Reviews (1)

Great source!
This is a great source book.One can use it as an encyclopedia for information on Judaism. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - General    4. Judaism - History    5. Religion    6. Religion - Judaism   

Reviews (7)

An Important Part of Half of the Dialogue
I also don't feel qualified to evaluate the author's thesis.However, I think most of us "Gentiles" have had encounters with Jews where an honest discussion of the relationship between Jews and non-Jews has been absolutely clearly made out of bounds by the other party.Why can't we have an honest discussion?Isn't it in everyone's real interest?
Five stars for courage
I do not feel qualified to judge the academic merits of Professor Kevin MacDonald's book; however, I gladly give him five stars for sheer courage. Writing about Jewish subjects is nowadays a very risky business unless one limits himself to the conventional pietisms and platitudes. Prof. MacDonald certainly doesn't do that. Predictably enough, his works (just like the books of Albert S. Lindemann on the real causes of "antisemitism"), triggered the usual hysteria and howls of rage. All the more reason to read them!

Publishers iUniverse and Praeger should be ashamed
PTSDA gives evolutionary psychology a black eye. It's so grotesquely inept and speculative that at least one leader in the field denies that MacDonald IS an evolutionary psychologist.Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism - History    2. Religion    3. Religion - Judaism    4. Social Psychology    5. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (4)

A masterpiece in Pauline studies
Boyarin is a Talmudic scholar whose non-Christian approach to a well-worn discipline is refreshing and necessary. He locates the heart of Pauline theology in the Platonic dualism of spirit and flesh, where flesh, though necessary and not evil, is regarded as less significant and inferior to spirit. The most challenging parts of the book are those that deal with Paul's attitude to sexuality. There is also a penetrating critique of anti-Semitic German scholars like Kasemann. I was shocked to discover that Kasemann, one of the great Paulinists of our time, used to speak pejoratively about "the Jew in every one of us"; the "Jew" here representing perverse self-righteousness. The twentieth century has witnessed some outstanding contributions by Jewish scholars to Pauline research. In particular the works of R.L. Rubenstein, "My Brother Paul", and H.J. Schoeps, "Paul: The Theology of the Apostle in the Light of Jewish Religious History". More recently is the work of Alan Segal. Boyarin stands in a proud tradition and makes his own contribution. The only cautionary note for those unfamiliar with Pauline scholarship: read the introduction only AFTER you have read the book; it is tough going. The book itself, written mostly for scholars, is compelling reading.
Daniel, Be Mindful of Your Audience
I'm a fan of Boyarin's work. There's much to admire. For example, he takes a progressive attitude towards issues of gender, including the status of women and of homosexuals, and he takes this stance as an Orthodox Jew. As a church-going Catholic who actively supports Gay Rights, I admire Boyarin both for his faith and for his support of gender non-conforming people. Boyarin's Conception of St. Paul's Flesh and Spirit
This work is one of the most insightful to appear upon Paul the Apostle in years. Recognizing that specifically Lutheran and generally Protestant understandings of Paul have been knowingly or unknowingly anti-Jewish, Boyarin sees beyond mere church theologizing toward the issues that motivated Paul to write: the exclusive nature of a community based on Jewish lineage vs. transcultural worship of a universal God. Not only does Boyarin explicate the significance of these issues for ancient Mediterranean religion; he also profoundly explains their contemporary significance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - New Testament    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Bible - Study - New Testament    4. Judaism - History    5. New Testament Commentary    6. Religion    7. Religion - Biblical Studies    8. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis    9. Books of the New Testament    10. Criticism & exegesis of sacred texts    11. Cultural studies    12. Jewish studies    13. Judaism    14. Religion / General   

Reviews (21)

Making a case for Pharisees
There are some gems in this book.I especially liked the way Mr. Moseley brought out the Hebrew idioms of Jesus.I gave this book only three stars, however, because although the cover says, "Yeshua," the text is mostly about the Pharisees.Though this is interesting in and of itself, I bought the book to study Jesus from a Hebrew stand point, not the Pharisees.The book is well documented and it does propose some interesting possibilities.

