Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful introduction to traditional Judaism
Review: Blu Greenberg's book is simply wonderful. It reads like a novel and is thought-provoking at the same time. Her approach is extremely sensitive. This is a great book to encourage people to be more observant and at the same time realise that it is possible.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you Blu
Review: Blu Greenburg is a jewel of a woman. Learning about a traditional Jewish household is made much more accessible with the help, advice, and underpinnings of this book.
The personal stories and explanations that Blu shares with her readers makes this an invaluable book.
I learned alot. I envy your children Blu.
Read, learn and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful !
Review: Bought this book simply because I wanted a modern comprehensive book on Judaism and how a traditional Jewish home should be managed. Having preconceived and I admit misplaced ideas of what was involved I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there is a lot to the subject that is voluntary and that it isn't about a fear of God using a 2X4 to get your attention and devotion.I really liked her section on clothing and even I who knew a great deal about Judaism was intrigued with the idea that there is a prayer for clothing. I sure had never thought about giving thanks for clean or new clothes everyday. Equally informative was her section on kepah's and that they don't seem to be either required in the Torah or even Talmudic law. Chapter 7 SPEECH is fascinating since the author notes that in Judaism a Jew is forbidden to insult, shame, defame, embarrass or slander another person. Not another Jew, but another person. Period. And that Lashon hara means evil tongue and that this includes not only the evil of the speaker but also the hearer. The theory being that the 'consumer' or the one who listens to gossip creates a market for it, and is as guilty as the purveyor of the words. The Talmud the author notes paints a more harsh example by stressing the 'deceiving is equated to stealing; insulting is analogous to killing'. Reminds me of the adage I heard growing up 'think before you speak'. I loved her Chapter 9 which deals with marriage. I was thinking of this recently when a Christian friend of mine, and I were debated the issue of celibacy and how in my opinion Paul in the Christian texts seemed to think that marriage was a necessary evil. I tried to explain as does the author that in Judaism one who chooses to not marry is considered an incomplete person. That 'marriage, not celibacy, is the higher form of existence'. I personally have always liked the Jewish ketubah tradition which is a beautiful contract that spells out that the groom is obligated to provide his bride/wife with food, clothing, shelter and sexual satisfaction. Is that not progressive or what? Yes!!! In turn she agrees to love honor and care for him. I also love the Jewish tradition of the plain gold wedding band rather than the ornate diamond studded rings I see so many non-Jewish women wearing. Her sections on birth and choosing a name for the child, along with brits/bris or circumcision and choosing a Mohel. Her section on abortion should be a must read for those who assume that Judaism doesn't allow abortions. She also has chapters on other life passages that are traditional Jewish. There is so much I like about the book that all I can do is suggest readers discover How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household for themselves.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful introduction to traditional Jewish practice
Review: Growing up in a Classical Reform home, where observance was minimal, Conservative practice considered dated and pointless, and Orthodoxy completely alien, I would never have expected to read this book, much less love it. But Blu Greenberg's writing describes modern Orthodox practice with such warmth and charm that we have actually taken on new observances after reading it. Furthermore, even practices we are unlikely to adopt have become understandable and something to appreciate. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Want to peak inside the home of a modern Orthodox family?
Review: I am a Jew by Choice (who chose Reform) who wants to learn more about the other Jewish movements. This book was recommended to me by a female friend at my Reform temple, and I was not disappointed. Blu Greenberg is open and honest about raising an Orthodox family in modern society. She is not the perfect Orthodox wife, nor does she pretend to be. Her book is part autobiography, part instruction. I found it very helpful as I move toward keeping a kosher home (yes, some Reform Jews do that!) and as I move toward closer observance of Shabbat. I read through the book and now refer to specific chapters when needed. She explains a ritual, followed by the appropriate prayer in Hebrew, transliteration, and English. If you want to see how the other half lives, here is your chance. I heartily recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Want to peak inside the home of a modern Orthodox family?
Review: I am a Jew by Choice (who chose Reform) who wants to learn more about the other Jewish movements. This book was recommended to me by a female friend at my Reform temple, and I was not disappointed. Blu Greenberg is open and honest about raising an Orthodox family in modern society. She is not the perfect Orthodox wife, nor does she pretend to be. Her book is part autobiography, part instruction. I found it very helpful as I move toward keeping a kosher home (yes, some Reform Jews do that!) and as I move toward closer observance of Shabbat. I read through the book and now refer to specific chapters when needed. She explains a ritual, followed by the appropriate prayer in Hebrew, transliteration, and English. If you want to see how the other half lives, here is your chance. I heartily recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Best of its kind
Review: I found this book before I met my Jewish husband, before I was even interested in Judaism, and I read the whole thing in the bookstore. It is full of information and detail, everything you could possibly wonder about the world of Orthodox Judaism, but Blu Greenberg is also a fantastic writer! The book is interesting enough just to read for no reason at all. I find myself picking it up and paging through to get a little inspiration, a little information, and a little humor. I feel like I know her from her wonderful stories about her family. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially women, who wanted to know more about traditional Judaism and home life.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Writing Style
Review: I sought out this book after a recommendation from
an Orthodox wife of a rabbi I met briefly in a book store. I really enjoyed the education this book gave me. The author writes in a wonderful style of personal mixed with the halachic. Although the author is Modern Orthodox I believe she gives a great overall view of running a traditional home. Bravo.
Rating:
Summary: A warm moving guide to Jewish home and family life
Review: This book is written with warmth insight and wisdom. It is a loving and realistic account of Jewish practice in everyday life. And it is written with an unusual honesty as the author often speaks of her own difficulties in living in complete observance. Above all though the book flows with a deep love and understanding of Jewish traditional family life. It might be said that this book is especially important for women readers, but I think most men interested in Jewish family could learn and enjoy greatly from reading it- as I did.
Rating:
Summary: Greenberg loves Judaism, and it shows!
Review: This is one of those books that you keep coming back to over and over, no matter how long you've been observant. I have lent it out to friends and come very close to not getting it back a few times. This volume is absolutely invaluable no matter what your level of Jewish belief and practice. Reform Jews may charge that Greenberg leans too far towards Orthodoxy, and Orthodox Jews (like one reviewer here) may insist that she's too liberal to be called Orthodox. But ignore them and do yourself a favour. Run, don't walk ("click, don't type?"), and get this book onto your Jewish bookshelf.
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