I have put this in here rather than in a general ‘what are you reading’ book thread because it is not a book to be read ‘cover to cover’. Rather it is a serendipity compilation of all things Jewish including humour. Was rummaging on my bookshelf for something entirely different and found it sitting there - it is an ex-library book sold by a Charity shop for £1.50p - and I do not even remember buying it - but am having a lot of fun dipping in and out of it - and discovering lots about Jewish customs I had not previous known
Examples;
Q - Why are Jewish children usually not named after living relatives?
A - Some Jewish sects believe it would rob a person of his/her full life if another member of the family were to carry his/her name during their lifetime.
Q - Why was a Matchmaker (shadchan) such an important person in Jewish communal life?
A - Jews as a whole were so often denied mobilty - but - the Matchmaker was allowed to travel, and thus was able to bring together people from various communities who might otherwise never meet.
Q - Why are women required to light the Sabbath candles?
A - The traditional explanation from the Talmud (Shabbat 31b) since it was a woman who caused man’s downfall and diminished the light of the world it is a woman’s obligation to light the candles and bring back the light.
Q - Why was/is a loaf of bread given to a couple on their return from honymoon?
A - So that bread may never be lacking in their home.
Written by Rabbi Alfred J Kolatch - Published in New York in 1981.
I am finding it fascinating, informative, and a lot of fun!
Yes it is a good read for those who are interested and with time on their hands to read and understand, although the reader must bear in mind that in today’s often hurried times, many of the old customs have fallen by the wayside in favour of fitting in with the wider community.
The book was previously titled This Is The Torah.
Well, here’s another snippet for you. This old lapsed Jew married a slightly doubting Christian Swede almost 55 yrs ago and our children were raised to realise that although there is a power greater than the sum of us, they were free to form their own important points of view as far as religion is concerned.
Wow - interesting - and very different from what/how I was taught - it actually makes more sense! Have bookmarked that website for further reading. I was brought up as Roman Catholic until age 14yrs - and we were not allowed to question - a difficult concept for one who was born questioning everything!
When my full time education came to an end, I made myself the promise that I would study something new every year - and I have kept that promise. Sometimes the subjects have been academic, sometimes arty/crafty, sometimes practical skills - I just love to learn - I love the hoops the brain jumps through to aquire knowledge.
