Holy Days the World of the Hasidic Family Pdf

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 · 218 ratings  · 27 reviews

Outset your review of Holy Days: The World Of The Hasidic Family

Like many Americans of WASP extraction, I accept slim knowledge of Jewish history betwixt the Volume of Acts and Elie Wiesel. This book is a fascinating and useful introduction to a small slice of that rich history. Written in the mid-1980s by The New Yorker staff writer Lis Harris, the book weaves together Harris's experiences with a Lubavitcher Hasidic family unit in Crown Heights, Brooklyn with her research into three centuries of Hasidic history. The result is compelling reading; I consumed it as I m Like many Americans of WASP extraction, I have slim noesis of Jewish history between the Book of Acts and Elie Wiesel. This book is a fascinating and useful introduction to a small piece of that rich history. Written in the mid-1980s by The New Yorker staff author Lis Harris, the book weaves together Harris's experiences with a Lubavitcher Hasidic family in Crown Heights, Brooklyn with her research into three centuries of Hasidic history. The result is compelling reading; I consumed information technology as I might a well-written thriller, seeking along with the author to understand how do these intensely religious people live and why do they live this style? She presents a well-rounded depiction of the positives and negatives of Hasidic life, although I could not help only wonder what and how much has changed since she wrote thirty years agone. Harris succeeded in a author'south most difficult task: she left me wanting to know more. ...more

Mar 03, 2008 Jen rated it actually liked it

I came across this volume on the heels of having read The Chosen, and then I was interested to learn more than about the Hasidim. I liked getting a more every-solar day feel for what their life is like in more than gimmicky times, although this book is at present over twenty years-old; withal I'm hard-pressed to believe much has changed for this community in that time, since "new and improved" is absolutely *not* their motto.

I liked the writer--a Jewish woman who grew up in a non-religious household--and appreciated her

I came across this book on the heels of having read The Chosen, so I was interested to learn more about the Hasidim. I liked getting a more every-day experience for what their life is similar in more gimmicky times, although this book is at present over twenty years-onetime; however I'm hard-pressed to believe much has changed for this community in that time, since "new and improved" is absolutely *not* their motto.

I liked the author--a Jewish woman who grew up in a non-religious household--and appreciated her observations as "my" administrator into this generally private world. She has two chapters on the history of the Hasidic move, and the second i specially was kind of irksome--I skipped out of that most half-way through to get back to the more than fascinating stuff, ie the Hasidic family unit that was her ambassador into the community and her interactions with them. The writer'southward goal in learning get-go-hand almost the Hasidim was to learn more about the religious aspect she felt missing from her own life, only with this being the driving forcefulness backside her quest, I felt she dropped the brawl on it in her book. She does hash out along the way how she'south affected by her periodic immersions into the Hasidic world and definitely gives her accept most their practices, merely she didn't sum upward her experience on a personal level. So in the cease I felt similar I was left hanging because she didn't respond her own bigger questions. Even so, I sure did larn a lot about Hasidic life!

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A receptive New Yorker columnist spends about a year visiting the Lubuvitcher customs in Crown Meridian and tells the tale in this book. Information technology really is well written, fair, and quite absorbing if you are interested in the subject matter. Forth the way y'all learn a lot well-nigh Judaism and well-nigh the Hasidic strain of Judaism that the Lubuvitchers are part of. The portrait that emerges is both flattering and embarrassing . . . in other words, existent. She obviously did not desire to offend the hosts who so gr A receptive New Yorker columnist spends about a year visiting the Lubuvitcher community in Crown Acme and tells the tale in this book. Information technology actually is well written, fair, and quite absorbing if you are interested in the subject affair. Forth the mode you lot learn a lot about Judaism and almost the Hasidic strain of Judaism that the Lubuvitchers are role of. The portrait that emerges is both flattering and embarrassing . . . in other words, real. She plain did not desire to offend the hosts who then graciously took her into their inner world for a year and notwithstanding she does not shy away from expressing her sincere reactions and to discussing the not and so dandy side of the scene in Crown Heights as well as the impressive parts. The issue is a counterbalanced portrait based, of course, on the limitations of the author. Fortunately, Ms. Harris was up to the task in both a literary sense and in the sense that she basically carried out an anthropological study in which she was the participant observer. This book continues to exist relevant to anyone who would like to understand the Lubuvitcher community and the Chabad philosophy and teachings. ...more than

November 12, 2007 Lucy rated information technology actually liked it

Lis Harris is Jewish, but not observant. But she feels compelled to explore the Hassidic roots of her family unit, and so she finds a Hassidic family, the Konigsburgs, to shadow and learn from.

The volume is respectful, simply not awed. Harris clearly respects her subjects, and she is impressed by much of what they say and do, but she doesn't take it all blindly. She both lauds and criticizes, sometimes in the same paragraph. She explores the historic roots of the Hassidic community, interspersing chapt

Lis Harris is Jewish, but not observant. Simply she feels compelled to explore the Hassidic roots of her family, and and so she finds a Hassidic family unit, the Konigsburgs, to shadow and learn from.

The book is respectful, simply not awed. Harris clearly respects her subjects, and she is impressed by much of what they say and practise, but she doesn't accept information technology all blindly. She both lauds and criticizes, sometimes in the same paragraph. She explores the historic roots of the Hassidic customs, interspersing chapters of straight history with chapters detailing her experiences in the Konigsburg home.

This is a readable, interesting, well-written exploration of Hassidic Jewry that gives a clear, well-rounded outsider'south view. If this is a subject that you are interested in, I highly recommend this book.

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Jul 12, 2020 Marilyn rated information technology liked it

There is errors, such equally chabad believing the rebbe is yet alive, spelling mistakes and grammatical issues in this volume and writer does nowadays herself equally quite ignorant of her own culture and heritage as well as being duped into believes a lot of garbage the world says nigh homemakers, traditional women's roles and what actually majors people happy

Jun 26, 2012 Rachel rated it liked information technology

Interesting information, but the editing was then bad that I checked to come across if it was self published. I will look for another volume on the topic, a volume in which the editing and judgement structure do not backbite from the information.

May 09, 2018 Tim Nason rated it really liked it

A wonderfully well-written report of Lis Harris's interactions with a young Lubavitcher Hasidic family in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. It is compassionate, appreciative and very thorough, providing an insider view of an intensely devout and closed religious society. Harris is not uncritical in her description of the grouping's insular attitude, but she is accepting of its value in preserving the Hasidic customs that thrives and expands despite its close proximity to ethnically- and culturally various A wonderfully well-written report of Lis Harris'south interactions with a young Lubavitcher Hasidic family unit in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. It is empathetic, appreciative and very thorough, providing an insider view of an intensely devout and closed religious gild. Harris is not uncritical in her clarification of the group's insular attitude, but she is accepting of its value in preserving the Hasidic community that thrives and expands despite its shut proximity to ethnically- and culturally diverse neighborhoods. The book as well effortlessly slips in a not bad deal of history, and also explains many of the customs and rituals that guide Hasidic daily life through the year.

Reading "Holy Days" has led me to profoundly enjoy reading Chaim Potok's "My Name is Asher Lev," a coming-of-age novel that takes place within the Lubavitcher society (termed "Ladover" in the novel).

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Jun 13, 2020 Scott Thomson rated it really liked it

Very interesting insights. Technical problem with my copy; two folio 62'due south and no page 118.

May 19, 2013 Carla rated information technology it was astonishing

Just finished this wonderful book. Like the author, I come up from a background where the ultra-religious globe of the Hasidim is part of a family heritage near which no i has ever been willing to speak to me. Harris'due south loving test of this world inside a globe of worlds is both respectful and skeptical, and it never seeks to judge or to encourage its reader to estimate; it simply illustrates how the realm of the Hasidim works for those who choose to alive within it. A wonderful reading experie But finished this wonderful book. Like the author, I come from a background where the ultra-religious world of the Hasidim is part of a family heritage about which no one has e'er been willing to speak to me. Harris's loving examination of this world within a world of worlds is both respectful and skeptical, and it never seeks to gauge or to encourage its reader to approximate; it simply illustrates how the realm of the Hasidim works for those who choose to live within it. A wonderful reading feel! ...more

Feb fifteen, 2012 Michelle rated information technology actually liked information technology

I really enjoyed this investigation of a Lubavitcher Hasidim family unit by a secular Jew. I could experience Harris'southward respect for the family even if at times she was frustrated past them; one could also feel a certain wistfulness past Harris as she explored the religious life of this family and experienced holidays and life events with them. I wonder if she always became more religious. I felt the historical capacity on the history of Hasidism were less well done; I preferred her accounts of time spent with the I really enjoyed this investigation of a Lubavitcher Hasidim family by a secular Jew. I could experience Harris'due south respect for the family unit fifty-fifty if at times she was frustrated by them; one could likewise experience a certain wistfulness by Harris as she explored the religious life of this family and experienced holidays and life events with them. I wonder if she ever became more than religious. I felt the historical chapters on the history of Hasidism were less well done; I preferred her accounts of time spent with the family unit. ...more than

