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Because God Loves Stories: An Anthology of Jewish Storytelling
An exciting new treasury of Jewish stories and storytellers, from ancient tales and classics re-imagined to contemporary family stories, parables, and humor
"Why were human beings created?" goes a traditional Jewish saying. "Because God loves stories." Storytelling has been part of Jewish religion and custom from earliest times and it remains a defining aspect of Jewish life. In Because God Loves Stories, folklorist Steve Zeitlin assembles the work of thirty-six Jewish storytellers, each of whom spins tales that express his or her own distinctive visions of Jewish culture. Contemporary storytellers re-interpret stories from the Talmud for modern sensibilities, the Grand Rabbi of Bluzhov tells tales of the Holocaust, beloved comedian Sam Levenson regales readers with hilarious vignettes of Jewish life in America, and much more.
"Why were human beings created?" goes a traditional Jewish saying. "Because God loves stories." Storytelling has been part of Jewish religion and custom from earliest times and it remains a defining aspect of Jewish life. In Because God Loves Stories, folklorist Steve Zeitlin assembles the work of thirty-six Jewish storytellers, each of whom spins tales that express his or her own distinctive visions of Jewish culture. Contemporary storytellers re-interpret stories from the Talmud for modern sensibilities, the Grand Rabbi of Bluzhov tells tales of the Holocaust, beloved comedian Sam Levenson regales readers with hilarious vignettes of Jewish life in America, and much more.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 5, 2019
I was given this book in 1996 or 1997. I read it in dabbles. A Shabbat afternoon here and there. I still have that copy on a shelf, inscribed by my then rabbi who gave it to me. Most of all, I’ve loved the title. Recently, another copy, about the same age, came into my care at a book drive fundraiser. In it as a bookmark, perhaps, a paper with the name of a beloved former law school professor. A teacher who died several years ago. His book. As I sorted books for the sale, this one I took home. In a matter of days, I’ve read it cover to cover.
I’ve been thinking a lot about death, and legacy, and meaning.
These stories, and the stories of these stories, and that my beloved teacher also held these stories in his hands ... well, it’s all been something of a balm for my soul during these days around Rosh HaShanah this year. Thinking of Hamilton, who lives-who yes - who tells the story.
We lost 1/3 of our stories to the Holocaust. 6 million of them.
But in Europe, in many places we lost 90% of our stories.
So many stories.
In this book, in which the tellers are imagined sitting around a table, it feels - to me - like ghosts given another chance. The tales give hints at a world that only exists today in anachronistic imagination. But. In anachronistic imagination, that world does still exist. And is beloved. As one’s family is beloved. As one’s own memories are beloved. Which is to say, it’s a complicated love - it has to be.
Who should read this book?
I don’t know. Everyone? Anyone? Or only those open to blowing the dust off the past knowing they’ll uncover everything. Beauty, truth, lies, pain ... everything.
I’ve been thinking a lot about death, and legacy, and meaning.
These stories, and the stories of these stories, and that my beloved teacher also held these stories in his hands ... well, it’s all been something of a balm for my soul during these days around Rosh HaShanah this year. Thinking of Hamilton, who lives-who yes - who tells the story.
We lost 1/3 of our stories to the Holocaust. 6 million of them.
But in Europe, in many places we lost 90% of our stories.
So many stories.
In this book, in which the tellers are imagined sitting around a table, it feels - to me - like ghosts given another chance. The tales give hints at a world that only exists today in anachronistic imagination. But. In anachronistic imagination, that world does still exist. And is beloved. As one’s family is beloved. As one’s own memories are beloved. Which is to say, it’s a complicated love - it has to be.
Who should read this book?
I don’t know. Everyone? Anyone? Or only those open to blowing the dust off the past knowing they’ll uncover everything. Beauty, truth, lies, pain ... everything.
April 25, 2015
Filled with stories delightful, funny, sobering, stunning, stories that speak of not just Jewish experience but also human experience
Divided into sections:
Ancient times
The shtetl (Eastern Europe)
Immigrant experience
Lower East Side
Holocaust
Humor
Meanings & reflections
Commentary is provided throughout
Divided into sections:
Ancient times
The shtetl (Eastern Europe)
Immigrant experience
Lower East Side
Holocaust
Humor
Meanings & reflections
Commentary is provided throughout
July 6, 2010
Because God Loves Stories ed by Steve Zeitlin is filled with great stories. It is one of my favorite books of all time, and it will make a great book to give as a gift. ISBN: 0-684-81175-8
July 6, 2023
A collection of stories from Jewish tradition, including ancient folklore (as told by a recent storyteller), contemporary anecdotes of daily life, and everything in between. Different sections cover "Ancient Times in Contemporary Tales", "The Shtetl", "The Immigrant Experience", "The Holocaust", Humor, and more. The book is as much about storytelling as it is about the stories themselves, and several of the stories are about storytelling. Many of the stories are accompanied by brief reminiscences by other storytellers that fit in the same theme, making the book feel, appropriately, that the storytellers are accompanied by kibbitzers.
February 13, 2019
Loved this collection! Well curated and meaningful. Put in my synagogue's library.
December 21, 2011
Because God Loves Stories: An Anthology of Jewish Storytelling is the result of 36 Jewish storytellers sitting around a table and telling stories, each of whom spin tales of old to express his or her own visions of Jewish culture. Stories from the Bible are carefully woven through family accounts of Jewish summer camp, Holocaust stories, and stories about the core of the religion itself.
I often found myself talking back to these storytellers, saying out loud how I agree or disagree with their point of view…how their story reminded me of something my great-grandfather used to say…and how I can relate to the pain and confusion that goes along with not knowing where you belong. This is a brilliant look into Judaism and the blood that keeps it thriving. It’s also a great guide for those who are, for whatever reason, separated from their roots, lost in religion, or need some reminder of what anchors them to their ancestors.
