The best 8 Judaism books

1
Man’s Search for Meaning

Man’s Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl
The harrowing experiences of the author in a concentration camp
4.4 (713 ratings)

What's Man’s Search for Meaning about?

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.

Who should read Man’s Search for 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

2
A History of God

A History of God

Karen Armstrong
The 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
4.3 (339 ratings)

What's A History of God about?

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.

Who should read A History of God?

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

3
The Reason For God

The Reason For God

Timothy Keller
Belief In An Age Of Skepticism
4.0 (165 ratings)

What's The Reason For God about?

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.

Who should read The Reason For God?

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

4
What Is the Bible?

What Is the Bible?

Rob Bell
How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything
4.0 (149 ratings)

What's What Is the Bible? about?

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.

Who should read What Is the Bible??

  • 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

5
Israel

Israel

Daniel Gordis
A Concise History of a Nation Reborn
4.1 (73 ratings)

What's Israel about?

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. 

Who should read Israel?

  • 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

6
What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?

What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?

Michal Oshman
Discover a Life Filled with Purpose and Joy Through the Secrets of Jewish Wisdom
4.2 (197 ratings)

What's What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? about?

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. 

Who should read What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid??

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

7
The Seventh Million

The Seventh Million

Tom Segev
The Israelis and the Holocaust
3.9 (28 ratings)

What's The Seventh Million about?

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.

Who should read The Seventh Million?

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

8
Civilizations

Civilizations

Mary Beard
How Do We Look / The Eye of Faith
4.1 (35 ratings)

What's Civilizations about?

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.

Who should read Civilizations?

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

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