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To Be a Jew: A Guide to Jewish Observance in Contemporary Life by [Hayim Donin]

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Hayim Donin

To Be a Jew: A Guide to Jewish Observance in Contemporary Life Kindle Edition

by Hayim Donin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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The classic guide to the ageless heritage of Judaism

Embraced over many decades by hundreds of thousands of readers, To Be a Jew offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to traditional Jewish laws and customs as they apply to daily life in the contemporary world. In simple and powerful language, Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin presents the fundamentals of Judaism, including the laws and observances for the Sabbath, the dietary laws, family life, prayer at home and in the synagogue, the major and minor holidays, and the guiding principles and observances of life, such as birth, naming, circumcision, adoption and conversion, Bar-mitzvah, marriage, divorce, death, and mourning.

Ideal for reference, reflection, and inspiration, To Be a Jew will by greatly valued by anyone who feels that knowing, understanding, and observing the laws and traditions of Judaism in daily life is the essence of what it means to be a Jew.

Print length

425 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Basic Books
Publication date

August 13, 2019
File size

7105 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

To Be a Jew, Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin's classic guide to Jewish life, philosophy, and law has guided generations of Americans, Europeans, and Israelis to discover the treasures of their own religious traditions. First published in 1972, the book still stands as a reliable, practical and versatile resource for everyone from young girls preparing for bat mitzvah to old men returning to their spiritual roots. The book begins with an overview of Judaism's basic credo (including chapters on Israel's people, land, God, and Torah), moves on to describe the laws governing Jews' daily lives, the Jewish calendar, and "The Special Occasions of Life" from birth to death and mourning. One great strength of To Be a Jew is its blending of folk wisdom and scholarly learning. Rabbi Donin not only describes what right belief and righteous action look like but provides a rationale for these observances that engages and embraces the basic conditions of modern life. --Michael Joseph Gross --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

About the Author

Hayim Halevy Donin established himself as an incomparable teacher and interpreter of Jewish law and practice through his classic book To Be a Jew. For twenty years he was Rabbi of Congregation B’nai David in Southfield, Michigan, where he was also Adjunct Professor of Judaic Studies at the University of Detroit. Rabbi Donin held a Ph.D. in Education and was also the founder and president of the Akiva Hebrew Day School in Detroit.

--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

ASIN : B07L2VHY56
Publisher : Basic Books (August 13, 2019)
Publication date : August 13, 2019
Language : English
File size : 7105 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 425 pages
Page numbers source ISBN : 1541674022
Lending : Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #268,530 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #14 in Orthodox Judaism
- #56 in Jewish Orthodox Movements
- #68 in Jewish Life (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
383 ratings

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5 star		87%
4 star		8%
3 star		1%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Jason

Fueling my love for Orthodox Judaism as a Convert! Slight issues.

Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2020

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Honestly It's a fantastic read for anyone wanting to convert or understand the religion. From History, to culture, land and religious requirements this book has it all with explanations and supplementing quotes for better understanding. This is a heavy Orthodox perspective and as such there are some things one might disagree with.

One large point is the complete disregard for homosexuals and the idea that homosexuals can't be a Jew. I am a Orthodox studying gay Jew. While reading this book it's very clear to see the strict man and woman is the only acceptable outlook which is understandable but not facing reality; there are traditional orthodox gay living Jews. They don't subscribe to any 'cultures' like lgbt culture other than Jewish and their home country, such as myself. While obviously no human should be denied love with consenting adults, or rights, traditional viewing gays like myself don't like the parades of sexual behavior and display of some lgbt members. This book doesn't go into this topic at all. It just makes a basic claim of no homosexuals and moves on. I would have loved a deeper look into the history or information on observant gay Jews even when the community disagreed with them and how they lived since, after all they are Jews still (and this book touches on diversity of Jews).

While it can use some updating to be more loving of ALL of gods children(NOT changing the word of HaShem but better understanding and loving of all gods children as a human life rather than casting away in basic disagreements) it is a GREAT introduction to Orthodox observant Judaism, especially for the convert as there are Images and helpful additional tips and recommended readings as well.

7 people found this helpful

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W. Gulyas

Thoughtful, thorough and beautiful book for the Jew and non-Jew alike

Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2016

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An excellent guide to different aspects of what it means to be of the Jewish faith, and to live a Jewish life. Clear and well-written, it describes Jewish beliefs and traditions so that they can be appreciated for their source and meaning, as well as easily understood. I believe this book was written for Jews who wish to learn more about their faith and traditions. However, it also is a wonderful resource for non-Jews who wish to learn more about the Jewish faith. I am one of the latter, and was impressed. A wonderful gift for anyone who might be considering converting.

