What Do You Mean, You Can't Eat in My Home?: A Guide to How Newly Observant Jews and Their Less Observant Relatives Can Still Get Along

by Azriela Jaffe

Here is a book of workable, sensible solutions to the everyday problems faced by newly observant Jews as they try to explain the parameters of their new lives to the people who love them—but think they’ve gone around the bend.

For the formerly nonobservant Jew who has decided to live an observant life, the most daunting task can be dealing with less-observant loved ones. How can you explain to them what you now feel and believe? How can you continue to be part of the lives of your parents, your siblings and their families, and your in-laws, given how differently you now live your life? In this book, Azriela Jaffe—the observant daughter of less-observant parents—answers these and other pressing questions.

Jaffe discusses how to eat kosher and observe the Sabbath and Jewish holidays in the home of a non-observant relative, and how to host nonobservant relatives in your own home; how to explain the laws of modesty and courtship practices; how to attend family life-cycle events—or explain why you sometimes can’t; and how to help your relatives understand the decision to put secular education temporarily aside to attend yeshivah and further your knowledge of Jewish law, rituals, and customs.

Eminently insightful, helpful, and readable, What Do You Mean, You Can’t Eat in My Home? will be an invaluable tool in the lives of an ever-increasing number of Jewish families.

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Nonfiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 2005

Reviews

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really well written book and easy to read. Gives a personal story as well as explanations as to the Jewish Way Life Highly recommended

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

clearly written, personalized advice of a newly observant woman eplaining the reason for orthodox traditions and rituals. Helpful for bridging the gap between othodox and less observant family members.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick read - some of it makes sense and other parts make my blood boil...still a good book to get you thinking about different levels of religious observance.