Jews: The Essence and Character of a People [Paperback]

Arthur Hertzberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 7, 1999

In this landmark work, Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, vice president emeritus of the World Jewish Congress, and Aron Hirt-Manheimer, editor of Reform Judaism Magazine, answer the question: What makes a Jew a Jew? These prominent Jewish scholars search for the soul of the Jewish character-from the archetype of Abraham and Sarah to the ambivalence of Kafka, Freud, and Woody Allen. They delve beyond conventional discussions of Jewish identity and explore the very essence of Jewish existence. Highly regarded, Jews explains how and why great Jewish figures throughout history, who have been victimized by anti-Semitism, have succeeded to rise again and endure.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Jews is an earnest, disciplined attempt to do what has often been done recklessly, poorly, and even hatefully--to describe the things all Jews have in common. Arthur Hertzberg and Aron Hirt-Manheimer profile prominent Jews from Abraham to Woody Allen, discerning in their stories the essential Jewish qualities of "the chosen, the factious, and the outsider," and considering how these characteristics can help Jews rebuild their communities at the end of the 20th century. This book doesn't back down from any of the hard questions that Jews and gentiles ask about the Hebrew people: Do Jews contribute to anti-Semitism? Why do so many Jews marry gentiles? Why do some Jews think constantly of the Holocaust, and why do some ignore it? The answers Jews gives are rarely predictable and always provocative, and they're of lasting usefulness for all the children of Abraham. --Michael Joseph Gross --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

In a deeply felt, controversial study, the authors (Hertzberg teaches humanities at New York University, and Hirt-Manheimer is editor of Reform Judaism magazine) contend that there is a definable Jewish character that has been manifested in Jews over the centuries. They identify three core components of this reputed personality profile: the self-image of affirming Jews as a chosen people; Jews as a house divided, a fractious group with a history of internal strife; and Jews as the quintessential outsiders in Western civilization. The third characteristic, they argue, is at the root of anti-Semitism: the Jewish people, who, as persistent dissenters in the societies in which they have lived, challenge the majority's beliefs, behavior and prejudices. Hertzberg and Hirt-Manheimer defend their thesis with an unconventional, selective history of Judaism. Their portrait gallery of modern JewsAMoses Mendelssohn, Martin Buber, Freud, Marx, Trotsky, Heine, Herzl, KafkaAserves as a prism for their exploration of Jews' ambivalence over what it means to be Jewish. In one interesting passage, the authors question whether "the Orthodox establishment [can] really claim that its version of Judaism is the only effective antidote to assimilation." Their provocative approach to understanding Jewish identity is certain to stir debate. $40,000 ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (April 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060638354
• ISBN-13: 978-0060638351
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,440,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As a Jew by choice, "Jews" helped me understand my journey., July 29, 1998

By 

Barbara A. Simon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jews: The Essence and Character of a People (Hardcover)

In a talk I gave after my conversion to Judaism, I said I feel like I am a Jew born in a goy's body. Beyond that, it was difficult for me to understand exactly why I converted from Christian fundamentalism to Judaism, much less try to explain it to someone else. "Jews" has helped me to understand my own journey because it gets into the very essence of Judaism. It points out clearly how and why Jews are different. This difference goes all the way back to Abraham. It continues today. I'm sure all Jews won't agree with the aspects of being chosen, factious, and other, but it sums up my own Jewishness. I'm glad the authors took the time to write this important book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Jews" is an appetiser to a journey of further Jewish study., July 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Jews: The Essence and Character of a People (Hardcover)

An extremely enjoyable thought provoking book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down until I was finished. This book acts as a "Forschpice", an appetiser to futher learning. It let's you in the door. It introduces the reader to ideas and concepts, people and heroes throughout Jewish history.

No book can condense Jewish history, ideas and culture into a mere 300 pages, and this book does not pretend to do so. What "Jews, the essence and character of a people", does do is introduce the reader to the Jewish concepts of: "choseness", "outsider" and "factionalism" and how various persona in the Jewish history have played their role within these concepts.

For instance, no one can condense Spinoza to a mere 3-5 pages and think that they've told you all there is to know about Spinoza. What "Jews" does do is introduce the reader to Spinoza, makes one think about Spinoza, where did he fit in th! ! e "Jewish Character". And others. It is the reader's responsibility to continue the journey through further readings and study.

After years of study, whether in Yeshiva or the University, or lifelong readings of Jewish history, philosophy and religion this book has shown me in a wonderful way that there is still much more to learn and much more to do.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on the Jewish condition written, August 6, 1998

By 

Robert Orkand (Westport, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jews: The Essence and Character of a People (Hardcover)

Sadly, Arthur Hertzberg is nearing the end of a distinguished career. There are few like him anymore. Jews: The Essence and Character of a People helps us understand why people react to Hertzberg in the way they do. This eye-opening books is his magnum opus. An understanding of Jews and the Jewish people that comes from a lifetime's work is presented here in a way that cannot help but get people to think and, most important, to react.

Thanks also to Aron Hirt-Manheimer, whose skillful editing and probing questions brought out the best in Arthur Hertzberg. Bravo to both of them!