Recommended Judaic
Resources for Non-Jews
The following works are available from Amazon.com, often at a discount.
THE CHUMASH: STONE EDITION
OF THE ARTSCROLL CHUMASH
Rabbi NOSSON SCHERMAN
7½" X 9½", 1313 pages, $43.99 hardbound
The chumash is a ritual book containing the five books of Moses,
divided into the sections read on shabbat; the corresponding haftaroth
from other parts of Tanakh; and the megilloth read during
certain festivals. For non-Jews, we especially like two of the available
Orthodox versions. Because it contains the more classic commentary, the Stone
Edition is the one to start with it. It's a beautiful edition from start to
finish, with easy-to-read Hebrew text and a good English translation. Order from Amazon.com.
Order The Chumash: Stone Edition Today!
THE PENTATEUCH AND HAFTORAHS:
Hebrew Text English Translation and Commentary
Rabbi J.H. HERTZ
7" X 9½", 1067 pages, $30.00 hardbound
The "Hertz Chumash" is used in many Orthodox batei k'nesset.
The English translation is a bit archaic for my taste, but the commentary is
brilliant and friendlier to non-Jews than the Stone edition. Order from Amazon.com.
Order The Pentateuch and Haftorahs Today!
THE PENTATEUCH: TRUMATH TZVI
Rabbi SAMSON R. HIRSCH
8½" X 11", $36.00 hardbound
The "Hirsch Chumash" is used in many Orthodox batei knesset, including
the one I attend. If you can afford a second chumash, this is the one
to get. Though written in the 19th century, this chumash has a more
modern feeling than the Stone Edition. Samson Raphael Hirsch was a brilliant
scholar who insisted, on almost every page, that a Jew can be both observant and
an ethical presence to the goyim. His vision is compelling, and the
English prose is wonderful -- all the more amazing because it is a translation
from the German. And if you really like his work, you can advance to his
seven-volume commentary. Order from Amazon.com.
Order The Pentateuch: Trumath Tzvi Today!
THE STONE EDITION TANACH
The Torah/Prophets/Writings
Edited by Nosson Scherman
7" X 10", 2079 pages, $59.95 hardbound
Non-Jews should be studying the Jewish Bible or "Tanakh," a
Hebrew acronym referring to Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. For those of
us whose Hebrew skills need work, the Stone Edition Tanach is far and away the
best choice. Like the Stone Edition Chumash, put together by the same editorial
and publishing team, this is a beautiful book with legible Hebrew, a good
translation, and a decent sprinkling of notes. Order from Amazon.com.
Order The Stone Edition Tanach Today!
TO BE A JEW
A Guide to Jewish Observance in Contemporary Life
Hayim HaLevy Donin
5½" X 8½", 338, $18.95 paperback
This is a classic and basic work, first published in 1972 and still in print. A
terrific introduction to Judaism.
Available from Amazon.com only.
TO PRAY AS A JEW
A Guide to the Prayer Book and the Synagogue Service
Hayim HaLevy Donin
5½" X 8½", 384, $18.50 paperback
This is a companion work to To Be a Jew, another must for your bookshelf.
Available from Amazon.com only.
HOW TO RUN A TRADITIONAL JEWISH HOUSEHOLD
Blu Greenberg
5½" X 8½", 524, $17.00 paperback
This book, written from a woman's point of view, is valuable not only for its
information but for the joyful way it fits Orthodox Judaism into the
contemporary world. An easy read, despite its length. Available from Amazon.com only.
Order How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household Today!
THE LAWS OF KASHRUS
Rabbi Binyomin Forst
6" X 9", 456, $26.99 hardcover; $22.99 paperback
This dense reference is not for the faint of heart, but if you're serious about
setting up and maintaining a kosher kitchen, you need it or something like it. The
Laws of Kashrus is found on many a conversion syllabus. Available from Amazon.com only.
THE SHABBOS KITCHEN
Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen
6" X 9", 249, $26.66 hardcover
This important reference, similar in density to The Laws of Kashus,
covers the rules for meal preparation on shabbat. Available from Amazon.com only.
Order The Shabbos Kitchen Today!
ADVENTURES IN JEWISH COOKING
Jeffrey Nathan
7½" X 9½", 253, $32.50 hardcover
As executive chef of Abigail's, a kosher restaurant in New York, and host of the
PBS series, New Jewish Cuisine, Jeffrey Nathan pushes the concept
of Jewish cooking to the limit with internationally inspired dishes. This
book is a reminder that kosher can be a pleasure. Available from Amazon.com only.
Order Adventures in Jewish Cooking Today!
JEWISH COOKING FOR DUMMIES
Faye Levy
7½" X 9", 332, $19.95 paperback
I'm a fan of the Dummies series, and this one does not disappoint. The
book is more than a series of recipes, with its coverage of Jewish traditions
and many general cooking suggestions. There are sections covering the holidays,
noshes, meat and fish meals, and pareve dishes. The recipes are more culturally
balanced than the ones in The Mensch Chef, with Israeli and Sephardi inspired
recipes as well as European ones. Available from Amazon.com only.
Order Jewish Cooking for Dummies Today!
THE MENSCH CHEF
Mitchell Davis
7½" X 9", 286, $18.95 paperback
The author's nod to the world of "kosher," as opposed to culturally
"Jewish," is a bit grudging, but the recipes are labeled as fleishig
(meat), milchig (milk), and parve. The recipes come mainly from
his eastern european roots. Available from Amazon.com only.
THE CHALLENGE OF WEALTH
A Jewish Perspective on Earning and Spending Money
Meir Tamari
6" X 9", 286, from $42.81 hardbound
Meir Tamari is a world-class economist, expert on business ethics, and Torah
scholar. A rare combination. This title appears to still
be in print, and it's a treasure. Available from Amazon.com only.
Order The Challenge of Wealth Today!
KOSHER SEX
A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy
Schmuel Boteach
5½" X 8½", 286 pages, $19.95 hardbound
Written by a hassidic rabbi and based on Jewish family purity laws, this book
has gained popularity with non-Jews as well as Jews. Rabbi Boteach puts sex into
its proper context — where it becomes all the more important and fun.
Available from Amazon.com only.
BIBLE AND SWORD
England and Palestine from the Bronze Age to Balfour
Barbra W. Tuchman
5½" X 8½", 412 pages, $16.00 paperbound
This book focuses on England's relationship with the Holy Land, ends its survey
in 1918, and was written back in 1956. Nevertheless, these limitations are its
strength. It was inspired by the reestablishment of the State of Israel but
written before the Palestinian intifada. In so doing, it manages a measure of
objectivity and goes a long way to explaining how Israel came to be and why the
world reacts to it the way it does. Available from Amazon.com only.
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Copyright © 2001, Schueller House. Revised - 03/18/07
URL: www.schuellerhouse.com/judares.htm