The age of the Talmud is brought to life in a breathtaking saga. This masterpiece of modern fiction tells the gripping tale of renegade talmudic sa...
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Feb 28, 2011
Maya
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Forward by Chaim Potok
The novel, based on Talmudic sources, admittedly heavily embellished and not holding strictly to pure factual occurrences, follows the life of Rabbi Elisha ben Abuyah, a Jew living during the time after the second Jewish temple had been destroyed and under the thumb of Roman occupation. Born to a father who rejected the Jewish faith and embraced Greek thought and motherless from an early age, he is taught to read Greek and appreciate pagan philosophies. At ten, his fat More...
The novel, based on Talmudic sources, admittedly heavily embellished and not holding strictly to pure factual occurrences, follows the life of Rabbi Elisha ben Abuyah, a Jew living during the time after the second Jewish temple had been destroyed and under the thumb of Roman occupation. Born to a father who rejected the Jewish faith and embraced Greek thought and motherless from an early age, he is taught to read Greek and appreciate pagan philosophies. At ten, his fat More...
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Mar 07, 2010
Salem
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Basically, this book was written for me, so it's not surprising that I loved it.
As a Driven Leaf was recommended to me by a rabbi who teaches an Jewish adult education course that I am taking. Two weeks ago we were studying the mitzvot (commandments), and we looked closely at the one in Deuteronomy 22:6-7:
As a Driven Leaf was recommended to me by a rabbi who teaches an Jewish adult education course that I am taking. Two weeks ago we were studying the mitzvot (commandments), and we looked closely at the one in Deuteronomy 22:6-7:
If, along the road, you chance upon a bird's nest, in any tree or on the ground, with fledglings or eggs, do not take the mother together with her young. Let the mother go, and taMore...
Feb 22, 2010
Jon-Erik
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Historical fiction is my favorite genre.
In the Jewish category, it is always worth checking the publication date. In this case, the book is contemporary with the Nazi era, but not yet with death camps. It that sense its lacks the prescience of Feuchtwanger's Jud Süss, but I think maybe still has some insight there.
Now, at first I was turned off by the fact that all of the characters except Elisha are one dimensional and they all seem to speak with the same voice (probabl More...
In the Jewish category, it is always worth checking the publication date. In this case, the book is contemporary with the Nazi era, but not yet with death camps. It that sense its lacks the prescience of Feuchtwanger's Jud Süss, but I think maybe still has some insight there.
Now, at first I was turned off by the fact that all of the characters except Elisha are one dimensional and they all seem to speak with the same voice (probabl More...
Aug 09, 2011
Ronen
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Really connected with this book. It brought to life a period in history I know little about, and dealt with the question of the foundations of faith (rational or irrational) that has been asked throughout the ages. Engrossing read for me, as the question is very much on my mind as well.
While the characters sometimes think and act more "modern" than likely, the story still shows how little has changed 2000 years later- humanity's problems and how the individual may choose to deal More...
While the characters sometimes think and act more "modern" than likely, the story still shows how little has changed 2000 years later- humanity's problems and how the individual may choose to deal More...
