Publishers Weekly
★ 11/13/2023
“Judaism is not what you think it is,” according to Rabbi Held (Abraham Joshua Heschel) in this paradigm-shifting study. Pushing back against notions that Christianity is defined by belief and Judaism by action, Held asserts that Jewish theology, spirituality, and ethics champion “the heart and the deed, not one or another,” and that both are rooted in love of “God, the neighbor, the stranger.” Those “three dramatic love commands” mandated by the Torah and the two added by rabbinic tradition (love all humans; respond to others’ suffering with “compassionate feeling and compassionate action”) are “so central to Jewish life that... everything else grows out” of them. The author uses these principles to tackle a host of ethical considerations, including Judaism’s particular obligation to the poor and, in an especially potent section, in what circumstances it’s required to love one’s enemy. Woven in is a mention of the author’s mother, a child of European refugees whose “post-Holocaust anger almost consumed” her. Held avoids dogmatism and is never anything less than transparent, admitting that he can sometimes accept that God loves humanity despite its “cruelty and callousness,” and at other times finds the idea “hopelessly naive.” Ultimately, Held draws profound meaning from Judaism and its promise that “we are capable of living lives animated by love, mercy, compassion, and generosity.” This has the power to reshape Jews’ views of their faith. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
"Held is known for his ability to approach a given topic and seamlessly navigate between the head and the heart. Judaism Is About Love is a master class in negotiating these two aims . . . Despite the book's erudition, it remains eminently readable and accessible . . . Few recent books of theology will leave readers feeling as knowledgeable, inspired, or moved as Judaism Is About Love." —Marc Katz, Jewish Book Council
"This will probably be the most important Jewish book to publish this year or even in the last few. Its message is essential, important for a Christian-centric world that seems to perceive the Christian tradition as all about love, while considering Judaism to be about law and justice . . . [Held] is one of the most articulate rabbis and scholars in North America today." —Jon M. Sweeney, Spirituality and Practice
"One of the most highly regarded voices in the American Jewish community, Rabbi Shai Held frames the teachings of Judaism not only around issues of justice and law, but also around love, compassion and emotion. In this original, provocative work, he writes about God, theology and faith in ways that are deep yet also accessible. Engaging with a wide range of thinkers both sacred and secular, Held shows the potential of love to transform individuals—and the world—for the better." —Sandee Brawarsky, Hadassah Magazine
"Erudite . . . The author balances the academic strength of a scholar with the pastoral sensitivity of a rabbi. Readers will be intrigued by the dizzying array of references to Jewish teachers across the centuries, as well as philosophers, Christian theologians, and others, and he approaches topics such as family relations with practicality and nuance. A highly literate, thought-provoking, persuasive argument for the centrality of love in the Jewish faith." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"[A] paradigm-shifting study . . . Held avoids dogmatism and is never anything less than transparent . . . Held draws profound meaning from Judaism that 'we are capable of living lives animated by love, mercy, compassion, and generosity.' This has the power to reshape Jews' views of their faith." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A deeper reflection of what spirituality and love are . . . A relevant and useful title that’s perfect for readers interested in Judaism, theology, religious ethics, or social justice." —Library Journal
“This is a truly magnificent book, necessary for our troubled times. Shai Held, one of Judaism’s leading scholars and thinkers, rebuts facile stereotypes of Judaism that contrast Jewish law with Christian love, and demonstrates the centrality of love, imagination, and compassion in the Jewish tradition. Held’s discussion is nuanced: love of strangers is an unequivocal mandate; concerning the love of enemies, however, there are goals, but no easy answers. Nonetheless, Judaism commands, in all of the traumatic situations of our lives, an exacting self-development of emotions and imagination, so that we can hope to live together well with others, as strangers and fellows, in this difficult world. Held’s book should be required reading for Jews and non-Jews alike.” —Martha C. Nussbaum, Distinguished Service Professor of Philosophy and Law, The University of Chicago
“Some books stimulate the mind; others stir the heart or elevate the soul; still others move us to act and live differently in the world. Judaism Is About Love is that extraordinarily rare book that does all three at once. Destined to be a classic of Jewish thought, this is a text to be read, studied, and savored—not only by individuals but, perhaps most fittingly, b’hevruta, in dialogue among beloved learning companions.” —Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld, President, Hebrew College
“Judaism Is About Love is an extraordinary book, overflowing with wisdom and insight. Shai Held shows us how love serves as the cornerstone of Jewish belief and practice. Building on that foundation, he draws on a remarkable array of sources, both sacred and secular, to explore love in psychology, parenting, ethics, and repentance. Both edifying and inspiring, Judaism Is about Love offers a path to better ourselves by embracing that most precious of God’s gifts: to give love and to receive it.” —Jerome Groopman MD, author of How Doctors Think
“In this provocative book, Shai Held challenges the widely held view that Judaism is mainly about justice and law, while Christianity is mainly about love. Through a learned but beautifully accessible interpretation of Biblical and Talmudic texts, Held shows that Jewish ethics and theology are fundamentally about love—the love expressed in God’s creation of the world, and the love of the neighbor, the stranger, of humanity, and of God that the Torah commands. This book will prompt readers, religious and secular alike, to rethink the ethical teachings of Judaism and Christianity and to reflect anew on the meaning of a good life.” —Michael J. Sandel, author of The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good?
