Zaddik

by David Rosenbaum

Recently divorced, spiritually adrift, and recovering from alcoholism, Dov Taylor, an ex-cop from the NYPD, is called upon to recover one of the world's greatest the Seer’s Stone, a magnificent 72-carat diamond. The gem was to be used as dowry in a historic wedding meant to unite two powerful, bitterly antagonistic Hasidic sects, but has been removed from the sanctum of New York City’s diamond center and placed in the hands of the Magician, a Nazi collaborator and notorious war criminal. In a difficult quest of recovery, Taylor forges a link through time and solicits the help of his exalted ancestor, Hirsh Leib of Orlik—a zaddik and prince of Israel from 19th-century Poland, a country ravaged by war and fanaticism. To succeed, Taylor must commit his very life to a law older and more awesome than any on the books.

Genres: Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very curious book. The mystery part is okay, as is the writing. Better are the pictures painted of the Manhattan diamond business and of Hasid communities in modern times and a few centuries ago.

[Stacey B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel very much. The author did his research.
I was impressed with how many current topics the author melded into one book of fiction.
Spiritual, religion, mossad, addiction, and the quasi similarities of soul reincarnation with kabbalah.
What stuck with me throughout, was the male learned beliefs regarding women's roles
in the ultra-orthodox sects.
I suppose in order for that role to change; the laws they live by could use a little updating.
I must say, this novel gave me a quick crash course of info re Int'l Diamond Exchange and security.
I am quite familiar; I knew it must be fiction when an low ball offer was made to purchase a 72k flawless diamond.
Wish it was me.:)

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was surprising, beginning as a fairly standard murder mystery set in the community of the Hasidim, particularly the diamond-broker community. After relatively few hints, the story takes a turn into history, mysticism and reincarnation- or time travel? An interesting read, and quite unexpected.

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for plot, 3 stars for fact checking. Due to the breadth of topics covered in this mystery, Rosenbaum had to research many areas of expertise including Jewish history with an emphasis on Chasidic culture, Polish history, the diamond business and others. For the most part, he succeeds. Yet when there are mistakes, they are glaring. For example:
• The long silken coat worn by Chasidic men is called a bekesher, not a bekekher.
• Lubavitcher men would imitate their rebbe who wore a Borsellino fedora, not a biber.
• The word for nothing in Yiddish is gornisht, not gornit.
• Jewish women visit the mikvah at night, not Friday afternoon … unless it is the mikvah used for utensils, which is unlikely.
Rosenbaum acknowledges consulting a list of 13 experts. Yet I doubt anyone was from the Chasidic community.
Overall, the author creates an interesting concept. Secular Jewish ex-cop, Dov Taylor, is charged with solving murders in the 47th Street Diamond District and recovering a magnificent diamond. To do so and stay alive, Dov needs the help of his long-dead great-grandfather, Hirsh Leib, a disciple of the Seer of Lublin. Interestingly, both Dov and Hirsh Leib are alcoholics. Along the way, Dov meets Polish nobles, a psychotic Israeli killer, a Polish bombshell, and he falls for the daughter of a Chasidic rabbi – a real no-no.
The most exciting action takes place in the last few pages of the book. But the ending is a little confusing and less than satisfying.

[Akiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a by the numbers hardboiled thriller about a a detective with sobriety issues and ridiculously fancy diamond. But the fun twist is that it's all set in the Diamond District, and the detective who is Jewish himself but not observant, has to navigate Chasidic politics and wrestle with his Jewishness. There's also an odd magical realist element with a middle section set in the past in the old country with connections back into the present day plot. But I dunno, that part felt very clunky to me and I think you could have had some of those historical connection without spending a bunch of time on this weird historical side plot involving Napoleon. It aspired to being more than just another thriller and I appreciate that, but I think it was also trying to do too much in a way that ultimately detracted from a good story.

[Nina Romano · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the get-go this book is a page-turner—I liked the fact that we know who the murderer is immediately. The gory details made it all too real. The author did tremendous research, which I admire, and made the book a huge cut above the normal detective stories about the diamond district in NY. I especially liked the jump back in time to Poland, a country that I visited. It is highly detailed with much Jewish tradition, one of the main reasons I enjoyed reading it. As an author, I was interested in the main character and willing to follow all of his motivations. I also appreciated the addition of a glossary, something I’ve added in my WIP set in Soviet Russia. I recommend this fast-paced novel to anyone who likes mysteries and is interested in Judaism ✡️

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for interesting plot. The work is set in both the Hasidic and diamond dealing communities in NYC. That is the reason that I started this work which is a murder mystery, not a genre I normally read. Dov Taylor is a former NYC detective and is as hard boiled as they come. I found the work very engaging and the diverse characters very well drawn. For me the plot was almost beside the point as it was the community that I was interested in. Mr. Rosenbaum managed to create a readable novel that taught me a great deal about the Hasidic world and their attitudes.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This book, about the ownership of a giant diamond, is divided into thirds. The first part, which takes place in New York ca. 1989, was very good, keeping me turning the (metaphorical) pages. But the second part, which takes place in Poland in 1813, was confusing and boring, and the third (back to New York) drew out the action maddeningly. I found the ending unsatisfactory both in terms of the diamond and the fate of the principal characters. There's a lot of information about Hasidism, if you're interested in that.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A stereotypical ex-alcoholic New York cop of Jewish ancestry has to recover a diamond, central to uniting a warring Hasidic sect and with connections to WWII and early-1800s Poland, stolen by a Polish ex-Nazi collaborator. There’s some very interesting Jewish lore and the dreamed description of the life of his ancestor in nineteenth century Poland is quite fascinating but the contemporary material isn’t anywhere near as engaging

[Chris Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

The murder mystery, the insight into Hasidic culture, the history, the depth of character, all of it makes for a great read.

Want something different, perhaps a little out of your comfort zone? Try this one.

Highly recommended.

[kay keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read

The story was excellent except for the Hebrew and Yiddish words that interrupted the flow. I had to stop and look them up.
Joining a murder mystery with Jewish customs and history was a change from the usual story.
I really enjoyed it and recommend this book.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dov Taylor is an alcoholic, ex-NYC cop who’s been dragged into a grisly murder in the Diamond District, that may be between Satmerer and Lubavitcher Hasidim, Israeli, American, and other spies, but is about a 72 carat diamond that Dov’s great-great grandfather friend to the Seer of Lublin, and a mystic and holy man himself, or zaddik, tried to give to Napolean. All parties are attempting to claim that they legitimately should have this diamond.
“Between daily AA meetings, he had been going two nights a week to a class for baalie teshuvah, literally “ones who have returned.” His teacher Rabbi Jacob Kalman, thought that it was funny to have an ex-cop in the class along with all the earnest college boys.” (p.37)

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosenbaum's novel has a elements in it that you don't normally find in a detective book, including atmospheric descriptions of Hasidic life in early 19th century Poland and late 20th century Brooklyn. There's also the stuff you do expect--gruesome bad guys, sexy exploited bombshells, and the heart-of-gold former detective who struggles with alcohol addiction. I was very entertained by this book.

[Linda Marye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good suspense/thriller about current and past Hassidic culture and the diamond trade. Never heard of the author but I'm going to look for some more by him. It fits in really well with SCABC's look into Judaism.

[Bob Schueler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the Hassidic community in Brooklyn and it's origins in 19th century Eastern Europe, this book is full of great characters, dialogue and humor.