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The Jewish Book of Why Paperback – March 4, 2003

by Alfred J. Kolatch (Author)

395 ratings

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Why do Jews eat gefilte fish?
Why is a glass broken at the end of a Jewish wedding ceremony?
Why must the chapter of curses in the Torah be read quickly in a low voice?
Why are shrimp and lobster not kosher?
Why do Jews fast on Yom Kippur?
Why are some Matzot square while others are round?

If you've ever asked or been asked any of these questions, The Jewish Book of Why has all the answers. In this complete, concise, fascinating, and thoroughly informative guide to Jewish life and tradition, Rabbi Alfred J. Kolatch clearly explains both the significance and the origin of nearly every symbol, custom, and practice known to Jewish culture-from Afikomon to Yarmulkes, and from Passover to Purim. Kolatch also dispels many of the prevalent misconceptions and misunderstandings that surround Jewish observance and provides a full and unfettered look at the biblical, historical, and sometimes superstitious reasons and rituals that helped develop Jewish law and custom and make Judaism not just a religion, but a way of life. L'chaim!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This book is for Jews and Gentiles alike, offering an encyclopedic compendium of concise, cogent explanations of Jewish rituals and practices. Kolatch, a rabbi and author of Great Jewish Quotations, treats every facet of Jewish religious observance, including births, weddings and funerals, sabbath and synagogue, holidays from Passover to Purim and the intricacies of the Jewish calendar. He teases apart the variations that distinguish different Jewish communities and denominations, and carefully notes whether a practice derives from the Torah, the Talmudic law or custom. Kolatch's catechistic format fields queries about the grand imponderables ("Why is marriage such an important institution in Jewish life?") and the most exquisite niceties ("Why do some people remove their tefilin after concluding the Amida, and then immediately put on a second pair for the balance of the service?"). In answering such questions, he sticks to Jewish law and history; on the particularly vexed issue of Kosher dietary rules, he rejects speculation about nutritional or sanitary benefits and insists that their rationale lies in the Divine injunction of "holiness" and the Jews' destiny as a people apart. While there are alternatives to some of the explanations offered here, Kolatch writes in an erudite but straightforward style, providing an intelligent, loving introduction to Jewish tradition and culture.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Alfred J. Kolatch was an American rabbi and graduate of Yeshiva College. He was founder, president, and editor in chief of Jonathan David Publishers, as well as the author of more than 50 books. His most popular book, The Jewish Book of Why, spawned a series that has sold more than 1.5 million copies in five languages. He died in 2007.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0142196193
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books; Revised edition (March 4, 2003)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780142196199
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0142196199
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.16 x 0.76 x 7.89 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #74,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #54 in History of Judaism
- #66 in Jewish Life (Books)
- #892 in Christian Self Help

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Customers find the book wonderfully informative and easy to read, particularly praising its comprehensive coverage of Jewish traditions. They appreciate the information quality, with one customer noting how it sparks interesting conversations among family and friends.

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58 customers mention "Readability"55 positive3 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as wonderfully informative and a must-read for beginners on Jewish traditions.

"...I found it to be an interesting read myself, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to explore the "whys" behind Jewish practices...." Read more

"...of Why” is the first of a two-book series in which the Conservative rabbi explains in clear and easy to read language the origin and significance of..." Read more

"Biblical history. Bible based with references and quotations. Every day and historical information" Read more

"The first book was good. This book is great." Read more

23 customers mention "Information quality"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and fascinating, with one customer noting it provides answers to questions they never thought to ask, while another mentions it sparks interesting conversations among family and friends.

"...deeply rooted in the faith or just curious, this book offers insightful explanations that keep you intrigued...." Read more

"...In this volume, he focuses on customs, traditions, and rituals in sixteen areas such as the early years of life, marriage, divorce, death, mourning,..." Read more

"This book has lots of interesting information about so many Jewish holidays and traditions. I love it!" Read more

"Answers to questions you never asked. Interesting." Read more

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Tanya R
Perfect Bar Mitzvah Gift and an Enlightening Read!
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2024
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I recently gave "The Jewish Book of Why" as a Bar Mitzvah gift, and it was a big hit! The young man was genuinely excited to receive it, and it sparked many interesting conversations among family and friends. The book is an engaging exploration of Jewish traditions, rituals, and beliefs, answering questions in a clear and accessible way.

It's not just a gift for the occasion but a valuable resource that can deepen one's understanding of Judaism. Whether you're deeply rooted in the faith or just curious, this book offers insightful explanations that keep you intrigued. I found it to be an interesting read myself, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to explore the "whys" behind Jewish practices. A fantastic gift that resonates!

