Settings of Silver: An Introduction to Judaism

by Stephen M. Wylen

Originally published in 1989, this comprehensive survey of Judaism has become a popular text in universities, religious colleges and seminaries, and adult education classes. Now, its author, Stephen Wylen, performs a genuine service by updating his critically acclaimed text for the 21st century. Settings of Silver, Second Edition, reflects the changes in the political structure of Eastern Europe and other recent events, while retaining its accessibility, easy-to-understand language, and compactness. In four sections, the author covers the history of Judaism. Section One includes basic beliefs, what it means to be a Jew, the role of Torah, and the Jewish view of God. Section Two covers faith, practices and customs, including holydays, marriage and family law and ritual, dietary laws, and beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife. Section Three is a history of Judaism, from its foundations to the early part of the 20th century, with a look to mysticism, literature, philosophy and daily life in the Jewish community. In Section Four the author continues the history of Judaism up to the present day, including the Holocaust, the State of Israel, the effects of modernism on Judaism, and the future of Judaism. Engaging, timely, and appropriate for persons of all religious backgrounds, this enduring work belongs in the library of anyone (Jews included) who wants to understand Judaism and the Jewish people. †

Genres: Judaism, Religion, Jewish, Nonfiction, Judaica

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Stephen Wylen is a rabbi, author, and educator dedicated to Jewish scholarship and community leadership. Ordained in 1980 after studying at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, he has served in various congregations across the United States, including Seattle, Huntington, Scranton, Wayne, and several interim positions before joining CKI in 2018. A passionate teacher, he has authored several books on Judaism, including Settings of Silver, The Book of the Jewish Year, and The Jews in the Time of Jesus. Believing in the synagogue as the heart of Jewish life, he seeks to make Jewish teachings accessible to a broad audience.

Reviews

[Hannah Hyde]

My sister is getting married in September and her fiancé is Jewish. I’m excited to learn the basics about Judaism!

[Kaiti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is closer to 3.5 stars but I rounded it up.

This book is a lot of information packed into one book! Unfortunately, few sources are provided for many of the historical claims in this book, making me feel the need to take what is said with a grain of salt.

I don't agree with everything in this book, especially when it comes to politics and such, but it's a good introduction to many things.

I just really wish it had more sources!!

Also I read a 1989 edition, I hope there are newer editions that remove present-tense references to the USSR etc.

[Oatgoat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was suggested by a Rabbi as a companion book for a class. It has a lot of information in it and would be beneficial for anyone who wants to learn about Jewish history and Judaism. It took me a while to read the book and I found it to be educational.

[Jessica Kormos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Intro to Judaism

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my IDS 255 Comparative Religious Traditions class.

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

lol can’t believe I finally did it 😂 very informative and well written.

[Kimalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great academic work on Judaism.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this as a textbook for an introductory Judaism course called "Jewish Thought and Culture." It's a 100-level survey course at a public university, with a wide range of students, including some who neither know nor care about Judaism, just needing a course that fits the requirement, and some who are taking it because they are Jewish and therefore assume that the course will be easy.

The book is generally good and covers a wide range of topics. However, it is insufficiently critical, assuming that the early rabbis (and the Bible) were accurately depicting their own history, and ignoring or minimizing propagandistic aims of both the historically-oriented books of the Bible and the early rabbis, who were trying to make their version of Judaism the dominant one. (Obviously, they succeeded.) While I am not entirely comfortable with the pro-Rabbinic, pro-Jewish bias, the only parts I did not assign my students to read were a chronology near the beginning and the final chapter, which focuses on the dangers to Judaism of assimilation and anti-Semitism in the current world and in the near future.

[Julie]

Recommended conversion reading.