What do you think?
Rate this book
Essential Judaism: A Complete Guide to Beliefs, Customs and Rituals
What happens at a synagogue service? What are the rules for keeping kosher? How do I light the Hanukah candles? What is in the Hebrew Bible? What do the Jewish holidays signify? What should I be teaching my children about being Jewish?
A landmark reference, here is an indispensable one-volume guide to the religious traditions, everyday practices, philosophical beliefs, and historical foundations of Judaism -- everything you need to know about being Jewish. In Essential Judaism, George Robinson has created the accessible compendium that he sought when he rediscovered his Jewish roots as an adult. Robinson illuminates the Jewish life cycle at every stage, and lays out many fascinating aspects of Judaism -- the Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, the evolution of Hasidism, and much more -- while keeping a firm focus on the different paths to living a good Jewish life in today's world.
A landmark reference, here is an indispensable one-volume guide to the religious traditions, everyday practices, philosophical beliefs, and historical foundations of Judaism -- everything you need to know about being Jewish. In Essential Judaism, George Robinson has created the accessible compendium that he sought when he rediscovered his Jewish roots as an adult. Robinson illuminates the Jewish life cycle at every stage, and lays out many fascinating aspects of Judaism -- the Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, the evolution of Hasidism, and much more -- while keeping a firm focus on the different paths to living a good Jewish life in today's world.
672 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
352 people are currently reading
1968 people want to read
About the author
George Robinson
2 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 7, 2009
I really value the great effort that Robinson put in to researching and writing this book. The book is full of information and the content is intuitively organized. The first chapter's focus on prayer and the relationship with God really grabbed my attention and prodded me through the remainder of the text. I loved learning and soaked in as much as I could. I skimmed chapter 8 rather than read every detail since it's 50 pages of information on various Jewish philosophers.
I found my respect rapidly growing and upon completion of the book found that most assuredly this has increased the depth of my own faith and perspective. I certainly found many tenets of shared belief and was particularly intrigued at Maimonides' 13 Principles of the Jewish Faith (http://bit.ly/biUo0) as compared with The 13 Articles of Faith(http://bit.ly/3esmgk). Robinson successfully illustrates the in-depth determination, commitment, and devotion of the Jewish people and their history. He covers _a lot_ of history and while there is so much information, it's not too overdone.
In the end, I was distracted by a couple issues that prevent me from giving this more than three stars. First, there are terms that are used early on which slowed down my comprehension. They are described in more detail later in the book and also in the glossary, but it was distracting to a small degree. Second, because of the broadness of the title, Robinson appears to go to great lengths to include the major differences between the various Jewish sects and their perspectives on festivals, interpretations, and minhagim. While this is important information, sometimes it seemed like too much information. Finally, there are a lot of sidebars that sometimes proved to be distracting though their inclusion wasn't a major disruption to the contextual information.
Overall, I have come away from reading this book with an increased desire to read other religious texts of this same caliber--my soul strengthened, perspective extended and appreciation deepened.
I found my respect rapidly growing and upon completion of the book found that most assuredly this has increased the depth of my own faith and perspective. I certainly found many tenets of shared belief and was particularly intrigued at Maimonides' 13 Principles of the Jewish Faith (http://bit.ly/biUo0) as compared with The 13 Articles of Faith(http://bit.ly/3esmgk). Robinson successfully illustrates the in-depth determination, commitment, and devotion of the Jewish people and their history. He covers _a lot_ of history and while there is so much information, it's not too overdone.
In the end, I was distracted by a couple issues that prevent me from giving this more than three stars. First, there are terms that are used early on which slowed down my comprehension. They are described in more detail later in the book and also in the glossary, but it was distracting to a small degree. Second, because of the broadness of the title, Robinson appears to go to great lengths to include the major differences between the various Jewish sects and their perspectives on festivals, interpretations, and minhagim. While this is important information, sometimes it seemed like too much information. Finally, there are a lot of sidebars that sometimes proved to be distracting though their inclusion wasn't a major disruption to the contextual information.
Overall, I have come away from reading this book with an increased desire to read other religious texts of this same caliber--my soul strengthened, perspective extended and appreciation deepened.
