Judaism

More about the book

The first edition of this book, published in 1961, offered a classic overview of the Jewish religion, featuring a carefully curated anthology of significant writings alongside insightful commentary by Arthur Hertzberg. In 1991, he released a revised edition that tackled contemporary issues like women's rights, medical ethics, the Holocaust, Arab-Jewish relations, and homosexuality. These discussions were woven into the foundational concepts of Judaism, including the chosen people, the Law, God, the Holy Land, prayer, and the nature of sin and atonement. Hertzberg's interpretations reflect the enduring integrity of the Jewish spirit throughout history. The revisions also account for the diverse forms of Judaism that have emerged over the past two centuries, encompassing Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform perspectives. This integrated edition serves as a readable, contemporary, and authoritative overview of Jewish religion. Rabbi Hertzberg noted that "the demands of justice and the fear of sin" have been passionately debated in recent decades, and this book encapsulates his lifetime of study and reflection as one of the foremost authorities on Judaism.