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What Do Jews Believe?: The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism
A lively exploration of Jewish ideas and beliefs. "Anyone who seeks to know what Judaism is really all about will be in his debt" (David Wolpe, author of Why Be Jewish?).
In this fresh and lucid study, Ariel presents the fundamentals of Jewish thought on the profound issues of God, human destiny, good and evil, Torah, and messianism, guiding the reader toward a definition of the beliefs that shape Jewish identity. This lively exploration of Jewish ideas and beliefs provides a rationale and stimulus for anyone seeking to understand or reconnect to the rich and diverse spiritual tradition of Judaism.
In this fresh and lucid study, Ariel presents the fundamentals of Jewish thought on the profound issues of God, human destiny, good and evil, Torah, and messianism, guiding the reader toward a definition of the beliefs that shape Jewish identity. This lively exploration of Jewish ideas and beliefs provides a rationale and stimulus for anyone seeking to understand or reconnect to the rich and diverse spiritual tradition of Judaism.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 13, 2021
The title is grossly misleading, but I suppose the more accurate "What Have Jews Believed?" was nixed as overly esoteric. I never would have picked this up back in 2010 had it not been recommended to me as a thematic rather than chronological survey of Jewish intellectual history. Admittedly introductory, the book spotlights the breadth of Jewish views on God, scripture, chosenness, prayer, mitzvot, the afterlife, and the Messiah.
Some chapters are excellent and thoughtful. The introduction is very clear that there has never been a single, timeless Jewish creed. Judaism has endured across the Millennia not in the form of a shared set of beliefs but rather as loose compendium of shared touchstones/references/values (the inherent sacredness of textual study and honest argument, for example). The first chapter carefully walks readers through the array of evolving traditions regarding God, from a Christian-like faith that encompasses a personal relationship, to something more akin to the New England transcendentalists, to avowed atheism, to those who view such doctrinal questions as both unresolvable and irrelevant. This is not a temporal evolution: the entire spectrum of belief is represented in American synagogues today, and that’s not even counting those Jews who engage with their Jewishness on a strictly secular basis, or those who don’t engage with their fellow MOTs at all.
Too few people understand the full breadth of authentic Jewish pluralism, including Jews. I recently reread Lauren Winner’s Girl Meets God memoir, which offers an inaccurately narrow depiction of what Jews believe. Western civilization is intertwined, at least historically, with Christianity, where belief and faith and creed are sine qua non. The idea that a fiercely espoused religion could be only loosely coupled to faith is… perturbing? Unsettling? Disorienting? An absurdity? FWIW, my own experience outside of Orthodox circles is that faith is a “don’t ask don’t tell” subject. And yes, that includes in synagogues, drashot (sermons), and bible study.
As always, it was interesting to peruse the marginalia and see how my interests have evolved in the past decade. Back in 2010, my brain could not handle the Kabbalists; my grasp of Islamic civilization was too weak to appreciate what Maimonides was responding to; and apparently the concept of original sin was something I was wrestling with. This time, I was disappointed in Chapter 6 because I wanted more on how non-deists dealt with the concept of commandedness re: the mitzvot. Conversely, the apparent prevalence of the belief that the Messiah would be a political rather than supernatural figure kind of blew my mind. I'm so used to the Christian use of that word, which could never be applied to a non-deity. I'm glad I kept the book, even if I find its title embarrassing.
My only pet peeve – and the reason for the middling star assignment – is that Dr. Ariel (z”l) put a disproportionate emphasis on rabbinic/Talmudic views at the expense of the Jewish emancipation period or the modern era (both of which I, personally, find more interesting and poorly understood). It’s like, no, you can’t sum up the last hundred and fifty years with just Buber, Heschel, and the occasional sprinkling of Kaplan and Soloveitchik. But maybe that’s unfair and what I really wanted to read was something on Jewish existentialists, like Leora Batnitzky’s book How Judaism Became a Religion on Jewish thought since the 18th century or Robert Erlewine’s Judaism and the West: From Hermann Cohen to Joseph Soloveitchik. Or maybe it’s time for me to finally suck it up and upgrade from secondary to primary sources. I mean, as I type this, I and Thou, Judaism as a Civilization, God in Search of Man, and the intimidatingly thick The Jew in the Modern World sit on a shelf less than three feet away. Oof, that may be a bit more of a leap than I’m up for.
