Wednesday, March 12, 2014

“What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew About Judaism” by Robert Schoen

Well written and brutally honest, this book gives a good introduction into basic Judaism for readers of all backgrounds.  Despite the catchy title, I would argue that Christians aren’t the only ones who could learn from this book.  The author takes us back into both Biblical times and modern synagogues.  We read about the difference between a rabbi and a cantor, what “observance” is, and what the various denominations within Judaism are.  The Sabbath and High Holidays are discussed in detail.  Religious life events such as weddings, bar / bat mitzvahs and funerals are included.  The modern state of Israel, including historic events in Israel’s history, is reviewed.  There is even a pronunciation guide and suggested reading list in the back of the book.  Above all, what I enjoyed most about this book was that it promoted peace and understanding amongst various people groups.         


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