Rabbi, Rabbi

by Andrew Kane

Descending from a long line of revered rabbis, Yakov is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps as the leader of an ultra-Orthodox community in Brooklyn. But for Yakov, who questions his faith from an early age, becoming a rabbi is more an obligation than a calling. One summer, he discovers love in Rebecca, a young woman who challenges both his beliefs and his doubts. All too quickly, a family secret tears them apart and their lives diverge.

Confused and curious, Yakov pursues a secular education alongside his rabbinical training. A chance encounter reunites him with Rebecca, who he learns is also studying to become a rabbi. His relationship with her blooms as he and his father continue to drift. But what will become of his relationship with God?

This 20th anniversary re-release of Rabbi, Rabbi, Kane’s debut novel, is a masterfully written, deeply engrossing portrait of modern American Judaism. Now more than ever, Kane’s intimate prose will move any reader who has ever struggled with the complexities of faith, family, love, and personal identity.

Genres: Fiction, Judaica

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book by this author and I enjoyed both. For those who do not have a basic understanding of Jewish denominations and a basic understanding of the ultra religious denominations it may be a little hard to understand and/or to relate to. I thought the author did a terrific job with the topic and I found the religious debates quite interesting.

If this book isn’t for you I recommend reading his book called Joshua’s Tale.

[Lee Greb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost a Roman a Clef

Jacob’s struggle as to who is struck my heart. It seemed in many ways what I have experienced over a lifetime - who I am and who was I meant to be. Then finding satisfaction just as Yankel and Rivka do later in life in a manner that repeats a split between two families of an earlier generation. But now the division is accepted without rancor but with a sense of some regret.

[Barbara Pearlman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book for fans of Jewish fiction. Available on Kindle

[Joan Robertson]

I gained much information from this book about the Jewish peoples and their beliefs. Enjoyed

[Neil Freed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Food for the Jewish Soul

As a Jew,it was a healing of the soul .Could be a difficult read for the non Jew-great read for me

[Dilli Kittner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird but I ate it up in like one day (two sittings). I was surprised by the ending, not what I expected. Overall, I’d say it was a really interesting read.

[Neelz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite a "worthy successor to Chaim Potok," as the jacket boasts, but I enjoyed it quite a lot. The most amazing thing about the book is that it featured both a Reform Jew and an Orthodox Jew and managed to present both traditions as equally valid, compelling, and worthwhile.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one! But I felt it was very contrived and heavy handed. All the players fit too neatly into their characters, except of course, the main couple, searching for their own definitions .

[Mary McGuire · Rating 3 out of 5]

a non-Jewish pov

I very much enjoyed the technical/religious ideas here and found myself thankful for my kindle fire and its web/dictionary access. However, I found the plot and subplots to be sadly too predictable to rate the book any higher than 3 stars.

[Hindy Brusowankin-blacksto · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit trite!!

[B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Sydney Halet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

After I dried my tears, this tale brought to mind how much education my parents wanted me to have about our culture.