Customer Reviews

How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household

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What impressed me most about Mrs. Greenberg's book remains the high regard for which even the most mundane tasks receive in the traditional Jewish household. Most everyday activities have a blessing ascribed to them, and this elevation of the mundane to the divine causes one to reflect upon daily life as a worshipful experience.

In addition, I felt impressed by the female-centered nature of Jewish life as depicted in the book. The wife/mother is no bystander in the religious household but a vital actor as the drama of life plays out. Preparing meals gains importance--not as a way to merely satisfy one's appetite for food but as a central expression of Shalom. The Sabbath celebration in the home centers around women as they kindle the candles and prepare the requisite meals.

Mrs. Greenberg explores and explicates traditional values of modesty, honesty, love, and charity without being judgemental or "writing down" to her reader. She sprinkles her work liberally with selections from Torah, the prophets, and the sages, to say nothing of the charming anecdotes of her own family's experiences.

As an aside, I've prepared all of the recipes over the years, and every one is delicious!

Highly recommended to all.

I was raised in a completely non-observant household; we were "Christmas Tree" Jews. I never set foot inside a synagogue until my late 40s. I stumbled onto this book at the beginning of my search for information and my place in the greater Jewish community, and found it fascinating.

I have no intention of becoming Orthodox, and have found my own home in the Jewish Renewal movement, but turn to this book often for information. I especially appreciated the explanations of some of the rituals and traditions that don't "make sense" and was touched my the author's frank acknowledgement of her struggles and disagreements with some aspects of her practice - and her commitment to the preservation of those same traditions. In fact, I have come to believe that the greatest value of this book is just that - she clearly struggles with some aspects of her faith but is absolutely commited to its complete preservation - she doesn't pick and choose at the cafeteria of observance. Here is commitment writ large!

I didn't agree with everything she said - her statement that the women at the beach in the modest swimsuits are probably observant Jews struck me as a tad smug, since most faiths value modesty and the orthodox of all religions practice it. But overall, I found the book invaluable as I began my process of sorting out the holidays and practices. The practice I have found for myself is much more personal and spiritually oriented, I believe, but it's important, and valuable, to know about the roots of that practice.

So I recommend this book - I even gave a copy to my mother for Christmas!

Growing up in a Classical Reform home, where observance was minimal, Conservative practice considered dated and pointless, and Orthodoxy completely alien, I would never have expected to read this book, much less love it. But Blu Greenberg's writing describes modern Orthodox practice with such warmth and charm that we have actually taken on new observances after reading it. Furthermore, even practices we are unlikely to adopt have become understandable and something to appreciate. Highly recommended!

I am a Jew by Choice (who chose Reform) who wants to learn more about the other Jewish movements. This book was recommended to me by a female friend at my Reform temple, and I was not disappointed. Blu Greenberg is open and honest about raising an Orthodox family in modern society. She is not the perfect Orthodox wife, nor does she pretend to be. Her book is part autobiography, part instruction. I found it very helpful as I move toward keeping a kosher home (yes, some Reform Jews do that!) and as I move toward closer observance of Shabbat. I read through the book and now refer to specific chapters when needed. She explains a ritual, followed by the appropriate prayer in Hebrew, transliteration, and English. If you want to see how the other half lives, here is your chance. I heartily recommend it.

Bought this book simply because I wanted a modern comprehensive book on Judaism and how a traditional Jewish home should be managed. Having preconceived and I admit misplaced ideas of what was involved I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there is a lot to the subject that is voluntary and that it isn't about a fear of God using a 2X4 to get your attention and devotion.

I really liked her section on clothing and even I who knew a great deal about Judaism was intrigued with the idea that there is a prayer for clothing. I sure had never thought about giving thanks for clean or new clothes everyday. Equally informative was her section on kepah's and that they don't seem to be either required in the Torah or even Talmudic law.

Chapter 7 SPEECH is fascinating since the author notes that in Judaism a Jew is forbidden to insult, shame, defame, embarrass or slander another person. Not another Jew, but another person. Period. And that Lashon hara means evil tongue and that this includes not only the evil of the speaker but also the hearer. The theory being that the 'consumer' or the one who listens to gossip creates a market for it, and is as guilty as the purveyor of the words. The Talmud the author notes paints a more harsh example by stressing the 'deceiving is equated to stealing; insulting is analogous to killing'. Reminds me of the adage I heard growing up 'think before you speak'.

I loved her Chapter 9 which deals with marriage. I was thinking of this recently when a Christian friend of mine, and I were debated the issue of celibacy and how in my opinion Paul in the Christian texts seemed to think that marriage was a necessary evil. I tried to explain as does the author that in Judaism one who chooses to not marry is considered an incomplete person. That 'marriage, not celibacy, is the higher form of existence'. I personally have always liked the Jewish ketubah tradition which is a beautiful contract that spells out that the groom is obligated to provide his bride/wife with food, clothing, shelter and sexual satisfaction. Is that not progressive or what? Yes!!! In turn she agrees to love honor and care for him. I also love the Jewish tradition of the plain gold wedding band rather than the ornate diamond studded rings I see so many non-Jewish women wearing.

Her sections on birth and choosing a name for the child, along with brits/bris or circumcision and choosing a Mohel. Her section on abortion should be a must read for those who assume that Judaism doesn't allow abortions. She also has chapters on other life passages that are traditional Jewish.

There is so much I like about the book that all I can do is suggest readers discover How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household for themselves.