March 29, 2009
This is the most comprehensive book that I have ever read on any subject that wasn't an encyclopedia. Writing it must have been a formidable task. That is why I gave it five stars, instead of four. It isn't really that I thought this book was so amazing, although I did like it a lot ... I just appreciated the amount of work put into it, and that George Robinson managed to accomplish a balance between keeping it simple enough for "beginners" without dumbing it down. It is organized so that it flows well when reading from beginning to end, but the chapters are not necessarily dependent on each other, so if you are already well acquainted with a certain aspect of Judaism, it won't mess up your reading to skip over that section. As such, this book is also a great reference tool. I would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to return to or understand their Jewish heritage, or for anyone interested in Judaism as a whole.
February 19, 2025
Overall a great overview that, due to a simple and engaging style of writing, is useful both as a reference work and as material for a week of intense reading, as it has been for me.
There are, however, some criticisms. For one, a book of 500 pages plus appendix that claims all inclusivity shouldn't just forget the history of Jews outside of Europe and the US post-Maimonides. This also reflects itself in some vibes based historical statements being made in parts of the book. Additionally, an editor could've given a few more looks to ensure the original titles of the books discussed in this volume are all correct.
Still an incredibly useful resource when keeping these things in mind.
There are, however, some criticisms. For one, a book of 500 pages plus appendix that claims all inclusivity shouldn't just forget the history of Jews outside of Europe and the US post-Maimonides. This also reflects itself in some vibes based historical statements being made in parts of the book. Additionally, an editor could've given a few more looks to ensure the original titles of the books discussed in this volume are all correct.
Still an incredibly useful resource when keeping these things in mind.
April 20, 2022
This book is an incredibly thorough and interesting insight into Judaism. And when I say thorough I truly mean it, this book is 600ish pages and covers everything from prayer to festivals to mysticism to Jewish Philosophy.
If you want a fairly easy intro to Judaism this book probably isn't it, especially as the book can feel very dense at times, but if you're interested in a deeper look this book is perfect.
At times I felt the structure of the book could have been reorganised to flow a little better, particularly starting with a very dense chapter on prayer didn't necessarily do the book any favours.
However lots of the chapters were incredibly interesting and I liked that the author came back 15 years later and added insights about the progress that had been made in various areas since the first edition came out.
If you want a fairly easy intro to Judaism this book probably isn't it, especially as the book can feel very dense at times, but if you're interested in a deeper look this book is perfect.
At times I felt the structure of the book could have been reorganised to flow a little better, particularly starting with a very dense chapter on prayer didn't necessarily do the book any favours.
However lots of the chapters were incredibly interesting and I liked that the author came back 15 years later and added insights about the progress that had been made in various areas since the first edition came out.
July 29, 2007
A really good overview of the Jewish religion - best for Gentiles and more uninitiated "secular jews" like me, who come from a Jewish background at some point along the lines(My father's mother and her family) but are mostly ignorant of Judaism as a religion. My only gripe is that it doesn't delve enough into detail for my interest, but it's a huge book already, and doesn't need to be any bigger.
January 21, 2014
I truly never finished this book after having it checked out for nearly a year! It's so dense, it's really best served as a reference book. Unless you're converting to Judaism or a religious studies student, it's just too much for the average layperson to read and absorb in a reasonable amount of time. It was well-written (what I managed to read), and informative, just very very dense.
March 21, 2025
I’ve been increasingly interested in learning more about Judaism lately and this book was a decent overview! I wasn’t a huge fan of the way that it began on the prayer section. I thought, why would I want to learn prayers if I don’t know *why* we pray? I wanted more biblical stuff/history up front, but that’s just me. You could definitely write an entire book based on any given paragraph in this book, so sometimes I’d wish things were expanded upon more, but then again I’d realize that’s just the nature of the book. It did what it had to do (sparked my interest)!! One of my favorite sections of the book was actually toward the end, when it shared founding documents for the Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative and Orthodox Jewish communities. I thought it was super interesting to read about what these sections expect of their members, what they believe, etc. It also moved me to read about Jewish history, which has involved so much struggle, despair and exile, and then about the evolving desire for a Jewish state. this book offered a sense of hope as it relates to the resilience of the Jewish community. I feel proud to have a Jewish parent & feel a connection to the community and look forward to learning more.
