On Being a Jew

by James L. Kugel

Book Overview

Composed as a meandering dialogue between a wily Syrian-Jewish banker and an American graduate student of literature, this engaging book explains all the basic beliefs and practices of Judaism--Jewish teachings on intermarriage and conversion, keeping the Sabbath, prayer and Torah, midrash and mitzvot, and God's presence in the world. Although the book has plenty of the "how to" of religious practice, Being a Jew is in the end an eloquent...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801859433
• ISBN13: 9780801859434
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Length: 202 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.4" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Admirable purpose less than perfect realization

James Kugel writes his own up-to- date Kuzari in the form of a dialogue between a young man newly interested in Judaism and a wise old practicioner of the faith. This is not a very harsh dialogue but rather a kind of ' maieutic dialogue' in which the questioner brings out the great knowledge inherent in the older master. In this there comes much explanation and justification of traditional practices. The problem is that this is done in a largely humorless and non- appealing way. The book is admirable in purpose but its less than perfect realization make me wonder who exactly would be convinced by such a work.

For better and worse, a modern "Cuzari"

While I take issue with some of his views, especially those on non-Orthodox religious Judaism, Kugel's book deserves attention because of its unique approach. Instead of explaining Jewish religious traditions in humanistic terms, as do most contemporary defenses of traditional observance (Orthodox and non-Orthodox), Kugel does what Yehuda Halevi did for medieval Jews. Like Halevi's, Kugel's is not a rationalist approach. He describes the life of observant Jews as it is experienced by (at least some of) those who live it. His quirky reading of the tradition has a charm and attraction that shouldn't be written off.

Honest, Stimulating, and Provocative

Kugel's book provokes you to think rather than present you with pre-packaged answers to complex questions. If you're looking for easy answers, look elsewhere. If you're looking for an approach, this is a good place to start.Rather than use the stadard approach to selling religion: It will make you happier and healthier, Kugel provides an alternative to this narcissistic version of G-d's place in our lives.

A Most Kosher Book

A mamiferous animal is considered Kosher if it chews the cud, if it has a hoof and if the hoof is cloven. Of the many interpretations or reasons of these rules given through time by the Sages of the Scriptures, there is one which comes to mind when reading James Kugel's book. The hoof is hard. It is cloven to show the uncompromising distinctiveness between right and wrong. That is the law! Chewing the cud is a symbol of mercy, of going over what is presented to find some flaw. That is clemency. Eating only Kosher animals is to keep these two apparently contradictory properties firmly in mind.In "On being a Jew" Kugel shows how the Law and Clemency are intimately interwoven in the fabric of Jewishness. It shines a bright light on our centuries-old traditions and beliefs. A wonderful book for the convinced, the sceptic and the bewildered.