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The Way of Torah: An Introduction to Judaism
This classic text from one of the leading Judaic scholars today, THE WAY OF THE TORAH introduces students to Judaism via a three-pronged examination of its history, its scriptures, and its practices. Neusner first defines Judaism across time, showing its changes and development. He then introduces students to the classic texts of Judaism, the Hebrew Bible, and beyond. Finally, the Torah and Judaism are presented in their living contexts. It is the only interpretive work that addresses Judaism within the context of religious studies in general as opposed to the many other texts that use an historical or scriptural approach exclusively.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 1970
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About the author
Jacob Neusner
1,195 books58 followersBorn in Hartford, Connecticut, Neusner was educated at Harvard University, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (where he received rabbinic ordination), the University of Oxford, and Columbia University.
Neusner is often celebrated as one of the most published authors in history (he has written or edited more than 950 books.)Since 1994, he taught at Bard College. He also taught at Columbia University, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Brandeis University, Dartmouth College, Brown University, and the University of South Florida.
Neusner was a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and a life member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University. He is the only scholar to have served on both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. He also received scores of academic awards, honorific and otherwise.
Neusner is often celebrated as one of the most published authors in history (he has written or edited more than 950 books.)Since 1994, he taught at Bard College. He also taught at Columbia University, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Brandeis University, Dartmouth College, Brown University, and the University of South Florida.
Neusner was a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and a life member of Clare Hall, Cambridge University. He is the only scholar to have served on both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. He also received scores of academic awards, honorific and otherwise.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 22, 2022
The first few chapters of the book are indeed an introduction to classic Judaism. And the concluding chapter is a succinct and clear summary. But in-between these is an involved psychological and sociological analysis of the interaction of modern Jewish people with secular western "civilization." [Is it civilized?] These chapters are not fitting for a book with the word "introduction" in the title. They are fitting for graduate students. But I did gain a better understanding of the Jewish people by reading it.
March 10, 2012
Heavy, text-book style writing. It wasn't as accessible as I would have hoped.
As a Christian I read this book looking for Old Testament perspective, and insight on how the paths of Judaism and Christianity have played out in their parallel times.
Of particular interest to me was the Jewish perspective on life after death. It's a big part of the Christian though. Chapter 14 on "Birth, Maturity, Death" barely covers the front and back of one page. One page! This man take two full pages to work up an introduction to a topic and covers all three major areas of life in half a breath. Was he afraid to loosen the self-tied academic binds, and venture into the realm of faith?
My take away: The Jewish people moved from a contained society, governed by the law in their every action, to the diaspora. The final few chapters were a good summary of the transformation of the Jewish people over the last 200 years- rise of Zionism and his description of the "assimilation"- a separation of the ethnic nature of the people from their religious traditions.
As a Christian I read this book looking for Old Testament perspective, and insight on how the paths of Judaism and Christianity have played out in their parallel times.
Of particular interest to me was the Jewish perspective on life after death. It's a big part of the Christian though. Chapter 14 on "Birth, Maturity, Death" barely covers the front and back of one page. One page! This man take two full pages to work up an introduction to a topic and covers all three major areas of life in half a breath. Was he afraid to loosen the self-tied academic binds, and venture into the realm of faith?
My take away: The Jewish people moved from a contained society, governed by the law in their every action, to the diaspora. The final few chapters were a good summary of the transformation of the Jewish people over the last 200 years- rise of Zionism and his description of the "assimilation"- a separation of the ethnic nature of the people from their religious traditions.
October 24, 2012
Not only does Neusner seem unacquainted with the term parsimonious, he also appears to be intent of resolving none of the issues he raises while tracing Judaism through its history. More than that, one would need to have a fair amount of familiarity with Judaism (I think I fall just shy of the audience Neusner expected), which should never be the case in any book purporting to be an introduction to said subject.
Mostly I am upset that Neusner took no time to examine the actual text of the Torah in The Way of the Torah. For those of us expecting some examination of the books (and the teachings that lay within) at the foundation of the faith, there is no way to be happy with the structure or material covered by Neusner.
There is some information here, but it screams for an already decent understanding to put it in meaningful context. More than that, it needs an more observant editorial eye that can keep the author on track within individual sentences (at times) and within chapters (at all times).
Mostly I am upset that Neusner took no time to examine the actual text of the Torah in The Way of the Torah. For those of us expecting some examination of the books (and the teachings that lay within) at the foundation of the faith, there is no way to be happy with the structure or material covered by Neusner.
There is some information here, but it screams for an already decent understanding to put it in meaningful context. More than that, it needs an more observant editorial eye that can keep the author on track within individual sentences (at times) and within chapters (at all times).
January 17, 2010
أنهيته بكل ثقل . به إعادة للمعلومات بشكل يبعث على النفس الملل .
لكن تعلمت من الكتاب بعض المعلومات المثيرة للفضول عن المجتمع اليهودي .. أكثرها غرابة بالنسبة لي أن ليس كل "يهودي" يعتقد اليهودية .. و مع ذلك ، لا يمكن لمن يؤمن بالديانات الأخرى أن يكون من ضمن المجموعة .
منهم فئة "متحررة" عن المعتقدات الأساسية .. و منهم فئة تلتزم بكل ما فيه كتبهم .
لكن تعلمت من الكتاب بعض المعلومات المثيرة للفضول عن المجتمع اليهودي .. أكثرها غرابة بالنسبة لي أن ليس كل "يهودي" يعتقد اليهودية .. و مع ذلك ، لا يمكن لمن يؤمن بالديانات الأخرى أن يكون من ضمن المجموعة .
منهم فئة "متحررة" عن المعتقدات الأساسية .. و منهم فئة تلتزم بكل ما فيه كتبهم .
February 12, 2008
One of the better texts I encountered during my time as an undergraduate student in religion.
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September 23, 2010The way of Torah;: An introduction to Judaism (The Religious life of man series) by Jacob Neusner (1974)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews