Jewish Books: 18 Essential Texts Every Jew Should Read

Jews are known as the "People of the Book" for good reason. The Torah, otherwise known as the Hebrew Bible, has inspired debate and sparked imaginations for thousands of years, and the Talmud is itself an imaginative compendium of Jewish legal debate. Throughout the centuries, reflections and commentaries on these texts have continually expanded and transformed the way Jews understand their religion, their history and the possibilities of their future.

Given how much has been written by Jews, for Jews on the subject of Judaism, we thought it would be good to get guidance on where those looking for quintessential Jewish knowledge and wisdom should start. We asked some of our Jewish bloggers to submit their top picks for books that every Jew should read. From the good Five Books and the wisdom of the Sages to mystical musings and a feminist Jewish treatise, this list spans the ages and tastes of Jewish thought. But it is by no means comprehensive. That's one debate we don't wish to ignite.

What's your favorite Jewish book? Send us your suggestion at [e-mail], and we may add it to the list.

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Comments

[arigoldst]

10:26 PM on 12/08/2011

The Jewish Book of Why written by Alfred J. Kolatch is a good one

[BoundedReality]

10:03 PM on 12/08/2011

Another good (and funny) one is "Every Goy's Guide to Common Jewish Expressions"

[Jewish FreeCycle]

04:23 PM on 11/06/2011

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[peter010908]

07:35 PM on 11/02/2011

Harry Potter?

It just as much as make believe story as the bible but a lot more interesting to read.

[SaneUSA]

06:03 PM on 11/19/2011

You must really enjoy being a dick.

[Itzchak]

05:33 PM on 11/01/2011

The writings of Rabbi AVraham Itzchak HaCohen Kook (1865-1935) are essential reading for anyone interested in the true depths and breadths of contemporary Torah understanding.
http://www.amazon.com/Abraham-Isaac-Kook-Principles-Spirituality/dp/080912159X
http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/harav-kook-master-of-the-lights

[phillyfreedom]

07:27 PM on 10/31/2011

"How Jews Became White Folks: And What That Says About Race in America." By Karen Brodkin. It was a great read!!

[Feurio]

12:11 PM on 10/30/2011

For the worse?

[Thumbody]

01:10 PM on 10/30/2011

not a chance

[Mr Charlie]

02:22 PM on 11/01/2011

not a Jewish book.

[Thumbody]

05:32 PM on 11/01/2011

Oh really










Oh really? It is for all of mankind written by many Jewish people as well.

[empress trudy]

09:15 PM on 10/28/2011

I had to wonder why a single Talmud tractate was selected. Soncino published the first more or less complete Babylonian Talmud in English (about 95%) a few years ago.

Not convinced that a book on Transgendered Jews is 'essential' for 'every' Jew.

I would also add Caro's Shulkan Arukh

I would also add Weisel's "Somewhere a Master" which is quite a good primer on the broad topics in Hassidism.

[Mr Charlie]

02:25 PM on 11/01/2011

Bava Metzia is the standard choice for a first tractate. It is the beginning of a long discussion of civil law that continues through Bava Kamma and Bava Batra.

[empress trudy]

03:22 PM on 11/01/2011

My Daf Yomi was not really sequential. There's no advantage to attacking it sequentially.

[Tikvah Bethany Adler]

09:03 PM on 10/28/2011

I'm happy to see "Jewish with Feeling" on this list (GREAT book)!!
I'd add: "The Jew and the Lotus"

[Fencik45]

12:48 PM on 10/28/2011

'Curb Your Enthusiasm'

[Feurio]

04:27 PM on 10/30/2011

Larry David on religion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1yOckwMm_k

Let's add Lewis Black..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGrlWOhtj3g

[Louis I Grace]

08:45 PM on 10/26/2011

Contrary to what the beginning of this article states, the Torah is NOT otherwise known as the Hebrew Bible. The Torah is one of three parts that make up the Hebrew Bible: Torah (the Five Books of Moses), Nevi'im (Prophets) and K'tuvim (Writings). Their initials, Taf, Nun and Kaf, make up the acronym "Tanach." It is the Tanach -- the three parts together -- that is otherwise known as the Hebrew Bible. It makes sense that this should be first in the list, but it's funny to see it appear, with the subtitles "Torah," "Nevi'im," "Kethuvim," right below the text that contains this error.

[Mr Charlie]

02:28 PM on 11/01/2011

I agree, and would add that Torah is commonly translated as "law," but "teaching" is more accurate. I would say there is a wealth of torah in all of the books in the list.

[danny saunders]

08:42 PM on 10/26/2011

Spinoza the "Ethics"

[lastwarning2earth rev14]

08:06 PM on 10/26/2011

Heres a book that Jews should read. " Christ Object Lessons " by Ellen White

Then read Isa. 53 100 times

It worked for me. I now know for a fact, that Jesus was the Mesiah.

Now read Jer. 17 : 6 Cursed be man that trust in man.
I don't let anyone influence me except the Bible. When you achieve this. It changes everything. Block out verything you've been taught. Its not easy. It helps to be at the end of your rope. Just search the scriptures and you'll know what I'm talking about. The Truth is wonderful.

[JewishPhysician]

01:51 PM on 10/27/2011

Isaiah 53 is about the preisthood. I have read it 101 times. Good luck. Its not the fact you suggest and there is no man who is our creator.

[Tikvah Bethany Adler]

09:00 PM on 10/28/2011

yeah the only problem is that the Jewish concept of "Messiah" does not mean what you (or other Christians) think it means... at all

[JewishPhysician]

09:17 PM on 10/28/2011

That's a pretty unexplained post if you ask me. Do you just hit and run on the internet?

[Wookiee1972]

05:13 PM on 10/26/2011

Pretty much anything Harold Bloom has written about religion is both provocative and inspiring. The Book of J is a good place to start.

[euthman]

10:01 AM on 10/26/2011

_The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark_ (1995) by Carl Sagan.