An Introduction to Judaism

Introduction to Religion

by Nicholas de Lange

This book offers a full and lucid account of Judaism and the Jewish people. Written for Jews and non-Jews alike, whether students, teachers, or general interest readers, the book brings out the extraordinary richness and variety of its historical depth, and the vigor and endurance of its traditions--in the home, in the synagogue, in its literature, in individual and community life. It contains illustrative tables and maps, a full glossary, chronology, bibliography and index. This is a stimulating and comprehensive introduction to a major world culture.

Genres: Religion, Judaism, Nonfiction, History, Theology, School

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Nicholas Robert Michael de Lange (often known simply as N. de Lange) (7 August 1944, Nottingham) is Professor of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at the University of Cambridge and is an ordained Reform rabbi. He was taught and ordained by the British Reform rabbi Ignaz Maybaum, a disciple of Franz Rosenzweig.

Reviews

[Edith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not intend to read this right on the coattails of The Path: What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life, but it turned out to be a nice, though more scholarly complement to discovering different ways of conceptualizing one's own beliefs, families, community, nation, and our relationships with the world at large. The book is different on the more scholarly (slightly dry) side but an effective primer on the key rituals and texts.

Some things that stood out to me were that Judaism seems premised more on deciding to join a specific community and observe its customs rather than on articles of belief. In other words, it is possible to be a Jew and participate in Jewish life without believing in God. Private beliefs and specific observances obviously matter, but that is the prerogative of the individual and not anybody else's business. I rather enjoy this private-public divide. The fact that a lot of the holidays are based on the agricultural cycle, history/remembrance, and specific foods is also pretty cool. I was lucky I got to experience a lot of it while in Jerusalem.

I also enjoy the focus more on this life than the hereafter. This is reflected in the fact that the idea of an afterlife is rather vague other than something about the resurrection and the Messiah's arrival. However, not all groups obssess over such millenarian concerns. The concern for this world is reflected in the concept of "mending the world" (tikkun), which manifests itself in social justice and a concern for ecology, recycling, and planting trees. In fact, there is a holiday Tu B'Shvat (New Year of the Trees), where school children in Israel plant trees :)

[Bblaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book can be quite confusing and overwhelming at the beginning for a non jewish or a non cultivated on the jewish subjects but it is to these people to whom the author writes it for. before this reading i was pretty sure i know just a little bit about this religion and this identity but now i can actually confirm that i knew nothing at all. de lange has helped me to get over this and gave me a wide vision of the subject and everything related to it. i strongly recommend this book for any curious or interested in being introducted, no matter why the reasons, to the jewish religion, culture and communities.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly useful book. Far exceeding the step-by-step format of many introductory religious textbooks, this cuts to some of the deeper concerns and quandries in Judaism in its small span. Possibly best read as a sequel to aforementioned step-by-step texts, as some things aren't explained as expansively as they could be, but otherwise brilliant as a non-patronising, engaging and enjoyable introduction.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this introduction. Very helpful, in depth, and informative. It follows a consistent structure each chapter, which helps keep a steady rhythm. It goes into much more detail than most texts on the subject, without being overly elaborate for the level. Highly recommended.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and strikingly up-to-date! Relevant historical background is mixed with interesting comparisons today.

[Mark Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid overview, touching (albeit lightly) on a wide array of subjects related to Judaism. Contains plenty of citations and recommendations for further reading. Some parts are slightly dated now, nearly 20 years later, but still quite useful.

[Reed Schwartz]

who knew!

[Robert Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely lucid survey of the complexities of Judaism. It may be a bit dated by now, having been written about a quarter-century ago.

[Anderson Rhom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really informative, and helpful for someone studying world religion.

[Static · Rating 3 out of 5]

Demasiados guiñitos cariñosos al sionismo para mi gusto. Quitando eso, por lo demás la información es generalmente potable.

[sabela ⋆˚⊹♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

buen libro chat

[Pacmanguai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es una interesante introducción al judaismo. Inevitablemente por el hecho de ser una introducción, solo araña la superficie de la mayoría de temas, pero aporta una interesante visión de la situación actual, de la evolución, principalmente de los últimos siglos en cuanto a corrientes y creencias y sobre que bases se asientan las mismas.

[Mills College Library]

296 D3376 2010

[Patrick Cook]

I can't claim to be an objective reviewer (the author is a friend of mine and, inevitably, I read it in my head in his voice). But I found it much more informative than many other works on the subject, in part because of its careful attempt to present various alternatives in a non-dogmatic fashion. It's a book concerned with varieties of Judaism, not a prescription of how to do things "the right way."