“This magnificent book combines prodigious learning, theological depth, ethical insight, and spiritual inspiration—all on terms that are edifying to scholars and non-experts alike. If, after centuries of ignorance and contempt, we Christians are finally to learn the depth and coherence of Jewish traditions of biblical interpretation, practice, and prayer, Judaism Is About Love is our best chance in this generation.” —Ellen F. Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School
“Immensely learned, genuinely accessible, and overwhelmingly moving, Judaism Is About Love is destined to exert a massive and enduring influence upon Jewish life and thought; I would go so far as to predict that people will still be reading it centuries from now. Jewish and non-Jewish readers alike will be enlightened and inspired by this theological magnum opus!” —Rabbi David Ellenson, Chancellor Emeritus, Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion
“For a long time the world has needed a Jewish thinker as treasured and respected by both Jews and Christians as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once was. It has also needed truly significant books that make Judaism accessible, compelling, and believable to a mass audience. Shai Held is that thinker and Judaism Is About Love is that book. Held’s portrayal of Judaism as a humane, compassionate, and generous religion of love will bring Jews closer to Judaism and will enable Christians to see Judaism in a radically new light. The book is written with genuine intellectual honesty and a captivating style which will appeal to a wide range of readers.” —Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, theologian, author, The Jewish Way
“There are good thinkers, there are great thinkers, and then there are once-in-a generation thinkers like Rabbi Shai Held. Rabbi Held’s astounding and contagious knowledge of his faith, mixed with his endlessly curious dives into and dialogue with other religious and philosophical traditions, make him an utterly unique figure in religion and philosophy. As a Christian, my first and enduring thought as I finished reading Rabbi Shai Held’s Judaism is About Love was simple and said out loud: ‘I have met the Jewish Rowan Williams.’ Christians who teach and preach your faith or who have ever wondered what Jews really believe: read this book, more than once if possible. It’s that good and that important.” —Reverend Dr. Patricia Lyons
“In this magisterial work, Rabbi Shai Held clearly demonstrates from the Hebrew Bible, Talmud, and other authoritative Jewish sources that Judaism Is About Love. This work is an indispensable contribution to Jewish ethics, to be sure, but really to all ethical reflection. In this bloody, hateful era, how desperately we need this nuanced exposition of the theological ethics of love.” —Rev. Dr. David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer University
“Shai Held’s powerful, learned and passionate book makes it clear that Judaism has always placed love at the center, and eloquently urges its readers to do the same. Judaism Is About Love cites texts and thinkers from the Bible to the present day, ranges widely over Christian thought and secular philosophy, and brings telling lessons from Held’s personal experience—all of them marshalled to make the point that God loves the human beings created in God’s image, and wants each of us to become vehicles through which God’s love, grace and compassion flow to others. One leaves it inspired by the author’s wisdom and grateful for his tradition’s counsel on how to spend our time on earth well.” —Arnold M. Eisen, Chancellor Emeritus, Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Library Journal
01/26/2024
People often think of Christianity in terms of love and a focus on faith. Many, however, often view Judaism in terms of action, with a concentration on rituals and moral actions. Rabbi Held (Hadar Inst.; The Heart of Torah) believes this understanding is inaccurate. He asserts that Judaism is more about love: God's love for people, their responding love to God, and their love for others. While Judaism certainly does emphasize certain actions, it does so under the broader framework of love. He presents this argument partly for the scholarly community; there are more than 130 endnotes. But he also wants to reach general readers. He presents them with a deeper reflection of what spirituality and love are and how they can be reflected in individual roles as parents, spouses, children, and members of society. VERDICT A relevant and useful title that's perfect for readers interested in Judaism, theology, religious ethics, or social justice.—John Jaeger
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2024-01-13
An exploration of the role of love in Jewish scripture, ethics, and practice.
Held, president of the Hadar Institute and author of The Heart of the Torah, provides an erudite look at what lies at the heart of the Jewish faith. Noting that some view Judaism as based on justice, tradition, law, or other elements, the author argues convincingly that love is the central tenet. Held’s thesis stems from the concept of hesed, a theme in the Torah commonly translated as “lovingkindness.” Hesed is both an important aspect of God and a central command for God’s people. From it, the author identifies a wide variety of applications for love in Jewish thought as well as in daily life. Beginning with love within the family unit, he moves on to the love of neighbor, stranger, and enemy. Held explores human dignity in depth, seeing the creation of each person in God’s image as a basis for Jewish ethics. He also discusses love in the face of evil, asking how a God of love can be rationalized with the existence of widespread suffering. The author concludes that God provides us with the ability to love and, further, admonishes us to love; but in the end, he provides us with free will to do so or not. “God implants a capacity for love within us,” writes Held, “but God does not determine whether and how we exercise that capacity.” The author balances the academic strength of a scholar with the pastoral sensitivity of a rabbi. Readers will be intrigued by the dizzying array of references to Jewish teachers across the centuries, as well as philosophers, Christian theologians, and others, and he approaches topics such as family relations with practicality and nuance.
A highly literate, thought-provoking, persuasive argument for the centrality of love in the Jewish faith.
