To Be a Jew, Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin's classic guide to Jewish life, philosophy, and law has guided generations of Americans, Europeans, and Israelis to discover the treasures of their own religious traditions. First published in 1972, the book still stands as a reliable, practical and versatile resource for everyone from young girls preparing for bat mitzvah to old men returning to their spiritual roots. The book begins with an overview of Judaism's basic credo (including chapters on Israel's people, land, God, and Torah), moves on to describe the laws governing Jews' daily lives, the Jewish calendar, and "The Special Occasions of Life" from birth to death and mourning. One great strength of To Be a Jew is its blending of folk wisdom and scholarly learning. Rabbi Donin not only describes what right belief and righteous action look like but provides a rationale for these observances that engages and embraces the basic conditions of modern life. --Michael Joseph Gross


Ruth Frank & William Wollheim,Book of Jewish Books
"For a general discussion of Jewish living,To Be a Jew is unexcelled. It is comprehensive and clear."


Rabbi Israel Klavan, Rabbinical Council of America
"Belongs in every Jewish home."

ANNOTATION

This unique treasury of practical information and daily inspiration has long been acknowledged as the classic guide to the traditional Jewish laws and customs as they apply to contemporary Jewish daily life. Features a new introduction by Dr. Norman Lamm, President, Yeshiva University.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This handsome and indispensable volume has long been acknowledged as the classic guide to the traditional Jewish Laws and customs as they apply to daily life in the contemporary world. Endorsed by Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform leaders, To Be a Jew has been enthusiastically embraced through the years by hundreds of thousands of readers hungry for a clear, comprehensive, and contemporary explanation of the ageless heritage of Judaism.

Here, in simple and powerful language, but in all ways consistent with the highest rabbinical authorities, are the laws and observances for the Sabbath, the Dietary Laws, family life, prayer at home and in the Synagogue, charity and community, the major and minor holidays, and the guiding principles and observances of life, such as birth, naming, circumcision, adoption and conversion, Bar-mitzvah, marriage, divorce, death and mourning.

Perfectly suited for use as a practical reference guide, To Be a Jew also includes chapters on the underlying creed of Judaism, on ethics, The Torah and the Commandments, and on many other topics which make it an eminently readable book as well a unique compendium of Jewish values and customs.

Ideal for reference, reflection, and inspiration, To Be a Jew will be greatly valued by the many people today who feel that knowing, understanding, and observing the laws and traditions of Judaism in daily life is the essence of what it means to be a Jew.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"For a general discussion of Jewish living,To Be a Jew is unexcelled. It is comprehensive and clear."  — Harper Collins - New Media

"[It] still retains its freshness and persuasiveness and is to my mind, the equal or superior of any of the many new general introductions to Judaism...I have been recommending the book for two decades.  — Harper Collins - New Media