Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition, and Practice [Paperback]

Wayne D. Dosick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 1998

In Living Judaism, Rabbi Wayne Dosick offers an engaging and definitive overview of Jewish philosophy, theology, rituals, and customs. Combining quality scholarship and sacred spiritual instruction, Living Judaism is a thought-provoking reference and guide for those already steeped in Jewish life, and a comprehensive introduction for those exploring the richness and grandeur of Judaism. Celebrating the pluralism of the contemporary Jewish community, Living Judaism acknowledges and honors the broad spectrum of Jewish thought and the wide variety of Jewish observance.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A definitive resource for homes and libraries--this peerless volume combines convenient access to the essentials of Jewish belief and tradition with an inspiring love of its living spirit. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Rabbi Wayne D. Dosick, Ph.D., is the spiritual guide of the Elijah Minyan and adjunct professor of Jewish studies at the University of San Diego. He is the author of the acclaimed Golden Rules, Dancing with God, and When Life Hurts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (May 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060621796
• ISBN-13: 978-0060621797
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Jewish Life

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to and reflection on Judaism, March 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition, and Practice (Paperback)

After reading literally nine or ten books intended to acquaint readers with the Jewish faith and culture, none ever came close to tying all the ends together and creating a real sense of understanding. This book definitely succeeded where the others left me feeling a bit uncertain, elucidating for me things I had long wondered about. Rabbi Dossick does an amazing job of making the obscure comprehensible and doing over and over again. His chapters are put together on certain themes and different topics within the theme are addressed individually before being connected at the end of each chapter and in different essays ('An Essay on Law and Spirit,' 'An Essay on Right and Wrong'). He uses the Hebrew phrases where possible and each section introduces us to one or two new but fundamental Hebrew words, written in Hebrew and next to a transliteration. If looking for a book to introduce you to Judaism, one that's simultaneously basic in the sense that it expects no prior knowledge but stimulating in its expectation that the people reading it are intelligent people capable of choosing from the many different paths he describes, this is a book to buy, reread, and refer to. This book is *truly* the most comprehensive and illuminating book I have yet read, and I highly recommend it to anyone still feeling that their grasp on Judaism is not as strong or as clear as it could be.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accept no substitutes!, June 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition, and Practice (Paperback)

This book is one of the best that I've read in any subject! It is completely and totally accessible to all who are interested in the subject. It is written in a very personal format, so that the reader feels that he/she is being spoken to by the author. Without being condescending or assuming any foreknowledge, the author CLEARLY and SIMPLY(two very important criteria) explains all aspects of Judaism, from the beginning to present day. The reader is left with a solid understanding. I cannot recommend this book enough!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding and pride without preaching, March 31, 2001

By 

Gary Sprandel (Frankfort, Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition, and Practice (Paperback)

This book, with elegance and simplicity seeks to explains what it means to be Jewish; the beliefs, people, and sacred texts starting with the Torah. Despite wanderings and settlements from Spain, Eastern Europe, and Ethiopia, and Exiles and destructions of the Temple, they have remained "The Chosen People". This book helped me realize the uniqueness of this last century on the Jews, from the Holocaust to the importance of the creation of Israel. The essays that Rabbi Dosick sprinkled through the book, offer a glimpse of a way of thinking about ethics, justice, and law. He presents his personal views, for what they are, and recognizes other views.

The description of Jewish Holiday and Worship, describe the rituals and worship that historically permeate the Jewish life. Growing up Christian, I felt some loss that we had discarded these remembrances of God from our daily life. His own essay on "Law and Spirit" recognizes some of the differences in spirit between Christianity and Judaism. It also helped me appreciate some of the Jewish observances, that as an outsider seem unusual.