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Conversations with Rabbi Small (The Rabbi Small Mysteries) Kindle Edition
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.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherOpen Road Media
- Publication dateAugust 4, 2015
- File size2.1 MB
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First 3$22.97
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First 5$38.95
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All 12$90.88
This option includes 3 books.
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This option includes 10 books.
This option includes 12 books.
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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
- Best Sellers Rank: #518,190 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #495 in Jewish Literature (Kindle Store)
- #1,032 in Jewish Literature & Fiction
- #2,202 in Cultural Heritage Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers 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.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
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
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
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
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2019My 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."
- Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2021I 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, 2017This 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2022A 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, 2019If 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2019I 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2017While 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.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2016A 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.
Top reviews from other countries
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WolfgangsgartenReviewed in Germany on January 25, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars informativ
sehr informativ und sehr viel schöner zu lesen als ein entsprechendes Sachbuch