Sep 19, 2015 Nancy rated it actually liked it

Doing some digging into Judaism, and this book was recommended every bit an oldie but goodie in the anthropological category. Good for agreement the strengths and attractions of a deeply connected, rule-bound community in a highly transitory, disconnected society. The book reads smoothly, for the well-nigh part--the "interesting parts," not merely research. Harris is respectful and digs out the pregnant and value in a lifestyle that might be considered anachronistic or even rigid and demeaning. Doing some digging into Judaism, and this book was recommended as an oldie but goodie in the anthropological category. Good for agreement the strengths and attractions of a deeply connected, rule-leap community in a highly transitory, disconnected social club. The book reads smoothly, for the almost part--the "interesting parts," not merely research. Harris is respectful and digs out the meaning and value in a lifestyle that might exist considered anachronistic or even rigid and demeaning. ...more

April 03, 2015 Kathy Knapp rated it really liked information technology

Well-nigh of my friends, having grown upward in the Midwest, have limited experience with Orthodox Judaism, allow solitary Hasidism. I came upon a demand to empathise for a very personal reason - a family member's conversion. This book does a off-white chore of representing a close knit group of Religious in New York that is enlightening and respectful. It was an like shooting fish in a barrel read - not technical - it was presented in layman's terms. I have much to learn. This book was a primer, of sorts, for me. Near of my friends, having grown up in the Midwest, have limited experience with Orthodox Judaism, permit lonely Hasidism. I came upon a need to understand for a very personal reason - a family member's conversion. This book does a fair job of representing a shut knit grouping of Religious in New York that is enlightening and respectful. It was an easy read - non technical - it was presented in layman'due south terms. I have much to learn. This book was a primer, of sorts, for me. ...more

Jan 12, 2008 molly rated it liked it

you take to be really interested in hasidim to similar this book. the family is harris profiles is interesting but my secularism kind of turned me off from all the religious stuff but the folklore of information technology all is pretty fascinating. what is even crazier is what is going on with the lubabvitcher community now and in that location "messiah has a come!" vs. "no, that's just some guy from crown heights" debate you have to exist actually interested in hasidim to like this book. the family unit is harris profiles is interesting but my secularism kind of turned me off from all the religious stuff but the sociology of information technology all is pretty fascinating. what is even crazier is what is going on with the lubabvitcher community at present and there "messiah has a come!" vs. "no, that's just some guy from crown heights" debate ...more than

Gimmicky story of the Hasidic customs in East New York, Brooklyn. The author is a Jewiosh adult female who is an outsider to the community.
Some plant it interesting and educational. Others felt the author was condescending.

Interesting survey of the life of Hasidics. I agree with some other reviewer, even so, that the historical chapters were harder to follow and less engaging. I would be interested to learn if annihilation has changed in the community since Lis published the book in 1985.

Sep 24, 2009 Nicole rated it really liked it

An intriguing look within the lives of Brooklyn Hasidic Jews. Lis Harris takes us within many places that helped me to improve understand the lives and values of my Jewish neighbors. I really enjoyed this volume, and I recommend it to anyone with a curiosity most Hasidism.

There was a lot of interesting information in this book. However there were a few really slow chapters. It was worth reading and skimming the tiresome chapters. The book was written in the 1980s and nearly of the deadening chapters were non as relevant today every bit when the book was written.

This true store gave me a look into a dissimilar culture. Good read

Jul 01, 2007 Inez rated it liked it

I read this book when I was in college (like a hundred years ago :D) I don't have much to tell except information technology was a book with lots of bones information to brainwash a non-Jewish reader. I read this book when I was in college (similar a hundred years ago :D) I don't have much to tell except it was a book with lots of basic data to educate a non-Jewish reader. ...more

Sep 06, 2008 Sandra rated information technology really liked it

What seems to exist a factual intro to Hasidic life and behavior. Lots of myths debunked.

if you're interested in this topic, and so I recommend this volume. There is too a lively discussion of the Lubavitcher / Satmare disharmonize. (Lesson #ane: Not all Hasidic peoples are the same!) if you're interested in this topic, then I recommend this volume. There is too a lively discussion of the Lubavitcher / Satmare disharmonize. (Lesson #1: Not all Hasidic peoples are the aforementioned!) ...more

Holy Days: The Earth Of The Hasidic Family unit by Lis Harris (1995)

Sep 13, 2009 suz rated it it was amazing

This volume came to me at the perfect time-- just as I was leaving Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Centre to re-enter Chicago life.

Had borrowed from Sharon fall 2006 but never read. Yet interested to read!

November 26, 2008 Cynthia rated it really liked it

This is a fascinating non-fiction book most a Jewish woman who befriends a Hasidic family and penetrates their community to learn about Hasidism.

Required reading that I actually loved.

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