This is an amazing book by an amazing man. It's valuable for Jews and people who want to know about Jews as well. Additionally there is a good section in the book about Jews and Christians and why we ought to get along. It's the kind of book that makes you feel good after you read it.

I was born to catholic parents, later in my teens became a methodist, about two years now I've been doing a lot of reading about judaism.

During the course of reading this book I learned a lot. Specially the last chapter where he expresses his opinion about both faith.

When I was a catholic I was guided into believing that the jews where not really the good guys. What they did was unforgiving. (read any book about the expulsion of the jews from Spain in 1492 and after, that should give you a very good idea.) Until recently (1962-65) the vatican published the "Nostra Aetate" asking the jewish community for forgiveness for past "mistakes" and for the christian (catholic) community to make peace and be more tolerant with jews.

As a methodist ( and other branches for that matter )that part of history "doesn't" apply. Why? Well protestants started around the 16th c. and much later. That doesn't mean that they are saints either, they have their blemishes too. But what is more troublesome about them (evangelicals) is the insistence of converting you over. No matter what the conversation may be, sooner or later the pitch comes. I know, I've done it.

The only way to get along is like Kushner proposes in his book, is a mutual respect for each others faith. (period) His opinion about the events of the crucifiction (refering to the jews participation) might not coincide with many, after all he is jewish, and indirectly he is expressing two thousand years of pain and suffering, unfortunately some of it is still with us today. So think about it, what would your opinion be if you where in his place.

I highly recommend this book to all non-jews and jews alike.

I was born to catholic parents, later in my teens became a methodist, about two years now I've been doing a lot of reading about judaism.
During the course of reading this book I learned a lot. Specially the last chapter where he expresses his opinion about both faith.
When I was a catholic I was guided into believing that the jews where not really the good guys. What they did was unforgiving. (read any book about the expulsion of the jews from Spain in 1492 and after, that should give you a very good idea.) Until recently (1962-65) the vatican published the "Nostra Aetate" asking the jewish community for forgiveness for past "mistakes" and for the christian (catholic) community to make peace and be more tolerant with jews.
As a methodist ( and other branches for that matter )that part of history "doesn't" apply. Why? Well protestants started around the 16th c. and much later. That doesn't mean that they are saints either, they have their blemishes too. But what is more troublesome about them (evangelicals) is the insistence of converting you over. No matter what the conversation may be, sooner or later the pitch comes. I know, I've done it.
The only way to get along is like Kushner proposes in his book, is a mutual respect for each others faith. (period) His opinion about the events of the crucifiction (refering to the jews participation) might not coincide with many, after all he is jewish, and indirectly he is expressing two thousand years of pain and suffering, unfortunately some of it is still with us today. So think about it, what would your opinion be if you where in his place.
I highly recommend this book to all non-jews and jews alike.

The beauty and heart within this book is amazing. I don't see how anyone could read it and not walk away affected if not completely changed. The author has a way of writing that makes you feel alive. I encourage anyone, regardless of faith, to read this book. I, for one, am giving several away for Christmas presents.

I love love love this book. I am Jewish, but this book really helped explain a lot of things to me that I never knew before or never thought of before. Harold Kushner is so articulate (a quality which I envy!), and he knows how to explain things or present them in a simple to understand way. I recommend this easy to read book to everyone who ever asked me about Judaism, and certainly anyone who is interested in conversion (I meet quite a few people in my line of work who approach me about that). If you want to know more (hence, the ALMOST), visit your local synagogue or look for some websites on the internet (I like aish.com, and I am NOT an orthodox Jew).

I am in the infant stages of my conversion to Judaism, and this book really cemented my conviction that this is the right decision for me. I felt that Rabbi Kushner clearly explained what Judaism is all about to him and, in many instances, to me as well. The chapter dealing with the dietary laws I found particularly helpful and enlightening, as this is one of the most intimidating factors for me in converting to Judaism and living as an observant Jew. Rabbi Kushner's explanations helped me understand the dietary laws in a different way, as allowing the sacred to enter into mealtimes -- which takes the focus off food -- and I immediately began "keeping kosher" to an extent.

I didn't feel that this book slammed Christianity, but I'm not a Christian so my perspective is decidedly one-sided. I did feel that this is a book about Judaism, not about Christianity. There are places where Rabbi Kushner compares and contrasts the two religions, but I didn't get the sense that he was saying, "Our way is better than your way." I DID get the sense that he is a man who feels deeply connected to God, and sees his religion as the source of that connection. While it's likely that a (relatively) small number Christians would read this book, it seems to be intended for Jews -- a book for Jews about Judaism, written by a Jew. The references to Christianity did not seem to be an instruction guide on Christianity so much as a way for Jews to understand their own religion within the context of modern American society, which is predominantly Christian.

If you are interested in learning more about Judaism -- what do Jews believe? what is the Jewish religion all about? -- then I think this is a very good introduction. Rabbi Kushner's explanations are easy to read and understand and at the same time very enlightening. Don't let this be the extent of your studies into Judaism, but it is a fine place to start.

This book was written in a conversational style, and it is made clear by the author that he is writing his opinions and thoughts based on a lifetime of studying religion.

I didn't think that it slammed Christianity. Some of the other reviewers took offense at some of his statements about Christianity, but the truth sometimes hurts. The Rabbi certainly said things about the history of Judaism that Jews would rather not know as well.

This also was an interesting book in that it also touched on where Atheists fit in all of this - what is the role of God in both the Jewish and the Christian faiths.

I don't think this book was the be - all and end - all of books about Judaism and Christianity. But I thought it was interesting and insightful. The Jewish and Christian religions will be around for decades after Rabbi Kushner is dead, so people should just toughen up and enjoy what he has to say without feeling threatened.

THERE ARE NO "SLAMS" IN THIS BOOK!
I'm a Jew who sings with my Christian friends in their church choir every Sunday (to support them in their worship). Many of them sing in the synagogue choir down the street. Although I'm a devout Jew, I've begun to see the world a bit through Christian eyes. Let me say, flat out, that I found no criticisms of Christianity in this book. In fact, just the opposite: Rabbi Kushner strikes me as thoughtful and respectful of Christianity. For instance, he never makes the claim that Christianiity is a religion of faith without works. He says clearly that the differences between faith and works in Judaism and Christianity are differences in emphasis. Judaism is more focused on this-worldly matters than other major religions. That's a fact, not a criticism. Furthermore, he does not say that Christianity is "part pagan." In the chapter in which he discusses Christianity, he refers to early Christians who adopted aspects of paganism into early Christianity. Few scholars would dispute this. His brief discussion of baptism was in the context of explaining that one is born Jewish in a way that one cannot be born a Christian. Again, this is a fact, not a criticism or a put-down of Christianity.

I read this book back in 1993 when it was first published. Today my wife and I light candles, bless our son and daughter, and chant the blessings over wine and bread every Friday night.........largely because of this book. Thank you Rabbi Kushner.