A short but comprehensive account of Judaism presented against a background of the 4,000 years of Jewish history extending from the westward migration of Abraham, the progenitor of the Jewish people, to the establishment of the modern State of Israel. Traces the rise, growth, and development of the beliefs, teachings and practices of Judaism, as well as of its hopes, aspirations and ideals. Also discusses the spiritual movements and influences which have helped to shape the Jewish religion and its varied manifestations, and describes the contributions made in turn by a succession of prophets, legislators, priests, psalmists, sages, rabbis, philosophers and mystics, by which Judaism has come to be the living religious force it is today. In the treatment of its themes the book strives to maintain a balance between the factual and the interpretative, and aims throughout at clarity and simplicity in presentation and exposition.… (more)