.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise and understanding look at conversion, September 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Becoming a Jew (Hardcover)

I am currently studying to convert to Judaism through an Orthodox rabbi. It has been a long and difficult journey, and I still have an arduous road ahead of me. Rabbi Lamm's book has been highly informative and motivating. He's allayed so many of my fears as to exactly what steps will occur along the path of conversion. I've never read a book that has been so sensitive to the plight of the convert and accurate at pin-pointing the ger's feelings. He's right on target in so many of his statements, that I feel as though he's right inside of my head. His book stresses a great deal on halachah, but he makes no move to alienate those who are of other synagogue affiliations. And the first section of his book is dedicated to a forum in which converts from all types of judaism were able to express their feelings and relate their journeys. I highly recommend this book. When I convert one day, with Hashem's help, I will truly owe a great debt to this man.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Becoming a *Serious* Jew, January 9, 2001

By 

Jennifer M. Macleod "yiddishe supermama" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Becoming a Jew (Hardcover)

Maurice Lamm's book carefully toes the line between Jewish law and human compassion. I disagree that this is a book for Orthodox converts only: it is for anyone who seeks to become a *serious* Jew.

Some have commented that this book is hopelessly biased towards Orthodoxy. This is an expression of Lamm's desire to deal honestly with painful and potentially divisive issues. Yes, some movements will tell you you don't have to know (or do) all of this to become Jewish. But if you're serious about becoming a Jew, only Lamm's book will help you not only learn *about* this religion, but also try it on for size.

Some movements will hide the details from you, give you an "easy" way in. If that's the Judaism you want, you will find it an easy, but not very rewarding, path. Lamm gently gives you all the hard AND heartwarming stuff, in this single thick volume.

Rules and regulations are not necessarily a bad thing -- they can make the path clearer and easier to follow. Would-be converts are often put off by demands that they keep kosher or observe Shabbat -- "Why should I, if I already FEEL Jewish?" But you couldn't become a U.S. citizen, either, just by saying you already "feel American." You've got to know what all of it means first, and that's what Lamm gives you here.

In this book, Lamm expertly balances his halachic (legal) perspective with stories of actual converts and a realistic view of issues that Jews-by-choice may be facing. If you're serious about Judaism, you owe it to yourself to find out -- in all its gory detail -- what this religion is actually all about.