Review
This book is filled with interesting facts about Jesus and his times. A must have for anyone interested in History and Jewish law. A scholarly book, indeed. The first Christians were Hebrew and had to find their place within the framework of being saved by grace, and not by the law. This book can help readers understand what it were like to be a Hebrew and a Christian during that time in history. I hope Christians of all backgrounds look past the hysteria of those who call everything anti-Semitic, and who make light of the holocaust by calling people who disagree with their point of view a Nazi, and read this book for what it is, a useful tool to understanding history.

Balanced, well researched.
Ron Moseley has written a well-researched and fascinating study of the Jewishness of the historical Jesus. Easily read but challenging to the reader. This book is a must for every serious student of the Bible in enlightening us as to our Jewish heritage. Forewords by Brad Young, Ph.D., Dr. Marvin Wilson, and Dwight Prior.
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Subjects:  1. Bible - Study - New Testament    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - History - General    4. Christianity and other religions    5. History    6. Judaism    7. Judaism - General    8. Judaism - History    9. Origin    10. Relations    11. Religion    12. Religion - Judaism    13. Jesus Christ    14. Jewishness    15. Pharisees   

Reviews (6)

The best I have read
If you are looking for a history of ancient Israel. This is probably as good as you can get.

Totally awesome resource!So, so, SO helpful.
I found this book to be fantastic prerequisite reading on Jewish history from Biblical to Rabbinic times.It provides the reader with a working background knowledge of a daunting timespan; even skimming it provides enough information for a satisfactory jumping-off point of Jewish scholarship.It reads like a textbook, though, so beware: this is not exactly pleasure reading.

Mind strain and eye strain
This fact filled book is tough going. By telling the development of thought and how many theories were cast aside by subsequent research and writing, it makes me feel buffeted by waves, then thrown on the shore, out of breath. Just tell the best story you can, as clearly as you can, please. Sure, some parenthetical or footnote references to say that for a while "such and such" was thought, OK. But maintain the thread. Perhaps an editor doesn't have that latitude when dealing with a collection of world class scholarly authors.Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. History - General History    3. History Of Judaism    4. Israel - History    5. Jewish - Ancient    6. Judaism - History    7. Middle East - Israel    8. Religion    9. Asian / Middle Eastern history    10. History of religion    11. Israel    12. Judaism    13. Religion / General    14. Social history   

Subjects:  1. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - Old Testament    2. Gentiles in rabbinical literat    3. Gentiles in rabbinical literature    4. Gentiles in the Old Testament    5. History of doctrines    6. Judaism    7. Judaism - History    8. Judaism - Sacred Writings    9. Purity, Ritual    10. Religion    11. Religion - Judaism    12. History of religion    13. Interfaith relations    14. Religion & Theology | Biblical Studies | Old Testament/Hebrew Bible    15. Religion / Bible / Criticism, Interpretation / Old Testament   

Reviews (3)

A good survey
This is a good introductory survey and comparative study of the three major religions to develop from the early Abrahamic traditions.According to scholar John Esposito, the revised edition of this book is more important than ever given the international attention drawn to the relationship between Judaism, Christianity and Islam.According to Esposito, for too long has the 'Judeo-Christian' school ignored the fact that Islam, too, comes out of this same source of origins, and that there is a Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition that can be identified and studied.
4 editions!
Note: There are at least 4 different printings of Peters' book "The Children of Abraham" sometimes with the subtitle "Judaism, Christianity, and Islam".(May 1982):hb, 240pgs, ISBN:0691072671; (Jan 1984):pb, ISBN:9990824762; (Jan 1990):pb, 225pgs, ISBN:0691020302; (Aug 2004 revised):hb, 312pgs; ISBN:0691120412.

