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shighley's review
4.0
My book review circle at church really enjoyed this book; as a matter of fact, another group is going to do a further study this summer. We were pleased that we chose this to read during Lent, as it felt even more meaningful (if possible). In addition, a local newscaster was in the Holy Land during the time we were reading the book, and I saw many of the same places on his Facebook page, several of them videos. Some of us wished that there had been a map in the book; I found myself consulting maps on my own several times. Kathie Lee did a great job of connecting the Old Testament to the New.
Some of the numerology part felt a bit much to me, but I realize that those doing in-depth studies can make more connections.
Some of the numerology part felt a bit much to me, but I realize that those doing in-depth studies can make more connections.
themoonkestrel's review against another edition
2.5
This was quite disappointing. I had read an excerpt and that was basically the best part of the whole book. For most of it, it is a promotional book on the tour done in Israel and where you are going and the emotions the author felt while there. There was little actual new stuff or anything interesting and I ended up finding this bland.
krnnsh's review
5.0
As a Christian, I learned so much. Fascinating lessons from the Jewish teaching.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
nancidrum's review
5.0
This was a great book and study! I learned so much more about the Bible and the Jewish culture of Jesus' day from this informative read. I think I almost highlighted the entire book! The writing is such that you will possibly learn something even if you're a Bible scholar, but still basic enough if your knowledge is not deep. Short chapters, which makes it easy to put down and have time to reflect on the learning. I highly recommend this, and I'm sure it's something that I will be rereading a few times to absorb all the fascinating facts.
lory_enterenchanted's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Reviews and more on my blog: Entering the Enchanted Castle
There were some interesting nuggets here, but lots of "facts" with no citation, and much reliance on the history of Josephus, which I don't think can be entirely reliable. Plus, I have a hard time trusting a text that contains such bloopers as: "Baal is the pagan word for Lord" ("pagan" is not a language) "Caesar Augustus, who was the son of the assassinated Julius Caesar" (Augustus (Octavian) was Julius Caesar's great-nephew, not his son, though he was named his heir in his will) and "The Jews were the first monotheistic culture in history" (What about Akhenaten?)
Then there was a disturbing description of Israeli fighter planes erupting from silos and screeching overhead as the tour group stood on Mount Carmel, site of Elijah's victory over the Baal priests. "It was exhilarating beyond description ... my soul leaps at the memory of it. God is still winning the victory. He is still fulfilling his promises. ... There is a God in Israel! And he still loves His people and the land they were called to." KLG has just questioned who our false gods are today, and then said this. If militarism and nationalism are not false gods, what is? Personally, I am not in agreement that a display of death machines should be taken as a triumphant symbol of the will of God for humanity today.
Meanwhile, KLG finds the Palestinian Authority in Bethlehem to be darkly oppressive, spoiling the spiritual atmosphere for the tour group. Oh, dear.
Rabbi Sobel's explanations sound plausible but could also be spurious. I've never heard of Levitical shepherds tending the sacrifices for the Temple ... but it's true, someone had to do it. Swaddling lambs and laying them in a manger to keep them from bruising themselves on cave walls, though - really? How does he know that babies were washed in salt, what is the evidence for that? Then there is total speculation that Jesus's swaddling clothes might have been made from the old priests' garments, which were normally used to make wicks for the menorah, but were given to Mary by her cousin Elizabeth (wife to a priest). The shepherds were not impressed by their hearts' connection to the baby, but by his being embedded in all these symbols. Kind of takes the magic out of the Christmas story.
There were some interesting nuggets here, but lots of "facts" with no citation, and much reliance on the history of Josephus, which I don't think can be entirely reliable. Plus, I have a hard time trusting a text that contains such bloopers as: "Baal is the pagan word for Lord" ("pagan" is not a language) "Caesar Augustus, who was the son of the assassinated Julius Caesar" (Augustus (Octavian) was Julius Caesar's great-nephew, not his son, though he was named his heir in his will) and "The Jews were the first monotheistic culture in history" (What about Akhenaten?)
Then there was a disturbing description of Israeli fighter planes erupting from silos and screeching overhead as the tour group stood on Mount Carmel, site of Elijah's victory over the Baal priests. "It was exhilarating beyond description ... my soul leaps at the memory of it. God is still winning the victory. He is still fulfilling his promises. ... There is a God in Israel! And he still loves His people and the land they were called to." KLG has just questioned who our false gods are today, and then said this. If militarism and nationalism are not false gods, what is? Personally, I am not in agreement that a display of death machines should be taken as a triumphant symbol of the will of God for humanity today.