January 1, 2013
A nice overview from what I remember after 3 years.
Solid introductory book, well organized and easy to read. I read the book as the "textbook" of an intro to Judaism course, which it was well-suited for. It's organized in such a way that the chapters lend themselves to a discussion group between chapters. It doesn't go very in-depth, but it will give you a solid foundation to build on. It reads more like encyclopedia entries than a narrative, if that's important to you.
Solid introductory book, well organized and easy to read. I read the book as the "textbook" of an intro to Judaism course, which it was well-suited for. It's organized in such a way that the chapters lend themselves to a discussion group between chapters. It doesn't go very in-depth, but it will give you a solid foundation to build on. It reads more like encyclopedia entries than a narrative, if that's important to you.
July 28, 2019
Oh god the second half was a SLOG
November 6, 2019
A thorough, encyclopedic guide to Judaism. The Rituals, Traditions, Sacred and related writings, Beliefs, Sects and divisions, Religious and secular history, and so much more. it is all here. I thought I had a fair understanding of the world of Judaism for a non-Jewish lay-person, but Robinson helped me understand how much I did not know, and how much of what I thought I knew was at the least incomplete, if not incorrect. Whether or not you are Jewish, or a believer or non-believer of any kind, this book works both as a complete introduction if read straight through, and an encyclopedia to return to again and again to look up particular questions (e.g., what does a particular holiday mean/how is it celebrated; who/what is god in Judaism; how do you wear a tefillin/phylactery and why, …). Very informative, in depth, and well written (and researched).
March 29, 2020
Oh....my gosh. I cannot believe I’m done with this book. It’s been over a year! I even read the appendices, and the glossary, and the bibliography (I know the last one’s weird, but it’s a habit I picked up while writing my thesis, and I actually enjoy it).
All that being said, this book was so comprehensive and such a good “general introduction.” So far, I prefer it over Living Judaism (another general introduction book I’m currently reading—cited in this book ironically) because it tends to be more in depth and put a lot of effort into respecting the plurality of Jewish thought and observance. It’s almost 300 pages longer than Living Judaism, after all! I also like Robinson’s writing style; it’s actually quite engaging for nonfiction. It did drag in places, but I loved the chapters on rabbinic writing, mysticism, and philosophy.
All that being said, this book was so comprehensive and such a good “general introduction.” So far, I prefer it over Living Judaism (another general introduction book I’m currently reading—cited in this book ironically) because it tends to be more in depth and put a lot of effort into respecting the plurality of Jewish thought and observance. It’s almost 300 pages longer than Living Judaism, after all! I also like Robinson’s writing style; it’s actually quite engaging for nonfiction. It did drag in places, but I loved the chapters on rabbinic writing, mysticism, and philosophy.
February 3, 2022
The entirety of this book was a history of men in judaism. If you want to see where all the women are, just look in the acknowledgments. The author was happy to profit off of women’s labor, but wouldn’t list any as co-authors or put women’s contributions to judaism in the book itself.
.
Also, I found the editing of this book not accessible because all the definitions of hebrew jewish terms were stuffed in the back of the book in the glossary. They should’ve been in the footnotes of the pages they were introduced on for access. This is a book used for introducing judaism and access to learning new terms should be front and center.
.
Needs more information added about queer and trans jewish rituals.
.
All this being said, I did learn a lot of stuff about judaism. Just not through a great lens.
.
Also, I found the editing of this book not accessible because all the definitions of hebrew jewish terms were stuffed in the back of the book in the glossary. They should’ve been in the footnotes of the pages they were introduced on for access. This is a book used for introducing judaism and access to learning new terms should be front and center.
.
Needs more information added about queer and trans jewish rituals.
.
All this being said, I did learn a lot of stuff about judaism. Just not through a great lens.
January 15, 2021
a beautiful and comprehensive book on judaism; covering topics from its history, its religious practices, its people, its customs, and everything in between. this is the first book i bought and read for my conversion journey and i believe i made the right choice. topics were explained thoroughly and thoughtfully, and topics that weren't touched on so heavily i was able to do my own research based on the foundations the book gave me. i highly recommend it to anyone, jewish or non-jewish, converting or not. you'll learn a lot and, in my opinion, gain a better worldview by the end of it.
