The best 8 Judaism books

Originally published in 1946, Man’s Search for Meaning details the harrowing experiences of author and psychologist Viktor Frankl during his internment in Auschwitz concentration camp during the Second World War. It offers insights into how human beings can survive unsurvivable situations, come to terms with trauma, and ultimately find meaning.

• Anyone interested in psychotherapy
• Anyone who wants to know how ordinary people cope with extraordinary situations
• Anyone trying to work out the meaning of life

In The Reason For God, famous New York pastor Timothy Keller defends Christianity and its core beliefs against the most common objections. His fresh approach provides several arguments for continued Christian faith.

• Anyone who is interested in religion
• Christians who want to discover a fresh angle to their faith

The Seventh Million (1991) is all about the way in which the Holocaust has shaped the Israeli identity. These blinks detail everything from the Zionist response to Nazism and the arrival of the first European Jewish refugees in Palestine to the Six-Day War and Holocaust Memorial Day.

• Jews, Israelis, Germans and Americans
• Historians and students of the Holocaust

What Is the Bible? (2017) takes a fresh look at the best-selling book of all time: the Holy Bible. These blinks take the Bible for what it is – a conglomeration of books written by real people in real historical contexts that are at once subversive, timeless and transformative.

• Christians and non-Christians interested in learning about the Bible
• Those who have left the Church
• People with a negative view of religion who are open to new perspectives

A History of God (1993) traces the related histories of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim concepts of God. From the jealous God of the ancient Israelites to the revelations of Allah, and from the life of Jesus through to theological doctrinal discussions and God’s status in the modern world, these blinks tell the story of how conceptualizations of God in these three related religions have developed and changed over time.

• Jewish people, Christians, Muslims and all people of faith
• Historians and philosophers
• Atheists interested in the role of God in monotheistic religions

Civilizations (2018) is the companion to a major new BBC documentary series co-presented by renowned classical historian Mary Beard. Divided into two parts, it takes a close look at the relationship between civilization and artistic representation. Beginning with the history of depictions of the human form, Beard moves on to cast an eye over the long and intimate relationship between art and religion over the centuries.

• Anyone who loved the BBC’s Civilisations series
• Art lovers and museumgoers
• Fans of large-scale comparative history

Israel (2016) offers a big-picture historical overview of the small but mighty country. From its improbable beginnings to its controversial wars with neighboring Arab states, Israel’s evolution is a story of change, tragedy, and victory. 

• History buffs interested in Europe and the Middle East
• News junkies eager to be more informed about a controversial subject
• Anyone curious about the modern political landscape

What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid? (2021) tells the story of how the author learned to cope with her feelings of anxiety and depression by getting in touch with her Jewish roots. The author shares what she’s learned and shows how anyone can benefit from the insights of Jewish wisdom. 

• Anyone coping with depression and anxiety
• Parents looking for guidance
• People who want to be better leaders