Judaism for Dummies, 2nd Edition

By: Rabbi Ted Falcon PhD, David Blatner

Narrated by: Ira Rosenberg

Length: 15 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

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 audiobook, 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 21st 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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2013 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Wonderful!

Great for all to read, to learn ,enjoy!
enjoyed very much for all to read !

Great introduction to this great religion

Loved this book, great intro to a great religion. Good narrator, answers most of my questions about Judism

I feel like this book answered every question

I've been curious about Judaism, as I'd imagine anybody who is deciding on getting this book or something similar. In around 15 and a half hours, I've learned a tremendous amount, without the information ever feeling overwhelming.

There is a lot to cover, over 4,000 years of Jewish history, many ages of extreme strife and facing prejudices to this very day. From the spiritual aspects to the various denominations, to the Jewish tribe, it's all covered. Learning about the enslavement by the Egyptians and Moses freeing his people to a condensed history of the Holocaust. There's so much history.

I've learned so much about a remarkable and beautiful religion, and the diverse people of all ethnicities and nationalities who represent the Jewish people. It was great getting to hear about all of the holidays and traditions. To understand what the core beliefs are and how incredibly different the coming of the Jewish messiah is to what Christians believe. It's more about restricted life, and there's been far too much Jewish death in history, it's an incredibly optimistic paradise.

Obviously there is no shortage of books on religion and human history, but this is an ideal starting point, and if you want to learn even more, you'll know what topics you'd like to focus on with other more in depth and specific books.

As for the audiobook, it's very well narrated, the most important thing is that the narrator can pronounce every Hebrew word and name, which he can. That's the big make or break, I've heard some audiobooks about different cultures where the narrator butchers ethnic names without a care in the world. This is very professionally read and includes a PDF file for pictures, and annotations of when to check the PDF and where to look.

Very informative!!!! I enjoyed listening!!!!

I was seeking information on Jewish culture and beliefs and that's exactly what I received. Extremely well narrated!!!! Easy to follow!!!!

Excellent book for a comprehensive look at Judaism

When I saw that one of the authors of the book is Ted Falcon, you had me at hello. I have had the opportunity and honor to have many excellent teachers, and Rabbi, Ted falcon is certainly in the top 1% as a lifelong Jew with extensive Jewish education I thought that this book would simply be a review of what I had already learned, but I was wrong. I was surprised as to how much I still have to learn about Judaism and this book helped immensely to put the pieces together. I am grateful for this book, and I will certainly recommend it to friends and colleagues.

On the third hand,

I love that this informative and balanced introduction to Judaism was peppered with jokes, puns, and references to Star Trek. I have listened to it several times, and I always get something new. In these days of conflict in the Middle East, it’s good to reaffirm the core beliefs of Judaism.

Very nicely written

Would you listen to Judaism for Dummies, 2nd Edition again? Why?

Very interesting and encompassing lesson on a beautiful religion and culture

Who was your favorite character and why?

The author / narrator

What does Ira Rosenberg bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Charisma

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Jewish 101

Any additional comments?

Enjoyed it; well written, educational, great for the curious

Great for making me feel better

I wasn’t sure how to approach Judaism or what it was. Now I know! Good read for someone who knows nothing about it.

A good overview

What made the experience of listening to Judaism for Dummies, 2nd Edition the most enjoyable?

There was little that I didn't know already, but then again I have been doing a lot of research into Judaism for the last four years. It was pretty much in line with the "norm" out there. The author was very kind, too much for my taste, towards other religions that are heavily involved in idolatry.

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for a great overall-style book on Judaism, then this is for you. If you are looking for information to help thwart the missionary onslaught towards Jews, then this isn't the one.

EASY TO UNDERSTAmd

loved it. loved learnimg about my familys religion
easy to umderstamd and comprehend. Worth the read