Tough Questions Jews Ask: A Young Adult's Guide to Building a Jewish Life

by Edward Feinstein

What your rabbi probably has never told you, but could―if you'd only ask. Finalist, National Jewish Book Award "Every day I wonder if God is real, if the Torah is true. Every day I wonder why I’m a Jew. But that’s part of being Jewish. In the Torah, we’re called Yisrael―the ones who wrestle with God. Wrestling, asking, wondering, searching is just what God wants us to do! God loves good questions. Now tell me, what are your questions?" ―from chapter 1 In Judaism we’re allowed to ask questions. We are invited to ask them. But for young people, it often feels as if no one is willing to take tough questions about religion, ourselves, and the world seriously. Tough Questions Jews Ask turns that all around. With honesty, humor, and respect, Rabbi Edward Feinstein tackles topics as diverse as: Why does God let terrible things happen? What is God anyway? If I pray for something, will I get it? What’s the meaning of life? Is that a dumb question? Why does religion need so many rules? Why be Jewish? With insight and wisdom―and without pretending to have all the answers―Rabbi Feinstein encourages young people to make sense of the Jewish tradition by wrestling with what we don’t understand.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2003

Reviews

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I think these are good tough questions, the answers do not seem to be what I was expecting. I would honestly state for all of them "Look inside yourself for the answers."

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way for me to reflect during the high holidays and learn different perspectives of Judaism as an adult.

[Darlene Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on a flight. I learned a lot and really enjoyed the writing style. The book is aimed for a younger audience but it was still enjoyable for older adults.

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rabbi Feinstein presents an accessible and friendly discussion of some of the toughest questions young Jews might ask-- as well as acknowledging the importance of being able to ask tough questions in the first place, especially for Yisrael, "those who wrestle with God." This book is directed at young adults attending Hebrew school, but as an adult outsider to the religion I found it very helpful as well.

Some tough questions include:
- Does anyone actually believe in God anymore? What do we even mean by God?
- What is the purpose of prayer?
- Why does God let terrible things happen?
- Why do I have to keep kosher? Why can't I just go to the mall on Saturdays? Why does religion have so many rules?

I came away with an impression of Judaism as a very socially-aware, service-oriented religion. The goal is to be God's partner in mending the broken parts of the world. I also found pieces of Pantheist thought in this book, which was a pleasant surprise.

[laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, aimed at teens, but for a neophyte like me, it was a good read. I read it all in one day and really enjoyed learning some basics about Judaism and the power of religion more generally. The section on why to marry a fellow Jew is a bit unconvincing, but the rest was enlightening. The structure is that the rabbi writing the book posits a class, which is an amalgam of students he has had a real life, who ask him the basic questions about why believe in God? why honor the sabbath? why have a bat mitzvah? etc.

[Kyra Boisseree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and quick read! The woman who very kindly gifted this book to me worried that it would be too young for me, and while it didn't always go as in-depth into things as I would like, there were still teachings that resonated with me. (As well as teachings I wanted to debate!) Overall, this was a good introductory book, and I'm excited to check out some of the suggested further reading in the back.

[Alex T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lent to me by my boyfriend's mom, I found this to be a great introduction to Judaism and to the questions Jewish thinkers have been mulling over for centuries.

[Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book to me because she found it really inspiring. I have to say I agree!! This book is great even for people who aren't Jewish.

[Eliezer Sneiderman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful answers to questions posed by a B/B Mitzvah class. Not necessarily the answers I would have given, but, thoughtful nonetheless.