Meanwhile, KLG finds the Palestinian Authority in Bethlehem to be darkly oppressive, spoiling the spiritual atmosphere for the tour group. Oh, dear.
Rabbi Sobel's explanations sound plausible but could also be spurious. I've never heard of Levitical shepherds tending the sacrifices for the Temple ... but it's true, someone had to do it. Swaddling lambs and laying them in a manger to keep them from bruising themselves on cave walls, though - really? How does he know that babies were washed in salt, what is the evidence for that? Then there is total speculation that Jesus's swaddling clothes might have been made from the old priests' garments, which were normally used to make wicks for the menorah, but were given to Mary by her cousin Elizabeth (wife to a priest). The shepherds were not impressed by their hearts' connection to the baby, but by his being embedded in all these symbols. Kind of takes the magic out of the Christmas story.
bookgirl_71's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
rouver's review
4.0
Let me start out that I have never cared for Kathie Lee Gifford's syrupy enthusiasm. She was a morning host, and her bubbly presentation just always rubbed me the wrong way. It served her well in her job, but it turned me off. I'm sure she's a wonderful & perfectly nice, genuine, lovely person. She's not my cup of tea.
Because of her tv success, she's also much wealthier than most of the rest of us. I'm so glad that she was able to enrich her spiritual life by going on an expensive vacation accompanied by learned professors who could give personal tours and lessons. How lovely for her. I can't get overly excited about a rich person's vacay descriptions.
Strike 1.
I know she really really loved her husband. She wanted to include experiences she had with him that she thought were lovely & funny. He was an athlete who moved into sports broadcasting. Hearing about how he hammed it up on their expensive, exclusive, guided vacation was irritating & seemed unecessary.
Strike 2.
Ending every chapter with "Come....to (some far away location that I will never see because $$$) was really really irritating & I had to physically cover the words to keep from flinging the book across the room.
Strike 3.
BUT.
I'm giving this book 4 stars. Because in spite of all of that, there was some really interesting stuff in this book. It made me want to go out & read more, especially rabbinic studies. I feel like there are some chapters I need to go back & re-read.
For example:
"....in the original text of Ephesians 5:22, where Paul exhorts, 'Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.' I found the Greek word hupotasso. It means 'to identify with' or 'to be in support of.' This is different from the English translation, which is taken from the Greek word hupeiko, meaning 'submit to.'"
Most of the interesting facts or revelations came from her co-author, Rabbi Jason Sobel. I thought perhaps this collaboration was an attempt to get his teachering to a wider audience by using her celebrity, and was hoping that he had written some books on his own, but all I've found is some YouTube videos. Unfortunately, I think I like his writing better than his vlogging.
This is a relatively short book & worth the read. Especially if you aren't as me when it comes to Gifford.
Because of her tv success, she's also much wealthier than most of the rest of us. I'm so glad that she was able to enrich her spiritual life by going on an expensive vacation accompanied by learned professors who could give personal tours and lessons. How lovely for her. I can't get overly excited about a rich person's vacay descriptions.
Strike 1.
I know she really really loved her husband. She wanted to include experiences she had with him that she thought were lovely & funny. He was an athlete who moved into sports broadcasting. Hearing about how he hammed it up on their expensive, exclusive, guided vacation was irritating & seemed unecessary.
Strike 2.
Ending every chapter with "Come....to (some far away location that I will never see because $$$) was really really irritating & I had to physically cover the words to keep from flinging the book across the room.
Strike 3.
BUT.
I'm giving this book 4 stars. Because in spite of all of that, there was some really interesting stuff in this book. It made me want to go out & read more, especially rabbinic studies. I feel like there are some chapters I need to go back & re-read.
For example:
"....in the original text of Ephesians 5:22, where Paul exhorts, 'Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.' I found the Greek word hupotasso. It means 'to identify with' or 'to be in support of.' This is different from the English translation, which is taken from the Greek word hupeiko, meaning 'submit to.'"
Most of the interesting facts or revelations came from her co-author, Rabbi Jason Sobel. I thought perhaps this collaboration was an attempt to get his teachering to a wider audience by using her celebrity, and was hoping that he had written some books on his own, but all I've found is some YouTube videos. Unfortunately, I think I like his writing better than his vlogging.
This is a relatively short book & worth the read. Especially if you aren't as me when it comes to Gifford.
courtenyhippler's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0