Haikus for Jews: For You, a Little Wisdom

by David M. Bader

Why is this haiku book different from all other haiku books?

For centuries, the Japanese haiku has been one of the world's most dazzling poetic forms. In just three short lines, it captures the sublime beauty of nature--the croak of the bullfrog, the buzzing of the dragonfly, the shriek of the cicada, the scream of the cormorant. Now, with Haikus for Jews, there is finally a collection that celebrates the many advantages of staying indoors.
        
Inspired by ancient Zen teachings and timeless Jewish noodging, this masterful work is filled with insights that will make you exclaim, "Ah!" or at least "Oy!" Whether you are Jewish or you simply enjoy a good kosher haiku, these chai-kus (so called because of their high chutzpah content) are certain to amuse. What's more, with each poem limited to seventeen syllables, Haikus for Jews is perfect for people in a hurry. Find out why God has made these The Chosen Haikus.

Genres: Poetry, Humor, Jewish, Judaism, Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 1999

About the author

Also published as David Bader
Manhattan attorney turned haiku humourist, David Bader is author of several US cult hits Haikus for Jews: For You, a Little Wisdom and Zen Judaism: For You, a Little Enlightenment. He lives and counts syllables in New York City.

Reviews

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous collection of haikus.
"One of us must be/ the designated drinker--/ Jewish carousing."
"Left the door open/ for the Prophet Elijah./ Now our cat is gone."
"My nature journal--/ today, saw some trees and birds./ I should know their names?"
"A lovely nose ring/ excuse me while I put my/ head in the oven."
"Seven foot Jews in/ the NBA slam dunking--/ my alarm clock rings."
"Sorry I’m not home/ to take your call. At the tone/ please state your bad news."
This, the dust jacket asks, you call poetry? Yes, maybe no, but I do call it funny.

[Tracy Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A late December gift,
Christmas or Hanukkah?
What "Thank you" card to buy?

A lovely little book, some of the haikus are laugh out loud funny. Some will just make you groan.
As the Jewish part of a Jewish/Japanese family i find this the perfect book to linger over while in the kotatsu drinking saki and eating a nice piece bread with schmaltz.

[Ferris · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the sublime to the hysterically funny! Clever!

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gift from a dear friend.
Not Jewish, missed a few jokes--
I laughed anyway.

Clever little book.
But it really should be called
Thus: "Haiku for Jew."

[Charlie Close · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny stuff.

[Helen Pugsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be clear, I'm not Jewish.
Found this in a book drop.
It was funny! Good comedy!

[Paula Kirman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book packed with hilarious Haikus based on Jewish in jokes, culture, and tradition. If you're not Jewish, you may not understand some of the references, but if you are, you will be doubled over at times.

[Nafeez]

My favorite form of poetry about my favorite people.

[Lorelei · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little sweet, a little funny

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! ... And often true.

[Emi Yoshida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much I bought copies for various Jewish and/or Japanese relatives!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The funniest book I've ever read, no exceptions. Absolutely fantastic.

[Coviw · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, this looks like a novelty book built around a simple joke, but after spending time with it, it’s clear there’s real craft behind it. The author takes the strict structure of traditional haiku and bends it just enough to fit a completely different cultural lens. The result is something that feels both familiar and unexpected at the same time. The humor isn’t random, it’s deliberate, and a lot of it comes from how the lines are set up versus how they resolve. Some of the haikus feel almost throwaway until you pause and realize how precisely they were constructed. It’s that balance between discipline and humor that makes the book stand out.

[Demowor · Rating 4 out of 5]

What surprised me most about this book is how intentional it feels despite how quick it is to read. Each haiku is short, obviously, but none of them feel rushed or careless. There’s a rhythm to how the jokes unfold, and you can tell the author understands exactly how much to say and when to stop. The humor often comes from everyday observations, but they’re framed in a way that feels very specific and culturally grounded. It’s easy to read this in one sitting, but it’s also the kind of book that benefits from slowing down and letting each piece land before moving on.

