A Letter in the Scroll: Understanding Our Jewish Identity and Exploring the Legacy of the World's Oldest Religion

Poignant. Cerebral. The book unfolds into a beautifully rendered telling of the love and passion for Judaism, encompassing history, philosophy and Biblical passages.Rabbi Sacks, Zichrono Levracha, elaborates on the fundamental relationship between G-d and the Jews, the Covenantal Brit, the bonds that tie throughout the generations, the necessity of adaptations for survival, the strength of intellect balanced with power, the foundational difference between Judaism and other faiths, and the need for tolerance and diversity to make the world whole.At the crux, the Rabbi quotes various non-Jewish scholars from over the centuries who held respect or admiration for Judaism, and thus addresses the self-hating Jew and the high rate of assimilation in the West. The Rabbi looks to the causes for this phenomenon in the time of plenty, and especially after two thousand years of horrific anti-Semitism/anti Judaism. In short, Rabbi Sacks makes appeal to Jews to take a second look back at their sacred inheritance before abandoning the ancestral tie.It cannot be left unsaid that Christianity (and Islam) demonized Jews over the centuries from literature to religious sermons, and from pogroms to the Holocaust, which shook the Jewish nation to its core, and in totality, left many a once proud people, often reluctant to raise their Jewish head.Rabbi Sacks ends the book, a gift to his son, daughter in law, and future generations, with a most profound, moving, and priceless speech entitled:Why I Am A Jew.Highly Recommended!

Although the subject matter is very deep, Rabbi Sachs takes you on a journey that is easy to follow and will leave you with new insights and many things to consider. The summary paragraphs of why I am a Jew bring together all that was revealed in earlier chapters. The book makes thoughtful distinctions among the many religions and philosophies in this world. The biggest difference, in my mind, is that most are systems of belief while Judaism is a system of actions that does insist it is the only system for all people.I highly recommend this book to everyone.

I feel late to the party reading this book so many years after its publication. A truly wonderful read by a gifted author and teacher. This may be the best book on being Jewish I’ve ever read. It may very well have been right time, right book, right me, and if that’s the case, read it anyway. Enjoy!

Despite the complex and sophisticated title it was one of the most pleasant, smooth and bright minded work I have ever read in my life. Rabbi Sacks sets the mark of Jewishness and the meaning of our spiritual way so high and so approachable that it might be called one of the best readings for both Jews and non-Jews.Academically based, but with the decent kindness and respect to the reader, it must be definitely recommended for anyone who wants to touch the amazing space of our cultural heritage.It might be advised as both study and self-development material.

Sachs is a very clever man and his love and understanding of the faith comes through clearly

Very insightful well written book about what Judaism means to people. Came right away and in good condition. 👍

Oddly, this is a hard book to have to review, because it is exceptional! Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (of Great Britain, now retired) has done a masterful job with a short retelling of our history and how it relates to our identity. In fact, it made me want to become more observant than I had been in the past. This is a book that should top anyone's list of books regarding Judaism. I understand that it was written for his son and daughter-in-law, as a wedding gift, and fortunately he decided to publish it, which makes it a gift to all of us. It clearly answers the questions of what it means to be a Jew in today's world, and makes a wonderful companion for Thomas Cahill's "The Gifts of the Jews." Believe me when I say I will reread both of them; they are well worth the time.

After my own limited studies in the Torah (I'm not Jewish) then further study of America's founding writings and documents, I was astounded to find so much of our Constitution and other writings are based almost completely on the Torah. The process of these studies helped me to draw some conclusions about life and how we should live for ourselves, our families and society as a whole. This book solidified it. While Jewish people already know these things, their Christian brethren are not so schooled. I highly recommend this as a must have in your library, but more importantly a must read! At a time when our country is in the midst of turmoil on the brink of anarchy, this might help us understand why.

Anything written by Rabbi Johnathan Sacks is outstanding.

such a beautiful and powerful readlots of food for thought, that only the last Rabbi Sacks could so eloquently portray

This book is obviously written with great knowledge and thorough research into the bible.Anyone interested in the history, as well as the future of the Jewish race, will derivesatisfaction from this read.

Phenomenal book. Should be a prerequisite for all!!

Very very excellent book ! How Jonathan Sachs explains si difficult thing with such a maestria is fabulous. Thank You so much !