18 people found this helpful

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Misha

Fantastic guide to traditional Judaism. Easy to read and understand.

Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2016

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I read this, first, in 2000 as I was converting to Judaism. I now use it as an all around guide to traditional Judaism, as I am now a Rabbi myself. There is no other book like it. I also recommend you get "To Pray As A Jew" by the same author.

23 people found this helpful

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CKR

Great book for learning to become a jew

Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2018

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Amazing book! Very lovingly written, obviously written from an earlier time. But it really helped me to understand how to create a warm loving jewish household. It made me look forward to conversion.

This takes you through all of the major life events, the good and the bad, as well as ones relationship to ones parents, spouse, and children from a jewish perspective.

7 people found this helpful

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C. Adler

Judism for dummies.

Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2013

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With no disrespect. If you are a jew and don't go to temple , but would like to say the prayer and celebrate a holiday. Or if you want to observe a high holy day. This is a road map to learn as you go. It is an excellent book. We read the prayers when we light a candle to observe a family member that has passed on. We read the passover prayers out of this book. We also light the hannukka candles and read the prayers. The book offers the reader "how to be" in life. Its just so right. I am not a jew. My husband is . We have made our own traditions and this book is very much one of them. Its helped us teach our children how to be. I highly recommend it.

10 people found this helpful

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Margie

Great Beginning

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2017

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Definitely orthodox, but a good book recommended by several people. Good for seekers, people interested in Judaism, and maybe those who wish to increase their level of observance. As Reform, it was interesting to see how the Orthodox view Judaism; it's a good Judaism 101 book

8 people found this helpful

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Aria

comprehensive

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2013

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I love this book. I'm not Jewish and am not likely to convert, but Jewish religious thought and practice is so connected to every aspect of real life here in physical life that it enriches my own experience and religious practice. I've read many books on the Jewish religion. This book, an older classic, is still be best guide to what is important in Jewish practice.

To Be A Jew goes beyond the rote of observances. You will learn the why's and wherefore's out of which Jewish traditional practices come. I recommend it to anyone who wants to deeply understand more about the Jewish religion.

13 people found this helpful

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Rivkah Maccaby

This Book has Heart

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2001

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Every detail of Jewish practice is in this book, along with some of R. Donin's own aggadot and midrash on why these practices are important. In the end though, R. Donin is a believing Jew, and aggadot aside, he would say that any practice we do, we do because it's a mitzvah.
Though Donin writes from an orthodox perspective, he is very gentle with the reader, never insisting that his way is the only way. He doesn't dictate, he encourages the reader to try what feels comfortable, and to explore, and provides material enough for a long, long exploration. I can't think of a single question about daily practice or synagogue etiquette that couldn't be answered by referencing this book.
This book is intended for Jews, and as he states, particularly for Jews who grew up in a household where Yiddishkheit was not present. R. Donin assumes a certain amount of prior knowledge (such as understanding the Hebrew and Yiddish words I've used so far), so this is not a book for non-Jews with a casual interest in Judaism. However, anyone who has read one or two basic books on Judaism, or anyone who grew up Jewish, even if just barely observant should have no trouble with this book.
Donin's writing is more than just engaging, it projects a kindness that really must be experienced. It was as though Zayde were reading aloud to me. The book has heart. Never once do I think that R. Donin has written this book because he is casting for people to turn back to orthodoxy. I really believe he was motivated out of a pure love for Judaism, and this comes out of the pages.

105 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Marilia

Great book and Super fast shipping

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 14, 2019

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I ordered this book on Sunday evening and it arrived on Wednesday.
It's a great book for anyone thinking about a conversion or just wants to learn about Judaism.

One person found this helpful

Dave

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2017

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Great introduction
Great seller

Yvonne Jackson

Intersting & Informative

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2013

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I have enjoyed reading this book, it was informative, well written and explanatory.
After reading two other books on the Jewish way of life, neither of which helped my understanding; this book clearly stated what everything was about.
I would recommend it.

3 people found this helpful

Juerg Roemer

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2017

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In time and in good quality.

israel ben-avraham

extremely useful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 19, 2015

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informative

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