Judaism

The Religion, Scriptures, and Spirituality (Revised)

by Geoffrey Wigoder

Judaism is more than a religion; it is a civilization, including a people, a language, unique laws, a system of ethics, custom, a homeland, and a theology. Jews worship one God and obey a wide-ranging and vigorous moral law centered around the Torah, God’s teaching or instruction. Jewish sacred literature preserves the ancient oral tradition through the Hebrew Bible and other writings. Judaism has several major forms and traditions (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist Judaism) and is also the parent religion of both Christianity and Islam. The Religion, Scriptures, and Spirituality series describes the beliefs, religious practices, and the spiritual and moral commitments of the world’s great religious traditions. It also describes a religion’s way of understanding scripture, identifies its outstanding thinkers, and discusses its attitude and relationship to society.

Genres: Religion, History, Judaism, Jewish, Nonfiction

Audio CD

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

**This series, narrated by Ben Kingsley, is best remembered to be a summary of general beliefs, regardless of the system described. Occasionally, broad statements are made for the whole that could never possibly apply to ever person that identifies with the religion. Other narrators are used when passages are read from the writings, or other important texts within the community. **

In this volume, several times it is mentioned that Judaism is unique, or first in a particular stance, or ideology, such as being monotheistic, teachings regarding a future prophet/savior, or being based in a moral code. On those specific points, it is known there are other ancient religions with these traits, older, or as equally uncertain in comparative age. I find this a bias based in blind spots regarding other cultures, and Western monotheistic centrism found often when examining non-Christian groups. As the forebearer of Christianity, I take this to be a means to expand the exceptionalism of it as a beacon of the best aspects a belief could offer. Focusing upon how it is different, and implied, better than others. Also, the attention is given almost entirely to Eastern European Judaism. There are differences in practice between the Jews of the Iberian peninsula, China, Iran, or India, for example.
I did appreciate a review of the more common branches found in the West from Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Humanist; albeit there are other branches. Mr. Kingsley's pronunciations of Hebrew do sound a bit odd. This may be an English variation, however, I've not heard it pronounced in such a manner.

I cannot say that is the intention of this work, or this series. In a very diverse world, expanding our understanding particularly of other people, and their thinking; it is vital to avoid dressing it up either as a comparison to ourselves, or avoid seeing it for itself by interpreting it with clouded vision. This is the difficulty with many 19th, and 20th century books of comparative religion, even when enthusiastic and admiring of its subject; they often only scratch the small surface of the vastness. These ideas cover centuries, and thousands of miles; changing with each new day, and every mile.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and simple summary of Judaism.

[Isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sweet book on explaining a brief history of Judaism.

[Jelte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judaism got a little clearer.

[Onur Levent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise, to the point. Short and sweet.

[Daniel Bensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of a series that offer nice overviews of many religions. Good, basic information. It’s good to know this stuff.

[Powder River Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the teachings in this book. I listened to the audio version and was so very pleased with the beautiful narration. Clearly written and full of excellent historical and modern information for anyone interested in Judaism itself or for cultural and theological studies.