Judaism Is About Love

Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life

By: Shai Held

Narrated by: Josh Bloomberg

A profound, startling new understanding of Jewish life, illuminating the forgotten heart of Jewish theology and practice: love.

A dramatic misinterpretation of the Jewish tradition has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is the religion of love, and Judaism the religion of law. In the face of centuries of this widespread misrepresentation, Rabbi Shai Held—one of the most important Jewish thinkers in America today—recovers the heart of the Jewish tradition, offering the radical and moving argument that love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity. Blending intellectual rigor, a respect for tradition and the practices of a living Judaism, and a commitment to the full equality of all people, Held seeks to reclaim Judaism as it authentically is. He shows that love is foundational and constitutive of true Jewish faith, animating the singular Jewish perspective on injustice and protest, grace, family life, responsibilities to our neighbors and even our enemies, and chosenness.

Ambitious and revelatory, Judaism Is About Love illuminates the true essence of Judaism—an act of restoration from within.

A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

©2024 Shai Held (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Erudite . . . The author balances the academic strength of a scholar with the pastoral sensitivity of a rabbi. Readers will be intrigued by the dizzying array of references to Jewish teachers across the centuries, as well as philosophers, Christian theologians, and others, and he approaches topics such as family relations with practicality and nuance. A highly literate, thought-provoking, persuasive argument for the centrality of love in the Jewish faith."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"[A] paradigm-shifting study . . . Held avoids dogmatism and is never anything less than transparent . . . Held draws profound meaning from Judaism that 'we are capable of living lives animated by love, mercy, compassion, and generosity.' This has the power to reshape Jews' views of their faith."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“This is a truly magnificent book, necessary for our troubled times. Shai Held, one of Judaism’s leading scholars and thinkers, rebuts facile stereotypes of Judaism that contrast Jewish law with Christian love, and demonstrates the centrality of love, imagination, and compassion in the Jewish tradition. Held’s discussion is nuanced: love of strangers is an unequivocal mandate; concerning the love of enemies, however, there are goals, but no easy answers. Nonetheless, Judaism commands, in all of the traumatic situations of our lives, an exacting self-development of emotions and imagination, so that we can hope to live together well with others, as strangers and fellows, in this difficult world. Held’s book should be required reading for Jews and non-Jews alike.”—Martha C. Nussbaum, Distinguished Service Professor of Philosophy and Law, The University of Chicago

The profound engagement with the Heschel Torah

Content was powerful and well organized for people to read and hear beyond a elementary level!

Fresh approach to dogma

Preaching of zdaka and commandments. Frivolous guessing regarding what God can and can't do. A good listen but I'd like my money back.

Excellent

Held’s book is an excellent and comprehensive scholarly work on Judaism’s foundational concept of love and living loving lives. The book will remain a resource that I return to over and over again. I appreciate the grounding and deeper understanding of Judaism’s essential purpose!

Growing Up Informed by Christianity

No one wants to be constantly compared to a sibling, even a sibling faith. Reclaiming your heritage under the burden is a task that is long, long overdue and reads very well next to Amy-Jill Levine.

Accessible and insightful

Remarkably accessible in language while full of insight, depth of support and moving in what it teaches us about our relationship with the Divine.