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Conversations with Rabbi Small (The Rabbi Small Mysteries) Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 327 ratings

As he counsels a woman considering conversion to Judaism, Rabbi Small takes a break from murder mysteries to discuss the mysteries of his religion.

In 
Conversations with Rabbi Small, the rabbi finds himself taking a well-deserved vacation at a Jewish retreat in the mountains, where he reads, plays cards, and furthers his studies, which have been languishing for too long. When the rabbi’s wife is called back to the city to deal with an illness in the family, the rabbi meets a curious young woman in the midst of a life-changing moment.
 
Joan is a gentile who is about to marry a Jewish man, and she is desperate for answers as she determines whether or not to convert to her betrothed’s religion. In Rabbi Small, she finds an ideal teacher. In a series of impassioned conversations, the rabbi guides her through the ancient mysteries and wonders of Judaism, giving guidance to both her and her husband-to-be. With humor and compassion, the rabbi shares the history, beliefs, and traditions that have linked Jewish people across the world for millennia.
 

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Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

eared, unannounced, at his cabin door, wanting to know if the Rabbi would convert her to Judaism. It was vital to her forthcoming marriage, she said. And so began Rabbi Small's investigation into the magic, the mysticism, the truths and the fables of the world's oldest religion.

From AudioFile

Rabbi Small takes a break from sleuthing and heads to the mountains, but instead of working on his book, he finds himself spending time with a young couple engaged to be married. Joan, the bride-to be, is not a Jew and wishes to convert. Her intended, Aaron, is a Jew but not observant. Rabbi Small sets about explaining what it means to be a Jew, ostensibly to Joan, but Aaron is drawn more and more into the conversations on the porch of the rabbi's cabin. George Guidall portrays the rabbi, who is deeply religious, learned and realistic, in an accent with hints of Brooklyn in it. Aaron is intelligent, snappish and wise. Joan is innocent and somewhat clueless but sincere. It's a tribute to Guidall's powers that the listener becomes fond of all three characters and deeply interested in the rabbi's evening discourses. L.R.S. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00ZJZGW12
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media (August 4, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 4, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 286 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 327 ratings

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Harry Kemelman
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
327 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides a good explanation of Jewish religion principles and tenets. It is informative, interesting, and thought-provoking. Readers describe it as an enjoyable and well-written read.

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17 customers mention "Judaism"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for understanding Jewish religion principles and tenets. They say it provides an introduction to the historical aspects of Judaism and sheds light on the Christian Gospels. The book is described as a great teaching story that opens the door to understanding. It also discusses the differences between Jewish rules and those of other religions, leading to lively discussions. Overall, readers describe it as an engaging introduction to what it's like to be a Jew.

"This is a very good explanation of Jewish religion principles, very easy to read and learn, as they are shown as several discussions between the..." Read more

"A historical lesson on Judaism...." Read more

"...The framing story is inviting: two bright young people encounter kindly rabbi: earnest shiksa Joan wants to learn more about her Jewish fiancee's..." Read more

"...That being said, it is almost like a short crash course on Judaism...." Read more

14 customers mention "Informative"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and interesting. They say it's an enlightening read about different sects of Judaism. The book is described as entertaining and thought-provoking, serving as both a textbook and a novel.

"...Very entertaining and instructive for those who are interested on knowing more about Jewish faith...." Read more

"A historical lesson on Judaism. I learned a lot o of interesting information about the different sects of the Jewish religion and what it means to..." Read more

"...in the subject, which I, in fact am, this is a great book and very informative. I loved it!!" Read more

"...Well written and informative...." Read more

13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and informative. They appreciate the author's conversational approach and consider it worth the wait.

"...This book is entirely Rabbi Small in teaching mode, which is why I give it 5 stars...." Read more

"...is a very good explanation of Jewish religion principles, very easy to read and learn, as they are shown as several discussions between the Rabbi..." Read more

"I just finished a great book which should be of interest to anyone who would like to understand Judaism better - why Jews do what we do, say what we..." Read more

"...of the issues covered in this "story," presented as an enjoyable read as opposed to the study that the "answers" to these questions..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2019
    My favorite part of the Rabbi Small mysteries has always been comments by the Rabbi about Judaism, and sometimes about Christianity. This book is entirely Rabbi Small in teaching mode, which is why I give it 5 stars. Someone who was expecting a mystery would be much less happy with it.

    Note that the book was first published in 1981. Some comments, like a reference to religious war in Ireland, were jarring at first because the edition I read was printed in 2015.

    I enjoy reading about other religions, and reading about Christianity from the perspective of another religion. More conservative Christians may be offended by Rabbi Small's perspective on Jesus. I think it is important to understand that Jewish rejection of Jesus as one with God and as Messiah is rooted in more than "stubbornness."
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2021
    I wasn't sure about this book since it didn't involve a mystery, but was pleasantly surprised because I was engaged with the "action" from the first page.
    I learned some things that I didn't know before and the book still moved right along, and was kind off the who done it his other books bring.
    I recommend this book to his loyal readers.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2017
    This is a very good explanation of Jewish religion principles, very easy to read and learn, as they are shown as several discussions between the Rabbi and a conversion candidate. The Rabbi also explains many of the differences between Jewish and Christian ways of following their religions.
    Very entertaining and instructive for those who are interested on knowing more about Jewish faith. Can be read as the novel it is, but the reader will learn, effortlessly, a lot.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2022
    A historical lesson on Judaism. I learned a lot o of interesting information about the different sects of the Jewish religion and what it means to be a Jew.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2019
    If you want to know more about Judaism without reading a dull text, this is the book for you. It is a bit like Judaism 101 Light.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2019
    I just finished a great book which should be of interest to anyone who would like to understand Judaism better - why Jews do what we do, say what we say, believe as we believe, and the central differences between Christians and Jews. It's not a new book. It was written by the late Harry Kemelman, author of the best-selling murder mystery series starring Rabbi David Small as a young rabbi who befriends the police chief in the small fictional town of Barnard's Crossing, Massachusetts. Rabbi Small learns very soon that he has a unique talent for using Talmudic logic to solve murders which have stumped the police.

    The first in the series, and the only one I had read until recently, was "Friday the Rabbi Slept Late." I've been reading them in the order in which they were written, and "Conversations with Rabbi Small" was the 8th in the series.

    In addition to being a best-selling author, Harry Kemelman was an English professor and a Talmudic scholar. All of his skills are evident in this book. I'm 77 and a born Jew, and even I learned quite a lot about my own religion through this book.

    Highly recommended.
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2017
    While on vacation, Rabbi Small's wife is called away to care for a sick relative. This leaves Rabbi Small on his own at a resort hotel. His stay is livened by the questions of a young woman involved with a Jewish man. She is interested in the young man's religion and turns to Rabbi Small for answers to her questions.

    On their return to Barnard's Crossing, the couple makes plans to marry. This upsets both sides of the family equation. They turn to Rabbi Small to sort out their dilemma, and he can be trusted to come up with an solution that satisfies everyone. On the way, his answers to both of the young people's objections to Judaism give him the opportunity to impart the essential of his religion to them and to the reader.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2016
    A wonderfully-accessible and enjoyable read for me. Both from an intellectual and psychological motivation, I am interested in many of the issues covered in this "story," presented as an enjoyable read as opposed to the study that the "answers" to these questions may have required. Highly recommended to those who may be attracted by the title, and perhaps to others simply looking for a good book to read.
    12 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Wolfgangsgarten
    5.0 out of 5 stars informativ
    Reviewed in Germany on January 25, 2021
    sehr informativ und sehr viel schöner zu lesen als ein entsprechendes Sachbuch

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