August 7, 2021
A great guide for the why’s and the history of Judaism. A little too great in my opinion. For a guide for a beginner, it is filled with information that isn’t “Essential” so early on and feels overwhelming.
As someone looking for the more intricate details of Judaism, it’s perfect.
While the book does great with the why’s and the history, it does not include the how’s. It tells us why we observe Shabbat but not how to observe Shabbat.
It is a good addition to my collection but not nearly everything you need to know about Judaism.
As someone looking for the more intricate details of Judaism, it’s perfect.
While the book does great with the why’s and the history, it does not include the how’s. It tells us why we observe Shabbat but not how to observe Shabbat.
It is a good addition to my collection but not nearly everything you need to know about Judaism.
August 28, 2022
a very big book, and a brilliant one at that
i especially enjoyed the chapters on mysticism and philosophy, that aren't often covered in smaller volumes that stick to the practical side of judaism. i think robinson gives a very balanced view on things which again is quite rare in these kinds of books. he comes through as a very open-minded yet strongly committed man and thus gives a passionate and thorough description of this beautiful, ancient yet eternally evolving religion!
i especially enjoyed the chapters on mysticism and philosophy, that aren't often covered in smaller volumes that stick to the practical side of judaism. i think robinson gives a very balanced view on things which again is quite rare in these kinds of books. he comes through as a very open-minded yet strongly committed man and thus gives a passionate and thorough description of this beautiful, ancient yet eternally evolving religion!
February 4, 2020
Subtitle 'A complete guide to beliefs, customs, and rituals' - yes indeed. This book is exhaustive in it's detail. I only read some parts as there is way more content than I was looking for. It's more of a reference book than something you'd read straight through. The parts I read were highly detailed and very informative.
September 20, 2021
Pretty thorough book on Jewish beliefs and customs. I liked that it had a feminist perspective, annotating the changing role of women, minorities, LGBT+ communities in Judaism. Didn't read it all, the prayers and religious rituals were too specific for a casual reader like me, but I now know of a pretty solid reference for all things Jewish.
January 27, 2017
This is a thorough and detailed book, great for learning "the basics." However, I didn't find Robinson's writing style to be as engaging as I'd hoped. I prefer Rabbi Teluskin's Jewish Literacy for a guide to Judaism. But it's worth having both on your shelf!
August 20, 2019
A great introduction the Judaism! Robinson was concise in his explanations, and expanded in areas I felt warranted such expansion. Regardless, the book was wonderful to read and it's helped me along in my studies.
May 20, 2020
Wonderfully comprehensive guide to the religion for those unfamiliar with it. I'm a Lutheran who read it to better appreciate the Jewish writers and klezmer music I enjoy so much, and now I have a greater appreciation for a beautiful faith tradition.
July 18, 2022
a wonderful guide to judaism that i found really informing and helpful :) truly wish there was really any mention of palestine when mentioning social justice and the state of israel but… what can you expect from a book that encourages zionism i guess. i learned what i needed to learn
April 5, 2023
I adored everything about this book. Not a stone was left unturned and so many traditions were explained to me. I loved the asides in the grey text-boxes. The book read very smoothly even through dense topics. Easily one of the most enjoyable and informative texts on Judaism I have read to date.
June 8, 2018
Skimmed some of this but I can see it being used as kind of a reference book, opening it up to various sections as needed.
July 23, 2019
Slightly overwhelming at the end when he gets into philosophy but overall very thorough.
Read
February 5, 2020i use this as a reference book.
August 5, 2020
A comprehensive, well-organised and accessible guide to Judaism. I've been referring to this book for over ten years now, so it's certainly proved its worth.
May 16, 2021
The first 200 pages are a real slog because it reads like an encyclopedia. However after the first few chapters, I was actively engaged
July 24, 2021
An informative and interesting read. I was looking for a good, informative book on Judaism as I am always curious to learn about different religions, and I thought this was a solid read.
August 20, 2021
Erg Amerikaans en essentialistisch. Wel informatief over gebruiken en rituelen
March 31, 2022
Comprehensive, but a bear of a book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews