The Jewish Book of Why & The Second Jewish Book of Why (2 volumes in slipcase) [Hardcover]

Alfred J. Kolatch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1995

In this boxed set of the best-selling volumes The Jewish Book of Why and The Second Jewish Book of Why, Rabbi Alfred J Kolatch explores almost 1,000 questions about Judaism, including:

Why is a child born to a Jewish father not necessarily Jewish?
Why is there objection to surrogate motherhood?
Why do some seminaries ordain women?
Why are boys circumcised?
Why is a glass broken at a wedding ceremony?
Why are pork and shrimp not kosher?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ready answers to a wide spectrum of questions." -- Library Journal

A truly impressive volume. -- Library Journal

Ready answers to a wide spectrum of questions. -- Library Journal

About the Author

ALFRED J. KOLATCH, a graduate of the Teachers Institute of Yeshiva University and its College of Liberal Arts, was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, which subsequently awarded him the Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa. From 1941 to 1948 he served as rabbi of congregations in Columbia, South Carolina, and Kew Gardens, New York, and as a chaplain in the United States Army. In 1948 he founded Jonathan David Publishers, of which he has since been president and editor-in-chief.

Rabbi Kolatch has authored numerous books, the most popular of which are Great Jewish Quotations, How to Live a Jewish Life, What Jews Say About God, This Is the Torah, and the best-selling Jewish Book of Why and its sequel, The Second Jewish Book of Why. Several of his works deal with nomenclature, about which he is an acknowledged authority. The New Name Dictionary and The Complete Dictionary of English and Hebrew First Names are his most recent works on the subject. Other books by the author include Our Religion: The Torah, The Jewish Heritage Quiz Book, The Jewish Mourner's Book of Why, Who's Who in the Talmud, and The Family Seder.

In addition to his scholarly work, Rabbi Kolatch is interested in the work of the military chaplaincy and has served as president of the Association of Jewish Chaplains of the Armed Forces and as vice-president of the interdenominational Military Chaplains Association of the United States.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 768 pages
• Publisher: Jonathan David Pub (1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824603141
• ISBN-13: 978-0824603144
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 2.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful gift and accesory, September 23, 2003

By 

Seth J. Frantzman (Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Jewish Book of Why & The Second Jewish Book of Why (2 volumes in slipcase) (Hardcover)

These wonderful books deal with tradtional judaism and more controversial issues like conversion and marriage. The first volume is essentially detailed with accounts of 'who is a Jew' 'What is a Jew' 'What are Jewish holidays' 'What is the Jewish service and its structure' 'What are essential Jewish rituals' 'How do Jews interpret the Torah'. These chapters detail almost any question one might have about what it means to be a Jew, how to live a Jewish life and how to interpret the essential Torah. This volume is wonderful for non-Jews, return Jews, Secualt Jews and normal Jews intreested in exploring their religion deeper. Wonderful excerts explain the origins of such simple items like the Kipa(Yarmluke) and essential questions about Jewish dietary laws.

The second volume tackles more modern and controversial topics. it explores the major streams of Judaism in America(Reform, Conservative, Orthodox) and it looks at the Hasidic community. This book explores the essential topic of conversion to Judaism and how that relates to the various Jewish streams. It also tackels intermarriage questions.

This wonderful boxed set is perfect as a present and for information regarding the wonderful jewish heritage and its 5000 years of development.

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good reference source, September 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewish Book of Why & The Second Jewish Book of Why (2 volumes in slipcase) (Hardcover)

A well written and easily searchable reference source of the "whys" of Judaism. Explains traditions connected with holidays and major life events (weddings, births, funerals) clearly and concisely. The book has a serious tone, and the reader can expect a serious treatment of the subjects covered.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written and simple, August 13, 2001

By 

tzefirah "tzefirah" (Media, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jewish Book of Why & The Second Jewish Book of Why (2 volumes in slipcase) (Hardcover)

Best, I think, for children, Jews by Choice, and non-Jews with questions. It is written on a very basic level. Wonderful reference source for when those occasional "trivia question" moments come up, and you simply "have to know."