A well done comparative study
First, I hope I'm reviewing the right book!!My book is Children of Abraham Judaism Christianity Islam, Both of these were listed as separate books by this author, but the one called Judaism, Christianity, Islam was too long to be the one I have.Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. History    3. Islam - History    4. Judaism - History    5. Religion    6. Religion - World Religions    7. Christianity    8. History of religion    9. Islam    10. Jewish Studies    11. Judaism    12. Middle Eastern Studies    13. Mind, Body, Spirit    14. Religion / Comparative Religion    15. World History/Comparative History   

Reviews (2)

The Best Book You Never Read
You should definently read this book.It is one of the best books I have read about Judaism.I am a student at Stanford University, and the author was my professor.He rocks!Chances are, you haven't read this book yetand you aren't going to.Change your mind!It's worth it!This book mademe re-evaluate my Judaism and think about where I am going in life.

Recipient of the Koret Jewish Book Award
This book is the recipient of the Koret Foundation's Jewish Book Award for achievement in Jewish History ($10,000), awarded April 1999. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History - General History    2. Jewish - General    3. Judaism - General    4. Judaism - History    5. Religion    6. Jewish studies    7. Judaism    8. Religion / Judaism / History   

Subjects:  1. Antisemitism in art    2. Christianity - History - General    3. Controversial literature    4. History - General History    5. History Of Judaism    6. History and criticism    7. Jews in art    8. Judaism    9. Judaism - General    10. Judaism - History    11. Medieval    12. Religion    13. Religion And Art    14. Jewish studies    15. Religion / Judaism / General    16. Religious subjects depicted in art    17. Sacred texts    18. World history: c 500 to C 1500    19. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Reviews (2)

Clear, concise straightforward information
This book is about basic beliefs of Judaism and is written in a very easy-to-read format -- question and answer paragraphs divided into chapters with similar subject matter. Must-reading for anyone Jewish or interested in Judaism
This book is an insightful, authoritative and comprehensive companion to anyone interested in learning more about Judaism. Well-written and thought-out, and full of some of the most frequently asked questions about Jewish rules, customs and more, "What Does Being Jewish Mean?" not only serves as an invaluable tool for educating children on Jewish laws, but it is without a doubt equally useful to adults. If you've ever had a question about any facet of Judaism or Judaic law, "What Does Being Jewish Mean?" is your answer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Judaism    2. Judaism - General    3. Judaism - History    4. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    5. Juvenile literature    6. Miscellanea    7. Questions and answers    8. Religion    9. Religion - Judaism    10. Religion / Judaism / General   

Reviews (2)

some interesting and fun facts
This book taught me a bit about ancient Judaism and how gentiles related to it. I didn't know, for example, that there was an Egyptian spin on the Exodus (that the Jews were Egyptian "undesirables" who were driven out because the other Egyptians couldn't stand them); just knowing this proves that SOMETHING happened between the Jews and Egyptians 2300 years ago. I also enjoyed reading about what the Romans thought of the Jews (surprisingly favorable, despite the ugliness of the Imperial response to Jewish rebellions).

No student of this topic
This is the first time I've read any text on this topic, so I'm no scholaron the subject.The book is written in formal, but accessible language. ((I admit with chagrin that I was 3/4 of the way through the text before Irealized that when the author said that "Jews proscribed intercoursewith non-Jews" he meant SOCIAL intercourse! It gave a slightlydifferent sense on the second read!)) I found it a good, though somewhatdry read, and especially enjoyed the insights offered by the author'scomparison of several ancient cultures and the re-introduction to ancientphilosophers whose names are better known for their contributions towestern culture than for their attitudes toward Jews. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Anthropology - Cultural    3. Antisemitism    4. Discrimination & Racism    5. History - General History    6. Jewish - Ancient    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Ancient Greece    10. Ancient Rome    11. Egypt    12. History of specific racial & ethnic groups    13. Jewish studies    14. Racism & racial discrimination    15. Religion / Judaism / History   

Reviews (7)

I had this book and the second edition years ago
Surprisingly, I found this book and it's second book in the series to be helpful. It's a compendium of Jewish culture and knowledge and I, who grew up in a somewhat "Jewishly deprived" neighborhood in LI, NY found that the Jewish Catalogs managed to connect me to what was going on elsewhere.I think someone should update these books and bring them up to par in the modern age.
Entertaining and informative
This book came to me at the recommendation of the Jewish Publication Society.I purchased it and found there to be some interesting information.This is an educational book, but it seems so dated, like from the 1960s or 1970s, so much that it proved distracting from the content.This is a good reference book though so go ahead and read it if you're interested.(The same issue is for the Second Jewish Catalog, but the content level seems to have decreased and is more general.I looked at the Third Jewish Catalog at a bookstore and didn't even bother with it.There just didn't seem to be any new ideas there.)

