Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight of Three Thousand Years (Pluto Middle Eastern Studies) (Paperback)

~ Israel Shahak (Author), Gore Vidal (Foreword), Edward Said (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Shahak, who came to Israel in 1945 after surviving the concentration camp in Belsen during the Holocaust, contends that the potential for Israel's right-wing Jewish religious movements to seize power represents a threat to the peace of Israel and to the Zionist movement. He posits that Israel as a Jewish state constitutes a danger not only to itself and its inhabitants, but to all Jews and to all other people and states in the Middle East. Shahak, who was raised as an Orthodox Jew, condemns what he sees as discrimination against non-Jewish citizens of Israel. The real test facing both Israeli and diaspora Jews is the test of their self-criticism, which must include the critique of the Jewish past. Most disturbing, Shahak insists that the religion, in its classical and talmudic form, is "poisoning minds and hearts." This controversial attack of Israel by a Jew is bound to alarm Jewry worldwide. George Cohen --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

'Shahak is a very brave man who should be honored for his services to humanity ... One of the most remarkable individuals in the contemporary Middle East.' Edward Said 'Shahak subjects the whole history of Orthodoxy ... to a hilarious and scrupulous critique.' --Christopher Hitchens

 

'The future of the Palestinian people would have looked much brighter if there had been more Israelis like Shahak ... An outstanding personality.' The Jerusalem Times 'Dr Shahak's courage in speaking out against the very foundations of the state of Israel, and his kindly, humane personality, have won him influential friends.' --Al Hayat

 

'Deserves a wide readership, not only among Jews, but among Christians who seek a fuller understanding both of historical Judaism and of modern-day Israel.’ --Catholic New Times

 

‘His message gets to the heart of U.S.-Israeli relations. It is not only Jews who should read Jewish History, Jewish Religion, but Christians as well.’ --Middle East Policy

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 152 pages Publisher: Pluto Press (December 1, 1997) Language: English ISBN-10: 0745308198 ISBN-13: 978-0745308197 Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #315,960 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

53 Reviews 5 star:  (33) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:  (3) 1 star:  (12)           Average Customer Review 3.8 out of 5 stars (53 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 71 of 86 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Such views are usually censored..., July 26, 2000 By A Customer I highly recommend reading the book "Jewish history, Jewish Religion". Its author, Israel Shahak, a professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, engages in deep introspection about Jewish religion and practices. He seems deeply toubled by the rigidity, and intolerance of Jewish religion. Shahak quotes from the Talmud and points out a pervasive Jewish racism and haughtiness toward non-Jews. He believes that anti-semitism may have its roots in this historic Jewish mindset. Shahak also points out a wide-spread practice of deception and double-speak. In writing this book, he hopes that other Jews will engage in similar introspection to estabish a more harmonious relationship with Goyims. Recommended books: 'The Holocaust Industry' (by Finkelstein) 'An Eye for an Eye' (John Sack) 154 of 194 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A guide to understanding Israel., April 17, 1998 By  [e-mail] (London, England) - See all my reviews In his most illuminating and disturbing book Professor Shahak takes the lid off previously hidden Orthodox Jewish beliefs and practices. He explains how these beliefs are at the heart of the Zionist adventure and constitute a major influence upon Israeli government policies and actions. We are made aware of the paradox of a largely secular state basing its raison d'etre and future direction upon biblical text. The depth of Orthodox Jewish antipathy toward the gentile, and especially toward Christianity (and Jesus) will come as an unsettling surprise to the many millions of American evangelical Christians who uncritically accept a fawning admiration of all things Israeli repeatedly displayed by the TV evangelists. Frightening, too, is the near-total control of most Jewish organizations now in the hands of Zionists; it is now almost impossible for a Jew to openly disassociate him or herself from, let alone be critical of, the state of Israel or the aims of Zionism. Whereas the critical gentile must be an 'anti-Semite' so must the critical Jew be 'self-hating'. Whatever your point of view on the situation in Israel, whatever your religion or philosophical perspective, however deeply you hold your convictions, you cannot fail to be challenged by this marvelous book. 54 of 70 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The TRUTH, September 11, 2001 By  kinda sawaf "dturjman" (bluefield, va United States) - See all my reviews If you talk to a Muslim/Christian palastinian who is living under the Israeli occupation, he or she will not be surprised by what is written in Mr. Shahak's book. What is being described in this book as classical judaism teaching is currently being practiced and for the last fifty years in the State of Israel in the form of legitimate Judaism but comprise extreme injustice against non-Jewish people of Israel and of the occupied territories. Mr. Shahak describes where do these practices come from, and how are they being supported by the Jewish Israeli community. This book is not anti-semitic, the autor is a Jewish person born in a conservative Jewish family and lived most of his life in Israel. I think that this book has honestly analyzed the origins of the conflict in Israel and the occupied territories. Without considering the role and power of Jewish fundamentalism in Israel as described by Mr. Shahak, the quest for peace will never materialize.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars A courageous Israeli evades the establishment censors. I didn't expect to agree with all of Prof. Shahak's views going into this work, but I did find it helpful and insightful. From this Cats perspective, Pro vs. Read more Published 12 months ago by Latimer the Cat 4.0 out of 5 stars Insights into Polish Peasantry and Jewry Two-Three Centuries Ago Certain issues raised by Shahak are undeveloped by other reviewers, and I elaborate on the situation facing Polish Jews and peasants at about the time of the Partitions and... Read more Published on November 3, 2007 by Jan Peczkis 5.0 out of 5 stars If I could recommend a book to a Zionist Christian, this would be it: They can learn about how Jesus is in hell, buried in feces Our media and Hollywood gave me the impression that Jews are, more or less, the most persecuted group in history. Read more Published on June 4, 2007 by Andrew Mcdonald 1.0 out of 5 stars Biased work masquerading as an objective analysis. As can be judged by the positive reviews given to this book, Shahak had played into the hands of anti-Semites and pseudo-scholars alike - if it wasn't his intent for writing this... Read more Published on June 23, 2006 by Imranov Musa 1.0 out of 5 stars Ranges from distortion to outright falsehood Shahak was a chemistry professor better known for his racist, anti-Jewish diatribes. His allegations range from the outright distorted to the flat out fictional. Read more Published on March 28, 2006 by affinity 5.0 out of 5 stars A good read Shahak apparently has a critical eye, sharp arguments and well-rounded knowledge of Judaism. Yet, his book should not be taken to denounce all the dominions of the Jewish faith... Read more Published on February 9, 2006 by Hussain Abdul-Hussain 5.0 out of 5 stars I am no longer a Jew Shahak's book is a true eye opener. While he talks mainly about classical Judaism, reform or conservative Judaism also fall under his characterization. Read more Published on January 11, 2006 by beth 1.0 out of 5 stars Lazy, disengenuous; equivalent of an intellectual carcinogen My major problem with this book is not that Shahak is biased, or that he transparently uses Orthodox Judaism as a stepping-stone to attack anything Jewish (or Zionist) he... Read more Published on May 3, 2005 by Andrew Nusbaum 5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative Book This book is very informative and should be read by all.Israel Shahak gives a first hand account of Jewish history and religion. Published on February 21, 2005 by J.R.B. 1.0 out of 5 stars Bitter Ravings of a Leftist Crank This slim book, prominently featured on Arab and Nazi websites, is a collection of fevered fulminations by a leftist idealogue who, though Jewish by birth, chose to align himself... Read more Published on January 30, 2005 by Charles Foster Kane Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Pluto Press (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0745308198
• ISBN-13: 978-0745308197
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #315,960 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such views are usually censored..., July 26, 2000