For those who are not Jewish or are not familiar with the stories of the Jewish people, do not pass this book up. Chances are there’s at least one story in this anthology that will touch you, inspire you, or motivate you. They are each told with such love and care that it would be impossible not to be somewhat spiritually renewed and regenerated after reading them.
One of my favorite stories in Because God Loves Stories was brought up by storyteller Nina Jaffe. “The Most Precious Thing” is a story with the backbone of a tale from the Talmud spun with themes almost all of us can relate to: love, marriage, and divorce.
In this tale, a couple experiences great sadness after living many years without having children. At that time, the law stated that the couple had grounds to divorce if the woman was unable to have a child…and this thought was brought up by the couple many times over the years. When they finally agreed that a divorce would be the best thing, they sought the advice and help of one Rabbie Simeon Bar Yochai. They told him about their inability to conceive and how they thought a divorce would be the best thing…that way at least the husband can find a woman with whom he could reproduce. The rabbi, who was a very wise man, looked at the couple and could tell that a divorce was really not what they needed. What they needed was each other. He told them to go back home and cook a splendid Sabbath dinner and celebrate the many years they have shared. They agreed and left for their home.
On the way home, the husband turned to the wife and told her how much he loved her and how he was so appreciative of her being faithful to him for so many years. He told her that before she was to leave the following day, she could take the one thing in the house that was most precious to her. She agreed.
That night the couple feasted to their hearts content. The husband ate and drank and eventually fell asleep, exhausted and full. When he awoke, he was in a place he did not recognize. He saw his wife and asked her where he was.
“Don’t you remember your promise to me?” she replied. “You told me before we parted that I could take with me the most precious thing I could find…I looked over all we owned, but I could find nothing as precious as you.”
When he heard those words, the husband smiled and took her in his arms. He brought her back to their home where they continued to do as they have always done…living life happy and content with one another.
Like all Jewish stories, this one has many versions and endings. In one ending, the couple return to their home and shortly after are blessed with a child. In another version, the couple return and live the rest of their years together, always knowing that the only thing they need is each other.
“The Most Precious Thing”, like so many other stories in this collection, could reach anyone of any religion. Because God Loves Stories is solely a collection of the stories we all know…with a few more “oye veh’s” and sprinkled with Yiddish wit.
Read more at: http://thehobbeehive.wordpress.com
I often found myself talking back to these storytellers, saying out loud how I agree or disagree with their point of view…how their story reminded me of something my great-grandfather used to say…and how I can relate to the pain and confusion that goes along with not knowing where you belong. This is a brilliant look into Judaism and the blood that keeps it thriving. It’s also a great guide for those who are, for whatever reason, separated from their roots, lost in religion, or need some reminder of what anchors them to their ancestors.
For those who are not Jewish or are not familiar with the stories of the Jewish people, do not pass this book up. Chances are there’s at least one story in this anthology that will touch you, inspire you, or motivate you. They are each told with such love and care that it would be impossible not to be somewhat spiritually renewed and regenerated after reading them.
One of my favorite stories in Because God Loves Stories was brought up by storyteller Nina Jaffe. “The Most Precious Thing” is a story with the backbone of a tale from the Talmud spun with themes almost all of us can relate to: love, marriage, and divorce.
In this tale, a couple experiences great sadness after living many years without having children. At that time, the law stated that the couple had grounds to divorce if the woman was unable to have a child…and this thought was brought up by the couple many times over the years. When they finally agreed that a divorce would be the best thing, they sought the advice and help of one Rabbie Simeon Bar Yochai. They told him about their inability to conceive and how they thought a divorce would be the best thing…that way at least the husband can find a woman with whom he could reproduce. The rabbi, who was a very wise man, looked at the couple and could tell that a divorce was really not what they needed. What they needed was each other. He told them to go back home and cook a splendid Sabbath dinner and celebrate the many years they have shared. They agreed and left for their home.
On the way home, the husband turned to the wife and told her how much he loved her and how he was so appreciative of her being faithful to him for so many years. He told her that before she was to leave the following day, she could take the one thing in the house that was most precious to her. She agreed.
That night the couple feasted to their hearts content. The husband ate and drank and eventually fell asleep, exhausted and full. When he awoke, he was in a place he did not recognize. He saw his wife and asked her where he was.
“Don’t you remember your promise to me?” she replied. “You told me before we parted that I could take with me the most precious thing I could find…I looked over all we owned, but I could find nothing as precious as you.”
When he heard those words, the husband smiled and took her in his arms. He brought her back to their home where they continued to do as they have always done…living life happy and content with one another.
Like all Jewish stories, this one has many versions and endings. In one ending, the couple return to their home and shortly after are blessed with a child. In another version, the couple return and live the rest of their years together, always knowing that the only thing they need is each other.
“The Most Precious Thing”, like so many other stories in this collection, could reach anyone of any religion. Because God Loves Stories is solely a collection of the stories we all know…with a few more “oye veh’s” and sprinkled with Yiddish wit.
Read more at: http://thehobbeehive.wordpress.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2008
I originally thought this could be a good educational resource, stories are helpful in teaching, it is not so good for those kind of stories, but it has the feeling of oral history and ofetn has funny anecdates and short stories which are great, light reading.
April 14, 2012
I had to read this book for my literature class. I enjoyed the stories and found meaning in them. I am glad that I was told to read this book.
April 26, 2013
Wonderful stories, well-organized into groups and with commentary that puts the stories in context. I don't buy many books anymore but Amazon tells me it has shipped.
December 28, 2013
Anthology of Jewish stories old and new.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews