How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household

What impressed me most about Mrs. Greenberg's book remains the high regard for which even the most mundane tasks receive in the traditional Jewish household. Most everyday activities have a blessing ascribed to them, and this elevation of the mundane to the divine causes one to reflect upon daily life as a worshipful experience. In addition, I felt impressed by the female-centered nature of Jewish life as depicted in the book. The wife/mother is no bystander in the religious household but a vital actor as the drama of life plays out. Preparing meals gains importance--not as a way to merely satisfy one's appetite for food but as a central expression of Shalom. The Sabbath celebration in the home centers around women as they kindle the candles and prepare the requisite meals. Mrs. Greenberg explores and explicates traditional values of modesty, honesty, love, and charity without being judgemental or "writing down" to her reader. She sprinkles her work liberally with selections from Torah, the prophets, and the sages, to say nothing of the charming anecdotes of her own family's experiences. As an aside, I've prepared all of the recipes over the years, and every one is delicious! Highly recommended to all.

Bought this book simply because I wanted a modern comprehensive book on Judaism and how a traditional Jewish home should be managed. Having preconceived and I admit misplaced ideas of what was involved I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there is a lot to the subject that is voluntary and that it isn't about a fear of God using a 2X4 to get your attention and devotion.I really liked her section on clothing and even I who knew a great deal about Judaism was intrigued with the idea that there is a prayer for clothing. I sure had never thought about giving thanks for clean or new clothes everyday. Equally informative was her section on kepah's and that they don't seem to be either required in the Torah or even Talmudic law.Chapter 7 SPEECH is fascinating since the author notes that in Judaism a Jew is forbidden to insult, shame, defame, embarrass or slander another person. Not another Jew, but another person. Period. And that Lashon hara means evil tongue and that this includes not only the evil of the speaker but also the hearer. The theory being that the 'consumer' or the one who listens to gossip creates a market for it, and is as guilty as the purveyor of the words. The Talmud the author notes paints a more harsh example by stressing the 'deceiving is equated to stealing; insulting is analogous to killing'. Reminds me of the adage I heard growing up 'think before you speak'. I loved her Chapter 9 which deals with marriage. I was thinking of this recently when a Christian friend of mine, and I were debated the issue of celibacy and how in my opinion Paul in the Christian texts seemed to think that marriage was a necessary evil. I tried to explain as does the author that in Judaism one who chooses to not marry is considered an incomplete person. That 'marriage, not celibacy, is the higher form of existence'. I personally have always liked the Jewish ketubah tradition which is a beautiful contract that spells out that the groom is obligated to provide his bride/wife with food, clothing, shelter and sexual satisfaction. Is that not progressive or what? Yes!!! In turn she agrees to love honor and care for him. I also love the Jewish tradition of the plain gold wedding band rather than the ornate diamond studded rings I see so many non-Jewish women wearing.Her sections on birth and choosing a name for the child, along with brits/bris or circumcision and choosing a Mohel. Her section on abortion should be a must read for those who assume that Judaism doesn't allow abortions. She also has chapters on other life passages that are traditional Jewish.There is so much I like about the book that all I can do is suggest readers discover How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household for themselves.

I am a Jew by Choice (who chose Reform) who wants to learn more about the other Jewish movements. This book was recommended to me by a female friend at my Reform temple, and I was not disappointed. Blu Greenberg is open and honest about raising an Orthodox family in modern society. She is not the perfect Orthodox wife, nor does she pretend to be. Her book is part autobiography, part instruction. I found it very helpful as I move toward keeping a kosher home (yes, some Reform Jews do that!) and as I move toward closer observance of Shabbat. I read through the book and now refer to specific chapters when needed. She explains a ritual, followed by the appropriate prayer in Hebrew, transliteration, and English. If you want to see how the other half lives, here is your chance. I heartily recommend it.

I was raised in a completely non-observant household; we were "Christmas Tree" Jews. I never set foot inside a synagogue until my late 40s. I stumbled onto this book at the beginning of my search for information and my place in the greater Jewish community, and found it fascinating. I have no intention of becoming Orthodox, and have found my own home in the Jewish Renewal movement, but turn to this book often for information. I especially appreciated the explanations of some of the rituals and traditions that don't "make sense" and was touched my the author's frank acknowledgement of her struggles and disagreements with some aspects of her practice - and her commitment to the preservation of those same traditions. In fact, I have come to believe that the greatest value of this book is just that - she clearly struggles with some aspects of her faith but is absolutely commited to its complete preservation - she doesn't pick and choose at the cafeteria of observance. Here is commitment writ large! I didn't agree with everything she said - her statement that the women at the beach in the modest swimsuits are probably observant Jews struck me as a tad smug, since most faiths value modesty and the orthodox of all religions practice it. But overall, I found the book invaluable as I began my process of sorting out the holidays and practices. The practice I have found for myself is much more personal and spiritually oriented, I believe, but it's important, and valuable, to know about the roots of that practice. So I recommend this book - I even gave a copy to my mother for Christmas!

Growing up in a Classical Reform home, where observance was minimal, Conservative practice considered dated and pointless, and Orthodoxy completely alien, I would never have expected to read this book, much less love it. But Blu Greenberg's writing describes modern Orthodox practice with such warmth and charm that we have actually taken on new observances after reading it. Furthermore, even practices we are unlikely to adopt have become understandable and something to appreciate. Highly recommended!