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eososray's review against another edition
3.0
This was really just an excuse to write about Judaism, there isn't much of a story in it at all.
caffeinatedsquirrel's review against another edition
4.0
Good basic overview of Judaism. Plain, simple language. Easy to follow narrative. I didn't particularly appreciate the way female characters were portrayed; however, the book was published in 1981. I would still recommend.
alangmead's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book is set up as a sort of Socratic Dialog describing Conservative Judaism as it existed in the early 1980s. Because of that, some of it does not reflect modern understanding of subjects like feminism, neocolonialism, etc. What weak plot there actually is in the story winds up getting resolved in a very contrived way
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Islamophobia
therootedway's review against another edition
5.0
Not a mystery. Got this on a whim in audio from the library thinking it was one in the mystery series. I have never read any and didn’t know that this book existed. If that’s what you’re hoping for you will likely hate this book. This is a unique fictional way of presenting a dialogue about Judaism.
Ch 13-15 are problematic. But it’s an old book and there’s a lot to learn by seeing how perspective changes. Read Engendering Judaism for a better perspective, and other newer diversified authors. But the unique dialogue format creates an accessible and effective way of instruction and understanding that is worth giving some of these chapters a read, especially for anyone with little knowledge who is curious, or anyone who thinks they know what Judaism is but really doesn’t. In several spots the format and characters present incredibly complicated and deep issues in a deceivingly casual and almost flippant way.
Ch 13-15 are problematic. But it’s an old book and there’s a lot to learn by seeing how perspective changes. Read Engendering Judaism for a better perspective, and other newer diversified authors. But the unique dialogue format creates an accessible and effective way of instruction and understanding that is worth giving some of these chapters a read, especially for anyone with little knowledge who is curious, or anyone who thinks they know what Judaism is but really doesn’t. In several spots the format and characters present incredibly complicated and deep issues in a deceivingly casual and almost flippant way.
ashleycagan's review against another edition
2.0
A book that while I'm sure was useful at the time, does not stand up in modern day. There are better books on the various topics discussed. The sexism in the last bit was a wild ride.
jamesvw's review against another edition
3.0
This was my Yom Kippur reading and it was a fittingly evocative and, at times, infuriating. Unlike Kemelman's other Rabbi Small mysteries, this book reads as a Judaism 201 placed in the confines of a conversation between his most famous character and a young couple, one secularly Jewish and one interested in converting. It is a smart, complex look at Judaism from a Conservative perspective (though with sometimes smarting jabs thrown at both Reform and Orthodox beliefs and practices). However, it does suffer from being a bit dated as well as two pretty egregious sections. The first almost made me put the book down - it related to a brief conversation about Israel where the Rabbi makes the assertion that the occupation of the Palestinian territories is benevolent, saying that "much of the trouble in the occupied areas is due to the unusually kind and decent treatment given [the Palestinians]. It is so at variance with what they expected and what they would normally have received from their fellow Arabs in similar circumstances that they can't understand it..." (143). Thankfully, there is a painfully awkward transition away from discussing Israel and it hardly comes up until later.
The second contention, regarding the roles in traditional Jewish services that are reserved only for men, is equally as offensive - Kemelman makes the assertion that women are interested in different things than men and leading a service, reading from the torah, etc. is simply a push from feminists, not actually what women would naturally want to do. They are more inclined to nurse, teach and cook. Ugh...
Yom Kippur is all about forgiveness and so I moved on from these passages - overall, an enjoyable didactic read even if parts were irritating. Good for folks who are struggling with liberal Judaism and how it philosophically differs from liberal Christianity.
The second contention, regarding the roles in traditional Jewish services that are reserved only for men, is equally as offensive - Kemelman makes the assertion that women are interested in different things than men and leading a service, reading from the torah, etc. is simply a push from feminists, not actually what women would naturally want to do. They are more inclined to nurse, teach and cook. Ugh...
Yom Kippur is all about forgiveness and so I moved on from these passages - overall, an enjoyable didactic read even if parts were irritating. Good for folks who are struggling with liberal Judaism and how it philosophically differs from liberal Christianity.
stephang18's review
4.0
This book ranks with "The Nine Questions that People Ask about Judaism". My only cavil is with Kemelman's view of the afterlife in Judaism. He is plain wrong.
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