The Gate Behind the Wall: A Pilgrimage to Jerusalem by Samuel C. Heilman (1-Jan-1985) Hardcover

by Samuel C. Heilman

The author offers a personal look at religious experience and his own quest to rediscover the meaning of the ancient texts of Orthodox Judaism and the roots of Jewish tradition

Genres: Memoir

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author very adroitly and movingly documents his quest to find Jewish meaning in his modern life through the study of Torah. He concludes that having discovered the Talmud he believes it should be an essential study. Yet I am struck by the fact that his beautifully described search for meaning in his life through Torah did not appear to have changed his stupid blindness about the place of women. All according to his view are in a submissive supporting role.

[Yehudit Reishtein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sociologists journey into the world Talmud study in Jerusalem. Very interesting

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but laborious, as though every detail in any given room felt worth noting whether it was worth reading about or not. The author's journey through different shuls and study groups was certainly a spiritual odyssey for him, but for the reader, it was just a recollection of what people wore in this room v. that one. It is implicit that Torah and Talmud are vital parts of a Jewish life, but a reader who is not also steeped in written and oral Jewish tradition might believe that the men encountered in the book only depend on "lernen" because they have nothing else to do. There is no explication of what precisely these resources add to a life beyond Tevye's "tradition." Where is the lost or wretched man whose life is set aright by Mishna and Gemara? Where are the problems in the author's life that seem intractable until he acquires the wisdom of our fathers to forge a just solution?
Instead we get what sort of furniture or chandelier or book binding he encounters in each house of worship he visits.

[Robin Feit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in high school-great story about this man's physical/spiritual pilgrimage.

[Craig Bolton]

The Gate Behind the Wall: A Pilgrimage to Jerusalem by Samuel C. Heilman (1985)