Customer Reviews

Zen Judaism: For You, A Little Enlightenment

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ever get a message called "Jewish Zen" with lines like "If there is no self, whose arthritis is this?" or "Wherever you go, there you are. Your luggage is another story." They're all taken from this book. It's a lovely little item, which I highly recommend.

Have you read Haikus for Jews? It is one of the funniest and cleverest books I have read in a long time. Zen Judaism is just as funny and just as clever! And I am not a regular "Jewish humor" customer by any means. I just bought it yesterday and have already reccomended it over and over again. It is perfect subway/bus reading, dinner party conversation (although I'd be careful you don't read it aloud when your guests are eating - they might choke from laughing and eating at the same time), or 'just in the mood to laugh' reading. It is well worth the price - and more! You'll love it!

As a Jewish person who has explored Buddhism (one of many, I know), I just want to comment that this book captures all that is appealing and funny about Judaism and Zen. It's hilarious and very well-done. (The drawing of the little bird wearing a yarmalka is adorable.) You will learn a little and laugh a lot.

This is s great book. I laughed out loud throughout reading it and enjoyed every one of the Haikus.

I, a Catholic priest, gave this book to several families of close Jewish friends, and we have all laughed ourselves silly. Hilarious throughout. Jewish humor at its best, totally positive and not in the least condescending. Read excerpts on amazon, and laugh with us.

As a cousin of the late, great Henny Youngman, I know funny...And this, my bubbala, is it!

looking for a little wisdom and a good laugh at the same time? i'm not jewish, but i do practice a bit of zen. this book gave me a bit of wisdom and often made me laugh out loud. you will not find too many answers to the eternal questions of life, but there are many pieces of wisdom, and more than that, you will fall off your chair laughing. it also has advice that never came from any holy text from move to a house in the suburbs in a good school district to the longest journey beginning with a single "oy". andrew loyd webber could write the musical version---zen judaism is a gem---a little classic of wisdom and humor

David M. Bader has another success. After his excellent book Haikus For Jews, this witty follow-up makes for the hilarious melding of Buddhism and Judiasm as only Bader can do. Quite funny and engaging.

Oi, such a book! If you like Woody Allen's warped view of Jewish family life, you will relate to the one-liners in this little masterpiece. Mixes the big picture of Buddhism with small snippets of Jewish culture and perspective. Buy several (but never pay retail).

The book succeeds at it's intention - getting a half hour of laughs at innate Judaism within backdrop of Zen Buddhist sayings.

For example:
- "Enlightenment is a sudden wordless understanding. Stop telling everyone already"
- "Seek not the outer enticements. Dwell not in the inner strife. Try to find a nice place in the suburbs with good schools."

Most of the humor appeals directly to members of the tribe.

And please don't confuse this book with one of the same title that is a more serious attempt at linking the Kaballah with Buddha.