I'm a proud spiritual reform Jew who loves the culture of Judaism. I get asked a lot about my faith and thought I'd suggest two books that I find unbelivably helpful when it comes to learning about the religion. These books have shaped my practice as a Jew. Enjoy!
The Jewish Phenomenon
Steven Silbiger
With truly startling statistics and a wealth of anecdotes, Silbiger reveals the cultural principles that form the bedrock of Jewish success in America. Steven Silbiger makes it apparent that one of the keys to Jewish success is the freedom of the Jewish intellect (Jews make up merely 1% of the general population, but 20% of Nobel Prize winners are Jewish). Silbiger contrasts the religious Jewish upbringing with the Christian religious upbringing, noting that in religious classes Jewish children are encouraged to ask questions. Christian children are given answers and are often discouraged from asking questions - often, to question is the near occasion of sin, an indication of lack of faith. This sets a vastly different foundation for the Jewish child versus the Christian child. Silbiger theorizes that the Jewish child will carry this attitude of questioning on into the rest of his life, and this leads to a willingness to look at situations in new ways, to try new things, to be an entrepreneur.
Steven Silbiger
With truly startling statistics and a wealth of anecdotes, Silbiger reveals the cultural principles that form the bedrock of Jewish success in America. Steven Silbiger makes it apparent that one of the keys to Jewish success is the freedom of the Jewish intellect (Jews make up merely 1% of the general population, but 20% of Nobel Prize winners are Jewish). Silbiger contrasts the religious Jewish upbringing with the Christian religious upbringing, noting that in religious classes Jewish children are encouraged to ask questions. Christian children are given answers and are often discouraged from asking questions - often, to question is the near occasion of sin, an indication of lack of faith. This sets a vastly different foundation for the Jewish child versus the Christian child. Silbiger theorizes that the Jewish child will carry this attitude of questioning on into the rest of his life, and this leads to a willingness to look at situations in new ways, to try new things, to be an entrepreneur.
The Book of Jewish Values: A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin has combed the Bible, the Talmud, and the whole spectrum of Judaism's sacred writings to give us a manual on how to lead a decent, kind, and honest life in a morally complicated world. Telushkin speaks to the major ethical issues of our time, issues that have, of course, been around since the beginning. He offers one or two pages a day of pithy, wise, and easily accessible teachings designed to be put into immediate practice.
"If you are not going to be better tomorrow than you were today, then what need have you for tomorrow?" --Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin has combed the Bible, the Talmud, and the whole spectrum of Judaism's sacred writings to give us a manual on how to lead a decent, kind, and honest life in a morally complicated world. Telushkin speaks to the major ethical issues of our time, issues that have, of course, been around since the beginning. He offers one or two pages a day of pithy, wise, and easily accessible teachings designed to be put into immediate practice.
"If you are not going to be better tomorrow than you were today, then what need have you for tomorrow?" --Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav
