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The Rabbi Small Mysteries #8
Conversations With Rabbi Small
The girl appeared, unannounced, at his cabin door, wanting to know if the Rabbi would convert her to Judaism. It was vital to her forthcoming marriage, she said. And so began Rabbi Small's investigation into the magic, the mysticism, the truths and the fables of the world's oldest religion.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1981
171 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Harry Kemelman
64 books146 followersHarry Kemelman was an American mystery writer and a professor of English. He was the creator of one of the most famous religious sleuths, Rabbi David Small.
His writing career began with short stories for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine featuring New England college professor Nicky Welt, the first of which, "The Nine Mile Walk", is considered a classic.
The Rabbi Small series began in 1964 with the publication of Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, which became a huge bestseller, a difficult achievement for a religious mystery, and won Kemelman a 1965 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. The Rabbi Small books are not only mysteries, but also considerations of Conservative Judaism.
His writing career began with short stories for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine featuring New England college professor Nicky Welt, the first of which, "The Nine Mile Walk", is considered a classic.
The Rabbi Small series began in 1964 with the publication of Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, which became a huge bestseller, a difficult achievement for a religious mystery, and won Kemelman a 1965 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. The Rabbi Small books are not only mysteries, but also considerations of Conservative Judaism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 28, 2012
This was my Yom Kippur reading and it was a fittingly evocative and, at times, infuriating. Unlike Kemelman's other Rabbi Small mysteries, this book reads as a Judaism 201 placed in the confines of a conversation between his most famous character and a young couple, one secularly Jewish and one interested in converting. It is a smart, complex look at Judaism from a Conservative perspective (though with sometimes smarting jabs thrown at both Reform and Orthodox beliefs and practices). However, it does suffer from being a bit dated as well as two pretty egregious sections. The first almost made me put the book down - it related to a brief conversation about Israel where the Rabbi makes the assertion that the occupation of the Palestinian territories is benevolent, saying that "much of the trouble in the occupied areas is due to the unusually kind and decent treatment given [the Palestinians]. It is so at variance with what they expected and what they would normally have received from their fellow Arabs in similar circumstances that they can't understand it..." (143). Thankfully, there is a painfully awkward transition away from discussing Israel and it hardly comes up until later.
The second contention, regarding the roles in traditional Jewish services that are reserved only for men, is equally as offensive - Kemelman makes the assertion that women are interested in different things than men and leading a service, reading from the torah, etc. is simply a push from feminists, not actually what women would naturally want to do. They are more inclined to nurse, teach and cook. Ugh...
Yom Kippur is all about forgiveness and so I moved on from these passages - overall, an enjoyable didactic read even if parts were irritating. Good for folks who are struggling with liberal Judaism and how it philosophically differs from liberal Christianity.
The second contention, regarding the roles in traditional Jewish services that are reserved only for men, is equally as offensive - Kemelman makes the assertion that women are interested in different things than men and leading a service, reading from the torah, etc. is simply a push from feminists, not actually what women would naturally want to do. They are more inclined to nurse, teach and cook. Ugh...
Yom Kippur is all about forgiveness and so I moved on from these passages - overall, an enjoyable didactic read even if parts were irritating. Good for folks who are struggling with liberal Judaism and how it philosophically differs from liberal Christianity.
March 9, 2020
The eighth book in the Rabbi Small series isn’t a mystery, and it’s really not a novel. Sure, author Harry Kemelman provides a fictional pretty blonde shiksa named Joan Abernathy; she’s seeking to convert to Judaism because she’s to marry a Jewish college professor. But she — and her fiancé Aaron Freed, who’s actually an atheist and has no interest in her converting — are simply cardboard characters to create an excuse for Rabbi David Small to pontificate on Judaism, the Torah and philosophy. No real-life couple would put up with all of the arrogant lecturing, so Kemelman had to invent one.
Even in the mystery novels, Rabbi Small is prone to moralizing as if he were the only one with a true understanding of Judaism — or morality in general. But, with the novels, Kemelman faces the necessity of limiting Small’s hubris to small doses so as to keep the novel flowing. Here, it’s all overweening Small all the time, with nothing to temper the windbag’s hubris or hectoring. I abandoned the book before the fifth chapter.
Even in the mystery novels, Rabbi Small is prone to moralizing as if he were the only one with a true understanding of Judaism — or morality in general. But, with the novels, Kemelman faces the necessity of limiting Small’s hubris to small doses so as to keep the novel flowing. Here, it’s all overweening Small all the time, with nothing to temper the windbag’s hubris or hectoring. I abandoned the book before the fifth chapter.
July 29, 2015
I am sooo conflicted about this book. There are parts I'd give a 5 and parts I'd give a 2.
The first 1/3 or so that is basically Jewish apologetics without getting into Christianity is fascinating. I enjoyed better understanding what is distinctly Jewish and also where Lutherans (ELCA) are in a fair amount of sync - such as with a value on learning and questioning - using the minds God gave us, as well as the idea that what we do here matters, not just in the by and by. (Though I do believe in life after death, which is apparently not a standard Jewish thing.)
Where I got twitchy was when it delved into Christianity, Jesus, and the influence of Paul.
On the one hand, Kemelman has the Rabbi say that he thinks Christians have Sunday as their holy day because Jesus was born on a Sunday. Which I took as Kemelman's way of highlighting that the reader was not to assume the Rabbi is far from infallible about Christianity, given he was without knowledge on a pretty basic point - it's Sunday because that's the day of the resurrection.
Later Kemelman has the Rabbi saying that Jesus denied the Canaanite's daughter help, which would have be antithetical to Jewish practice. But he skips over the fact that this 7 verse story ends with Jesus healing the daughter. (Matthew 15:21-28) I think that was particularly frustrating as later he has Rabbi Small say, "Let's look at this in context" then gets out a Bible with the New Testament to do so. It just felt a wee bit cherry picked.
He also suggests that Paul took the reins of the early movement and made it a gentile thing. Which is just wildly over simplying, to say the least.
Also, there's a couple of components that just don't hold up well 30 some years later. First is the treatment of Palestinians within Israel. Rabbi Small says they are treated well, which I'm not confident was fully true in the 80s and definitely isn't true now. However, it did give me a far greater appreciation for why Israel matters as a specific physical place for the Jewish community.
The second is around sexism. While there are definitely elements in Jewish tradition to protect and respect women, etc., there are limits to that There's also a big dollop of assumption of gender roles, how women really don't want to be fussed with leadership in a faith life. Uh huh says this Lutheran pastor. But I will say, for as much as I thought the 80s were a progressive time, I realize how far we've really come.
But if one can recognize the limits of when it was written as well as remind one's self that the character of Rabbi Small is not a Christian theologian and isn't meant to be an expert of Christianity, I think it's a really engaging read with lots to chew on.
The first 1/3 or so that is basically Jewish apologetics without getting into Christianity is fascinating. I enjoyed better understanding what is distinctly Jewish and also where Lutherans (ELCA) are in a fair amount of sync - such as with a value on learning and questioning - using the minds God gave us, as well as the idea that what we do here matters, not just in the by and by. (Though I do believe in life after death, which is apparently not a standard Jewish thing.)
Where I got twitchy was when it delved into Christianity, Jesus, and the influence of Paul.
On the one hand, Kemelman has the Rabbi say that he thinks Christians have Sunday as their holy day because Jesus was born on a Sunday. Which I took as Kemelman's way of highlighting that the reader was not to assume the Rabbi is far from infallible about Christianity, given he was without knowledge on a pretty basic point - it's Sunday because that's the day of the resurrection.
Later Kemelman has the Rabbi saying that Jesus denied the Canaanite's daughter help, which would have be antithetical to Jewish practice. But he skips over the fact that this 7 verse story ends with Jesus healing the daughter. (Matthew 15:21-28) I think that was particularly frustrating as later he has Rabbi Small say, "Let's look at this in context" then gets out a Bible with the New Testament to do so. It just felt a wee bit cherry picked.
He also suggests that Paul took the reins of the early movement and made it a gentile thing. Which is just wildly over simplying, to say the least.
Also, there's a couple of components that just don't hold up well 30 some years later. First is the treatment of Palestinians within Israel. Rabbi Small says they are treated well, which I'm not confident was fully true in the 80s and definitely isn't true now. However, it did give me a far greater appreciation for why Israel matters as a specific physical place for the Jewish community.
The second is around sexism. While there are definitely elements in Jewish tradition to protect and respect women, etc., there are limits to that There's also a big dollop of assumption of gender roles, how women really don't want to be fussed with leadership in a faith life. Uh huh says this Lutheran pastor. But I will say, for as much as I thought the 80s were a progressive time, I realize how far we've really come.
But if one can recognize the limits of when it was written as well as remind one's self that the character of Rabbi Small is not a Christian theologian and isn't meant to be an expert of Christianity, I think it's a really engaging read with lots to chew on.
March 12, 2020
People applying for citizenship in the United States probably know more about our constitution, the declaration of independence, and the three branches of government than the average US born citizen. Honestly, when was the last time you read the Constitution?
So, while I am culturally Jewish, I know very little about the precepts of the religion. I know that doing good deeds is important and the rule “do not unto others as you would not have them do unto you.” As to ethical concepts, laws, teachings of the torah vs talmud, written laws vs oral laws, the reasons for the dietary laws, etc. I know very little.
Having finished the first seven detective books of Rabbi Small, I found that Harry Kemelman’s next book was not a detective story but a book explaining Judaism.
In this book, Rabbi Small has a series of evening discussions with a couple interested in getting married. The woman is Christian and wants to convert to Judaism as the man is culturally Jewish. The man could care less as he has no interest in his religion for himself much less for his wife. Kemelman has created a great setup - the man is “of the tribe” but as a scientist has nothing good to say about any religion while the woman has knowledge about Christianity but has a strong interest in Judaism of which she knows very little. On one side the skeptic with little knowledge and on the other the interested party with a little misinformation. Perfect students for the rabbi’s evening class.
In ways similar to how his detective stories play out, in this book we have three main characters, history to be explored, concepts to be understood, and a puzzle to work out (this last part runs in the background to keep the story more interesting).
Judaism isn’t built on faith but is a system of laws and laws are subject to interpretation. Everything can be argued about and everyone can be argued with, including god. In a way, Conversations with Rabbi Small is one long argument about whether documents, laws, and concepts written thousands of years ago are pertinent to a modern couple.
Reading Kemelman’s book will not convert you to Judaism. In fact, as Rabbi Small states time and again, “being a Jew is hard.” What it will do is fill in a lot of blanks for those who are culturally Jewish but not religious. For those with no information, or misinformation, about Judaism this book provides a short, interesting, and well-written crash course. I enjoyed the story, learned a lot, and, as always, found Kemelman a man who could weave a great yarn.
So, while I am culturally Jewish, I know very little about the precepts of the religion. I know that doing good deeds is important and the rule “do not unto others as you would not have them do unto you.” As to ethical concepts, laws, teachings of the torah vs talmud, written laws vs oral laws, the reasons for the dietary laws, etc. I know very little.
Having finished the first seven detective books of Rabbi Small, I found that Harry Kemelman’s next book was not a detective story but a book explaining Judaism.
In this book, Rabbi Small has a series of evening discussions with a couple interested in getting married. The woman is Christian and wants to convert to Judaism as the man is culturally Jewish. The man could care less as he has no interest in his religion for himself much less for his wife. Kemelman has created a great setup - the man is “of the tribe” but as a scientist has nothing good to say about any religion while the woman has knowledge about Christianity but has a strong interest in Judaism of which she knows very little. On one side the skeptic with little knowledge and on the other the interested party with a little misinformation. Perfect students for the rabbi’s evening class.
In ways similar to how his detective stories play out, in this book we have three main characters, history to be explored, concepts to be understood, and a puzzle to work out (this last part runs in the background to keep the story more interesting).
Judaism isn’t built on faith but is a system of laws and laws are subject to interpretation. Everything can be argued about and everyone can be argued with, including god. In a way, Conversations with Rabbi Small is one long argument about whether documents, laws, and concepts written thousands of years ago are pertinent to a modern couple.
Reading Kemelman’s book will not convert you to Judaism. In fact, as Rabbi Small states time and again, “being a Jew is hard.” What it will do is fill in a lot of blanks for those who are culturally Jewish but not religious. For those with no information, or misinformation, about Judaism this book provides a short, interesting, and well-written crash course. I enjoyed the story, learned a lot, and, as always, found Kemelman a man who could weave a great yarn.
July 17, 2008
I remember really enjoying this book when I read it 25 years ago. The author provided an interesting way to explore the meaning and rituals of Judaism, within an interesting fictional story. (However, I could see the ending twist coming a mile away.)
November 6, 2020
Not a mystery and barely a novel, but those interested in learning about Judaism, particularly fans of Rabbi Small, will find it an easy read for that purpose. Of course if you are already a fan of the Rabbi Small mysteries you may find this book somewhat redundant.
May 30, 2020
I wasn't expecting depth and sophistication, just a beginner's overview. The framing story is inviting: two bright young people encounter kindly rabbi: earnest shiksa Joan wants to learn more about her Jewish fiancee's religion. Should she convert? Non-observant fiancee Aaron is skeptical about Jewishness and religion in general. Seems like a good beginning for education and lively discourse, and I was pleased to join in.
But kindly rabbi is always allowed to have the last word. As a shiksa and a skeptic, I often wanted to say, "But--- but---!" And I wanted to keep saying it after Joan and Aaron had given in.
This was the example that persuaded me not to finish the second half of the book-- Rabbi Small explaints that the lesson of Passover is
"... one other thing that is basic to Judaism. If suffering was caused by men in power and authority, we try to remember how it felt so as not to inflict it on others when we have the power and authority."
"How about the Arabs in Israel?" asked Aaron... "And how about those in the occupied territories?"
"If ever there was a more considerate, more reasonable, less repressive occupation, I can't think of it."
"The Arabs don't agree," Aaron remarked dryly.
"I wonder. I'm inclined to believe that much of the trouble in the occupied areas is due to the unusually kind and decent treatment given them. It is so at variance with what they expected and what they would normally have received from their fellow Arabs in similar circumstances that they can't understand it and assume it must be a sign of weakness in the occupying authority."
But-- but!!
But kindly rabbi is always allowed to have the last word. As a shiksa and a skeptic, I often wanted to say, "But--- but---!" And I wanted to keep saying it after Joan and Aaron had given in.
This was the example that persuaded me not to finish the second half of the book-- Rabbi Small explaints that the lesson of Passover is
"... one other thing that is basic to Judaism. If suffering was caused by men in power and authority, we try to remember how it felt so as not to inflict it on others when we have the power and authority."
"How about the Arabs in Israel?" asked Aaron... "And how about those in the occupied territories?"
"If ever there was a more considerate, more reasonable, less repressive occupation, I can't think of it."
"The Arabs don't agree," Aaron remarked dryly.
"I wonder. I'm inclined to believe that much of the trouble in the occupied areas is due to the unusually kind and decent treatment given them. It is so at variance with what they expected and what they would normally have received from their fellow Arabs in similar circumstances that they can't understand it and assume it must be a sign of weakness in the occupying authority."
But-- but!!
December 21, 2015
This was really just an excuse to write about Judaism, there isn't much of a story in it at all.
October 13, 2023
When it was awful and offensive, it was so awful and offensive...that that's all I walked away with. I had sort of wanted to finish out the mystery series, even if I had to speed through the various racist/misogynistic/generally offensive parts, but now...I don't know that I have the stomach for it. Not to mention that this was in no way a novel...it was a diatribe, pure and simple.
March 28, 2022
Recycles little tidbits about (American) Jewish culture from all the Rabbi mysteries and does a whole book on that, without a murder mystery. So, kind of unnecessary, but still interesting and better than a college lecture on the topic. It's somewhat dated and is a polemic from the point of view of Rabbi Small, who doesn't speak for all Jews or always make a lot of sense.
April 27, 2022
More than just an eyeroll
I don't ever rate a book that i dont finish. I couldn't finish it, but needed to pass on that the book sucks. For Christians it would be very frustrating to read, because he doesn't know what he's talking about or I should say didn't do any research. As for his religion, I doubt he knows much more about it either. I tried to finish the book, I even tried putting up the reading speed on my kindle. Too much unbelief, no relationship with his god. Seems he doesn't understand his bible
I don't ever rate a book that i dont finish. I couldn't finish it, but needed to pass on that the book sucks. For Christians it would be very frustrating to read, because he doesn't know what he's talking about or I should say didn't do any research. As for his religion, I doubt he knows much more about it either. I tried to finish the book, I even tried putting up the reading speed on my kindle. Too much unbelief, no relationship with his god. Seems he doesn't understand his bible
March 17, 2009
fantastic Jewish apolgetic
December 4, 2013
Rabbi Small takes a break from sleuthing to instruct a woman who wishes to convert. Good summary of the tenets of all factions of Judaism.
March 16, 2021
Could be required reading for a comparative religions class.
March 20, 2017
While on vacation, Rabbi Small's wife is called away to care for a sick relative. This leaves Rabbi Small on his own at a resort hotel. His stay is livened by the questions of a young woman involved with a Jewish man. She is interested in the young man's religion and turns to Rabbi Small for answers to her questions.
On their return to Barnard's Crossing, the couple makes plans to marry. This upsets both sides of the family equation. They turn to Rabbi Small to sort out their dilemma, and he can be trusted to come up with an solution that satisfies everyone. On the way, his answers to both of the young people's objections to Judaism give him the opportunity to impart the essential of his religion to them and to the reader.
On their return to Barnard's Crossing, the couple makes plans to marry. This upsets both sides of the family equation. They turn to Rabbi Small to sort out their dilemma, and he can be trusted to come up with an solution that satisfies everyone. On the way, his answers to both of the young people's objections to Judaism give him the opportunity to impart the essential of his religion to them and to the reader.
November 3, 2024
I was so happy to learn there were books in the series I hadn't read that I bought all the unread ones as soon as I saw they were available on Kindle. I just assumed they were all mysteries. This one even carries the "Rabbi Small Mystery" as part of the title. I'm not quite sure how to categorize it. It's a bunch of conversations Rabbi Small has with a couple who are contemplating marriage. He's Jewish, she is not, she wants to convert, he doesn't want her to. I don't know how accurate the information in the mini lectures might be since I'm not Jewish. One of the things I've always liked about the Rabbi series is the insight it gave into Conservative Judaism. Without the mystery, this book became tedious. I skimmed through the second half.
November 25, 2017
This was not a mystery but a discourse on the current(at the time) thought of the Conservative movement's interpretation of modern-day Judaism...although as the good rabbi states both in the mystery series and in this book there isn't really a cohesive dogmatic approach to Judaism. It's told in story form, but not as a mystery and it is very interesting. I borrowed it from my local library but after I finished reading it I decided to buy a used copy from ebay. Definitely recommend if someone is a Christian or ba'al teshuva looking for some answers about mainstream, Judaism and it does mention the slight differences/viewpoints among Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform sects of Judaism.
June 24, 2019
Interesting way to learn more about Judaism
My favorite part of the Rabbi Small mysteries has always been comments by the Rabbi about Judaism, and sometimes about Christianity. This book is entirely Rabbi Small in teaching mode, which is why I give it 5 stars. Someone who was expecting a mystery would be much less happy with it.
Note that the book was first published in 1981. Some comments, like a reference to religious war in Ireland, were jarring at first because the edition I read was printed in 2015.
My favorite part of the Rabbi Small mysteries has always been comments by the Rabbi about Judaism, and sometimes about Christianity. This book is entirely Rabbi Small in teaching mode, which is why I give it 5 stars. Someone who was expecting a mystery would be much less happy with it.
Note that the book was first published in 1981. Some comments, like a reference to religious war in Ireland, were jarring at first because the edition I read was printed in 2015.
