The Lord Will Gather Me in: My Journey to Jewish Orthodoxy

I always read books written on the subject of Othodoxy with scepticism. Having been born and raised Orthodox, I can tell if the book or movie is authentic. Movies where,for example,the Chasidim wear their Talit to the meal, proves to me that most people that write about the subject, clearly do not live it. Klinghoffer's book, however, is totally authentic. His explanations into the origins of words, and his insight into the nature of the Halacha, not as law, but as a way of life, is refreshing.I know that the bulk of Conservative and Reform Jews probably do not agree with his spin on their religion, however, I have to agree with him. History will bear out the fact, that Judaism by association of blood alone, will not survive. In my neighborhood we have an exceptionally large amount of Baaley tshuva and converts. I find it extremely impressive and am in awe of a person that generally gives up all that he has been raised to beleive, in search of something almost illusive: the truth.After my divorce, I became semi-orthodox. I was angry at G-d, whom I held responsible, and felt that if he deserted me, certainly I had no obligation to maintain contact with him. On the outside I continued all the ritual, but inside I knew it was just a show. After my remarriage and subsequent death of my second husband, I reevaluated my religion and my beliefs and came to much of the same conclusions as Klinghoffer. G-d walks with me and I know that he is watching me...and not from a distance. It would be simple if our religion could be relegated to an occasional temple trip, and not eating pork, but in our hearts, we all know that this is not what binds us together and maintains us as Jews. It is not only in the blood. It is in the heart and in the concrete observance of the Torah as well. From Abraham, to Unkelus to Ruth, some of our greatest Jews have come to us through conversion. I admire the author and other converts that have sought out the truth and the beauty of Judaism. You are an inspiration to those of us that take it often for granted.

David Klinghoffer's book is high on my list of books as a must read for all Jews, especially those who are searching for some sort of meaning and value behind Judaism. Klinghoffer makes it clear that Judaism in American has become a Judaism of vague cultural association which generally means nothing to the younger generations who are seeking meaning in their lives. Hebrew school offers no solutions, so young Jews seek out other paths, not knowing that all the meaning and spirituality that they want in life is located in the parts of Judaism that the Conservative/Reform temples voted out. I went to a very traditional Conservative Hebrew school and came out apathetic towards everything Jewish. Thank G-d, today I am a baal teshuvah. I was amazed how similar Klinghoffer's attitude towards Judaism at that point in his life was to mine and so many other Jewish children who have come to scorn Judaism through Hebrew school. Contrary to what many other reviewers say, Klinghoffer's book is anything but condescending. He presents the truth from a Jewish perspective, even at the risk of embarassing himself with his own failings along the way. He presents the inevitable problems faced by so many baalei teshuvah when religious observance and current lifestyles start to clash. The confusing world where one might date a non-Jew but keep kosher and shabbos is where many baalei teshuvah can end up. Klinghoffer makes it clear that such illogical actions are a part of this process of discovering authentic Judaism and the confusion of leaving old habits behind. He goes through what seemed to be a logical progression to him, seeking truth through Reform and Conservative, even going to JTS, before coming back to Torah Judaism. In each step, he noticed something was lacking. For instance, he went to JTS to learn Hebrew to read the bible. They wouldn't teach biblical Hebrew to him, but suggested he go to the Christian Seminary down the street. To those other reviewers who think that he is condescending to Conservative/Reform, I will remind them that he did not come into the process prejudiced against anything but Orthodoxy. It was after experiencing Conservative/Reform, and then fully experiencing Judaism that he could look back and realize the truth. Klinghoffer's candidness and straightforward honesty make this book necessary information for anybody wondering more about the Judaism which they have been denied. His enjoyable and easily relatable writing style makes this book a pleasure to read--Five stars!

Klinghoffer's journey to orthodox and authentic Judaism should be compulsory reading for those Jews who sincerely consider Reform and Conservative "Judaism" a religious option. Unlike Klinghoffer these people waste most of their lives with the illusion that they are in some way worshiping and particpating in the religion of Moses, Maimonides and the other teachers of our people. having met countless Baalei Tshuva - it is refreshing to find one as intelligent and understanding as K. is. Slowly but surely he comes to see Judaism and the Torah in its genuine and unadalterated form and recognise that to be a Jew there is no other option. I am also impressed with the fact that he doesn't fall for much of the nonsense that many Baalei Tshuva seem accept.It would be interesting for us readers if he wrote a follow-up book on his life as an orthodox Jew with its trials and tribulations and ups and downs.It would also be fascinating to get his view on the Charedi communities - especiallly in Brooklyn and Jerusalem.

This book spoke to me more than any other baal-teshuvah story I've read. I came from a similar situation to Klinghoffer's and I found I could really identify with his concerns. I very much appreciated his honesty about his own backslidings and shortcomings. I felt he told the truth, even when it made him look bad, and he didn't gloss over anything, or make the journey sound easy. Although I didn't agree with all of his conclusions, I still respected how he arrived at them.Very well-written and enjoyable to read.

I am a secular Jew and the mother of an 11 year old adopted son,who is of Irish ancestry. What a balancing act it is for the blond blue eyed adoptee. How does he come to terms with his identity? How can full acceptance of himself by himself and by others be realized? Maybe it comes by adopting an orthodox position that provides definitive guidelines. To the author, that position puts him in a comfort zone that those who are neither orthodox in outlook or adopted could hardly grasp. I give him the benefit of doubt as well as tolerate his shortcomings because he is still a young guy and a brave and interesting one at that.