An Intelligent Person's Guide to Judaism (Intelligent Person's Guide Series) (Vol 1) [Hardcover]

Shmuley Boteach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000 | Series: Intelligent Person's Guide Series

What does it mean that we are spiritual beings? In tackling this important issue, this book argues that Judaism possesses a core of wisdom that appeals to Jews and non-Jews alike, and rejects Judaism seeking piety in abstractions, in rationalising injustice, in explaining the Holocaust away as a punishment for assimilation. It pleads for recognition of the fact that, unlike Christianity, Judaism is not about death or suffering, but primarily about seeking optimism and spirituality. In a modern world riddled with angst, this book aims to have a positive impact on how our relation to society should be understood.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A brilliant synopsis of the Jewish faith by the bestselling author of Kosher Sex. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is Director of the L'Chaim Society, a high-profile Jewish education organization in Oxford, Cambridge and London, which hosts world figures and statesmen lecturing on values-based leadership. He appears regularly on radio and television, and lectures around the world on contemporary issues. His weekly essays o modern-day dilemmas and relationships appear with regularity in leading newspapers in the UK and the United States, and are read by a dedicated international following on the internet. His most recent books include Kosher Sex (1998) and The Jewish Guide to Adultery (1995). Rabbi Boteach lives in Oxford and London with his Australian wife Debbie and their six children.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Duckworth Publishers (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071562864X
• ISBN-13: 978-0715628645
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,066,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is one of the world's leading relationship experts and spiritual authorities. His twenty-one books have been bestsellers in seventeen languages, and his award winning syndicated column is read by a global audience of millions. He is the host of TLC's award-winning Shalom in the Home and was Oprah Winfrey's love, marriage, and parenting expert on Oprah and Friends. He served for eleven years as rabbi at Oxford University, where he built the Oxford L'Chaim Society into the University's second largest student organization. Today, Newsweek calls him the most famous rabbi in America. The winner of the highly prestigious London Times Preacher of the Year award, Rabbi Shmuley is also the recipient of the National Fatherhood Award and the American Jewish Press Association's Highest Award for Excellence in Commentary. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Debbie, and their nine children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enthusiastic Guide to Intelligent Judaism, January 8, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: An Intelligent Person's Guide to Judaism (Intelligent Person's Guide Series) (Vol 1) (Hardcover)

Unlike many "guide to Judaism" books, Boteach doesn't mince words and he doesn't oversimplify.

Despite this, he manages to clarify and elucidate many key Jewish concepts and introduce new ideas that should make any "intelligent person" sit up and listen; ideas that few Orthodox rabbis are espousing these days, like seriously getting to know people of other religions and learning about their beliefs.

What this book lacks in organization and consistency among the various chapters' subject matter, it makes up for in enthusiasm. Boteach's feeling for Judaism runs deep, and it shows. If you're enthusiastic about Judaism, too, grab a copy of this book and dig in.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting but not convincing, February 20, 2008

By 

J. Davis (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AN Intelligent Person's Guide To Judaism (Hardcover)

I was born into a Jewish family but became an atheist a few years ago. While Boteach is an intelligent and passionate writer, he failed to convince me my decision was wrong. He wrestles with the classic question of theodicy-how a just God can allow suffering- but does not resolve it. Despite this, I still recommend the book to anyone curious about Judaism. He explains it well; he just doesn't justify it.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but could have been better, June 24, 2008

By 

People of the Book (Montreal, QC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Intelligent Person's Guide to Judaism (Intelligent Person's Guide Series) (Vol 1) (Hardcover)

I enjoyed the book throughly, but some of the arguments presented could have been more convincing and better researched. It seemes as if Shmuelly took bits and pieces of his other books and put them together as a "best of" compendium.

My Suggestion: Rewrite it, it really has potential.