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Daniel Gordis
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God Was Not in the Fire Paperback – September 10, 1997

by Daniel Gordis (Author)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
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From Simon & Schuster, God Was Not in the Fire is Daniel Gordis' fascinating and exhilarating search for a spiritual judaism.

Contemporary Jews seeking a path toward spirituality and a renewal of faith will find it in this fresh look at the traditional rituals, prayers, celebrations, and ethical teachings of Judaism.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Touchstone
  4. Publication date
    September 10, 1997
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0684825260
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0684825267
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Daniel Gordis is the author of Does the World Need the Jews and God Was Not in the Fire.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Touchstone; 1st Touchstone Ed edition (September 10, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0684825260
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0684825267
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the author

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Daniel Gordis

Daniel Gordis

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Dr. Daniel Gordis is Senior Vice President and the Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College. The author of more than ten books, Gordis is a regular columnist for both the Jerusalem Post and for Bloomberg View.

Gordis’ writing has appeared in magazines and newspapers including the New York Times, The New Republic, the New York Times Magazine, Azure, Commentary and Foreign Affairs, and his books have received numerous awards. He won the National Jewish Book Award for Saving Israel, and two of his books were Finalists for the National Jewish Book Award.

Gordis’ newest book is a history of the State of Israel entitled ISRAEL: A CONCISE HISTORY OF A NATION REBORN. Ambassador Dennis Ross, reflecting on the book, wrote, “When I am asked ‘Is there one book to read about Israel?’ I now have an answer.” Ari Shavit wrote, “Like Israel itself, Daniel Gordis’s Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn is audacious, intensive and unique.” Yossi Klein HaLevi wrote, “Daniel Gordis has written a luminous history …. Gordis gives us the soul of Israel, and helps explain why the most hated country on the planet is also among the most beloved.”

Professor Alan Dershowitz has called Gordis “one of Israel’s most thoughtful observers.” The Forward has called him “one of the most respected Israel analysts around.” In 2014, the Jerusalem Post listed him as one of the world’s 50 most influential Jews, while Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic has written, “If you asked me, ‘of all the people you know, who cares the most about the physical, moral and spiritual health of Israel?’ I would put the commentator and scholar Daniel Gordis at the top of the list.”

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
18 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

AL1
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
A must read for any Jewish seeker. Conservative/Masorti, Reform, Reconstructionist, Renewal - all who have an open view of commandedness will find this book very compelling and rewarding. It validates the wrestling of Jews with the challenges laid out in our tradition.
One person found this helpful
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Michael Austerlitz
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is amazing.
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2012
Verified Purchase
If you read this book, you'll know the history of Judaism, seriously. It's great for anyone who is interested in the birth of the Western world. I think after reading this, I can safely say I'm more educated about history in general.
2 people found this helpful
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Arnold A. Cohen
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2018
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Read before, sent as gift. Thougtful discussion.
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Bettina
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
Book was as described and on time. Would use them again.
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Monique
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2015
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This is a must read.
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steven liebman
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2017
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Must read
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply Explains the Fundamental Essence of Judaism
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2022
This book is for all Jews - Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, etc. - as it clearly lays out the core nature of Judaism's practice-driven faith. It elaborates the fundamentally different perspectives that it aims to inspire, aims to elucidate how traditional Jewish philosophy enlightens, enhances, and augments modern thought; and how it is necessary to see Judaism through a different frame of reference in order to appreciate its depths. In my opinion, it is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Judaism - even those who believe they already do.
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Harrison
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and fantastic read
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2009
I read Rabbi Daniel Gordis' "God Was Not in the Fire" ten years ago when I was in the conversion process, and it resonates with me still. Gordis has a beautiful way of explaining so many things that I didn't understand. Primary of those confusing details of Judaism was the question of the importance of Torah. He made the study of Torah exciting to me, through his beautiful prose, and his logical sense. Now, nearly a decade later, I'm finally saying Thank You to Rabbi Gordis. He made a difference.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Gregory Clapp
5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY SUPERB BOOK
Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2015
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ABSOLUTELY SUPERB BOOK
Written to help congregations bring non-practicing Jews back into an appreciation of their heritage. Superb resource for Christians as well. It has been a long time since I have read such a helpful volume.
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