Customer Reviews

Judaism For Dummies

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was the first book I ever read about Judaism, and it was a great place to start. Judaism for Dummies gives you an overview on Judaism in a lighthearted way that prepares you for later "heavier" reading on Judaism if you're interested.

The book covers everything from the holidays and food, to history and various sects of Judaism. The authors manage to do this without your really being able to distinguish whether they're Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or something other.

As someone who is exploring and thinking about attending a synagogue service, the book settles your mind and lets you know what the service will be like, what will take place, what is appropriate for you to participate in and what isn't. Finally, the end of the book is filled with a glossary to help with your growing vocabulary of Jewish terms and other references. Very helpful and not overwhelming for those just beginning to learn about Judaism.

If this had been the first book I had read about Judaism, I probably would have gotten much more interested much more quickly than I did. Judaism for Dummies presents all the basic concepts of Judaism in just over 300 pages of delightful commentary. With informative sidebars and appropriate humor, this book is an excellent introduction to the Jewish faith. Appendixes include a table of the holidays for until the year 2010, an introduction to Yiddish words as well as less well known Yinglish words and basic Jewish vocabulary, and a smattering of useful blessings presented in Hebrew, transliteration, and English.

I recommend Judaism for Dummies as a first-read for anyone interested in Judaism. The one downside is that that it may be a bit simplistic for people who are already on their way to discovering the joys of the Jewish faith.

Very detailed and fun guide to Judaism. A wonderful book particularly for the non-Jew, Goyim, and possibly as a basic teaching guide for Jews who are less studious with their faith. Captures everything from who Jews are to their origins and discusses different types of worship from conservative to orthdox to the Hasidism. The book not only covers the basic beliefs but also a modest history along with chapters on the specific holidays with straight forward explanations. Even includes a glossary of frequently used Jewish words, frequently asked questions, reference information and detail on the types of cultural food with recipes. Strong points are not only the description of the beliefs but the break down of the meanings of the holidays with guides on how to act, what to expect and what to bring. This book provides a very pleasant and positive look at the faith, capturing the celebration of life along with soulful reflection. The only criticism, which is mild, is that I wish the book had a broader glossary for quick reference utilizng more terms with small bios of the critical people involved.

This book is a great book for ANYONE even slightly interested in Judaism--and it's very easy to understand...even for 16-year-olds like me. I agree that this book respectfully potrays all movements of Judaism. The authors display a love of tradition, but understand the importance of common sense, and seek to maintain that balance. As a former Christian (considering Judaism as an option), I also appreciate their respect for Christianity... But anyway...I like how they don't assume you're a complete idiot, but they make sure you understand the important things before you head of to a service, where you might embarass yourself...Well my point (and I do have one) to all of this is that Judaism for Dummies is worth every penny I spent.(duh.) :)

Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav

Dont know what this means? Read this wonderful introduction and find out. This wonderful book gives the reader many fascinating introductions to Judaism, from basic prayers and blessings to a valiant history to the many ways in which Judaism has influenced the world. From the ancient rituals to the structure of the Torah and the nature of the High Holidays. From Abraham in the desert to Judah the Maccabbee and Bar Kochba and their wars against the idol worshipers of Greece and Rome. You will not be disappointed if you are interested in Judaism or interested in what Jews believe and who Jews are and how Jews relate to Israel.

Probably the only flaw with this book is that its called 'for Dummies' and no one who wants to learn about Judaism can be called Dummy in any sense of the word.

Seth J. Frantzman

My friend recommended this book to refresh my memory for all I forgot from my University studies over 20 years ago. This book is quite wonderful and gives a magnificent, quick synopsis of all the basics of Judaism; especially helps now with all the compassion and empathy contained therein. No matter what your beliefs, you will find comfort here in all the basics principles of all of our struggles for the meaning of life.

Falcon and Blatner really dive deep into the Jewish faith and give details on stuff like basic beliefs, the festivals, Jewish history, and the whole Jewish mysticism/Kabbalah thing. There are some sidebars about what to do if you're not Jewish and you've been invited to something like a synagogue service or a wedding which should be really helpful. So enjoy.

Here to take its place in the greatest informational series this side of a bookshelf full of encyclopedias, Judaism For Dummies continues the "Dummies" tradition of educating and never boring the inquiring mind of its reader. In this volume, which tells everything that might possibly ever be asked about humanity's oldest and most profoundly world-changing religion, concise facts are presented in such a way that anyone, from children to adults, can grasp the informative answers herein. From biographies of the great figures in Judaism, to simple answers on customs, holidays, dietary requirements, beliefs, the Kabala, rabbinical laws, the hows and whys of anything Jewish, it's all explained here. There's even a delightful page dedicated to Jewish humor, which includes a sardonic joke about two Jewish men in an alley who see a pair of tough-looking men approaching. The one Jew turns to the other and says, "I think we should get out of here cause there's two of them and you and I are alone." Ha, yeah, pretty good... Judaism For Dummies is a fine source of educational material and it impressed me, as so far every book in this series has.

A great overview of just about everything Jewish there and how we relate and survive in the gentile world. I think that every religious faith should probably have a book like this. David and Rabbi Ted left me wanting more which is exactly what the book wants.

I can't imagine how I would have survived giving a presentation during the past High Holiday, Yom Kippur.

I was faced with a room of folks that thought they knew what it was to be a Jew or to be JewISH, and not a one of them had many clues.

It was nice to have this format so that I could highlight my way through what eventually became a great presentation, and a great gathering of learning women.