Blu Greenberg is the kind of Jewish mama I wish I'd had. She's knowlegeable about Jewish observance but sensitive to controversial issues and careful to address the concerns of those who weren't raised in a traditional Jewish home. This is the same Blu Greenberg who was open-minded enough to accompany a delegation of Jews to visit with the Dalai Lama in India, and at the same time was careful to remain kosher on the trip! "How To Run A Traditional Jewish Household" takes you step-by-step through the intricacies of daily Jewish living. Have a question about Shabbat observance? Blu Greenberg has the answer. "Islands in time do not appear on their own," she points out, and so we are provided with detailed instructions covering everything from pre-Shabbat preparations, prayers and blessings, to setting up a blech to keep food warm. Many books give a gerneral overview of Shabbat observance; with this book in hand, though, one could begin on Thursday night with preparations and make it through Saturday night in finest of observant style. The same thorough but chatty tone also refreshes Mrs. Greenberg's discussion of the laws and practicalities of Kashrut, Family Purity, and the keeping of all the festivals. She discusses the Jewish views of abortion, birth control, and divorce, and explains the traditional ways of dealing with birth and death and common life events in between. For all her undeniable 'frumness', Mrs. Greenberg admits to struggling with some of the issues she discusses. She admits to "occasional grumblings" over the laws of Niddah, and has managed to gracefully be both Orthodox and feminist. Here is a woman who has clearly wrestled with some aspects of her faith. God-wrestling is a time-honored tradition for Jews, and it's affect on Blu Greenberg has been positive. "How To Run A Traditional Jewish Household" is instructional, loving, and thought-provoking.

After reading this book in its entirety once, I find myself going back to it over and over again. Rebbetzin Greenberg does a terrific job of logging her life and opinions on living as an Orthodox Jew in 1980s America (yes, it is a tad dated). She gives thorough coverage to her experiences with her family through Shabbat, in traveling, in home logistics (like education, family activities) as well as all the holidays. Throughout she seems to have a great deal of candor.

But be a little careful with actually applying some of her approaches to doing things. The Greenbergs themselves are Modern Orthodox but some of the notions presented have not been officially "ok'ed" by even MO Rabbis. For example, when discussing clothes that observant Jewish women wear, she stated that "They wear miniskirts; just not the shortest miniskirts." This goes against the laws of tznius (modesty) in all (even Modern) Orthodox communities.

I see this book as a well written personal account of an Orthodox Jewish woman who is sharing her knowledge and insight with those who may not be familiar with the life of Orthodox Jews. Just don't assume that this book should stand as a halachaic guide on living as an Orthodox Jew.

I must agree with the others who have reviewed this book. Blu Greenberg is a wonderful, sensitive writer who covers everything from bris to chevra kadisha. I admire her work greatly. This book belongs on the Judaica shelf of every Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Jew. I would recommend buying the cloth/hardcover edition. You'll use it *that* much. First, you'll read it cover to cover, and then consult it when necessary. Excellent, wonderful work.

Mrs. Greenberg is really an incredible woman; she finds time to write, lecture, run a traditional household, and to be the co-founder and first president of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, as well as serving on the boards of many other noble organisations and magazines. In this classic tome she gives detailed and thoughtful insights and instructions into how to live a traditional life and how to run a traditional household. There are chapters on taharat hamishpacha, weddings, birth, holidays, how to keep a Glatt kosher kitchen, recipes, prayer, Shabbos, and many other things. Many people think of Orthodoxy as rigid, unbending, and unchanging, but Mrs. Greenberg demonstrates that that's not so. She and her family are Modern Orthodox, a movement which reconciles modernity with tradition. Someone who is MO will of course put more weight on halacha and tradition, but will look for ways to be more part of the modern world, realising that the world of today isn't the same as it was in the Talmudic era, and that there are interpretations of certain things that allow for more flexibility, as opposed to how someone who is RWO or Hareidi will oftentimes seem to live as though it's still the 17th century and there is no room for change or an ongoing dialogue with the past that doesn't attempt to water down tradition while reinterpreting it for the modern era. Interspersed with her instructions on how to keep a traditional household are stories about her own family life. These anecdotes really illustrate the points she's talking about, making something like taharat hamishpacha or prayer relevant and meaningful to the reader.

However, I agree that there could stand to be an updated edition of this book. A lot has changed since 1981, not only socially but also in the Jewish world. Today, thanks to people like Mrs. Greenberg, there is more of a dialogue (at least within the MO world) about resolving difficult issues about womens' roles without drastically altering what Orthodoxy stands for. Things that are becoming more and more common today, such as women-led prayer services and female halachic authorities, were barely on the radar back in 1981. Another example of something dating this book is the section on pregnancy; she's advising her women readers about how to choose the right doctor, and mentions that a number of doctors don't really approve of their patients having natural deliveries, so one should choose a doctor who respects one's birth plan. Today twilight sleep is a thing of the past. And today you also see more and more people in Orthodoxy who are both connected with the real world and tradition; it's no longer as uncommon as it once was to see an Orthodox woman, say, wearing pants, or for a couple who will observe taharat hamishpacha but not to the strict level that a RWO or Hareidi couple will (e.g., they will handle an object at the same time or engage in non-sexual touching as opposed to having zero physical contact).

For anyone who's interested in learning more about tradition or wants some help in encorporating more tradition into one's life and household, this is a very good guidebook to get started with.

I found this book before I met my Jewish husband, before I was even interested in Judaism, and I read the whole thing in the bookstore. It is full of information and detail, everything you could possibly wonder about the world of Orthodox Judaism, but Blu Greenberg is also a fantastic writer! The book is interesting enough just to read for no reason at all. I find myself picking it up and paging through to get a little inspiration, a little information, and a little humor. I feel like I know her from her wonderful stories about her family. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially women, who wanted to know more about traditional Judaism and home life.