A solid but simplistic depiction of the life of ultra-Orthodox Jewish women. Rotem was herself a member of the ultra-Orthodox, or haredi, community in Israel for most of her life, but after 20 years of marriage, she divorced her husband and left the community along with her six daughters. Here Rotem gives the reader a glimpse into the world she abandoned, and into the difficult and restrictive condition of haredi women. As Rotem notes, she is referring specifically to ultra-Orthodox of the misnaged tradition (of Lithuanian descent), not to the somewhat more familiar Hasidic community. The distinction is an important one, because while Hasidic men usually support their wives and families, among the more intellectually oriented misnagdim, the reverse is true. The most respected men of the community study sacred texts all day (for which they receive minimal stipends), while their wives work, take care of the home, and raise their usually large brood of children. They are, as Nessa Rapoport writes in her introduction, ``the female infrastructure that upholds'' the haredi world. Women take great pride in their spouses' accomplishments, and men's learning is valued above material possessions in the community at large. (Women, however, are not encouraged—in fact, not allowed—to study). Rotem talked to a number of these women and tells their stories (anonymously, because they do not want to risk the community's censure or to ruin their children's chances of a good arranged marriage). The accounts are interesting, although most people who are at all familiar with the ultra-Orthodox will find little new here. Also, Rotem's analysis of what she sees is completely banal: She writes that ``anyone who has no choice but to remain trapped in a wretched situation is not free'' and ``social phenomena are never as simple as they appear.'' Rotem offers limited access and little guidance to this unique community.
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1996
ISBN: 0-8276-0583-8
Page Count: 240
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1996
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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