July 27, 2020
A Great Tutorial on Judaism
Rabbi Small and his wife, Miriam, decide to take a much needed vacation. However, Miriam has to leave unexpectedly due to an emergency operation of her father's. She insists that David remain at the resort. While there, Rabbi David Small is approached by a young woman who is interested in converting to Judaism. The following night she is joined by her fiance, a secular Jewish man. From there the three of them engage in nearly a week of discussions on Jewish traditions and the Torah as well as how Judaism compares with other religions.
Rabbi Small and his wife, Miriam, decide to take a much needed vacation. However, Miriam has to leave unexpectedly due to an emergency operation of her father's. She insists that David remain at the resort. While there, Rabbi David Small is approached by a young woman who is interested in converting to Judaism. The following night she is joined by her fiance, a secular Jewish man. From there the three of them engage in nearly a week of discussions on Jewish traditions and the Torah as well as how Judaism compares with other religions.
August 25, 2017
Fascinating book. NOT a murder mystery, in case anyone sees the author and title and thinks they are going to be reading a cozy. Mostly Rabbi Small expounding on Judaism. In truth, I thought that I knew a lot about Judaism before reading this book; yet I learned much, much more. I would recommend this book to people who wish the learn about Judaism; but if the reader is looking for a murder mystery they are likely to be greatly disappointed.
March 18, 2019
I don't quite know what to think about this book. It was more of an expository on Judaism than anything else. It makes sense - most of the Rabbi Small books have some tangents into Judaic philosophy, and I did enjoy those parts.
I appreciated reading this book because I am interested in the philosophy. What I wish I knew, though, is exactly what weight there is behind Kemelman's expertise.
I'm not sure everyone who came in looking for a mystery novel will be happy about it, though.
I appreciated reading this book because I am interested in the philosophy. What I wish I knew, though, is exactly what weight there is behind Kemelman's expertise.
I'm not sure everyone who came in looking for a mystery novel will be happy about it, though.
May 9, 2019
Pedantic. informative. As a Christian hope to Jewish thought I find this book subject to expansion on certain issues and quite informative on others. I am sure that Jewish, Christian, and agnostic could find alternative explanations to many of the positions put forth in this book. However I do find it in affirmative as a general understanding of Jewish thought able to be taken in more than one direction. I wouldn’t recommend finishing this in one sitting.
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January 7, 2022A major swerve away from the Rabbi David Small mysteries, as author Kemelman delivers a lengthy education on *a* view of Judaism, though a necessarily incomplete one — a certain point of view, and all that. I found it interesting, and I’ve been around enough devout Jews in my time that the detail here isn’t offputting, though the periodic misogyny is.
November 17, 2022
Good basic overview of Judaism. Plain, simple language. Easy to follow narrative. I didn't particularly appreciate the way female characters were portrayed; however, the book was published in 1981. I would still recommend.
August 22, 2024
This was definitely NOT my favourite Rabbi Small, being basically a book on Jewish apologetics - correction, liberal Jewish apologetics. It was interesting as such but on and on in repetition. Had to MAKE myself finish it and was left wondering why I had.
January 15, 2025
As a lover of understanding comparative religions (& a Christian, by belief), I truly enjoyed this delve into the many aspects of Judaism prompted by questions from both a prospective "convert" from Christianity and her scientist athiest cultural Jew fiance. Written in the late 1960's their are nods to the beginnings of the feminist movement and other cultural events of the time. It has led me to many good conversations. It might also get me to read some of his more traditional mysteries!
October 29, 2017
I really think this is an excellent book - especially for Jews that never really learned all the details about being Jewish. I like Rabbi Small's explanations for the most part
November 19, 2017
Någon roman är det inte, men en informativ text om judendomen. Passagerna om Israel och om feminism är svaga. Annars är det en fin dialektisk diskussion om judendomens praktiker.
February 15, 2018
Genau was ich mir immer gewünscht hatte, ein Rabbi Small ohne Kriminalfall. Wunderschön.
April 9, 2018
Very informative, makes for a slower read, but good. The murder mysteries are more fun, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews