On Judaism: Conversations on Being Jewish in Today's World

Have you ever wondered what it means to be a Jew? Why Judaism is still relevant in the modern world? What Judaism says about such topics as faith...covenant...chosen people...ethics...mitzvah observance...kashruth...love...G-d...sin...holiness... pleasure...Shabbos...prayer...Torah...food...countless other matters? David wondered, too. So he had some probing conversations with his rabbi. David asks the questions you would - the answers will enlighten you and put your mind into high gear. In these conversations between David and the rabbi, Judaism becomes exciting and stimulating, a joyous adventure of mind and body. It makes demands and offers rewards. And most of all, it is as fresh today as it was thousands of years ago. With knowledge, erudition, humor, good taste, tolerance, and elegant expression, David's rabbi gives shape and meaning to Judaism. His beginning and end is the Torah and its eternal tradition; his idiom is David's, his setting is our world. To those who think that Judaism is long on ritual and short on logic, the rabbi shows how it is a seamless whole, with the commandments flowing from the central core of faith and values. Far from being other-worldly or esoteric, Judaism is practical and constructive, obsessed only with the mission of perfecting people and their world through service to their Creator. Especially today, when Jewry is so divided within itself, when both interest in authentic Judaism and estrangement from all its traditional forms are reaching new heights, this work is needed. And it responds to the need. Few books are simultaneously so important, useful, and enjoyable.