Rating: 
Summary: An excellent introduction
Review: Although this book is primarily Askenazi it is a comprehensive but manageable introduction to Jewish living. I've used this book with people who wish to return to Judaism and they have found it invaluble. Along with 'How to Pray as a Jew' by Rabbi Donin this has to be a standard text for the modern Jewish home where there is little possible access to classical texts. This book is also useful in the class room when answering questions about Judaism before going onto further research. Certainly teachers in Lincolnshire, England, have found this book useful when teaching GCSE and A level Judaism.
Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: As a beginner in the study of Judaism I found Rabbi Donin's book simple and packed with information to answer my numerous questions. Whether one needs a review or is just beginning, To Be A Jew was very helpful. It was written passionately by someone obviously dedicated to his faith, it was welcoming in its introduction to that faith. I refer back to this book every week for the prayers for Shabbat(Sabbath); it acts as an excellent quick reference. I was very pleased and am confident it will never collect dust on my book shelf but will be read and referred to for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Very helpful
Review: As a beginner in the study of Judaism I found Rabbi Donin's book simple and packed with information to answer my numerous questions. Whether one needs a review or is just beginning, To Be A Jew was very helpful. It was written passionately by someone obviously dedicated to his faith, it was welcoming in its introduction to that faith. I refer back to this book every week for the prayers for Shabbat(Sabbath); it acts as an excellent quick reference. I was very pleased and am confident it will never collect dust on my book shelf but will be read and referred to for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable
Review: As a French Catholic who has made the decision to convert to Orthodox Judaism, I found this book invaluable, both as a learning source and as a source of solace and joy. Rabbi Donin tells us, in lovely language, just what everyday life is like for the Orthodox Jew.Unlike many other religions, Judaism is primarily a religion of action and not beliefs. Although certain basic beliefs do exist, much in Judaism remains open to personal interpretation. Judaism does not demand that other people convert; in fact rabbis are encouraged to make at least three vigorous attempts at discouraging the possible convert. Conversion is, nevertheless, possible, and it is important to remember that Abraham was a convert, as was Ruth, a descendant of King David. In To Be a Jew, Rabbi Donin gives an overview of the history of Judaism and tells us that it was Maimonides who explained that any human being who faithfully observes the Seven Laws of Noah earns a proper place in heaven, no matter what religion he follows. Additionally, The Torah of Moses is a truth for all humanity, whether Jewish or not. Therefore, if one is not prepared to embrace the Jewish religion fully, it would be far better for him to remain outside this beautiful faith. The Holy Temple, as well, did not benefit Jews only. When King Solomon built the Temple, he specifically asked the Creator to heed the prayers of the gentiles who came to the Temple to pray (Kings I 8:41-43). The Jewish prophet refers to the Temple as a "House for all nations," (Isaiah 56:7). The Temple was the universal center of spirituality, a concentrated point where the consciousness of our Maker filtered down into the world. We also learn that in ancient times, the service in the Holy Temple during the week of Sukkos featured a total of seventy bull offerings. This, the Talmud explains, corresponded to each of the seventy nations of the world. In fact, the Talmud says, had the Romans only realized how much benefit, they, themselves, were deriving from the Temple, they never would have destroyed it. Although Judaism certainly does not consider conversion a necessity, what about those who, like me, do find that Orthodox Judaism is the only way to fulfill their own spiritual needs? As we learn in this book, the Code of Jewish Law (the Shulchan Aruch), prescribes three requirements for a valid conversion. Those three requirements are: (1) Mitzvahs. The convert must believe in one Creator and in the divinity of the Torah, as well as personally observe all 613 mitzvahs (commandments) of the Torah; (2) Milah. Male converts must undergo circumcision by a qualified Mohel or a ritual known as hatafas dam; (3) Mikveh. All converts must immerse in the Mikveh, a ritual bath linked to a reservoir of rain water. This must all be done before a court of three Jewish men who themselves are true believers, who accept the divinity of the Torah and observe the mitzvahs. Conversion, as Donin tells us, must be motivated out of pure love and spiritual desire and not done for the worldly purpose of furthering business or marriage, for example. Those who are simply interested in the Jewish liturgy or the everyday life of an Orthodox Jew will find this book very interesting, even fascinating, reading. But those who, like me, have made the firm and irrevocable decision to convert, will find the book invaluable.
Rating: 
Summary: helpful guide
Review: as a Muslim, I wanted to read a book about Judaism that can help me understand them without so much the effect of politics. this was it, and it has so many chapters of different Jewish Laws and guidance. I particularly liked the chapter of Sabbath.
one thing I noticed, it just clears to me we are much closer than we think we are, the Muslims too are devoted to religion in a practical way as well as spiritual way, it's more of a way of life.
Rating:
Summary: The Beauty of Traditional Orthodox Judaism
Review: Being in the process of Baal Teshuvah, I have searched and read quite a few books on Orhtodox Judaism. No other book comes even close to exaplaining so many details of Orhtodox Judaism in such a simple way to understand. If you are intersted in coming back to you Jewish roots, this is the book to read. Everytthing from Holydays, Shabbat, to comforting the mourner is explained in this book. Also, many prayers are listed both in Hebrew and in English. Also, a brief but excellent chapter is devoted to the history of Judaism, from Abraham to the present.
Rating:
Summary: This Book has Heart
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable resource
Review: Heyim Halevy Donin's book is, on the whole, a wonderful gathering of knowledge and teachings on the basics of how to live a Jewish life. He addresses issues of morality, family, festivals and Shabat with authority and lay-friendly language, which should make this volume a valuable resource for Jews of many stripes. It should be noted that this book is written strictly from an orthodox perspective. That is, its content reflects the beliefs and practices of the more traditional end of Judaism. Persons wishing to gain information on the more liberal branches of American Jewry would do well to visit The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (http://www.uscj.org) or The Union of American Hebrew Congregations (http://www.uahc.org). My one real complaint about this book is over something that a good copy editor could fix in a few days. The transliteration -- that is, the spelling of Hebrew and Aramaic words in our familiar Latin alphabet -- is very sloppy and inconsistant. While this may not matter much if one can read Hebrew lettering, those who are ignorant of the Hebrew alphabet may find themselves misinformed. (One major problem to note is that the letter Het, which makes a gutteral sound similar to the "ch" in "Bach," is transliterated simply as the letter H.) On the same note, the transliteration of many prayers is given without the original Hebrew, leaving even those who can read Hebrew in the dust. I would welcome a re-edited version of this book. All the same, it contains much information that no Jew should go without, and provides some of the best arguments I've yet found for following practices such as kashrut (Jewish dietary law) and shmirat Shabat (observing the Jewish Sabbath).
Rating:
Summary: An excellent tool for reference
Review: I am converting to Judaism. I have found this book to be invaluable when I am in need of specifics for ritual worship, ie. lighting candles for shabbat or chanukah. The book is easy to use, clear, and covers a variety of topics well.
Rating:
Summary: A great Book, no matter how familar you are with judaism
Review: I purchased this book, becuase I wanted to become a more religous Jew. It is a great book, telling history, laws, and many customs in detail. I also Highly reccomend "To Pray as a Jew", by the same author.
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