Jews have long employed a rich, intricate, image-filled Hebrew vocabulary to express both their deepest beliefs and the specific details of their daily religious lives. The Language of Judaism is a lively and unique exposition of that vocabulary's most central terms and concepts.
Responding to the news of today's non-Hebrew speakers, Rabbi Glustrom provides the terms in Hebrew, notes their English transliterations, and supplies the closest translations available. He then discusses the deeper meaning and significance of the terms, examining how they relate to various aspects of Jewish life.
The Language of Judaism is exciting and unique for a variety of reasons. Certain it reveals the meaning of many terms and concepts that are vital to an understanding of Judaism. But more important, Rabbi Glustrom's vast knowledge of the material allows him to present each term in the precise context required to allow even beginners to understand it fully. Concepts from Mitzvah to Midrash, Teshuvah to Tanakh, Kol Nidre to Kibbutz come alive as Rabbi Glustrom explains their origins, histories, and derivations.
The Language of Judaism is, on one level, a dictionary of terms. On another level, it is a complete exposition of the context and significance of those terms. But, when read at its highest level, The Language of Judaism is an examination and discussion of Jewish life itself.
