Renegade Rabbi

“What kind of a teacher is Manny Gold? Brashly creative, humorous, both traditional and radical, demanding but beloved, profoundly learned, a little bit crazy, and—of course—utterly unique. Reading this book is a joyous reminder of how Jewish education can actually succeed when an educator like Gold is around to fiercely deepen our Jewish knowledge.”

“Judaism is Not What You Thought It Was. If you are willing to have your eyes opened to some innovative and refreshing perspectives about Judaism with many surprises, or are just curious about how Judaism might be different from what you leaned or imagined, Rabbi Gold’s remarkable book is for you. This book is for the novice layperson and those of advanced knowledge about Judaism and is well grounded in scholarship and original sources. Did you ever wonder why Biblical personalities who are supposed to be good people actually, when scrutinized, really do lots of bad things? By presenting these personalities through his rational interpretive lens with all their flaws, Rabbi Gold makes iconic people like Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Miriam, David, Solomon, Elijah and many others become more real, accessible and interesting. Rabbi Gold pulls away the centuries of “whitewashing” interpretations making these personalities believable, complex and memorable while leaving it to the reader to figure out how to best evaluate them. Rabbi Gold, picking up on details in Biblical and post Biblical texts throughout the centuries, reinterprets many customs and rituals including of holidays like Hanukkah and Passover based on his rigorous analysis of influences of non Jewish beliefs and religious and cultural mores on Judaism due to the ever-changing cultural settings in which it developed. All this makes the Jewish tradition more believable, accessible and engaging. All this comparative historical inquiry only served to increase our credibility in and appreciation for Jewish texts and traditions. This is a unique book on the Jewish tradition that challenges us to let go of inherited popular misconceptions and to think for ourselves in a new way. Reading it is an adventure written by a first class scholar qua detective uncovering many hidden treasures about the Jewish tradition.”

“Everything you thought you knew about Jewish holidays and symbolism…. “ Rabbi Manuel Gold is an idol-smasher, just like the Midrash about Abraham smashing the idols in his father’s idol shop. But the idols that Rabbi Gold smashes are long-held beliefs about the origins of Jewish practice and beliefs that we have held on to uncritically. With his scholarly view and his iconoclastic thinking, we are taught new ways to encounter the undergirding concepts of Jewish culture. There are “Aha!” moments throughout this easily readable text. It is a fun and provocative read. And even if one is not ready to accept Rabbi Gold’s point of view, one cannot help but to engage in the struggle for meaning — and that is the ultimate act of Jewish engagement. A must read for every thinking and practicing member of the tribe.”