Judaism for Dummies - Paperback

by Ted Falcon (Author), David Blatner (Author)

Your plain-English guide to Judaism

Whether you're interested in the religion or the spirituality, the culture or the ethnic traditions, Judaism For Dummies explores the full spectrum of Judaism, dipping into the mystical, meditative, and spiritual depth of the faith and the practice.

In this warm and welcoming book, you'll find coverage of: Orthodox Jews and breakaway denominations; Judaism as a daily practice; the food and fabric of Judaism; Jewish wedding ceremonies; celebrations and holy days; 4,000 years of pain, sadness, triumph, and joy; great Jewish thinkers and historical celebrities; and much more.

• Updates to the "recent history" section with discussions of what has happened in the first decade of the twenty-first century including: the expansion of orthodox political power in Israel; expansion of interfaith work; unfortunate recent anti-Semitic events; and other news
• Expanded coverage of Jewish mysticism and meditation, which has become increasingly popular in recent years
• New coverage on Jewish views of morality, including birth control, homosexuality, and environmental concerns
• Revised recipes for traditional Jewish cooking, updated key vocabulary, and Yiddish phrases everyone should know

Jews have long spread out to the corners of the world, so there are significant Jewish communities on many continents. Judaism For Dummies offers a glimpse into the rituals, ideas, and terms that are woven into the history and everyday lives of Jewish people as near as our own neighborhoods and as far-reaching as across the world.

P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you�re probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Judaism For Dummies (9781118407516). The book you see here shouldn�t be considered a new or updated product. But if you�re in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We�re always writing about new topics!

Back Jacket

• Explore the full spectrum of Judaism
• Discover the rituals woven into everyday Jewish life
• Grasp the spiritual depth of the faith and practice

A complete guide to beliefs, customs, and rituals

Whether you want to reconnect with your Jewish heritage or you're just curious about the Jewish experience, this insightful guide is for you. In Judaism For Dummies you discover key Jewish beliefs and traditions, such as kosher laws and the significance of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, as well as delve into the highlights and low points of Jewish history. Take a look inside the Torah and learn about Judaism as a daily practice. Read about Jewish holiday celebrations, find recipes for traditional Jewish foods, and much more!

Inside...

• A quick, easy-in/easy-out guide to prayers and blessings
• Spiritual and historical components of Judaism
• A calendar of Jewish holidays
• People you should know about
• Answers to common questions about Judaism

Author Biography

Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, one of the pioneers of contemporary Jewish and interfaith spirituality, is a writer, teacher, and spiritual counselor in private practice. David Blatner is an award-winning author of 15 books, including Spectrums: Our Mind-Boggling Universe From Infinitesimal to Infinity.