The Jewish Way in Love & Marriage

In this book, the author presents a very readable and enjoyable as well as scholarly review of the foundations of love and marriage in Judaism. I found the book to be a very moving but contemporary look at the ancient traditional roots of marital love in the Torah and Rabbinical writings. There is a very thorough selection of topics from the traditions of the matchmaker to details of the contemporary Jewish wedding. Mr. Lamm captures the heart of divine love and how it is woven through the traditions and practices of love and marriage in Judaism.I recommend this book to young couples preparing for marriage as well as a renewal of love and commitment for couples that have been married for many years.

This was an in depth study of what true love as opposed to the notion of romantic love.It clearly explains the nature and beauty of a God ordained marriage.

super book. great information in a practical formatMr. Lamm has done a wounderful service for us coming into the Hebrew faith

I've chosen this book expecting a comprehensive review of love and marriage under jewish lenses. Unfortunately the book is skewed to very radical views of the world and sound like literature from three centuries ago.When the author says a jew should abandon his son in the case he was produced outside formal wedding locks I decided to abandon reading. Judaism for me is about being the best you can as a human being and abandoning a child is only fit to a monster, whatever the circunstances he or she is born.If I could I would "unread" all this. We, as Jews, went down one notch in my view after reading this unfortunate production.

I'm so glad I got this book, even though I don't hold to the legal strictures in Chapter 5. Chapter 8, "Jewish Insights Into Marriage", is worth the price of admission: "Marriage is the natural home of love", says Rabbi Lamm, and then presents the considered and road-tested advice of the sages about how to make commitment last, and why.I read other sections with trepidation (being a feminist and not so high on the ladder of observance) and found such beautiful material attesting to centuries of recognition that a wife is not property, but a person made in the image of G-d.Chapter 6, "Qualities of the Ideal Mate", speaks first of compassion, including compassion towards animals -- going all the way back to Rebekah (Rivka). I'd like to show that chapter to some of the adolescents in my life. And at the same time, reading his explanation of what modesty (tzniut) of character means, I have more appreciation for women who choose to cover their hair.This is not the ultimate checklist book, but I really like Part Five, where the author fills in the history of each component ceremony of a Jewish wedding. Actually, the reason I bought this book is because I didn't like the current century's spin on the veiling ritual (bedeken). The classic explanations (set forth at the end of Ch.14) do much more both to respect the bride as an individual and to focus on the specialness of the link between bride and groom.That same chapter goes over every detail of the traditional ketubah, line by line... Anyone who is passionate about the rights of women could find inspiration in those details, especially when you figure for how many centuries wives were still chattel in British and other legal systems. Or you can skip the details and just glance at the headings in Ch. 10. The ideas come through.To broaden out from this book, particularly for Conservative, Reform, or interfaith couples, do try Anita Diamant's "New Jewish Wedding" (it's probably on the screen right now) and/or Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer's "Creative Jewish Wedding Book" for some beautiful artwork, inclusive translations, and other goodies. Either of those books would be an affirming resource for same-sex couples, to balance this one.But pretty much anyone who thinks there's value in marriage and who finds some wisdom in the Bible could find something to inspire them in this book, like in Ch. 9's celebration of companionship. Of course, if you have the time to read through the Talmud and Rambam and all that yourself, no problem! But for me, I'm very happy Rabbi Lamm brought these gems together in this thoughtful book.

If you are Jewish and want to get married read this book first. It covers the wedding and related issues as well as the question of how to know whom to marry in a clear pleasant fashion. I read this after I met my wife, in preparation for the wedding so that I would fully understand the wedding day and all the other issues. Reading and understanding the material in this book really enhanced the very special day of our wedding and laid the foundations for our marriage together.Rabbi Morris Lamm is a well-known and well-regarded author of books on Jewish practice. Regardless of the level of one's observance, this book is well worth reading and owning.

Great book written by well respected Orthodox Rabbi. Full of information about spiritualism and love, and the inter-relationship between them.

You don't have to be religious to read this wonderful book. Rabbi Lamm wrote it for all kinds of people, who want to know, what a jewish wedding is all about. It's really a must read for a jewish bride and groom before their wedding. The whole ceremony is translated and each step described and explained. I bought it for my daughters and they love it.

A beautiful book dealing with the spiritual aspects of love and marriage. Awe inspiring read, largely from a Conservative perspective.