Tough Questions Jews Ask: A Young Person's Guide to Building a Jewish Life Book

In Judaism we're allowed to ask questions. We are invited to ask them. But for young people, it often feels as if no one is willing to take tough questions about religion, ourselves, and the world seriously.

Tough Questions Jews Ask turns that all around. With honesty, humor, and respect, Rabbi Edward Feinstein tackles topics as diverse as:
Why does God let terrible things happen?
What is God anyway?
If I pray for something, will I get it?
What's the meaning of life? Is that a dumb question?
Why does religion need so many rules?
Why be Jewish?

With insight and wisdom-and without pretending to have all the answers-Rabbi Feinstein encourages young people to make sense of the Jewish tradition by wrestling with what we don't understand.

Publishers Weekly

Teenagers and questions go hand in hand, except perhaps when it comes to religion. Feinstein encourages young people to verbalize their doubts about God, faith and Jewish life, stating that he believes "God loves good questions." Structured as questions posed by different students in a classroom, the 18 chapters include discussions about God; Shabbat; intermarriage; prayer; bar mitzvah; Israel; Christianity; anti-Semitism; Jewish denominations; the meaning of life; good and evil; the concept of an afterlife; and the Messiah. While the format may be a bit contrived, it effectively expresses the questions young people have. Feinstein phrases his questions and answers in terms kids can readily understand: "Is Any of That Stuff in the Bible True?" or "No Cheeseburgers? No Going to the Mall on Saturday? Why Does Religion Need So Many Rules?" The rules, he suggests, are one way of requiring a commitment, like going to the gym on a continual basis: "If I really wanted results, I needed to be serious." He equates being religious with being aware of life's amazing gifts. "The opposite of being religious," he writes, "is being bored." Feeling close to God involves doing godly actions, he stresses. Theology comes alive through Feinstein's cogent analogies and non-dogmatic, down-to-earth style. This book should appeal to students and adults of all denominations who are wrestling with the age-old challenges of faith. (May) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.