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Israel Drazin
This book answers many significant Jewish questions
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2019
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Alfred J. Kolatch’s 1981 book “The Jewish Book of Why” is the first of a two-book series in which the Conservative rabbi explains in clear and easy to read language the origin and significance of Jewish practices, holidays, and symbols. Rabbi Kolatch (1916-2007) published more than fifty books. In this volume, he focuses on customs, traditions, and rituals in sixteen areas such as the early years of life, marriage, divorce, death, mourning, dietary laws, and holidays.
Among many dozens of questions that he answers are why do Jews observe the Sabbath, why do many male Jews wear yarmulkes (skullcaps), what holidays occur each month, why is it that the religion of the mother not the father determines the religion of her child, may a woman perform circumcision on a male child, why do Ashkenazic Jews not name children after living relatives while Sephardic Jews prefer to name children after living relatives, why do some male Jews refrain from marrying a woman whose first name is the same as their mother, why are weddings permitted on Lag B’Omer, why do brides circle their groom many times during the wedding ceremony, why is drinking wine part of the wedding ceremony, why is the wedding ring first placed on the index finger and then transferred to the fourth finger of the left hand, why is a glass broken during the wedding ceremony, why do a bride and groom go to a private room to be alone immediately after the wedding ceremony, why can’t a woman initiate a Jewish divorce, why does a Jewish divorce certificate have to be handwritten, and why is it written in Aramaic rather than Hebrew. This small sampling shows that the book is quite comprehensive and informative.

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7 people found this helpful

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Pagesandhoops
A Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
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This book has lots of interesting information about so many Jewish holidays and traditions. I love it!

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lou gro
Interesting biblically based explanation
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2025
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Biblical history. Bible based with references and quotations. Every day and historical information

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Multiple charger
Great
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024
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Great service

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Deedee
Hum…..
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
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I haven’t gotten to far in this book, a bit in my opinion a challenge in the reading. Since I have a lot of whys?

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Ronie MC
EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2023
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OK, so ever since my grandmother died my family has been lets say "less than religious" We don't celebrate hardly anything anymore and I find it sad. I now have my own family, a son that is 5 and a husband that is also young at heart. Between my husband and myself, we want to raise our son with some sort of religion or spirituality and we didn't really know where to begin, that is until we found this book. The fact of the matter is that we had to buy another copy because we were "fighting over it" at times. Enough said.....OYE

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3 people found this helpful

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R. S. Minetor
The best book on the topic
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023
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I have had a copy of this book for decades, and I was very glad to find it still available on Amazon to give to my mixed-heritage niece. She had many questions about the Jewish side of her heritage, and no book answers them better than this one.

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2 people found this helpful

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B. A. Howard
Excellent book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2009
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This is a good book that you can pick up for either one question or many at a time.

I left it downstairs one day and visitors picked the book up and started reading it themselves. You can jump around the book, and always find a question you either didn't know the answer to, or some answers probably appear different to what you currently believe.

The book gives both an orthodox or reform opinion to most answers. It's very easy to read - most answers are about half a page long. It's written in a very straightforward style.

Excellent as a Barmitzvah present. Amazon sometimes does a deal for both the first and second books together - I've only read the first one.

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Maria Marlene de Souza Pires
as paginas do livro ficam de ponta cabeça
Reviewed in Brazil on January 25, 2023
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Queria muito esse livro, mas a apresentação dele é na vertical, obrigando a ler com a cabeça virada e não há uma opção para gira-lo na posição certa. Vou anexar a como é visualizada
Obrigada

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Annasw
Small, very small
Reviewed in Italy on November 20, 2012
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What a surprise when I received the book! The real size is 7x8 cm!!!!!
Believe me!
When I saw the picture online I imagined a "normal" book!

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Beril
Able to understand the facts
Reviewed in India on June 11, 2019
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Glory to Lord

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Diana Friedstadt Gopas
Muy interesante
Reviewed in Mexico on November 4, 2022
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Te saca de cuanta duda tengas sobre las costumbres y tradiciones judias

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5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book

1.0 out of 5 stars as paginas do livro ficam de ponta cabeça

3.0 out of 5 stars Small, very small

5.0 out of 5 stars Able to understand the facts

5.0 out of 5 stars Muy interesante

Excellent book

as paginas do livro ficam de ponta cabeça

Small, very small

Able to understand the facts

Muy interesante