Jews : The Essence and Character of a People

Rating:
Summary: Endorsements
Review: "I was privileged to be sent an advance copy of JEWS: The Essence and Character of a People and found it a compelling and most interesting account of the historic people of God. In this anniversary year, when we honour the founding of the State of Israel, we thank God for Judaism, which has enriched us all. I hope and pray that this intelligent and stimulating book will go a long way in encouraging debate among the religions and combating the anti-Semitism which diminishes the whole human family." --Dr. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury

Rating:
Summary: endorsements
Review: "Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg's life of honor, education and compassion commands our attention whenever he speaks. Few people have communicated so consistently from the platform of their own convictions. If more people had Rabbi Hertzberg's courage, our divisions would diminish. If more people had his wisdom, our possibilities would expand." -Bill Bradley

"Arthur Hertzberg is one of the foremost experts of contemporary Jewish thought. His sharp wit and penetrating mind, his rabbinical acumen, his active involvement in all aspects of Jewish life, his strong commitment to Zionism and Israel--all combine to invest his writings with great authority. His previous book The Jews in America has become a classic and this present one will no doubt be hailed as the culmination of the author's many literary and scholarly achievements."-Justice Chaim Cohen, Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Isreal (retired)

"Arthur Hertzberg has one of America's most amazing minds. Whatever he writes is more than worth reading, it's a must for all who are interested in Judaism in general and American Jewry in particular."-Edgar M. Bronfman

Rating:
Summary: "Jews" is an appetiser to a journey of further Jewish study.
Review: An extremely enjoyable thought provoking book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down until I was finished. This book acts as a "Forschpice", an appetiser to futher learning. It let's you in the door. It introduces the reader to ideas and concepts, people and heroes throughout Jewish history.

No book can condense Jewish history, ideas and culture into a mere 300 pages, and this book does not pretend to do so. What "Jews, the essence and character of a people", does do is introduce the reader to the Jewish concepts of: "choseness", "outsider" and "factionalism" and how various persona in the Jewish history have played their role within these concepts.

For instance, no one can condense Spinoza to a mere 3-5 pages and think that they've told you all there is to know about Spinoza. What "Jews" does do is introduce the reader to Spinoza, makes one think about Spinoza, where did he fit in th! ! e "Jewish Character". And others. It is the reader's responsibility to continue the journey through further readings and study.

After years of study, whether in Yeshiva or the University, or lifelong readings of Jewish history, philosophy and religion this book has shown me in a wonderful way that there is still much more to learn and much more to do.

Rating:
Summary: "Jews" is an appetiser to a journey of further Jewish study.
Review: An extremely enjoyable thought provoking book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down until I was finished. This book acts as a "Forschpice", an appetiser to futher learning. It let's you in the door. It introduces the reader to ideas and concepts, people and heroes throughout Jewish history.

No book can condense Jewish history, ideas and culture into a mere 300 pages, and this book does not pretend to do so. What "Jews, the essence and character of a people", does do is introduce the reader to the Jewish concepts of: "choseness", "outsider" and "factionalism" and how various persona in the Jewish history have played their role within these concepts.

For instance, no one can condense Spinoza to a mere 3-5 pages and think that they've told you all there is to know about Spinoza. What "Jews" does do is introduce the reader to Spinoza, makes one think about Spinoza, where did he fit in th! ! e "Jewish Character". And others. It is the reader's responsibility to continue the journey through further readings and study.

After years of study, whether in Yeshiva or the University, or lifelong readings of Jewish history, philosophy and religion this book has shown me in a wonderful way that there is still much more to learn and much more to do.

Rating:
Summary: As a Jew by choice, "Jews" helped me understand my journey.
Review: In a talk I gave after my conversion to Judaism, I said I feel like I am a Jew born in a goy's body. Beyond that, it was difficult for me to understand exactly why I converted from Christian fundamentalism to Judaism, much less try to explain it to someone else. "Jews" has helped me to understand my own journey because it gets into the very essence of Judaism. It points out clearly how and why Jews are different. This difference goes all the way back to Abraham. It continues today. I'm sure all Jews won't agree with the aspects of being chosen, factious, and other, but it sums up my own Jewishness. I'm glad the authors took the time to write this important book.

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Summary: Publishers Weekly, Review (March 16th)
Review: In Jews: The Essence and Character of a People, (HarperSanFrancisco, May) Arthur Hertzberg and Aron Hirt-Manheimer claim that Jews have always been defined by a collective identity that includes a belief in Jewish chosenness and the desire to remain outsiders in society. Judaism was born when Abraham smashed his father's pagan icons and left for the Pormised Land; ever since, Hertzberg tells PW, "Jews continue to choose to break idols." Hertzberg, a historian and Rabbi, and Hirt-Manheimer, editor of the magazine Reform Judaism, call their own book "scandalous" for breaking the taboos of political correctness.

The purpose of Judaism, Hertzberg argues, is not to bring inner peace, but for Jews to fulfill the responsibilities that come with chosenness. "Judaism without God is inconceivable," says Hertzberg, author of Jewish Polemics and The Jews in America (both from Columbia University Press). "The lasting essence of the Jews is to feel commanded to affirm our otherness." To Hertzberg, all Jews fall into one of two categories: Those committed to Jewish continuity and those interested in assimilating. Jews in the first category, regardless of their ideology, carry on a vital task and exhibit the Jewish character described in the book, according to Hertzberg. As for Jews in the latter group, he says, "I believe anyone who calls himself a secular Jew is a Jew who wants to eat shrimp with a clear conscience."

Although it is a theological and historical work, Jews is peppered with anecdotes from Hertzberg's life and intended to be accessible to a general audience. The authors hope the book will explain Judaism to non-Jews and help committed Jews better understand their history and identity.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books on the Jewish condition written
Review: Sadly, Arthur Hertzberg is nearing the end of a distinguished career. There are few like him anymore. Jews: The Essence and Character of a People helps us understand why people react to Hertzberg in the way they do. This eye-opening books is his magnum opus. An understanding of Jews and the Jewish people that comes from a lifetime's work is presented here in a way that cannot help but get people to think and, most important, to react.

Thanks also to Aron Hirt-Manheimer, whose skillful editing and probing questions brought out the best in Arthur Hertzberg. Bravo to both of them!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books on the Jewish condition written
Review: Sadly, Arthur Hertzberg is nearing the end of a distinguished career. There are few like him anymore. Jews: The Essence and Character of a People helps us understand why people react to Hertzberg in the way they do. This eye-opening books is his magnum opus. An understanding of Jews and the Jewish people that comes from a lifetime's work is presented here in a way that cannot help but get people to think and, most important, to react.

Thanks also to Aron Hirt-Manheimer, whose skillful editing and probing questions brought out the best in Arthur Hertzberg. Bravo to both of them!