The Jewish Way : Living the Holidays

Rating:
Summary: reasonably well done
Review: A sometimes eloquent, sometimes dry introduction to the Jewish holidays and how they fit in with broader Jewish theology. I especially liked Greenberg's chapter on Shabbos (in which he suggests that Shabbos is intended to be a play-acting of an utopian future, just as Passover is a play-acting of the Exodus from Egypt). A minor quibble: Greenberg's discussion of differing streams of Judaism is inconsistent. Sometimes, he is punctilious in comparing Conservative and Reform views to traditional Judaism; other times, he doesn't bother -- not a problem for the more knowledgeable reader, but perhaps a trap for the unwary. Also, his apparent view that Zionism has triumphed and that anti-Semitism is not a huge problem is a bit dated -- but one could reasonably say the same about most books written by Jewish intellectuals after 1948 and before Sept. 11.

Rating:
Summary: reasonably well done
Review: A sometimes eloquent, sometimes dry introduction to the Jewish holidays and how they fit in with broader Jewish theology. I especially liked Greenberg's chapter on Shabbos (in which he suggests that Shabbos is intended to be a play-acting of an utopian future, just as Passover is a play-acting of the Exodus from Egypt). A minor quibble: Greenberg's discussion of differing streams of Judaism is inconsistent. Sometimes, he is punctilious in comparing Conservative and Reform views to traditional Judaism; other times, he doesn't bother -- not a problem for the more knowledgeable reader, but perhaps a trap for the unwary. Also, his apparent view that Zionism has triumphed and that anti-Semitism is not a huge problem is a bit dated -- but one could reasonably say the same about most books written by Jewish intellectuals after 1948 and before Sept. 11.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely the Jewish way
Review: A wonderful overview of Shabbat and the Jewish holidays. I use it as a refresher before every holiday and recommend it as a resource for friends wanting to learn more.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely the Jewish way
Review: A wonderful overview of Shabbat and the Jewish holidays. I use it as a refresher before every holiday and recommend it as a resource for friends wanting to learn more.

Rating:
Summary: I love this book
Review: I am a Christian, and I read this book years ago. Since then it has become a standard on my shelf. If I want inspiration, especially the Jewish view of Sabbath, I pick up this book and read the parts I have highlighted. My heart continues to be stirred by its contents.

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding and inspiring guide
Review: This is more than the usual guide to the holidays. It is written by one of the pre-eminent Jewish thinkers of our time, and therefore rich in insight and wisdom. Rabbi Greenberg's great love of the Jewish tradition and the Jewish people pervades the work.
To read it is to learn and to be inspired to higher prayer and holier service of G-d on the holidays.