Jewish Ritual: A Brief Introduction for Christians [Paperback]

Kerry M. Olitzky (Author), Daniel Judson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2004 | ISBN-10: 1580232108 | ISBN-13: 978-1580232104 | Edition: 1

A window into the meaning of Jewish rituals throughout history and today—written especially for Christians.

Ritual moments and opportunities guide the daily life of practicing Jews. These spiritual practices give expression to Jewish identity and reflect Judaism’s core beliefs and values. But what can they mean to Christians seeking to understand their own faith? In this special book, Rabbis Olitzky and Judson guide you through the whys and hows of nine specific areas of Jewish ritual.

* Observing the Sabbath * Keeping Kosher * Putting on Tefillin (Prayer Boxes) * Wrapping the Tallit (Prayer Shawl) * Covering the Head * Studying Torah * Praying Daily * Saying Blessings throughout the Day * Going to the Ritual Bath

Providing you with the biblical and historical background of each practice, insight into its contemporary use and significance—including the often divergent approaches of different Jewish movements—and personal stories from rabbis and lay people, this easy-to-understand guide illustrates the deep meaning these rituals have in the Jewish relationship with God. Linking these practices to familiar rituals in the Christian tradition, Olitzky and Judson help you better understand the roots of Christianity and how the fundamentals of Judaism relate to and reflect your own spiritual foundation.

"I will be recommending this book to anyone who teaches adult education in parishes. A helpful guide to understanding the ritual practices of Judaism, some of their traditional and theological underpinnings, and how it all relates to us as Christians." —Jon M. Sweeney, author of The St. Francis Prayer Book: A Guide to Deepen Your Spiritual Life

"Very sensitive and embracing ... this book succeeds in translating for Christians the richness of Jewish ritual and tradition. It is a work of profound faith told through spiritually uplifting and engaging prose, as well as through the stories of those who have embraced a life of Jewish ritual and enriched their souls as a result." —The Rt. Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith, PhD, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Of the many guidebooks to Judaism, few address themselves specifically to Christian readers. Given today's permeable religious boundaries and the cross-fertilization between traditions, this handbook should be warmly welcomed on the religious bookshelf. Olitzky and Judson, both rabbis and authors, offer simple but profound explanations of the rituals that inform, shape and reflect Jewish life, identity and values. They include understandable rituals like Shabbat, universal practices like prayer and study and identifiable signs of Jewish identity like wearing a kippah. The authors also branch out to explain traditions Christians might find peculiar, like wearing tefillin (prayer boxes). Each chapter includes the ritual's biblical origin, evolution, modern perspectives, practical instruction, symbolic and spiritual values and Christian parallels. Some rituals have easy commonalities, like baptism and the mikvah (ritual bath), but others require deeper and more creative links: tefillin and the rosary, for instance, both enhance the "tactile sensation of prayer." To show how practices seek to "infuse life with sense of holiness," Olitzky, Judson and three contributing authors mix straightforward explanations with personal narratives that reflect their own experiences. "The history of Jewish-Christian relations is... a place of brokenness," they write, hoping their book will generate spiritual healing, "allowing Jews and Christians to see each others' religion with greater clarity and greater respect." (Feb.)
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From Booklist

Among the Jewish rituals explained here are observing the Sabbath, keeping kosher, putting on tefillin and prayer shawls, covering the head, studying Torah, praying and saying blessings each day, and going to the ritual bath. The book provides readers with the biblical and historical background of each practice and discusses their Christian parallels. Jewish readers will certainly learn many facts about their religion here, and Christians will find much to learn if they have developed an interest in Jewish-Christian history and how Christianity evolved from Judaism. The format is easy to follow, and the language quite accessible. An applaudable introduction. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing; 1 edition (November 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580232108
• ISBN-13: 978-1580232104
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #660,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent insights for Christians, April 3, 2005

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Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jewish Ritual: A Brief Introduction for Christians (Paperback)

Some months ago I fell upon a book called "What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew About Judaism" by Robert Schoen, an excellent book. Just recently I fell upon this book, and again I was attracted to read it.

"Jewish Ritual: A Brief Introduction for Christians" is a more focused, less general book that "What I Wish", and in that sense a great complimentary read. "Jewish Ritual" gives a great overview of various Jewish rituals such as the observing the Sabbath, those complicated (to us Christians anyway) dietary laws (what is kosher, and why does it matter?), the practice of covering the head (when and how), etc. The authors do an excellent job at the conclusion of each chapter to discuss to what extent, if any, there is a similar practice in the Christian faith.

The book is brought with obvious care, and respect for us Christians. Mutual respect and understanding is sadly lacking too often in our society. For that reason alone, this book is highly recommended. But if you have acquaintances in the Jewish community, or are simply curious to understand certain Jewish rituals better, this book is indispensable.