Judaism for Everyone: Renewing Your Life Through the Vibrant Lessons of the Jewish Faith

by Shmuley Boteach

With the publication of his runaway best seller Kosher Sex (1999), Rabbi Shmuley Boteach gained instant fame as a sage and savvy commentator on public and private life. Now he turns his outspoken energy and vast erudition to the core teachings of Judaism itself. During his eleven years as Rabbi of Oxford University and founder of the university's Jewish outreach organization, the L'Chaim Society, Boteach began to realize how well-matched the foundational beliefs of Judaism are to the broad human needs of the modern world. Unlike the dualist credo of other religions -- in which the material and spiritual are always in conflict -- the Jewish faith, argues Boteach, uniquely represents a spiritual philosophy concerned about life in this world, rather than in the hereafter. In Judaism for Everyone this most unorthodox of orthodox rabbis explores the Jewish and Biblical origins of civilization's seminal moral ideas and presents Judaism as a program of action for people of all faiths. Boteach's interpretations and commentary are a vibrant celebration of the dynamism that is Judaism. Whether he's peppering his points with stories from his childhood, promoting feminism and decrying boredom, or extolling the virtues of leisure and solitude, Shmuley Boteach never fails to inform, inspire -- and surprise. Judaism for Everyone is for everyone seeking a universal moral creed to maximize human goodness and inner potential.

Genres: Judaism, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Jewish

561 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, named by Talkers Magazine as one of the 100 most important radio hosts in America, is a nationally syndicated talk show host, the international best-selling author of 15 books, and an acclaimed syndicated columnist.

A winner of the London Times highly prestigious "Preacher of the Year" award, Rabbi Shmuley has lectured and appeared in print, radio, and TV all over the globe. His radio show, "Rabbi Shmuley's Passion," airs daily on Bonneville Broadcasting in afternoon drive-time.

He is the author of a number of books, including "Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy," "Dating Secrets of the Ten Commandments," "Why Can't I Fall in Love," "Judaism for Everyone: Renewing your Life through the Vibrant Lessons of the Jewish Faith," and most recently, "Hating Women: America's Hostile Campaign Against the Fairer Sex." A winner of the annual "preacher of the year" contest sponsored by the Times of London, he was formerly rabbi of Oxford University.


Shmuley—he is known universally by his first name, has marketed himself as a rabbi to the stars and an expert on Jewish attitudes toward relationships and marriage. ("Dr. Ruth with a yarmulke," the Washington Post called him.)

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finished, finally.

This was a difficult book for me to get through, because Boteach is very repetitive. Even within the same paragraph, he'll use the same phrase as though it's a new thought, and he has a tendency to rearrange the words of an old sentence to make a new one. Thus, much of the book feels like padding.
In addition, I have to soundly reject some of his conclusions. Notably the "benign sexism" and misogyny inherent in his argument that women should joyfully accept their place in the home because femininity is so wonderful and gosh, if only men could strive to be as docile and sweet as women are naturally wouldn't the world be awesome? Oh, and the chapter where he explains that accepting Darwin's theory of evolution will make you a nazi was also excellent.

There were some shining moments, though, and large passages I felt like typing up for myself to have and remember. Lots of the philosophy rang very true for me.

Basically, I'm not sorry I chose to convert to Judaism. As repugnant as I find some of Boteach's moralizing, I still want desperately to be part of the Jewish people. I'm just glad that I'm converting Conservative and joining a Reform congregation, so I can take steps throughout my life to become more observant as I learn and grow, and not have someone like Boteach standing over my shoulder and telling me I'm not doing it well enough for him.

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

I came to this book looking for principles that Judaism has remembered and Christianity has forgotten to enrich my spiritual practice as a Mormon. Pretty much everything of value in the book is something that Mormonism already has that sets it apart from mainstream Christianity, so there's that.

But the value density of the book was too low to be readable: one or two useful thoughts in a chapter of self-congratulatory drivel and New Age affirmations. The author has an excessively shallow understanding of history and non-Jewish religion. Frequent claims that Judaism was the first to do 'x' or the only to do 'y' that are patently false, reliance on discredited statistics and conflation of anecdotes with epidemics.

[Yesim · Rating 1 out of 5]

First of all I didnt like his language.
He puts down other religions while trying to prove Judaism is the best religion. It may be the best religion but it doesnt mean he can slaughter others. If something is valuable someone should not try to put others down. This is actually a sign of low self esteem.
Secondly, he only knows other religions from a text book rather than a perspective of a real believer and trying to compare them to Judaism which is disrespectful and disturbing.

[David Coody · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview and introduction into Judaism. A book which reveals how Jews have been grappling with Ethics, God, Morality, Laws, and what it means to be human for thousands of years. There are many memorable passages in this book, and there are lots of takeaways that ‘stick with you’ from the Talmud. Ultimately, this book convinces you to say yes to this life, being human, and invites you to take the ultimate responsibility in the story of creation.

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not engage with this book. I love the concept and I was very excited to better understand more about Judaism from the point of view of Boteach. I think his introduction had too much rhetoric about conversion to Judaism and about how Judaism is THE religion/way of life to follow. I did not want to read the book to be recruited, I wanted personal growth and knowledge. I found other works and television works by Boteach to be very approachable and charming. He is a clearly devote man with an understanding that there are endless points of view in the world besides his own. I will probably give this book another try at another time.

[Wendy]

Here's a few quotes from the book.

"The deepest loneliness is the fear that we will never be fully known, that there is no one who can truly fathom our depths or fully grasp our pain, that no one will ever join us in our deepest spaces."

"Restraint, discipline, and a commitment to self-mastery are the foundations of religious life." (a bit redundant perhaps, but he makes the point)

"The primary purpose of every leader is to take away the excuse from each of us who wants to renounce a virtuous life."

[Rebecca]

Good stuff

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book. Rabbi Boteach is a great teacher.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

We can learn so much from each other if we would only listen.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

An overview of the Jewish faith. It covers what Jews believe as well as explaining some of their religious beliefs. While not a Jew myself, it gave me a wider understanding of Judaism.