The Basic Beliefs of Judaism
A Twenty-first-Century Guide to a Timeless Tradition
By (author) Lawrence J. Epstein
Publication date:
22 August 2013Length of book:
226 pagesPublisher
Jason Aronson, Inc.ISBN-13: 9780765709691
One of the oldest monotheistic religions known to humankind, Judaism has withstood the tests of time. So what exactly are the tenets of this ancient faith that have been passed down over the millennia, and how do they apply to our lives in the 21st century? The Basic Beliefs of Judaism gives an updated overview of the belief system on which the Jewish faith is based. Epstein takes a contemporary point of view, looking at how the basic beliefs of Judaism fit into the lives of modern Jews. He does this with an eye toward helping the reader form his/her own understanding of Judaism. The book touches upon beliefs relating to creation, God, and the cosmos, as well as beliefs relating to day-to-day issues of family relations, social interactions, and ethics. Epstein draws from the Torah, the Talmud, Jewish folklore, and Jewish history to give the reader an understanding of how these beliefs were formed and have continued to evolve.
Epstein, the author of several publications on Jewish life, culls from nearly 3,000 years of Jewish moral, ethical, and philosophical thought to present an overview of fundamentals for an educated, 21st-century audience. In ten chapters, he discusses themes such as the mystery of God, the suffering of the innocent, and ethical foundations for a good life, from a broad array of Jewish perspectives. He states 'there is not one single Jewish belief system to explain. Rather there is a range of such beliefs. Still, there are borderlines that define what makes a belief fall outside Judaism.' This is not a reference book; the author recommends reading the chapters in order 'because the material ... is presented in an intellectually hierarchical fashion, with one section leading to the next.' Because of the vastness of the sources from which he draws, only a select essence can be conveyed. Biblical, Talmudic, and medieval sources are cited, as are Enlightenment, Reform, Conservative, and contemporary Jewish thinkers. The discussions are thoughtful and balanced. Readers from all backgrounds are challenged to engage with the issues further by using chapter exercises and the extensive bibliography. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; general readers.