Tough Questions Jews Ask 2/E: A Young Adult's Guide to Building a Jewish Life - Hardcover

Feinstein, Rabbi Edward

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1683364694 ISBN 13: 9781683364696

Publisher: Jewish Lights, 2012

Synopsis

What your rabbi probably has never told you, but could―if you'd only ask.

"Every day I wonder if God is real, if the Torah is true. Every day I wonder why I’m a Jew. But that’s part of being Jewish. In the Torah, we’re called Yisrael―the ones who wrestle with God. Wrestling, asking, wondering, searching is just what God wants us to do! God loves good questions. Now tell me, what are your questions?"
―from Chapter 1

In Judaism we’re allowed to ask questions. We are invited to ask them. But for young people, it often feels as if no one is willing to take tough questions about religion, ourselves, and the world seriously.

This updated and expanded new edition of Tough Questions Jews Ask turns that all around. With honesty, humor and respect, Rabbi Edward Feinstein tackles topics as diverse as:

• Why Does God Let Terrible Things Happen?
• What Is God Anyway?
• If I Pray for Something, Will I get It?
• What’s the meaning of life? Is that a dumb question?
• Why Does Religion Need So Many Rules?
• Why Be Jewish?

With insight and wisdom―and without pretending to have all the answers―Rabbi Feinstein encourages young people to make sense of the Jewish tradition by wrestling with what we don’t understand.

About this title

About the Author

Rabbi Edward Feinstein is senior rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom in Encino, California. He is an instructor in the Ziegler Rabbinical School of American Jewish University and the Wexner Heritage Program. He is the author of Tough Questions Jews Ask: A Young Adult's Guide to Building a Jewish Life (Jewish Lights) and Capturing the Moon; and the editor of Jews and Judaism in the 21st Century: Human Responsibilities, the Presence of God, and the Future of the Covenant (Jewish Lights). He contributed to May God Remember: Memory and Memorializing in Judaism―Yizkor; Who by Fire, Who by Water―Un'taneh Tokef and We Have Sinned: Sin and Confession in Judaism―Ashamnu and Al Chet (all Jewish Lights).

Review

"I wish I had this book when I was young. I'm grateful that the b’nei mitzvah and their parents in my congregation have it now. Rabbi Feinstein responds to the tough questions thoughtful Jewish teenagers ask with wisdom, humor, gentleness and insight. "
―Rabbi Laura Geller, senior rabbi, Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, California

“In this remarkable book Rabbi Feinstein asks all the tough questions, and gives them thoughtful, important and often surprising answers. I will keep it by my desk; every Jewish parent seeking answers should do the same.”
―Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple, Los Angeles, California; author,
Teaching Your Children About God

“A masterpiece in Jewish education by a master educator. A gift for teenagers and adults alike. ”
―Rabbi Donniel Hartman, co-director, Shalom Hartman Institute, Jerusalem

“Takes us through those 'keep-you-up-at-night’ questions―and does so with wit and depth. This is the best theology book for young people that I have read in a long time. It will be must-reading for confirmation classes and Hebrew high school. What a treasure! ”
―Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, author, Putting God on the Guest List: How to Reclaim the Spiritual Meaning of Your Child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah and For Kids―Putting God on Your Guest List: How to Claim the Spiritual Meaning of Your Bar or Bat Mitzvah

About this edition

• Publisher: Jewish Lights
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1683364694
• ISBN 13: 9781683364696
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 160