JUDAISM WITHOUT TRIBALISM

An influential religious leader confronts Jewish tribalism in this spiritual guide.

As a rabbi, contributing editor for Spirituality & Health magazine, podcaster, and author of more than 30 books, Shapiro (whose public persona is simply “Rabbi Rami”) is perhaps one of the most recognizable public faces of contemporary Reform Judaism. In this book, he continues a lifelong career of promoting an accessible, theologically liberal, and inclusive brand of Judaism by providing a succinct “manifesto” for “Judaism without tribalism.” While acknowledging the tribal origins of Judaism, the author is less concerned with parsing “Who is a Jew?” (which, to him, is anyone “who claims to be a Jew”) as he is in articulating “Judaism as a more open, welcoming, and universal path for Self-realization…and world repair.” Carefully blending an erudite analysis of Jewish Scripture and a firm grasp of Hebrew linguistic nuances with an approachable, humorous writing style, this concise volume is designed to be “pondered rather than digested.” Eschewing “mainstream Judaism,” the book not only rejects Orthodox notions of an orderly universe shaped by God’s divine will, but also suggests that even YHVH (the Hebrew name for God) is best understood as a verb (“to be”) that also manifests as Tao, Allah, Brahman, or Nature itself. Most important to Shapiro is that Judaism is “irrelevant” unless it fulfills its duty to be “a blessing to person and planet” and “a light unto the nations.” In addition to its intriguing reevaluation of Jewish orthodoxy and scriptural analysis, the book deftly weighs in on contemporary issues germane to Jewish identity, from antisemitism to Zionism. The volume’s backmatter includes a hilarious and practical manual for congregational rabbis based on the author’s two decades of experience, reminding them, for example, to “stop praying as if it’s 1255” and to slowly sip coffee before impulsively speaking during congregational meals. Orthodox Jews will, of course, bristle at the work’s progressive spirituality, universalization of Judaism, and critiques of tradition. But the book succeeds in its mission to “make Judaism accessible to everyone” by providing a Jewish lens that could be of use in the spiritual journeys of Jews and non-Jews alike.

A compelling, progressive reorientation of an ancient faith.