Question # 10 – Jewish Starter’s Library

Q.        I want to know more about Judaism, but can’t come to your classes. What can I do at home?

In a recent bulletin article I have recommended a how to start a Jewish Home Library. Here are my suggestions:

Starter Jewish Library

Level One: Starters

 

1.      TANAKH – The Holy Scriptures

Jewish Publication Society, Philadelphia: 1988

The best translation of the Hebrew Bible available.

 

2.      Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat and Festivals

The Rabbinical Assembly, New York: 1985

A fine prayerbook with a modern, poetic translation – includes a good section on home rituals.

 

3.      The Tapestry of Jewish Time

Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, Behrman House, Springfield, NJ 2000

An excellent introduction to Jewish holidays and life-cycle events.

 

4.      For Those Who Can’t Believe

Rabbi Harold Schulweis, New York: Harper Collins, 1994

A powerful Jewish response to the universal questions of belief and faith.

 

5.      Jewish Literacy

Joseph Telushkin, William Morrow; April 1991

 

Level Two: More Advanced

 

1.      Etz Hayim – Torah and Commentary

The Rabbinical Assembly, New York, 2001

An excellent new commentary on the weekly Torah and Haftarah portions.

 

2.      The Jewish Holidays

Michael Strassfeld, Harper & Row, New York, 1985

Provides spiritual insight and creative ideas for personalizing the holidays and making them meaningful.

 

3.      It’s a Mitzvah!: Step-by-step to Jewish Living

Bradley Shavit Artson, Behrman House, 1995

A wonderfully accessible book with practical advice on how to gradually incorporate “doing Jewish” into daily life.

 

4.      How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household

Blu Greenberg, Jason Aronson, April 1997

A good “how-to” guide to Jewish life.

 

5.      Jewish Wisdom

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, New York: Morrow, 1994

A comprehensive presentation of Jewish ideas with ample quotations from traditional sources.

 

6.      A History of the Jews

Paul Johnson, Weidenfeld & Nicolson History, May 2001

A very readable survey of Jewish history with some thought provoking conclusions.

 

In addition, there are marvelous programs of Judaism on the internet for self education. Our Jewish Theological Seminary has such courses that one can take over the internet. Several members of our synagogue take one or two. I might suggest that you go to JTSA.edu and check it out.