How Firm a Foundation: A Gift of Jewish Wisdom for Christians and Jews

by Yechiel Eckstein

Book Overview

How do the Jews observe the Sabbath? Can you explain Passover and Yom Kippur to me? My children have been invited to a friend's bar mitzvah--what is this? Do Jews and Christians have anything in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557251894
• ISBN13: 9781557251893
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Paraclete Press (MA)
• Length: 270 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

MORE THAN AN INTRODUCTION..........

Beautifully written, the book is much more than a simple reader on Judaism. It goes way beyond the "What" and the "How" of Jewish religious practices to quickly penetrate to their "Why" and the gist of the subject matter. As a book on the essence of Judaism and in particular its meaning for Christians and other Gentiles it is quite unique. Those who are beginning to learn about Judaism will be led to excellent sources for further reading, such as for instance Abraham J. Heschel's work. But the book is also a joy to read for those who have already some familiarity with the subject matter, like myself, the reason being its intriguing thoughts, as well as the fact that it so nicely draws the strings together of things already learned. The book also contains some very profound comments on the Shoa which I consider a must for all who want to learn from the past lest it repeats itself. To me, having done some studies on Judaism and extensive research on the Holocaust "How Firm a Foundation" answers many questions and raises some more. For example: how was (is) it possible for some to be a Christian and disciple of a Jew and at the same time remain ignorant of, nay persecute the faith Jesus himself professed?

Jewish-Christian understanding...

Those who are interested in Jewish-Christian understanding will truly treasure "How Firm a Foundation." Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein wrote this piece for a Christian audience who is seeking to better understand Judaism and the Jewish roots of Christianity. Areas covered include the foundations of Jewish belief, paths to santcification, the Sabbath, festivals of the Jewish year, Jewish life cycles, dealing with the Holocaust, the importance of the land of Israel and the rise of Jewish "denominations." While certainly not the book I would suggest you read should you desire a scholarly text or wish to gain information about the conversion process (Maurice Lamm's "To Be a Jew" is the most definitive book to date on orthodox conversion,) "How Firm a Foundation" is a wonderful book for those who are exploring the Jewish faith a bit more in depth for first time. As a woman, raised as a Roman Catholic, who is considering conversion to Judiasm, I found this book to be extraordinary.

Excellent general reference work

This book belongs on the bookshelf of every Christian... My copy is well-thumbed through as I use it to both better understand why Jews think the way they do but also to know what is important to them.