Some chapters are excellent and thoughtful. The introduction is very clear that there has never been a single, timeless Jewish creed. Judaism has endured across the Millennia not in the form of a shared set of beliefs but rather as loose compendium of shared touchstones/references/values (the inherent sacredness of textual study and honest argument, for example). The first chapter carefully walks readers through the array of evolving traditions regarding God, from a Christian-like faith that encompasses a personal relationship, to something more akin to the New England transcendentalists, to avowed atheism, to those who view such doctrinal questions as both unresolvable and irrelevant. This is not a temporal evolution: the entire spectrum of belief is represented in American synagogues today, and that’s not even counting those Jews who engage with their Jewishness on a strictly secular basis, or those who don’t engage with their fellow MOTs at all.
Too few people understand the full breadth of authentic Jewish pluralism, including Jews. I recently reread Lauren Winner’s Girl Meets God memoir, which offers an inaccurately narrow depiction of what Jews believe. Western civilization is intertwined, at least historically, with Christianity, where belief and faith and creed are sine qua non. The idea that a fiercely espoused religion could be only loosely coupled to faith is… perturbing? Unsettling? Disorienting? An absurdity? FWIW, my own experience outside of Orthodox circles is that faith is a “don’t ask don’t tell” subject. And yes, that includes in synagogues, drashot (sermons), and bible study.
As always, it was interesting to peruse the marginalia and see how my interests have evolved in the past decade. Back in 2010, my brain could not handle the Kabbalists; my grasp of Islamic civilization was too weak to appreciate what Maimonides was responding to; and apparently the concept of original sin was something I was wrestling with. This time, I was disappointed in Chapter 6 because I wanted more on how non-deists dealt with the concept of commandedness re: the mitzvot. Conversely, the apparent prevalence of the belief that the Messiah would be a political rather than supernatural figure kind of blew my mind. I'm so used to the Christian use of that word, which could never be applied to a non-deity. I'm glad I kept the book, even if I find its title embarrassing.
My only pet peeve – and the reason for the middling star assignment – is that Dr. Ariel (z”l) put a disproportionate emphasis on rabbinic/Talmudic views at the expense of the Jewish emancipation period or the modern era (both of which I, personally, find more interesting and poorly understood). It’s like, no, you can’t sum up the last hundred and fifty years with just Buber, Heschel, and the occasional sprinkling of Kaplan and Soloveitchik. But maybe that’s unfair and what I really wanted to read was something on Jewish existentialists, like Leora Batnitzky’s book How Judaism Became a Religion on Jewish thought since the 18th century or Robert Erlewine’s Judaism and the West: From Hermann Cohen to Joseph Soloveitchik. Or maybe it’s time for me to finally suck it up and upgrade from secondary to primary sources. I mean, as I type this, I and Thou, Judaism as a Civilization, God in Search of Man, and the intimidatingly thick The Jew in the Modern World sit on a shelf less than three feet away. Oof, that may be a bit more of a leap than I’m up for.
February 6, 2018
I still don't know what Jews believe. Actually, I'm kind of confused how a religion can have this much disagreement. Even monotheism seems like a point of debate.
My initial confusion aside, this was interesting to read. I hadn't realized that one religious tradition could have so much diversity of thought and belief in it. Though I'm confused how one can say who's a Jew and who's not, it seems like the Reformed Jew who doesn't keep kosher or the mitzvot and the Orthodox Jew who does so zealously would have a different answer. Then again, maybe one would just say the other is a bad Jew but a Jew nonetheless.
One really interesting comparison I saw through the book was Moses Maimonides's beliefs compared to the Hasidic or more 'spiritual' beliefs. I'd almost call Maimonides's beliefs almost atheistic or maybe very Platonic (i.e. he thought prayer was worthwhile only for those who weren't smart or learned enough to rationally contemplate God or how he saw God as being immeasurably remote and impersonal) whereas the Hasidic, Kabbalah and more spiritually inclined sects tended to see God as more immanent in the world.
And that's just one of the contrasts in here. Every subject in the book has multiple viewpoints from different schools of thought about what Jews should believe about any given topic.
My initial confusion aside, this was interesting to read. I hadn't realized that one religious tradition could have so much diversity of thought and belief in it. Though I'm confused how one can say who's a Jew and who's not, it seems like the Reformed Jew who doesn't keep kosher or the mitzvot and the Orthodox Jew who does so zealously would have a different answer. Then again, maybe one would just say the other is a bad Jew but a Jew nonetheless.