Aug 05, 2011
Jan
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Begins in 80 CE, 10 years after the destruction of the Temple, and goes on through the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian, covering the periods of the Diaspora and Bar Kokhba revolts. "There is no Truth without Faith. There is no Truth unless first there be a Faith on which it may be based." The paradox of the relatedness of Faith and Reason foreshadows the action which then comes full circle, as Elisha struggles not only with Faith vs. Reason, but also with the problem of evil, with loyalty
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Feb 18, 2010
Donny
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This book helped me understand so much about the characteristics of faith, the purpose of faith and the problem of faith. You might read that and think "the problem of faith, what is he talking about?", but this book shows, through the life of the protagonist that faith is not a part of this world. It doesn't belong, but that's just the point-it shouldn't belong. There's nothing logical or reasonable about faith, and that's why it's so important. If religion was something to be reasone
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Sep 06, 2011
Rachel
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Fictional account of a Jewish rabbi questioning his beliefs in the first century Palestine . . . . yeah. I couldn't get through the book jacket without yawning. But, it was for my book club so I persevered. And - it really grew on me. Like mold. Actually, like in a way that it really made me think and think about it. In the end, I felt that it was a book that was definitely not a "page-turner" but one that I learned so much from. I liked how the author didn't take sides but jus
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May 11, 2010
Kandace
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This is perhaps one of my favorite books ever. I read it for a history class although it's historical fiction. It takes place about 70AD and shows the role of faith in everybody's life, whether they be devout Jews or the Roman intellectual and cultural elite. I found the story fascinating from a historical standpoint and the ultimate end to the journey almost soul-shocking and, personally, testimony building. I had never thought of faith in the manner it was discussed, trying not to give awa
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Jan 07, 2010
Ellen
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Very well researched and written book about historical people, places, times as the basis but fleshed out with believable fiction. Although I slogged through the middle and had to make the effort to finish it, I'm glad I read this book. Reading about how Jews might have lived amongst the Greeks and Romans was intriguing. Also the plot - that a learned, affluent, highly respected and pious Rabbi could reach a turning point in his life where he absolutely questions his religion and way of life
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Jan 05, 2011
Paula
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This book was engrossing and hard to put down. The whole struggle to find a solid personal philosophical/spiritual foundation in the middle of conflicting cultures and beliefs was fascinating. However, the book's ending was profoundly disappointing to me. Elisha (the main character) and many of his friends and family all suffer tragically from his decision to explore Greek and Roman philosophy.
Were his explorations wrong? It's hard for me to think that. I read this book a few years a More...
Were his explorations wrong? It's hard for me to think that. I read this book a few years a More...
Apr 23, 2007
marg
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A great read ... Elisha is a very sympathetic figure and for the most part the story is even handed, I think, though I was very troubled by the ending. I found his conflict to be eloquently expressed and extremely relatable. While I found the story to be mostly accurate I was irked by some of the modernizations and places where he clearly took liverties for the sake of fiction - Steinberg's prerogative, of course, but still a little unnerving. Did the tannaim really hang out as couples like s
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Apr 19, 2007
Dani
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I greatly enjoyed this book. Steinberg did an amazing job describing the characters and giving me a full picture of all these grand tannaitic sages. Although Steingberg took some liberties with the plot, it seems he really stuck to the general character descriptions as depicted in gemaras and mishnas and I really got a great picture of what it was like to live in that time. Moreover, Elisha ben Avuya's struggle was so great and so interesting and even so relevant to today's times. I am merel
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Aug 03, 2011
Bruce
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This is a book about rabbinical Judaism around the 100 AC. It is fiction, but it was written by a rabbi and is faithful to the teachings and historical flavor of that era. It is a story of a rabbi who ultimately losses his faith in order to follow Greek reasoning only to find out in the end that Greek reasoning would lead him back to his faith. It is an amazing read and I highly recommend it for those who are interested.
Jul 14, 2010
Adam
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There was a time in my life when this book was very important. On one level, I loved it because of how it took talmudic stories and created a real world.
More importantly, I was on a "religious quest" as it were and it seemed to understand my ongoing crisis of faith.
Now that I'm no longer struggling with Judaism in the same way, I wonder what it would be like to reread it.
More importantly, I was on a "religious quest" as it were and it seemed to understand my ongoing crisis of faith.
Now that I'm no longer struggling with Judaism in the same way, I wonder what it would be like to reread it.
Nov 12, 2011
Tami
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It took me a while to get through this book, but I'm so glad I did!
In his book, Steinberg fictionalizes the life of Elisha, a rabbi of the Sanhedrin and sage who lived in Palestine after the destruction of the Second Temple, of whom we know little about for certain. Elisha's struggle to put reason and logic to faith is one I think many people, including myself, can identify with.
Though the book plays fast and loose with historical fact and tradition, it was not only enjoyab More...
In his book, Steinberg fictionalizes the life of Elisha, a rabbi of the Sanhedrin and sage who lived in Palestine after the destruction of the Second Temple, of whom we know little about for certain. Elisha's struggle to put reason and logic to faith is one I think many people, including myself, can identify with.
Though the book plays fast and loose with historical fact and tradition, it was not only enjoyab More...
Jan 31, 2010
Andrew
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I had to read this book in college for a review of Judiasm course, otherwise I would never have found it. It's now one of the most recommended novels I've read. After discussing this book with many who have read it, I was excited by the number of non-Jews who enjoyed it as well. It clearly speaks to many. An important book for Jew and gentile alike.
Aug 24, 2010
Sue
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A classic of American Jewish literature. Rabbi Steinberg takes the Talmudic tale of the 1st-century scholar Elisha ben Abuya ("the heretic," also called "Acher" = "the other") & turns it into a compelling & thought-provoking novel.
Elisha ben Abuya was also one of the "four who entered Paradise."
This was my second time reading this book.
Elisha ben Abuya was also one of the "four who entered Paradise."
This was my second time reading this book.
Jan 26, 2012
Tzippy
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Elisha ben Avuyah is one of my favorite Talmudic figures, so I had to read this book as soon as I learned it existed. If I had been writing a book about his life, it would have been in a slightly different light and would have put more of an emphasis of the story where R' Meir tries to convince Elisha to get back on the derech and Elisha "proves" to him (suing Talmudic logic) that it can't be done--that scene is so tragic (in the classic sense of the word) I can't even describe it. Any
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May 07, 2011
Dan
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Top notch fiction. Intimately drawn characters debate questions on faith, reason and the nature of human suffering in a meticulously researched, vivid historical setting. The protagonist is as tragic a main character as I have read. Steinberg's prose is at points simple and exact, at others complex and overpowering.
May 10, 2011
Paul
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I have some strongly mixed feelings about this book - the female characters seemed mere foils for the men and some of the situations and plots were overly cliched. That said, Steinberg does a great job of putting you into this world and Elisha ben Abuyah's quest. For a book that's obviously so personal, really tremendous how he didn't allow his alter-ego character to go without serious, serious flaws. Some of the religious-philosophical discussions are just fascinating.
Dec 17, 2009
Elisabeth Jaffe
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This book is a timeless story about the unsuccessful search for truth. It takes place during the time of the Roman empire and tells the story about a religious Jewish man who lost his faith and went to search for truth using Euclid's method of reasoning only to find that even the laws and rules of mathematics are based on faith. His search led him back to his people, the same people he betrayed. He is neither hero or villain, just a desperate man who spent his whole life searching for somethi
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Jul 21, 2010
Thomas
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Packed with cultural and historical information, this historic fiction is as educational as it is entertaining.
A devout Jew was begins to doubt the strict legalism of his faith and soon finds himself ostracized from Jewish society. I don't read many novels, but this was well worth the read.
A devout Jew was begins to doubt the strict legalism of his faith and soon finds himself ostracized from Jewish society. I don't read many novels, but this was well worth the read.
Jul 28, 2011
An excellent evaluation of the age-old question: reason or faith. Played out against a backdrop of second century Judea, Elisha's plight is all too familiar in our modern world. It is a deep read, one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Oct 16, 2010
I'm not sure I was in the right frame of mind to read this. It took me a good while to plow through it. My take is that it was a man trying to live in an Orthodox world when he was no longer Orthodox.
Feb 06, 2011
Tamar
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i read this in highschool - i don't remember it being particularly well written but the idea that chazal were actual people was for some reason very revolutionary for me at the time.
Sep 16, 2011
Devorah
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A wonderful, thought-provoking, and moving novel about Rabbi Elisha ben Abuyah, a Talmudic scholar who left Judaism after a struggle with the Hellenistic ideas of his time.
Feb 24, 2010
Khiogreen
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I heard a lot of good things about this book. So I decided to read it. It's a good read. I think it would help to have more background knowledge such as culture and religion.
Oct 07, 2010
Goldfrancine
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Loved it! A great blend of Jewish culture and history. However anyone who has ever considered themselves spiritual yet skeptical of religion will enjoy this reading!
May 22, 2010
Tricia
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Very well written and great character development. Crisis of faith between Judaism and Greek philosophies. Based on life of an apostate rabbi.
Mar 06, 2011
Cynthia
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Fictional account of the age of the Talmud. Elisha ben Abuyah struggles to live in two worlds, destroying his chances to live in either.
