The Jewish Book of Why

March 3, 2003
This book is for Jews and Gentiles alike, offering an encyclopedic compendium of concise, cogent explanations of Jewish rituals and practices. Kolatch, a rabbi and author of Great Jewish Quotations, treats every facet of Jewish religious observance, including births, weddings and funerals, sabbath and synagogue, holidays from Passover to Purim and the intricacies of the Jewish calendar. He teases apart the variations that distinguish different Jewish communities and denominations, and carefully notes whether a practice derives from the Torah, the Talmudic law or custom. Kolatch's catechistic format fields queries about the grand imponderables ("Why is marriage such an important institution in Jewish life?") and the most exquisite niceties ("Why do some people remove their tefilin after concluding the Amida, and then immediately put on a second pair for the balance of the service?"). In answering such questions, he sticks to Jewish law and history; on the particularly vexed issue of Kosher dietary rules, he rejects speculation about nutritional or sanitary benefits and insists that their rationale lies in the Divine injunction of"holiness" and the Jews' destiny as a people apart. While there are alternatives to some of the explanations offered here, Kolatch writes in an erudite but straightforward style, providing an intelligent, loving introduction to Jewish tradition and culture.

Using a simple question-and-answer format, Alfred Kolatch explains Jewish customs, including rites of passage, daily living, prayer and holidays. Reader Eli Wallach presents Kolatch's sensible explanations in rapid succession. His gravelly voice conveys kindness and wisdom, making him a perfect reader for a volume on Jewish tradition. Nevertheless, this audio misses the mark. Answers to many questions involve Hebrew or Yiddish terms. Words that sound alike or have multiple meanings have complicated scholars' interpretations of Hebrew scripture throughout history. Therefore, it's not surprising that these terms confuse a listener unfamiliar with either language. While the vocabulary builds, with each term being defined at some point, rewinding or going back to a previous tape is too cumbersome. Kolatch's information makes a good reference book. It does not translate well to audio. D.W.K. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

April 1, 1996
The Jewish Book of Why is designed to explain the reasons behind various Jewish customs. Aspects of Jewish life including marriage, death and mourning, dietary laws, synagogue rituals, holidays, and the Jewish calendar are explained. The author does not judge the value of Jewish customs; rather, he offers a thoroughly respectful guide to the major how, where, and when questions the average layperson may have regarding Jewish life. In pointing out that Jewish law has never been static, Wallach stresses the importance of the Talmud, respected rabbinical traditions, and the Old Testament to contemporary Jewish observance. Wallach, who also serves as reader, explains the differences that have evolved in the manner in which Orthodox, Conservative, and Reformed Jews practice their faith. Highly recommended for religion collections.--Ravonne A. Green, Emmanuel Coll. Lib., Franklin Springs, Ga.