The Book of Jewish Knowledge
Packaged in a sturdy slip case, printed on wide, glossy pages, and announcing itself in silver-gilt, The Book of Jewish Knowledge is a catchy, Chabad-produced reference text compiled “for the purpose of general edification.”
Here, the four-thousand-year-old story of the Jewish people is told in snippets and “a medley of voices.” The eye-catching text dances through history and community memory to highlight the factors that bind Jewish people together—and, sometimes, that cause them to disagree. It begins with Abraham, and it rushes through biblical history (complemented by modern commentaries) to situate the story of the Jewish people within a wider global timeline. Modern art pieces, photographs, and classic illustrations illuminate its measured traipsing.
In later sections, Talmudic passages mix with educational summaries of diaspora communities. The mitzvot are covered in handy table form, and musings on Jewish ethics sift through questions pertinent to all people. Those who wish to learn more about specific topics, like holidays and life cycle events, will find the book accessible and easy to navigate.
Encyclopedic in its knowledge and packaged with attention to general appeal and library staying power, The Book of Jewish Knowledge is the perfect resource for those who wish to learn almost anything more about Judaism.
Reviewed by
Michelle Anne Schingler
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