[Sewar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this expecting something light and purely comedic, but there’s actually more depth here than I anticipated. Beneath the humor, there’s a layer of commentary on habits, traditions, and the small details of daily life. The book plays with expectations, especially if you’re familiar with traditional haiku, and replaces nature-focused imagery with something much more grounded in human behavior. That contrast is where a lot of the humor lives, but it’s also what gives the book its personality. It’s not trying to be profound, but it ends up being thoughtful in its own way.

[Wocot · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the strengths of this book is how effortless the humor feels. Nothing is overexplained, and nothing feels like it’s trying too hard to get a reaction. The jokes are built into the structure of the haiku itself, which makes them hit more naturally. Some of the best moments come from the last line, where the shift in perspective lands quietly but effectively. It’s the kind of humor that rewards attention without demanding it, which is harder to pull off than it looks. You can read it casually, but there’s enough nuance there to appreciate on a second pass.

[MESI. J · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a consistent tone throughout the book that keeps everything cohesive. The humor leans dry and observational rather than exaggerated, which makes it feel more grounded. Instead of relying on big punchlines, the author builds small, precise moments that add up over time. The cultural references are woven in naturally, not forced, and they give the book its identity without making it inaccessible. It’s clear the author had a very specific voice in mind and stayed committed to it from beginning to end.

[Wace. J · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciated most is how readable and approachable the book is without feeling shallow. You can open it to any page and get something out of it, whether it’s a quick laugh or just a moment of recognition. At the same time, there’s a level of control in the writing that keeps it from feeling random. Each haiku feels placed with intention, and even the lighter ones contribute to the overall tone of the collection. It works both as something you can flip through casually and something you can sit with more carefully.

[Pecadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a simple idea executed with a lot more precision than you might expect. The combination of traditional haiku structure with a completely different thematic focus gives the book its edge. It doesn’t try to do too much, which actually works in its favor. Instead, it stays consistent, focused, and aware of what it is. By the end, it leaves you with a clear sense of the author’s voice and a handful of lines that stick with you longer than you’d expect from something so brief. It’s an easy read, but not an empty one.

[Penig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the book is a quick read, it doesn’t feel disposable. A lot of the haikus linger longer than expected because of how they capture specific attitudes and situations in such a compact way. There’s a mix of humor, irony, and recognition that makes certain lines stick in your mind after you’ve moved on. I found myself going back to a few of them just to see how they were put together. It’s not a book you analyze deeply, but it’s definitely one you revisit.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute collection of Jewish-themed haikus, or chai-kus ("so called because of their high chutzpah content"). Jews and Gentiles alike can enjoy these good kosher haikus. The book has a short foreword and then a bit over 90 haikus. The humor is light and simple, with a bit of Jewish wisdom and wit. It is a short and quick read that may make you smiled. I liked this one.

[Bruce Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious! (Which should have earned it a 6th star had there been one to award.) Every lover of fine poetry will hate this, but the other 7.9 billion world citizens will be enthralled unless they’re complete dunderheads.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly novelty book using classic haiku form to deliver Jewish punchlines. Some work, some lay there like a lox. A fast read with enough laughs to make it worth turning the pages.

[Beverlee Jobrack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this.

[Paul Spitalnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny

My type of humor. Really great with words. A wonderful talent. Too bad I have zero skill in this arena.

[Margaret Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, funny, light read. A good diversion in an afternoon. Plays on lots of Jewish stereotypes, which can be funny or biting.

[Ebony Coulter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect a haiku book to make me laugh out loud, but this one did. It’s clever in a very specific way, like it knows exactly what it’s poking at. Short, sharp, and weirdly insightful.

[Hannah Chriswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books you pick up for five minutes and end up finishing in one sitting. The humor is subtle but hits hard if you get the cultural references.

[Sara Steiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this as a joke gift and ended up keeping it for myself. The writing is simple, but the wit behind it is anything but.

[Rebecca Wanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s funny, but not in a loud or forced way. More like quiet, knowing humor that creeps up on you after the third or fourth page.