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Return to Judaism: A Starting Point for Non-Religious Jews
This book was written by someone who just returned to Judaism, a beginner, and is written for others who are new and feel a little bit intimidated just walking into a synagogue. It's like a Judaism For Dummies primer. The author knows who you are because he was like you, raised a non-religious Jew. He knows you feel spiritual inside, "I'm spiritual but not religious," but don't know quite how to take advantage of that special feeling. Most importantly he lays out simple, easy ways to get started without "ripping the skin off the snake." He also tells you how returning to Judaism will change your life for the better in every way. He knows because it changed his life.
The best part of the Jewish religion is that it's extremely personal. You can go at your own pace and enhance your appreciation of the religion on your own terms. Can you take five minutes and light Shabbos candles every Friday night? If so, then Voila! You are on your way to being spiritual AND religious. And you won't become any different on the outside, only on the inside. Upon finishing the book you will understand how potent the Jewish religion is in terms of elevating mankind, understand the great history and it's relation to today, and you'll be able to enter any synagogue without being intimidated or feeling unworthy.
Return To Judaism is easy reading with short chapters. If you seek a little more Jewish in your life but don’t know how, this simple, little book will make your transition a breeze. What’s Inside:
“Doing a ‘mitzvah,’ a good thing, is more enthralling than a movie, more satisfying than an ice cream cone, and the results last longer than doing twenty abdominal crunches. Doing mitzvahs never gets old or boring. It becomes a way of life that gains momentum each day.”
“With Abraham, Moses, and the Ten Commandments on your team who wouldn’t want to be a Jew fan? It’s a greater place of satisfaction than a Yankee fan for sure.
“The glamour of American materialism, reserved for the young and affluent, is fleeting. The divine consciousness gained by Jewish ritual, for those of all ages and incomes, is forever. You can still chase what’s fleeting while lifting yourself into the forever.”
“Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. Idiot Jews sold their birthright for a bowl of secularism.”
“Assimilation into American-style secularism buried more Jews than Hitler. You are one of them. It’s never too late to rise from the dead.”
“With chapters like ‘The Idiot Jew’ and ‘Idiot Rabbis’ I didn’t bother approaching Jewish organizations or a Rabbi for any sort of endorsement. Even so, Return To Judaism is the perfect ‘leave behind’ for any Rabbi or layperson who wants to increase Judaism throughout the world.”
“When you take one minute out of your mundane life to light Shabbos candles and say the short prayer it changes you. And every time you spy the burning candles they lift you.”
“When you go to the Synagogue people pray all around you. Even though I try, I’m still not sure if I’m any good at it. And that doesn't matter at all.”
“HASHEM doesn’t measure your observance level so much as your effort level, and most importantly your capacity to do good things in the world. Making the effort to add a touch of Jewish ritual into your life increases that capacity.”
The best part of the Jewish religion is that it's extremely personal. You can go at your own pace and enhance your appreciation of the religion on your own terms. Can you take five minutes and light Shabbos candles every Friday night? If so, then Voila! You are on your way to being spiritual AND religious. And you won't become any different on the outside, only on the inside. Upon finishing the book you will understand how potent the Jewish religion is in terms of elevating mankind, understand the great history and it's relation to today, and you'll be able to enter any synagogue without being intimidated or feeling unworthy.
Return To Judaism is easy reading with short chapters. If you seek a little more Jewish in your life but don’t know how, this simple, little book will make your transition a breeze. What’s Inside:
“Doing a ‘mitzvah,’ a good thing, is more enthralling than a movie, more satisfying than an ice cream cone, and the results last longer than doing twenty abdominal crunches. Doing mitzvahs never gets old or boring. It becomes a way of life that gains momentum each day.”
“With Abraham, Moses, and the Ten Commandments on your team who wouldn’t want to be a Jew fan? It’s a greater place of satisfaction than a Yankee fan for sure.
“The glamour of American materialism, reserved for the young and affluent, is fleeting. The divine consciousness gained by Jewish ritual, for those of all ages and incomes, is forever. You can still chase what’s fleeting while lifting yourself into the forever.”
“Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. Idiot Jews sold their birthright for a bowl of secularism.”
“Assimilation into American-style secularism buried more Jews than Hitler. You are one of them. It’s never too late to rise from the dead.”
“With chapters like ‘The Idiot Jew’ and ‘Idiot Rabbis’ I didn’t bother approaching Jewish organizations or a Rabbi for any sort of endorsement. Even so, Return To Judaism is the perfect ‘leave behind’ for any Rabbi or layperson who wants to increase Judaism throughout the world.”
“When you take one minute out of your mundane life to light Shabbos candles and say the short prayer it changes you. And every time you spy the burning candles they lift you.”
“When you go to the Synagogue people pray all around you. Even though I try, I’m still not sure if I’m any good at it. And that doesn't matter at all.”
“HASHEM doesn’t measure your observance level so much as your effort level, and most importantly your capacity to do good things in the world. Making the effort to add a touch of Jewish ritual into your life increases that capacity.”
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2021
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 15, 2023
If you are a secular Jew and you find yourself sitting a bagel store and you discover this book sitting on the countertop next to the protein bars as you patiently await your toasted egg bagel with scallion cream cheese and you are in the mood to be reprimanded by an ex-tennis player who regrets much of his life but is now finding solace in his re-discovery of Judaism and wants to ensure that you don't suffer the mistakes that he made...then you are in luck! You are the intended audience of this book
April 28, 2025
WOW Noah! What a sad review…. I just picked up this book today and found that it was a Great read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews