The Jewish Book of Why

By: Alfred J. Kolatch

Narrated by: Eli Wallach

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Find answers to your most frequently asked questions about Jewish faith, worship, culture, and customs in this fascinating best seller. Why does the groom break a glass in a Jewish wedding ceremony? Why isn't pork kosher? Why can't a person be half-Jewish? Rabbi Alfred J. Kolatch reveals the reasons behind specific laws, practices, and ceremonies, shedding light on one of the world's oldest and most influential religions.

Original Material ©1981, 1985 Alfred J. Kolatch. Issued by Arrangement with Jonathan David Publishers, Inc.; ©1995 HighBridge Company

The Jewish Religion

Absolutely loved it! I haven't always wanted to learn more about the Jewish religion. Now I have.

Good book

This book answers many questions that even Jewish people may not know! I didn’t! Looking forward to version two.

Book of Why?

If you're a considering conversion, or questioning the reasons for certain traditions, this is a wonderful book. It's broken down into very thoroughly discussed sections such as marriage, kosher diet, and Jewish holidays.
Some topics are covered multiple times in different sections, which is a bit repetitive, but overall it's a very informative listen.

A darn good time!

I’m not Jewish, but I have a lot of questions! This book was a great read full of interesting facts. The narrator has a very soothing voice, I accidentally nodded off at one point… but not because I was bored. I highly recommend this book!

Not An Auditory Experience

As you can tell from my rating, you have to WANT to read this book. It certainly doesn't make it easy on you. To start, the title of the book is PERFECT. This is a book that examines why certain customs are employed, both historically and philosophically. This is the entire structure of the book, no narration, no ironic touches, no chapters or arguments on the modernity of Judaism. The chapters delineate the subject matter (e.g. marriage, death, high holy days) and then ask a question about a custom and provide an answer. This book assumes you know of the custom beforehand and merely provides an answer to the same question, "Why?"

So, the bad first. Then I'll get to the good. That structure, Q&A is NOT good for an audio book. It's dry and pedantic and the pace is almost deadening. The reader is also not very good at keeping the interest level up. It's not his fault, too much, this book was written for print and without any paragraphs or narration or discussion there is little for him to grab ahold of and make his own. That said, his reading forces you to focus more than you would with other books.

Second, this book would be better if it was also an examination of custom, if there was a thread or a through-line that connected things, if the author would give us any sense of his history or his research or the strange history of customs in a religion this old. We get no personality, however. This printed book was meant to be purchased and referenced by Jewish households from time to time. Not read. So an audio book is a bad way of looking at this particular material. I can't say that enough. Referenced, not read.

But the good part. The actual information is solid and informative. This book does not discriminate for or against those who perform these customs and those who don't. It relates, then to the Conservatives just as it does to the Reform. Most of these customs are performed without any knowledge of where they originated (just like most customs in most religions) and this book provides that insight in a way I haven't found anywhere else.

I would buy this book as a paperback copy and keep it on my bookshelf. But if I had it to do over again, I would not buy the audio book.

Excellent source of general information

I really appreciated this information.
It is well read/ spoken. This was an added bonus. I totally love the film work and speaking of Eli Wallach, (loved several of his movies), Regarding the book content it self: The topics seem random and or disjointed at times (but that may not be so, my perception). I would like labelled chapters so I can select preferred topics for specific reference questions. No ruling is given on the merits of any practice just the origin or rationale for the rituals or traditions ( In many cases I wish it was a little judgy but I understand the respect with which the information is handled. Listening feels run on at times (mid chapter subheadings) and abrupt at others (Klezmer jazzy music between chapters is jarring to me). I would prefer it to be totally without the charming uptempo Klezmer music between each chapter. Too cutesy and very disruptive to the listener. I personally prefer to listen to spoken monotone Ancient history books at a slow pace with a sleep timer to put me to sleep. I like information but the monotone type talkie texts seem to knock me out well. the Klezmer music feels like someone turning on the lights. It is disruptive compared to the melodic voice work of this piece. I dis not have access to a Judaic education (although it is important to me to learn issues pertaining to my heritage, my family is mostly reform) and I am grateful for the spoken word and the information. If I had to sit and read this it would most likely wind up on a shelf. This is a special book. I really like it. If it were daytime the music would be fine. There are virtually no issues with this book. Most of this is my preference. Great book overall. I will recommend it to family members or curious friends.

Informative and well read.

This book, even as a Jew, was informative and Eli Wallach is well spoken and easy to follow. Loved it!

Terrible production ruins good book

The book was much better read than heard, at least in this recording. I read the book many years ago and was looking forward to hearing it. Eli Wallach is a terrific actor and I thought this would be the perfect audiobook. I was way wrong. The producers of this audiobook chose to create a gimmicky, kitschy " recording. It was well intended I am sure but it came out like a parody. I could have dealt with the tongue in cheek reading. It was the music that killed it for me. This is the first of hundreds of audiobooks that I literally could not listen to anymore. Relaxing and listening to the book, I am jolted every random once in a while by some mockery of Yiddish folk music or klezmer. It is high, piercing notes stuck in between every section. Because a section might be just a few paragraphs, it is way too often. I highly recommend you read this book but I would pass on this audiobook production. I sincerely hope this book is re-produced for audio by someone who has a better track record. A good reader without gimmicks would dignify this book instead of demean it.