Whole Earth Catalog for Jews!
It's a lot of fun and good info, now getting dated. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bibliography    2. Customs and practices    3. Jewish - General    4. Jewish way of life    5. Jews    6. Judaism    7. Judaism - History    8. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    9. Religion    10. Religion - Judaism    11. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    12. Jewish studies   

Subjects:  1. History    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - General    4. Judaism - History    5. Martyrdom    6. Religion    7. Religion - Judaism    8. To 1500    9. Religion / Judaism / General    10. World history: c 500 to C 1500   

Reviews (13)

Very useful
Like another reviewer, I too use this book as part of an undergraduate course on Modern and Contemporary Judaism, which I teach primarily for military personnel as part of their distance education undergraduate degrees.I include a few other books in the syllabus, but this book is often one of the ones most frequently cited as helpful due to its question-and-answer format.When I was studying for a Jewish Studies certificate at Indiana University some time ago (nearing a quarter of a century ago), an earlier version of this book was one of my regular references for a quick and informative answer to questions as they arose.The more recent edition, revised carefully and thoroughly by Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, preserves the style and utility of Rabbi Morris Kertzer's base text while adding material both for extension of questions and updating of information.
very good book
As I read this book it helped me better understand my boyfriend's religion and beliefs. I do reconmend this book to anyone who wants to know about the jewish religion. Now when i am about my boyfreind's family and they talk about their relgion or certin holidays I was able to join in instead of looking like a fool not knowing. The book is very detailed and answers pretty much all questions about the religion that most peolpe ask.

Excellent source for interested non-Jews and Jews alike
I enjoyed this book immensely, as it helped me to better understand the religious beliefs and practices of my Jewish friends and colleagues.When a few gathered to discuss plans for Yom Kippur services, I was able to be an interested and somewhat knowledgeable participant.So the book helped me with inter-cultural relations. A little basic knowledge helped me deal with a Jewish anti-semite who criticized the young Jewish lady who was our assistant (picture this: a Christian defending a Jew against anti-semitic remarks from another Jew.Very uncomfortable for me,to say the least, but morally essential.)I'm a Christian and found the book informative, rather than insulting ... like Rabbi Kuschner's book "To Life."Kuschner's book insulted me,and I don't recommend it to any non-Jew or any Jew who has Christian friends. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs and practices    2. Judaism    3. Judaism - History    4. Judaism - Rituals & Practice    5. Judaism - Theology    6. Religion    7. Religion - Judaism    8. Jewish studies    9. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / Other   

Reviews (3)

Bodies and Souls
A most fascinating book about young Jewish women from the shtetls of Eastern Europe lured away from their homes with the
Bodies and Souls : The Tragic Plight of Three Jewish Women Forced into Prostitution in the Americas
an eye and mind opener,
An Absolutely and Shocking History of Shtetl Girls forced into prostitution.
"Bodies and Souls" by author Isabel Vincent is a horrifying and compelling book on the young shtetl women from Eastern Europe and Poland abducted into prostitution. Isabel Vincent tells about 3 young women Sophia Chamys, Rachel Liberman, and Rebecca Freedman and the reader follows their story from the villages in Eastern Europe from where they were abducted, to the brothels of South America. The brothels were located in Rio, Buenos Aires, and Argentina.It was a terrible life that these young, innocent girls were brought into by the pimps that posed as "Gentlemen". These "gentlemen"bought or "married" the girlsto entice them to South America where they were sold into White Slavery.The Commissioner of Argentina, Alsogaray, along with Rachel Liberman, brought down the empire of the Zwi Migdal who ruled the underworld of white slavery in South America.
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Subjects:  1. Argentina    2. Brazil    3. Buenos Aires    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: World    7. Jewish - General    8. Jewish Sociology    9. Jewish women    10. Judaism - History    11. Prostitution    12. Rio de Janeiro    13. Social conditions    14. Women's Studies - General    15. History / Jewish   

