THE JEWISH BOOK OF WHY

Using a simple question-and-answer format, Alfred Kolatch explains Jewish customs, including rites of passage, daily living, prayer and holidays. Reader Eli Wallach presents Kolatch's sensible explanations in rapid succession. His gravelly voice conveys kindness and wisdom, making him a perfect reader for a volume on Jewish tradition. Nevertheless, this audio misses the mark. Answers to many questions involve Hebrew or Yiddish terms. Words that sound alike or have multiple meanings have complicated scholars' interpretations of Hebrew scripture throughout history. Therefore, it's not surprising that these terms confuse a listener unfamiliar with either language. While the vocabulary builds, with each term being defined at some point, rewinding or going back to a previous tape is too cumbersome. Kolatch's information makes a good reference book. It does not translate well to audio. D.W.K. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 97]