Our Movie Reviews Jewish Book of Why, The
Author: Alfred J. Kolatch
Average Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Last Reviewed On: August 14, 2000 (by Scott)
(Audible [unabridged] version)


Scott's Review:
3.5 out of 5 stars on August 14, 2000

Unlike some other religious texts that I've read, this book didn't attempt to convince me that Judaism is the way to go. Rather, it simply presented a bunch of questions, organized in a good fashion, and provided down to earth, easy to understand answers.

I'm not sure it really increased my understanding of the religion of Jewish people any, but it most defiantly allowed me to understand why they do what they do. My only real gripe with the book is at times the topical nature of it became too obvious, when one question would seem to contradict another, and you were left wondering why. Perhaps, in those cases, the answers really did contradict each other, or perhaps it was a misunderstanding on my part, but I would have appreciated some more detail on some of the questions. But then, I suppose that would have made the book as long as the bible itself.

In the end, if you've ever wondered why does the groom break a glass in a Jewish wedding ceremony, why isn't pork kosher, or any other question about Jewish life, then this is a great book to read through.


-- Scott and Michelle