One really interesting comparison I saw through the book was Moses Maimonides's beliefs compared to the Hasidic or more 'spiritual' beliefs. I'd almost call Maimonides's beliefs almost atheistic or maybe very Platonic (i.e. he thought prayer was worthwhile only for those who weren't smart or learned enough to rationally contemplate God or how he saw God as being immeasurably remote and impersonal) whereas the Hasidic, Kabbalah and more spiritually inclined sects tended to see God as more immanent in the world.
And that's just one of the contrasts in here. Every subject in the book has multiple viewpoints from different schools of thought about what Jews should believe about any given topic.
April 18, 2025
really interesting, kinda philosophical without being inaccessible. covers a bunch of major topics and nuanced discussion about what the different beliefs are and how things have evolved over time. I loved the personal touch of a note the author wrote to his kids again about why they should choose Judaism. one part that stuck out to me was about how Judaism is about bringing God into your every day life and Judaism is a force that drives people to perfect the world; even though God might be a transcendent above-the-earth being (if that’s what you believe), we’re put on earth to carry out these ethical teachings to make the world better and we can only fulfill this goal by living the best we can with what’s in front of us: ourselves, our relationship, our community
December 14, 2016
Better than several years of Hebrew School.
May 21, 2023
Recently, someone asked me to recommend a book on Jewish spirituality. Sadly, and despite the fact that I'm often flipping between 3-5 non-fiction books about Judaism at any given time, I found myself at a loss.
I pointed this person to the works of Rabbi Alan Lew, as well as various Hassidic thinkers. But, as many of us probably know, the Jewish world doesn't do a great job talking about Jewish spirituality. While I won't go into the many varied reasons for that here, it's a fact that seems reflected in our books. Almost a week later, I found What Do Jews Believe: The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism by David S. Ariel... and wow! This book blew me away.
What Do Jews Believe is an extremely well-done book on some of the basic tenets of the Jewish faith. Broken down into topics (God, human destiny, Torah, messianism, etc...) Ariel does what, frankly, is nearly impossible in under 300 pages. He takes these HUMUNGOUS topics, covering Torah, Jewish law, history, ethics, and the intersection of non-Jewish culture on Jewish civilization, boiling it all down into easy-to-digest blurbs.
I read this book in two days, covering it with highlights and notes. More importantly, it showed the rich spiritual underpinning of our Jewish tradition--confirming once again that while Judaism is a religion of action, it is also one of faith.
This has easily become one of my favorite non-fiction books on Judaism, and because of that, it will have a special place in my own at-home Jewish library. I'm also planning to read it again.
Otherwise, my only comment (to be clear: NOT a critique of the book) is that this book may be a bit too advanced for people just starting out on the journey toward understanding Judaism. That being said, and even for beginners, I'd still recommend it as a book to buy--and slowly, slowly, slowly-- go through as time allows and as a topic interests you. It has enough good tidbits in there that, anyone, can take away something meaningful.
This book is perfect for:
Jewish libraries, both professional and personal. Read it if you're looking for a more in-depth review of Jewish spirituality, or simply want to add some oomph to an upcoming Dvar Torah. Make sure you have a pen and highlighter, and for beginners, this is a PERFECT book to start a chevruta (or once-a-week study session) with a friend. Finally, I took it to the beach--so I guess you could call it a beach read--or you could just call me a bible nerd. But I loved it!
I pointed this person to the works of Rabbi Alan Lew, as well as various Hassidic thinkers. But, as many of us probably know, the Jewish world doesn't do a great job talking about Jewish spirituality. While I won't go into the many varied reasons for that here, it's a fact that seems reflected in our books. Almost a week later, I found What Do Jews Believe: The Spiritual Foundations of Judaism by David S. Ariel... and wow! This book blew me away.
What Do Jews Believe is an extremely well-done book on some of the basic tenets of the Jewish faith. Broken down into topics (God, human destiny, Torah, messianism, etc...) Ariel does what, frankly, is nearly impossible in under 300 pages. He takes these HUMUNGOUS topics, covering Torah, Jewish law, history, ethics, and the intersection of non-Jewish culture on Jewish civilization, boiling it all down into easy-to-digest blurbs.
I read this book in two days, covering it with highlights and notes. More importantly, it showed the rich spiritual underpinning of our Jewish tradition--confirming once again that while Judaism is a religion of action, it is also one of faith.
This has easily become one of my favorite non-fiction books on Judaism, and because of that, it will have a special place in my own at-home Jewish library. I'm also planning to read it again.
Otherwise, my only comment (to be clear: NOT a critique of the book) is that this book may be a bit too advanced for people just starting out on the journey toward understanding Judaism. That being said, and even for beginners, I'd still recommend it as a book to buy--and slowly, slowly, slowly-- go through as time allows and as a topic interests you. It has enough good tidbits in there that, anyone, can take away something meaningful.
This book is perfect for:
Jewish libraries, both professional and personal. Read it if you're looking for a more in-depth review of Jewish spirituality, or simply want to add some oomph to an upcoming Dvar Torah. Make sure you have a pen and highlighter, and for beginners, this is a PERFECT book to start a chevruta (or once-a-week study session) with a friend. Finally, I took it to the beach--so I guess you could call it a beach read--or you could just call me a bible nerd. But I loved it!
February 17, 2025
This book was required reading in my Judaism studies with the Rabbi.
Another review of this book said a better title might have been "What Have Jews Believed" and I agree so much with that statement. This book is very heavy in Jewish history and how Jewish beliefs formed over time, with a very strong emphasis on rabbinic and Talmudic teachings and interpretations. This book does give some information about current Jewish beliefs and how they vary in the different movements, but that is a small fraction of the overall writing.
I had to read slowly through these pages because it is dense with information which is great, but it was a lot to learn about and if I read too much at one time it wouldn't sink into my mind properly. Overall informative and helpful, but sometimes boring.
Another review of this book said a better title might have been "What Have Jews Believed" and I agree so much with that statement. This book is very heavy in Jewish history and how Jewish beliefs formed over time, with a very strong emphasis on rabbinic and Talmudic teachings and interpretations. This book does give some information about current Jewish beliefs and how they vary in the different movements, but that is a small fraction of the overall writing.
I had to read slowly through these pages because it is dense with information which is great, but it was a lot to learn about and if I read too much at one time it wouldn't sink into my mind properly. Overall informative and helpful, but sometimes boring.
October 2, 2022
I think some of the book is outdated - especially the views of Reform Jews and practices. But overall, it is a great read and introduction to what Jews believe. I found the history of the Messiah and Messianic age interesting. I feel like it's a book I will need to read again soon to take it all in the second time. It was a wealth of information.
January 14, 2018
This text serves as an easily accessible primer to anyone who is looking to get a broad overview of the diverse beliefs included within Judaism. As someone brought up in the Christian tradition, I thought it was a helpful first introduction.
January 26, 2020
Extremely informative and accessibly-written! I appreciated the way Ariel was able to concisely explain and describe key aspects of Jewish history and philosophy with examples from texts and historical events. A great survey read!
December 28, 2021
Super in depth, fascinating, a wonderful survey of a wide variety of jewish belief. Highly recommend it.
July 20, 2023
What I found especially valuable in this book was the author clearly making the case that Jewish spiritual foundations are a lengthy conversation between Jewish people. By presenting, by subject, the chronological progression and development of Jewish thought, it becomes very accessible even to those -- like me -- who are outside the conversation.
June 23, 2011
There are currently a number of brilliant surveys of Judaism available, chief among them perhaps being George Robinson's Essential Judaism and Rabbi Telushkin's Jewish Literacy. Nevertheless, David Ariel's What Do Jews Believe? manages to cover ground not already covered by other fine general works on Judaism. While the best surveys of Judaism are rich in Jewish history, halakhah, and observance, Ariel's book fills in a much needed gap with an in-depth exploration of Jewish belief, diving into the ideas and theologies behind the halakhah and practice.
This book explores various aspects of Jewish belief, including Jewish ideas about God, human destiny, the problem of evil, chosenness, and messianism. In an age in which the phrase "Judeo-Christian" too often assumes a Judaism that is simply Christianity without Christ, Ariel's book offers an elaborate discussion of the distinctions between Jewish and Christian beliefs.
What Do Jews Believe? isn't quite in the same category as Essential Judaism or Jewish Literacy, but that's hardly a criticism. It is still a fine book and would be worth reading solely for the final chapter alone, "Why Be Jewish?," written as a letter to his children that offers a thoroughly unapologetic appeal to embrace Judaism and maintain the beliefs and spiritual framework that has sustained the Jewish people for 3,000 years.
This book explores various aspects of Jewish belief, including Jewish ideas about God, human destiny, the problem of evil, chosenness, and messianism. In an age in which the phrase "Judeo-Christian" too often assumes a Judaism that is simply Christianity without Christ, Ariel's book offers an elaborate discussion of the distinctions between Jewish and Christian beliefs.
What Do Jews Believe? isn't quite in the same category as Essential Judaism or Jewish Literacy, but that's hardly a criticism. It is still a fine book and would be worth reading solely for the final chapter alone, "Why Be Jewish?," written as a letter to his children that offers a thoroughly unapologetic appeal to embrace Judaism and maintain the beliefs and spiritual framework that has sustained the Jewish people for 3,000 years.
August 14, 2014
I had to read this book for a class where we are studying the three major Western World Religions [Judaism, Christianity, and Islam]. I found this book a delightful read. It was filled with great insight while discussing the beliefs and the reasons behind those beliefs.
I especially liked the chapter discussing God. It was a great chapter, offering new insights into God that I had not considered before. It offered interesting perspectives on God's character and nature and how God's nature and character relates to humanity. I really enjoyed this chapter.
I also liked the section discussing the historical backdrop of Judaism - its founding, its history, and its relationship with the surrounding nations and religions. It is one thing to read the Old Testament; it is quite another to read a book that helps identify the historical backdrop in which Jewish history has occurred.
These were two of the chapters I enjoyed the most, but I enjoyed the book overall. It was an interesting book I probably would not have read were it not for my class, but now that I have read it I am glad that I did. I can honestly say I do not feel I wasted my time reading this book, and I feel that it has helped broadened my understanding and perspective on God as well as Judaism.
I especially liked the chapter discussing God. It was a great chapter, offering new insights into God that I had not considered before. It offered interesting perspectives on God's character and nature and how God's nature and character relates to humanity. I really enjoyed this chapter.
I also liked the section discussing the historical backdrop of Judaism - its founding, its history, and its relationship with the surrounding nations and religions. It is one thing to read the Old Testament; it is quite another to read a book that helps identify the historical backdrop in which Jewish history has occurred.
These were two of the chapters I enjoyed the most, but I enjoyed the book overall. It was an interesting book I probably would not have read were it not for my class, but now that I have read it I am glad that I did. I can honestly say I do not feel I wasted my time reading this book, and I feel that it has helped broadened my understanding and perspective on God as well as Judaism.
October 23, 2008
Looking for the basic spiritual foundations of Judaism? This book delivers its promise. Ariel breaks down the historical and philosophical progression of the basic elements of Judaism (inc. God, Torah, Good/Evil, Messiah, Prayer) in a series of chapters that can be read individually or as a cohesive whole. The link between the progression and present-day beliefs wasn't always as clear as it could have been. Despite its modest size (<300 pages), it packs a good deal of information in, and gives a reader good starting points for further research.
August 1, 2012
David Ariel walks us through the spiritual aspects of Judaism, covering God, prayer, the Mitzvot, Good & Evil, Torah, human destiny, Jewish messianism and what being the "Chosen People" really entails. Each chapter shows how these concepts have evolved from Biblical Judaism through rabbinical and medieval schools of thought and how they have changed (or not) under the influence of modern schools of Jewish thought. Not very deep, but broad, this book is a fine introduction to general Jewish life and worship.
February 3, 2015
I thought this was a great book. More than a casual survey it highlighted and explored many different aspects of Jewish belief. The opening chapter is amazing, really every chapter is great. Ariel's chapter on the messiah really illustrates the differences between Christianity and Judaism. Overall, a fabulous book.
November 16, 2009
penulis sebenarnya menulis sebuah "surat" ttg Judaisme untuk ketiga anaknya Judah, Micah, Aviva. Gw bisa lebih terbuka dan melirik segi positif dari sekte2 judaisme seperti Kabbalah dan Orthodox, juga Modernis...God is JHVH yg hanya bisa disebut dgn Adonai...
August 31, 2015
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Judaism. Honestly, you could read only the last chapter (the author's letter to his children on why they should choose Judaism) and have a far greater understanding on the subject than many other books I've read.
August 10, 2007
A decent summary of basic Jewish beliefs and modern practices. A must-read for anyone who ever means to be intentional friends with a person of Hebrew descent.
September 16, 2007
I am about halfway through and enjoying this so far...basic and cogent, which is exactly what I need.
July 3, 2008
Im still working on this but its useful information. Being a total ignoramus on the subject I think its a good overview, but I could be wrong.
Want to read
March 23, 2014it was a great book
August 18, 2015
Highly informative.
Learned a lot by reading this concise primer on Judaism.
Learned a lot by reading this concise primer on Judaism.
Read
February 25, 2018Excellent
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews