Reconnect with Judaism’s most important contribution to humanity—and redeem our world.
“The gift of Judaism is an understanding of what it means to be a human being—what we can do, what we can hope for, how we can live with purpose, what is expected of us. It is a celebration of human freedom, human possibility and human responsibility. Judaism is a way to live a heroic life, to construct a life devoted to values that are eternal, values of ultimate significance. The reward of a Jewish life is walking the world with a profound faith that you matter, your life matters, your dreams matter. I call this chutzpah.”
—from the Introduction
In this clarion call for a new way to “do Judaism,” award-winning spiritual leader Rabbi Edward Feinstein urges us to recover this message of Jewish self-empowerment—or chutzpah—to reshape our world. He walks us through the history of chutzpah—from the early chapters of Genesis, Jewish biblical law and the Rabbis of the Talmud to the mystics of medieval Spain and the European Hasidic tradition, Zionism and post-Holocaust thought. By showing us the ever-presence of chutzpah in Judaism he reveals the inner story of the Jewish People’s soul as well as the meaning that Judaism’s deepest purpose and most precious treasure has for us today.
“Feinstein traces chutzpah [with] great gusto and intelligence.... Well might put any lukewarm or worn-out or even secularized Jew back on the path of tradition.... A must-read for Christians interested in the recovery of their faith’s Jewish roots, too.”
—American Library Association’s Booklist
“Beautiful, provocative, evocative … delivered by one of the great Jewish thinkers and teachers alive today…. Makes you yearn to see the Jewish tradition through Feinstein’s eyes—daring, complicated, full of promise and overflowing with love.”
—Rabbi Sharon Brous, founder of IKAR
“A rollicking, insightful and persuasive tour through Torah, history, philosophy and modernity by one of the great storytellers and teachers of our time…. Brilliant! A must read!”
—Dr. Ron Wolfson, Fingerhut Professor of Education, American Jewish University; author, Relational Judaism: Using the Power of Relationships to Transform the Jewish Community
“It would be chutzpah for anyone but Rabbi Ed Feinstein to distill the teachings of these three intellectual giants of contemporary Jewish thought. The enduring insights of Rabbis Schulweis, Hartman and Greenberg are indispensable to all intellectually probing Jewish seekers.”
—Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president, Union for Reform Judaism
“A work of love.… Ed’s rare energy, wit and special tales are tenderly integrated into this passing of knowledge from teacher to student, from teacher to reader. Rabbi Feinstein’s special sparks are everywhere on these pages.”
—Rabbi B. Elka Abrahamson, president, The Wexner Foundation
“Inimitable, beyond summary, engaging. Go read this book! Better yet, live it!”
—Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg, founding president, Clal—The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership; founding president, Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation
“A brilliant exposition of Judaism and its insistence that our defining religious contribution is chutzpah, the quality we must have and use to work together to improve the world.”
—Ruth Messinger, president, American Jewish World Service
“Ed Feinstein might not have invented chutzpah, but he certainly has reclaimed it for the Jewish people. The Chutzpah Imperative is the perfect antidote to what is ailing us.”
—Craig Taubman, singer-songwriter and producer; founder, Craig ‘n Co.
“Profound, elegant and beautiful…. Rabbi Ed Feinstein is able to take the great classic stories of our tradition and shed new light and wisdom on them. Whether you are just learning about Judaism or have spent your life steeped in learning Torah, Ed Feinstein will give you new things to think about, transforming old understandings into brilliant, fresh approaches. Compelling, humorous and instructive … hooray for Rabbi Feinstein’s chutzpah in this breakthrough book that every generation from every background will enjoy.”
—Rabbi Asher Lopatin, president, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School
“With the art of a storyteller, the craft of an educator and the wisdom of a philosopher, Rabbi Ed Feinstein guides us through the epic tales of our past and shows us again and again from where a Jew’s dogged perseverance and vital engagement with the world emanates. He skillfully adjusts the focus for those of us who see through a Jewish lens, and presents a compelling picture for those who are looking for one.”
—Harlene Winnick Appelman, executive director, Covenant Foundation
“It’s extraordinary how Rabbi Ed Feinstein has managed to place the aggressive and seemingly secular notion of ‘chutzpah’ at the heart of Judaism. But he’s right: It will take nothing less than chutzpah for this ancient tradition to realize its potential. Feinstein needed chutzpah to bring holiness to chutzpah.”
—David Suissa, president, Tribe Media/Jewish Journal
“Nudges us into an honest life, a compassionate path, questioning our way to goodness and to glory. This book will break your heart wide open, welcoming in the whole wide world.”
—Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, DHL, vice president, American Jewish University; author, God of Becoming and Relationship: The Dynamic Nature of Process Theology
Rabbi Laura Geller is senior rabbi of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills. She was twice named one of Newsweek’s 50 Most Influential Rabbis in America and was featured in the PBS documentary Jewish Americans. She has contributed to many books and journals, and was on the editorial board of The Torah: A Women’s Commentary.
