One People, Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and an Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues That Divide Them

By Ammiel Hirsch and Yaakov Yosef Reinman

Book Overview

After being introduced by a mutual friend in the winter of 2000, Reform Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch and Orthodox Rabbi Yosef Reinman embarked on an unprecedented eighteen-month e-mail correspondence on the fundamental principles of Jewish faith and practice. What resulted is this book: an honest, intelligent, no-holds-barred discussion of virtually every "hot button" issue on which Reform and Orthodox Jews differ, among them the existence of a Supreme Being, the origins and authenticity of the Bible and the Oral Law, the role of women, assimilation, the value of secular culture, and Israel. Sometimes they agree; more often than not they disagree--and quite sharply, too. But the important thing is that, as they keep talking to each other, they discover that they actually like each other, and, above all, they respect each other. Their journey from mutual suspicion to mutual regard is an extraordinary one; from it, both Jews and non-Jews of all backgrounds can learn a great deal about the practice of Judaism today and about the continuity of the Jewish people into the future.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805211403
• ISBN13: 9780805211405
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Schocken Books Inc
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent dialogue between two Rabbis

In this book, Reform Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, and Orthodox Rabbi Yakov Yosef Reinman debate the issues dividing these two branches of Judaism. Both are deeply learned in texts, including the Jewish Bible and Talmud. The book was written over a period of a year and a half as the two authors exchanged emails. This email dialogue constitutes the text of this book. Poignantly, their afterwords, constituting the final chapter of the book, were written in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11/01 tragedy. Often, Rabbi Hirsch quotes a talmudic passage and analyzes it and then, in rebuttal, Rabbi Reinman quotes the same passage but puts it in a larger setting. Therefore, Rabbi Reinman concludes that Rabbi Hirsch cited the passage in an inaccurate context thus giving the wrong conclusion as to its meaning. The two are miles apart on key issues. The most key issue is whether the Bible cites literal truth, such as whether the Torah was revealed at Mt. Sinai. Rabbi Reinman makes an interesting argument; he states that since the Torah says it was handed down from generation to generation, it must have been. Otherwise, the first generation to have received it would have said that their fathers never told them about the Torah thus it could not have been passed on throughout the generations. If the Torah was suddenly concocted, the generation which first received it would have known that it was not a revelation from Sinai since they never heard of it before its recent sudden appearance. I did not see Rabbi Hirsch give this rebuttal clearly but, I think the implication of Rabbi Hirsch's view is that Torah is written by man and that it evolved so, there was always a text that was taught. Over the centuries, editing and changes led to an evolving document which ultimately became what is now the Torah. In a book such as this, we learn about the two different viewpoints of the authors. If there is any resolution to the debate, however, it is in the conclusion drawn by the reader. I doubt if many readers were changed from their preconceived viewpoints, thus, for the most part, the arguments are not resolved. To me, one of the most unsolvable dilemas is in their discussion of the state of Israel. Rabbi Reinman states, if "the Orthodox prevail, the Israeli people will regain the moral high ground and the deep attachment to the land that will arouse them to defend it tenaciously and with idealistic conviction." His argument essentially is that it is necessary to believe that God gave the land to Abraham and by this divine decree, the state of Israel is properly a Jewish state. Predictably, Rabbi Hirsch disagrees. He believes that biblically, Israel is a Jewish state but he says that Torah transcends literal historic truth. The reason the argument is unsolvable is that if Rabbi Reinman is correct, then a fundamental interpretation of Torah and an observant lifestyle is necessary to lay claim to Israel and provide the motivation to defend it. Would that mean that because of th

Great book!

I thought this book was fantastic, and I really learned a lot about both Classical (Orthodox) and Reform Judaism. I agree with some of the other reviews that say some arguments were one-sided, but this doesn't affect my opinion of the book. I certainly didn't expect both sides to write equal amounts about each topic brought up. Besides, each rabbi claimed ignorance to an issue or two and thus there was not much of a debate on certain issues. Most issues, though, were covered in depth and views from both a reform and orthodox viewpoint were presented. I highly recommend. At the end Reinman has a great list of books for further study of judaism.

Should be required reading in all yeshivos

This is book is a masterpiece. I found the Reform perspective interesting but Rabbi Reinman's positions to be entirely convincing. The book has given me an understanding of Orthodox Judaism that 20 years of yeshiva education failed to accomplish. Orthodoxy is foolish to believe that the writings are anything to be afraid of.

Typical Jewish guy from New Jersey

I am your typical Jewish guy from New Jersey with the typical Sunday school education. I Moved out to Memphis with my girlfriend to get away from the inner city traffic. I always considered myself Reform since it is the least radical form of Judaism. So, my girlfriend's mother sends us this book that seemingly has everyone including countless newspapers debating titled, "One People Two Worlds". For no reason other then boredom, I became deeply engaged. At first, I found myself consistently agreeing with Rabbi Hirsh. I thought the other Rabbi [Reinman] was just a right wing fundamentalist with outdated logic and beliefs. At some point while I was reading the book and yelling obscenities directed towards Rabbi Reinman as to why he thinks he knows it all, my girlfriend challenged me saying, that I was being intellectually dishonest by always agreeing with the side that was more inline with my beliefs. She suggested that I play devils advocate and should try to establish a case for the Orthodox point of view. To my amazement, not only did my arguments sound reasonable, I started questioning Rabbi Hirsh's points. To make a long story short, after reading the majority of this book at least six times, we both agreed that we would like to learn more about orthodox Judaism. So, after researching this endeavor, we decided to go study at Aish Hatorah in Israel and discover the real meaning of Judaism. The one thing that really irked me is how Rabbi Hirsh can use one or two examples of the Talmud to strengthen his argument for the Reform point of view while at the same time rejecting the rest of the Talmud. I found this book intellectually challenging and if read with an open mind, It can really take you places (I can save you a spot next to me at Aish). Thank You Rabbi Reinman for the gift of life.

A very welcome contribution to Judaic Studies reading lists

One People, Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi And An Orthodox Rabbi Explore The Issues That Divide Them is a candid but respectful mutual exploration and exchange of ideas between Reform Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch and Orthodox Rabbi Yosef Reinman. Virtually every divisive issue upon which Orthodox and Reform Jews differ is vigerously debated, from the role of women and the value of secular culture, to the existence of a Supreme Being and differing beliefs about Israel. Though the disagreements are sharp, these two very different Rabbis have a deep respect and liking for one another in this thought-provoking and very welcome contribution to Judaic Studies reading lists.