By A Customer

I highly recommend reading the book "Jewish history, Jewish Religion". Its author, Israel Shahak, a professor at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, engages in deep introspection about Jewish religion and practices.

He seems deeply toubled by the rigidity, and intolerance of Jewish religion. Shahak quotes from the Talmud and points out a pervasive Jewish racism and haughtiness toward non-Jews.

He believes that anti-semitism may have its roots in this historic Jewish mindset. Shahak also points out a wide-spread practice of deception and double-speak.

In writing this book, he hopes that other Jews will engage in similar introspection to estabish a more harmonious relationship with Goyims.

Recommended books: 'The Holocaust Industry' (by Finkelstein) 'An Eye for an Eye' (John Sack)

154 of 194 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide to understanding Israel., April 17, 1998

By	[e-mail] (London, England) - See all my reviews

In his most illuminating and disturbing book Professor Shahak takes the lid off previously hidden Orthodox Jewish beliefs and practices. He explains how these beliefs are at the heart of the Zionist adventure and constitute a major influence upon Israeli government policies and actions. We are made aware of the paradox of a largely secular state basing its raison d'etre and future direction upon biblical text. The depth of Orthodox Jewish antipathy toward the gentile, and especially toward Christianity (and Jesus) will come as an unsettling surprise to the many millions of American evangelical Christians who uncritically accept a fawning admiration of all things Israeli repeatedly displayed by the TV evangelists. Frightening, too, is the near-total control of most Jewish organizations now in the hands of Zionists; it is now almost impossible for a Jew to openly disassociate him or herself from, let alone be critical of, the state of Israel or the aims of Zionism. Whereas the critical gentile must be an 'anti-Semite' so must the critical Jew be 'self-hating'. Whatever your point of view on the situation in Israel, whatever your religion or philosophical perspective, however deeply you hold your convictions, you cannot fail to be challenged by this marvelous book.

54 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The TRUTH, September 11, 2001

By	kinda sawaf "dturjman" (bluefield, va United States) - See all my reviews

If you talk to a Muslim/Christian palastinian who is living under the Israeli occupation, he or she will not be surprised by what is written in Mr. Shahak's book. What is being described in this book as classical judaism teaching is currently being practiced and for the last fifty years in the State of Israel in the form of legitimate Judaism but comprise extreme injustice against non-Jewish people of Israel and of the occupied territories. Mr. Shahak describes where do these practices come from, and how are they being supported by the Jewish Israeli community. This book is not anti-semitic, the autor is a Jewish person born in a conservative Jewish family and lived most of his life in Israel. I think that this book has honestly analyzed the origins of the conflict in Israel and the occupied territories. Without considering the role and power of Jewish fundamentalism in Israel as described by Mr. Shahak, the quest for peace will never materialize.