Subjects:  1. Jewish Studies    2. Judaism - History    3. Middle East - Israel    4. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (1)

A study of ancient Jewish archaeology in the Mediterranean
Building Jewish In The Roman East is a scholarly study of ancient Jewish archaeology in the Mediterranean, particularly in small rural villages in Galileein the early Roman period, the development of synagogues as "Jewish associations", and the rush of construction under Herod the Great in the first century BCE. Extensively researched chapters scrutinize tombs, the historical significancd of Biblical events such as Jesus' protest in the Temple Precincts, architectural transitions from synagogues and house churches to purpose-built churches, and much more. An inset selection of color plates rounds out this fascinating, unique, and in-depth examination of historic Jewish architectural designs and motives.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. History - General    3. Interior Design - General    4. Jewish Studies    5. Judaism - History    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Ancient Rome    9. Architectural structure & design    10. Asian / Middle Eastern history: BCE to c 500 CE    11. BCE to c 500 CE    12. Israel    13. Judaism    14. Middle & Near Eastern archaeology   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. Controversial literature    3. Hasidism    4. Haskalah    5. History    6. History and criticism    7. Jewish Studies    8. Judaism - History    9. Poland    10. Religion - Judaism    11. Social Science    12. Sociology    13. Eastern Europe    14. Judaism    15. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (8)

A Must Read
Tree of Souls is a long-awaited and much-needed tome on the mythology of Judaism.The 670 stories present everything anyone would want to know about Jewish stories; they run the gamut from myths of God to myths of the Messiah to myths of the Holy Land to myths of exile.The copious introduction and notes about each story testify to the scholarship of the author, Schwartz, an acclaimed folklorist and author.Tree of Souls should be on the shelf of every home and library, both as a reference work for scholars and as informative and pleasant reading for the layman.

An extraordinary "tree"!

Luminous ....
Want to know what happened before the world was created according to mythic Judaism? Turn to page 71: "God rode upon the wings of the wind and upon the flames of the sword." Curious about the ten kabbalist sefirot (channels of God's energy)? Check page 529 for a diagram. Not sure if the above falls within the accepted Jewish tradition or outside of it? Peruse the "Note on Sources," clear-as-day footnotes and fifty-six page bibliography.
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Subjects:  1. Folklore & Mythology    2. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    3. Jewish mythology    4. Judaism - History    5. Judaism - Sacred Writings    6. Legends, Jewish    7. Religion    8. Religion - Judaism    9. Judaism    10. Myths & mythology    11. Religion & Theology | Judaism    12. Religion / Judaism / Sacred Writings   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful!
The book, "The Jews of Kaifeng, China: History, Culture and Religion," by Xin Xu is a wonderful work which describes in great detail the culture, religious rites and history of the community of Jews that settled in Kaifeng back when it was the capital city.
An extensively researched historical study
The Jews Of Kaifeng, China: History, Culture, And Religion by Ux Xin (Nanjing University) examines the indigenous Jewish community that lived in the city of Kaifeng in northeastern China. Far removed from the rest of the world, the Kaifeng Jews gradually adopted Chinese customs into their traditional way of life, and intermarried with the non-Jewish populace, so that eventually their descendants were almost completely assimilated. A truly fascinating and extensively researched historical study, The Jews Of Kaifeng is a unique and very welcome contribution to Judaic Studies reference shelves and supplemental reading lists. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. China    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Identity    7. Jewish - General    8. Jews    9. Judaism - History    10. Kaifeng Xian    11. Social life and customs