The Torah for Dummies

By Arthur Kurzweil

Book Overview

An accessible and fascinating exploration of the Torah

The Torah For Dummies, 2nd Edition is an easy-to-follow and insightful guide to the first five books of the Hebrew bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This helpful resource walks you through the foundations of Jewish tradition, religion, and theology, explaining Judaism's rich and ancient history and how its interpreted by modern Jews.

You'll also find discussion on translations of ancient writings, as well as explorations of the resources that preserve and expand Jewish texts and archeological discoveries that shed additional light on old doctrines.

Inside: Understand how the Torah is structured Discover how the Torah informs the lives of followers Explore interpretations, commentaries, and more.

Perfect for practicing Jews who want to better understand their own faith, Christians wanting to know more about the Jewish roots of Christianity, followers of Islamic tradition, and those interested in the roots of Abrahamic faiths, The Torah For Dummies is a can't-miss resource for anyone interested in one of the world's oldest and most fascinating religions and cultures. It's packed with trustworthy information about the laws, teachings, and stories that guide the lives of people of faith all over the world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1394379994
• ISBN13: 9781394379996
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 384 Pages

Customer Reviews

A Sound Introduction and a Great Read

THE TORAH FOR DUMMIES by Arthur Kurzweil is a great book. I highly recommend it. Several features really stand out. First, the book can be read front to back, like a textbook, and it can be read by topic, like a reference book. The appendices and intra-chapter references are genuine aids. Second, the treatment is both light and serious. The flashes of humor are genuine and enjoyable. They amplify; they never intrude. Finally, I never felt "lost" or as though I were being "talked down to." This is a wonderful introduction to, and overview of, the Torah.

Great assistance for understanding the Torah

I am SO glad that I decided to go the Dummy route, when reading the Torah...it answers the "Why's" and the "What's?!" and the "hunh's?!" very proficiently. It's just what I wanted!

Torah

I was very excited to see all the information that was contained in this volume! I just found out that I was Jewish, and had to start from Judisim 101. Highly recommended on basic beginning information on the Torah..K.Davis

The Torah for Dummies

I like the way the author has laid out this book. If you study the old testiment this book will bring more to the stories. Great for learning about the Jewish laws and ideas.

Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Torah

The Torah for Dummies is chock full of invaluable, meaningful, and fascinating information, answering questions I've had for years about what the Torah is, and what the Torah actually says. The book is presented in a comprehensible, organized and reader-friendly manner. It's divided into six sections. The first, called Torah 101, provides a clear overview of the basic and most important concepts in the Torah. Section 2 addresses each of the five books of Moses, describing the contents, the main ideas and the significance of each one. The third section teaches us how Torah relates to our everyday lives, offering an abundance of examples of how we are meant to use it as a manual for life. Section 4 talks about the importance of the Torah in Judaism and in Jewish tradition, elaborating on the Shabbat, the Jewish holidays, life cycles, traditions and symbols, as well as on the laws and reasons for kashrut. Section 5 discusses, in detail, the Ten Commandments and several common misconceptions people have, both about the commandments and about other quotes from the Torah. The last section, apart from offering a glossary of names and terms used in the Torah, includes a list of all 613 commandments (both the do's and don'ts), categorized according to subject. The book provides direct references to the Torah throughout, making it easy to find exactly where in the Torah a particular quote or idea can be found. The margins of the pages of Torah for Dummies contain occasional icons, or symbols, which call the reader's attention to particularly important concepts, misconceptions, or words of wisdom found in the Torah. My review cannot possibly do this book justice. It is simply a "must read for yourself" in order to appreciate this thorough and eloquent account of what the Torah is, and what it has to tell us.