850 Intriguing Questions about Judaism

True, False, or In Between

Ronald L. Eisenberg

Both Jews and non-Jews alike have many misconceptions of Jewish teachings and practices. Some seemingly unusual statements about Jewish teachings and practices are actually true, whereas some apparently reasonable and popularly believed statements are false. Many statements regarding Jewish teachings and practice are partly true and partly false, requiring a more nuanced explanation of the true situation.

In 850 Intriguing Questions about Judaism: True, False, or In Between, Ronald L. Eisenberg explores a wide range of Jewish teachings and practices, discussing the degree to which they are true, false or a bit of both. Offered in question-and-answer format, readers are invited to explore with the author what they really know about Jewish life, history, holidays, and scripture. Eisenberg tackles all sorts of topics, from artificial insemination to organ donation and euthanasia, second day festivals in the Diaspora to the why really sound the shofar, from what the ner tamid signifies to Jewish “rules of war.” Throughout, Eisenberg takes a nuanced approach to his topics, laying the groundwork for a useful survey of what we ought to know better about Jews, Judaism, and Jewish teachings and practices.

This is perfect reference work for anyone curious about Judaism, Jewish life, and Jewish history, and who has ever wondered what the real answer was to the many questions they might have had.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 322 • Trim: 6½ x 9⅜

978-1-4422-3946-3 • Hardback • June 2015 • $114.00 • (£88.00)

978-1-4422-3947-0 • eBook • June 2015 • $108.00 • (£83.00)

Subjects: Religion / Judaism / Rituals & Practice, Religion / Judaism / General, Religion / Judaism / Theology, Reference / Questions & Answers, Religion / Judaism / History

850 Intriguing Questions about Judaism

True, False, or In Between

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Both Jews and non-Jews alike have many misconceptions of Jewish teachings and practices. Some seemingly unusual statements about Jewish teachings and practices are actually true, whereas some apparently reasonable and popularly believed statements are false. Many statements regarding Jewish teachings and practice are partly true and partly false, requiring a more nuanced explanation of the true situation.

In 850 Intriguing Questions about Judaism: True, False, or In Between, Ronald L. Eisenberg explores a wide range of Jewish teachings and practices, discussing the degree to which they are true, false or a bit of both. Offered in question-and-answer format, readers are invited to explore with the author what they really know about Jewish life, history, holidays, and scripture. Eisenberg tackles all sorts of topics, from artificial insemination to organ donation and euthanasia, second day festivals in the Diaspora to the why really sound the shofar, from what the ner tamid signifies to Jewish “rules of war.” Throughout, Eisenberg takes a nuanced approach to his topics, laying the groundwork for a useful survey of what we ought to know better about Jews, Judaism, and Jewish teachings and practices.

This is perfect reference work for anyone curious about Judaism, Jewish life, and Jewish history, and who has ever wondered what the real answer was to the many questions they might have had.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 322 • Trim: 6½ x 9⅜

978-1-4422-3946-3 • Hardback • June 2015 • $114.00 • (£88.00)

978-1-4422-3947-0 • eBook • June 2015 • $108.00 • (£83.00)

Subjects: Religion / Judaism / Rituals & Practice, Religion / Judaism / General, Religion / Judaism / Theology, Reference / Questions & Answers, Religion / Judaism / History

Author

Ronald L. Eisenberg holds a doctoral degree in Jewish Studies from Spertus Institute. He has published eight books on Jewish topics, including most recently Essential Figures in the Bible (2012), Essential Figures in the Talmud (2012), and Essential Figures in Jewish Scholarship (2014).

Table of Contents

Preface
Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Bible
Chapter 2: Jewish Literature
Chapter 3: History
Chapter 4: Theology
Chapter 5: Mitzvot
Chapter 6: Ethical Living
Chapter 7: Sabbath and festivals
Chapter 8: Synagogue and Prayers
Chapter 9: Life Cycle Events
Chapter 10: Food
Chapter 11: Plants and Animals
Chapter 12: Symbols of Jews and Judaism
Chapter 13: Folkways
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Reviews

This is an engaging compendium designed to appeal to general readers seeking to learn more about the diversity of Jewish thought and practice. A dozen information-packed chapters cover literature, ethical living, food, folkways, theology, and other areas of Jewish life. Each chapter contains more than 100 questions and their corresponding concise answers, all coded to indicate whether the author considers the answer to be true (T), false (F), or nuanced (N). For example, a question in the ethics chapter asks, 'Does Judaism have a holistic view toward health?' The answer, coded T, explains: 'In Jewish thought, the concept of health entails physical, emotional, and spiritual well being, health of both the body and the soul.' Recommended for the religion collections of most public libraries.
— Booklist

850 Intriguing Questions about Judaism

True, False, or In Between

Ronald L. Eisenberg

850 Intriguing Questions about Judaism

True, False, or In Between

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