What Do Jews Believe?: The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism [Paperback]

David Ariel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 1996

In this fresh and lucid study, Ariel presents the fundamentals of Jewish thought on the profound issues of God, human destiny, good and evil, Torah, and messianism, guiding the reader toward a definition of the beliefs that shape Jewish identity. This lively exploration of Jewish ideas and beliefs provides a rationale and stimulus for anyone seeking to understand or reconnect to the rich and diverse spiritual tradition of Judaism.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What Do Jews Believe?: The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism, by David Ariel, is a basic exploration of the broad question posed by its title. Ariel's contention is that "Judaism is not a religion of fixed doctrines or dogmas but a complex system of evolving beliefs." And yet despite its diversity, "no matter how literally or metaphorically we choose to interpret them, ... sacred myths form the framework for the Jew's ongoing search for personal meaning in his or her own life, the life of the Jewish community, and society at large." What Do Jews Believe? describes some essential "sacred myths," such as the existence and nature of God, the meaning of the Torah, the importance of prayer, and the significance of chosenness. Ariel's selection and exploration of these myths is guided by the following questions: Which Jewish beliefs have survived from antiquity to the present day, how have they evolved over time, and what beliefs distinguish Judaism today? As he pursues these questions, Ariel enthusiastically describes Judaism's seminal influence on the rise of humanism, which makes his book especially credible for readers whose sympathies are more secular than his own.

Perhaps the best part of this book is its conclusion, a tzavaah, or ethical will, written as an open letter to his children. In it, he quotes a letter from a mother to her child, written while they were living in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1940, before they both were murdered by the Nazis. This letter offers an extraordinarily persuasive and poignant summary of what exactly makes a Jew a Jew: "Judaism, my child, is the struggle to bring down God upon earth, a struggle for the sanctification of the human heart. This struggle your people wages not with physical force but with spirit and by constant striving for truth and justice. So, do you understand, my child, how we are distinct from others and wherein lies the secret of our existence on earth?" To these words, Ariel adds a moving piece of advice to his own children, and to his readers: "Remember, your life is like a book. Write in it what you want to be known about you." --Michael Joseph Gross

From Publishers Weekly

Ariel, president of the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies, here offers a lucid and accessible study of the central beliefs of Judaism. With grand and sure strokes, the author paints the history of the "sacred myths" of Judaism?God, Torah, human destiny, chosenness, prayer, theodicy, mitzvot and messiah?using the colorful texts of biblical writers, rabbinic scholars and contemporary Jewish leaders. For example, in his remarks on messiah, Ariel moves from the biblical expectation of two messiahs to the fervor of contemporary messianic movements like the Lubavitch Hasidim. In a concluding letter to his children, Ariel argues that the great value of Judaism is its attempt to discover God's image in ourselves. In sum, this is a powerful introduction to the rich history and lively character of Judaism.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Schocken; 1st Pbk. Ed edition (January 23, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805210598
• ISBN-13: 978-0805210590
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Theology
  • #39 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Jewish Life

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A balanced, erudite study of Jewish beliefs., November 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: What Do Jews Believe?: The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism (Paperback)

David Ariel , in "What Do Jews Believe" gives a balanced account of the evolution of Jewish thought and beliefs, demonstrating that Judaism is a living, changing system, always renewing itself. Each chapter covers a different concept: God, the problem of good and evil, mitzvot, prayer, Jewish identity, and starting with the Torah, traces the development of those concepts in the Talmud and among the various sages and schools in Jewish history right up to the present. The book, though an overview, is by necessity deep reading , yet I can think of no other which has succeeded in presenting such an enormous and difficult topic so clearly and fairly. One is left with an awe of and appreciation for Judaism's capacity for creative diversity, while remaining grounded in scripture and history. I consider this book a must for one's personal library.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, easily understandable overview., March 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: What Do Jews Believe?: The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism (Paperback)

The most lucid explanation of the basic ideas of Judaism I've ever read. Reccomended for the scholar and the layman. Be sure to read the ethical will to Dr. Ariel's children.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Jews Believe And Why, November 4, 2001

By 

"mactorah" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Do Jews Believe?: The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism (Paperback)

I like the book because it presents belief and history across the spectrum of Jewish thought. It doesn't say some Jews believe this.. some Jews believe that. Ariel explains why Jews believe what they believe and those beliefs evolved.