Covenant & Conversation: Genesis: The Book of Beginnings
Reviews (90)
Covenant & Conversation: Genesis:...
Rabbi Jonathon Sacks is always eloquent and easy to read. I value his clear Jewish perspective, history, knowledge of Mishnah and Talmud, of Torah and the Scriptures. He speaks to a Jewish audience and explains for a Christian one, easing communication between the two believers. This book on Genesis is inciteful as always. It's important to know what is assumed in Jewish history/study, what has been passed down for 1000s of years deliberately and delicately intact, not at all ever like a telephone game. Knowing these things brings Scripture to life and connects the stories into one cohesive plan of G-d to restore Creation --- ALL of it!
Insight filled perspective!
The writing style is easy for the lay person to comprehend. He gives gems of wisdom to ponder and questions that make me think long after I’ve put the book down. I thoroughly enjoy learning about the history of the Jewish people, their land and their faith. I’ve been shown that there is so much I don’t know about my own faith roots and will be forever grateful to Rabbi Sacks for enlightening the path. While I am a Christian, learning/reading from a Jewish perspective has given me new insight into my faith as well as Judaism. This book is interesting and will hold the reader’s attention without a problem. The chapters are 4-6 pages in length and not written for an academician (thank goodness!), so I was able to grasp concepts without a problem. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has written a wonderful book for Jews as well as non-Jews who want to learn more about the beginning of creation along with relevant, applicable truths for life today. I am not Jewish, but I am interested in learning about the roots of my Christian faith, which are founded and grounded in Judaism. Rabbi Sacks writes in a way that is engaging, understandable and current. He espouses many life truths that apply to everyone, as well as some for Jews alone. I have the entire Covenant & Conversation series and am currently reading the second book in the series, Exodus. I’m learning a lot from the rich truths of this learned man to whom God has gifted such a talent for writing.
Short, Sweet and inspiring.
Each section of the book, covering the weekly reading of the Jewish Bible, consists of 4 short essays, some focusing more on literary analysis, some on major psychological, historical points etc. The strength of this book is its accessibility to those who have great knowledge of the text and those who don't. His essays often bring together the bigger picture in a way that reading the actual text can not always do. I am currently studying in a Orthodox Yeshiva (Jewish Academy) and weekly one of our head Rabbis give a lecture on the weekly reading and it's clear that Rabbi Sacks is brining unique views supported by many commentaries and can bring something new even to those learning these texts for a living, like me. An important note is that the book will give the most benefit to those who have a familiarity with the details of the stories, as well as some familiarity with the text itself, but a quick read online of most translations or even a wikipedia summary would help and enhance the read of the book. Another small criticism I have is that at time Rabbi Sacks deals closely with the text but at times he makes very broad claims based on major scientific and psychological finds and only ties them together, sometimes loosely, at the end of the mini essay, and then later he refers to his claim as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. However, the ultimate point he is trying to make is often refreshing, beautiful, and rarely ever more overreaching than the claims of many classical Jewish commentators. A worthwhile read I recommend to Jew and non-Jew alike.
great book
great book
Personal over political
My rabbi tells me that Exodus is the book that begins the story of the Jewish people. So why did the authorities place Genesis first in the Tanach? I found the answer in this book. According to Rabbi Sacks: "By placing the stories of Genesis before the book of Exodus, with its story for the birth of the Israelites as a nation, the Torah is implicitly telling us of the primacy of the personal over the political." Exodus is the one big story of the birth of a people, but Genesis full of little stories of one person after another. Adam, Abraham, Jonah, Jacob, Joseph—they all take their moment in the spotlight then move offstage to make room for the next person to tell his story. This extremely readable book takes each parasha in turn and looks at its relevance to our lives today. I look forward to its companion essays on Leviticus.
A must buy for thoughtful essays by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
I highly recommend this book. It's a good addition to reading this parsha/weekly portion of the torah. This book covers the weekly torah readings for Genesis. Rabbi Sacks finds four different short essays (about 3-5 pages per essay). They are interesting analysis of the week's parsha and examine the stories from a new perspective, one you may have not thought of. Because they are essays, it allows you to spend enough time to develop a thought. I suggest you purchase this in conjunction with the weekly torah portion (he has a book for each book of the torah). While Rabbi Sacks is an Orthodox rabbi, I would suggest that his words would resonsnate with conservative and reform Jews. Rabbi Sacks is definitely one of the most profound Jewish thinkers in our lifetime. This is a book you should read. The book is also made of good paper stock, has a nicely designed cover and looks nice in a library.
Fabulous for both Christians and Jews
This is one of the most exciting books I have ever read, I love the questions raised by the author and the unique advantage point he brings to the discussion. Everything by Jonathan Sacks is outstanding and intriguing. I hope he finishes the 5 books of the Pentatuch. I read Exodus and it was good but I really loved the Genesis discussion. I finally had to buy it -- I had borrowed it from the Holocaust Library in St. Louis and also asked a local library to purchase it and read it then, but now I live in Virginia and there was no way to borrow it again! Christians will love it -- I sat with my Bible and pen and made notes in it. Best of all it sparks a new way to look at material we have all read 100 times before! Thank you, Jonathan Sacks -- live long and prosper!
Thought Provoking and Just a Great Read
Great read! Rabbi Sacks is an excellent writer making complex ideas clear and easy to digest. "Genesis" is about the first book of the Torah (and Bible), which is the building block for all the other books. I should say that this is the first book in a series of five books on the old testament. Sacks is writing these books as a base for conversation. That is to say, you read a little and then discuss the information with others reading the book. I am reading this with two other people and love how Sacks brings out the connection between Genesis and the family of man. We are after all one global community. I am learning about Judaism in the process, really lovely, engaging and clearly presented. If you are interested in learning about Judaism or exploring the book of Genesis, Sacks writing is modern and enlightening.
Typical Rabbi Sacks, WONDERFUL!
Everything Rabbi Sacks z”l wrote is golden. Always offers a new insight to the Parsha. Well worthwhile reading!
Masterpiece of Religious Thought
Sometimes you seek, but for whatever reason, no matter how hard you look, you just don't find what it is that you want or need to fill that hole in your life. Today that hunger has been satiated, so many answers, so much widom is held in one place. Rabbi Sacks has a depth in his explanations, as he guides you through the books of Genesis. Emparting knowledge in such a way that wraps you in a cacoon of emotions and joy, for me, the joy of dicovery. Jew or not if you want to understand and feel the "Old Testament" ss it was meant this is the book that belongs in your library.
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